Drummers on Drumming

By Ben HilzingerMusic Music Commentary Music Interviews

Drummers on Drumming episodes

June 25, 2025The Drum Panel: The Schelp is Real...I'm Happy?
In this episode, The Drum Panel returns with ME (Ben Hilzinger), alongside my co-host Eric Urrea (Marina City), Cain Daniel (Jesus Molina, Derek Hough) for a roundtable discussion on all things drum.
Today we discuss:
How we get out of a creative rut

Redefining success — how your goals change as you grow

Self-work — therapy, breathwork, and staying sane on the road

Live performance as meditation — the balance between awareness and letting go

Gear stories that hurt

Pushing back on bad adviceIf your younger self saw you now… — the reality vs. the fantasy

Insurance tips every musician should know (seriously)
---
Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!
🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠
Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.
For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, Twitter, and TikTok.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
56 min
June 18, 2025The Drum Panel: Taste Is Fake, but My Feelings Are Real
In this episode, The Drum Panel returns with ME (Ben Hilzinger), alongside my co-host Eric Urrea (Marina City), Max Flanders (Lukas Nelson), and Dean Sinclair (Capital Soirée, Worry Club, Ostin) for a roundtable on the ever-fragile topic of taste.
Today we discuss:
How to handle unsolicited feedback without spiraling into existential dread

The delicate balance between self-expression and being hireable

Whether “good taste” is something you're born with—or can develop

That awkward moment when a producer tells you to “play something you’re already playing”

Learning to interpret non-drummer feedback without losing your mind

The anxiety of showing people your work… and how to move past it

Whether your teenage influences are a crutch… or your secret weapon

Developing your own voice in a world full of technically perfect drummers—and incoming AI

Overcoming “red light syndrome” in the studio and learning to groove under pressure
This one is for anyone who's ever questioned their taste, their technique, or their place in the industry. It’s funny, raw, and packed with perspective.
---
Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!
🎯 ⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠
Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.
For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, Twitter, and TikTok.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
45 min
June 11, 2025 Big Fat Five: Ari Hoenig (Drummer / Educator) Shares His Most Influential Records
My guest today is Ari Hoenig — drummer, composer, educator, and all-around wizard behind the kit. Ari is known for his melodic, almost vocal approach to the drums, especially his ability to bend pitch and bring out distinct note choices on the instrument in a way that sounds nearly impossible. He’s collaborated with artists like Chris Potter, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Joshua Redman, and many others, but it’s his own solo work that really puts a spotlight on his creative spirit.
In this episode, Ari walks through five records that helped shape his unique voice — from the expressive swing of Papa Jo Jones to the unconventional phrasing of Thelonious Monk. We also dive into Ari’s early classical roots, why Keith Jarrett changed his musical DNA, and how he began developing his signature melodic drumming approach.
Hope you enjoy the five records that shaped Ari Hoenig into the deeply expressive and fiercely original musician he is today.
Join Ari's Patreon HERE

ARI'S BIG FAT FIVE:
Artist – Keith Jarrett
Album – Belonging
Release Year – 1974
Key Track – "Spiral Dance"
Drummer – Jon Christensen
-
Artist – Jo Jones
Album – The Jo Jones Trio: The Everest Years
Release Year – 1959
Key Track – "Philadelphia Bound"
Drummer – Jo Jones
-
Artist – Kenny Garrett
Album – Trilogy
Release Year – 1995
Key Track – "Wayne's Thing"
Drummer – Brian Blade
-
Artist – Miles Davis
Album – Nefertiti
Release Year – 1968
Key Track – "Nefertiti"
Drummer – Tony Williams
-
Artist – Thelonious Monk
Album – Monk's Dream
Release Year – 1963
Key Track – "Monk's Dream"
Drummer – Frankie Dunlop
---
Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!
🎯 ⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠
Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.
For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, Twitter, and TikTok.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
31 min
June 04, 2025 Big Fat Five: Billy Martin (Medeski, Martin & Wood) Shares His Most Influential Records
This week’s guest is Billy Martin ... a world-renowned drummer, educator, visual artist, producer, and author. He has collaborated with some of the best, including (but certainly not limited to) John Scofield, John Zorn, Iggy Pop, Natalie Merchant, Flea and many more. Still, many people know him best for his work with Medeski, Martin & Wood, alongside John Medeski and Chris Wood. If you enjoy this episode, please go check out Billy’s interview with Mike Dawson on the Drum Candy podcast titled “Improvising and Cultivating a Creative Mindset”.
I recently re-watched his anti-instructional film, Life on Drums, and I can’t recommend it enough. It's essentially a series of conversations between Martin and his first drum teacher, Allen Herman. These discussions delve into topics such as soloing, time, tone, phrasing, free playing, and so much more. Interspersed throughout are some pretty rad solo and duet performances…all filmed with a cinematic aesthetic. So check that out if that interests you.
Right off the bat, we dive into the topic of soloing — something Billy encourages all drummers to do first thing when they sit behind the kit (even if just for five minutes), before jumping into the records that shaped him into the remarkable musician he is today.

BILLY'S BIG FAT FIVE:
Artist - Peter Tosh
Album - Legalize It
Release Year - 1976
Key Track - "Legalize it"
Drummer - Carlton "Santa" Davis, Carlton Barrett
-
Artist - Stevie Wonder
Album - Talking Book
Release Year - 1972
Key Track - "Superstition"
Drummer - Stevie Wonder
-
Artist - Dr. John
Album - Gris Gris
Release Year - 1968
Key Track - "Mama Roux"
Drummer - John Boudreaux
-
Artist - John Coltrane
Album - Interstellar Space
Release Year - 1974
Key Track - "Jupiter Variation"
Drummer - Rashied Ali
-
Artist - Charles Mingus
Album - Mingus Ah Um
Release Year - 1959
Key Track - "Better Git It In Your Soul"
Drummer - Dannie Richmond
-
Artist - Lil' Kim
Album - Hard Core
Release Year - 1996
Key Track - "Queen Bitch"
Artist - Wu-Tang Clan
Album - Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Release Year - 1993
Key Track - "Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber - Part II - Conclusion"
Drummer - RZA (producer / beat maker)
---
Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!
🎯 ⁠Click here to order now!⁠
Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.
For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠ and follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, Twitter, and TikTok.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
55 min
May 28, 2025The Drum Panel: Pocket, Pep Talks & Paris Regrets
Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, powered by Big Fat Snare Drum.
In this part two episode, I continue my deep-dive chat with co-host Eric Urrea (Marina City) — picking up right where last week’s marathon conversation left off.
Today we discuss:
The most useful failures musicians face (and how to reframe them)

Why “pocket” means something different on every gig

Learning to own your voice — whether as a hired gun or band member

How to stay mentally and physically sane while on the road

Why doing non-music things on tour actually fuels your art
We open up about imposter syndrome, ADHD, burnout, and what it really takes to balance creativity with professionalism.
---
Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!
🎯 ⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠
Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
49 min
May 21, 2025The Drum Panel: Master Rights, Mid-Gig Panic, and the Myth of “Making It”
Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, powered by Big Fat Snare Drum.
In this episode of The Drum Panel, I’m joined by my co-host Eric Urrea (Marina City) for a laid-back but honest conversation about drumming, the music industry, self-worth, and everything in between.
We had originally planned to bring on a guest, but when that fell through, we decided to just catch up and hit record—which, honestly, ended up being exactly what we needed.

Today we discuss:
A belief we both held about drumming early on that we’ve since let go of.

Why learning kick drum patterns is my first step when tackling new material.

The very real anxiety of walking into a new gig and playing in front of a band for the first time.

Our approach to charting vs. memorizing—and why it changes depending on the situation.

Whether drummers deserve songwriting credit and how we navigate that conversation.

The difference between publishing and master rights, and what every drummer should understand about the business.

Our evolving definitions of “making it” as working musicians.

How our instruments can feel like both a source of pride and frustration—and how that ties into self-worth.

The constant push-pull between confidence and impostor syndrome, and how we deal with it.

If you’re navigating your own creative path, juggling multiple projects, or just trying to stay inspired through the ups and downs, I think this episode will hit home.
---
Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!
🎯 ⁠Click here to order now!⁠
Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠ and follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
45 min
May 14, 2025The Drum Panel: Trash Can Lids, Technique Traps, and Amateur Traits
Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, powered by Big Fat Snare Drum. In this episode of The Drum Panel, host Ben Hilzinger is joined by Sterling Laws and Fred Eltringham for an insightful roundtable on all things DRUM.
Meet the Panelists:
Sterling Laws: Grammy-nominated drummer from the Pacific Northwest, now based in Los Angeles, known for collaborations with Olivia Rodrigo, Kim Gordon, and more.

Fred Eltringham: Nashville-based drummer, a mainstay with Sheryl Crow since 2012, with credits including The Wallflowers, The Chicks, and kd lang.
In today's episode, we discuss:
Dream pieces of gear from music history.
Albums they wish they could have witnessed being recorded.
Balancing technique and groove, and the idea that overemphasis on technique might mask a lack of feel.
Essential, budget-friendly gear they rely on.
Personal experiences of re-evaluating their approach to the drum set.
Common drumming advice they find questionable, such as rigid techniques or creative limitations imposed by producers.
Trends in drumming they're eager to see fade.
Identifying traits that distinguish amateur drummers in live settings, like cymbal choices and hi-hat control.
---
Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!

🎯 ⁠Click here to order now!⁠

Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.
For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠ and follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
39 min
May 07, 2025 Big Fat Five: David Garibaldi (Tower of Power) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records
Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming…a podcast powered by Big Fat Snare Drum.
I’m back with another installed of Big Fat Five — a segment of the podcast where we dive into the five records that shaped the way great drummers approach their craft.
My name is Ben Hilzinger and today’s guest is someone whose playing and educational work has impacted me personally in a big way. David Garibaldi is not only the legendary drummer of Tower of Power, but his book Future Sounds has been one of my go-to practice tools ever since my good friend Sarab Singh first turned me onto it. In this conversation, David shares the five records that shaped his unmistakable sound and approach to rhythm. I’m so honored to have him on — let’s get into it. I hope you enjoy my chat with David Garibaldi. Cheers!
---
Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!
🎯 ⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠
Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

DAVID'S BIG FAT FIVE:
Artist - Count Basie
Album - Breakfast Dance and Barbeque
Release Year - 1959
Drummer - Sonny Payne
-
Artist - Sly & The Family Stone
Album - Whole New Thing
Release Year - 1967
Key Track(s) "Underdog," "If This Room Could Talk"
Drummer - Greg Errico
-
Artist - Aretha Franklin
Album - Aretha Live @ The Fillmore West
Release Year - 1971
Drummer - Bernard Purdie
-
Artist - The Meters
Album - Look-Ka Py Py
Release Year - 1969
Key Track(s) "Looka-Py-Py," "Rigor Mortis"
Drummer - Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste
-
Artist - James Brown
Single - "I Got The Feelin'"
Release Year - 1968
Drummer - Clyde Stubblefield
-
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Artist - Maceo & All The King's Men
Album - Doing Their Own Thing
Release Year - 1970
Drummer - Melvin Parker

Maceo Parker
Album - Made By Maceo
Release Year - 2003
Drummer - Jamal Thomas

Artist - Ray Barretto
Album - Que Viva La Musica
Release Year - 1972
Key Track - Alafia Cumaye
Timbales - Orestes Vilato

Artist - Herbie Hancock
Album - Maiden Voyage
Key Track - Maiden Voyage
Release Year - 1965
Drummer - Tony Williams

Artist - Miles Davis
Album - Four and More
Release Year - 1966 (Recorded in 1964)
Drummer - Tony Williams

Elvin Jones...all his recordings...(especially McCoy Tyner's album Inception)
...and MANY more...

For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
41 min
April 30, 2025 Big Fat Five: Jacopo Volpe (Post Malone, Salmo, Damiano David) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records
We’re back with another installment of the Big Fat Five—where I invite on a drummer that inspires me to break down the five records that shaped their voice behind the kit.
My name is Ben Hilzinger and today’s guest is Jacopo Volpe. Born and raised in Italy, Jaco has played with Vanilla Sky, Post Malone, Damiano David, The Bloody Beetroots, Salmo, Portugal. The Man, and a bunch more. He’s got power, chops, groove, and the kind of confidence that only comes from playing on the biggest stages in the world.
I’ll let Jaco tell you more about his journey, but for now, let’s dive into the five records that helped shape who he is behind the kit. Cheers.
---
Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!
🎯 ⁠Click here to order now!⁠
Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

JACO'S BIG FAT FIVE:
Artist - Elton John
Album - Night and Day Concert - Live at Wembley
Release Year - 1984
Key Track(s) - "Crocodile Rock;" "I’m Still Standing"
Drummer - Nigel Olsson
-
Artist - Toto
Album - Toto Live in Paris
Release Year - 1990
Key Track(s) - "Rosanna." "Hold The Line"
Drummer - Jeff Porcaro
-
Artist - Stevie Ray Vaughan
Album - Live from Austin, Texas
Release Year - 1995/1997
Key Track(s) - "Texas Flood," "Cold Shot"
Drummer - Chris Layton
-
Artist - Blink-182
Album - The Mark Tom and Travis show
Release Year - 2000
Key Track(s) - "Dumpweed," "Don’t Leave Me," "Mutt"
Drummer - Travis Barker
-
Artist - Foo Fighters
Album - Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace
Release Year - 2007
Key Track - "The Pretender"
Drummer - Taylor Hawkins

For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠ and follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
25 min
April 23, 2025The Drum Panel: From Garibaldi to Game Show
Welcome back to The Drum Panel—a roundtable-style discussion on all things drums.

This week, I’m joined—as almost always—by my co-host Eric Urrea, and today’s special guest is Jeremy Taggart: longtime drummer for Our Lady Peace and co-host of the Taggart and Torrens podcast, where he blends his love of music, comedy, and all things Canadian. At the end of the day, we’re just good buddies—and those are the kinds of people I like to have on The Drum Panel.

This episode kicks off in the middle of a little rant I was having about a recent encounter with David Garibaldi… which, if you stick around long enough, you just might hear for yourself. Let’s hop in. Cheers.

In this episode, we discuss:
Jeremy’s dream piece of music memorabilia
The records he wishes he could’ve been a fly on the wall for
Making peace with not keeping every skill sharp—and choosing what to let slide to serve your personal sound
Singing while drumming
A round of Word Association
And of course…Trivia!

---

Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!

🎯 Click here to order now!

Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
52 min

About Drummers on Drumming

From the publisher's feed

A podcast for drummers who think too much. Ben Hilzinger talks to the greats about creativity, identity, staying sane, and finding purpose behind the kit.