Drummers on Drumming

Welcome back to Big Fat Five—a segment of Drummers on Drumming brought to you by Big Fat Snare Drum, where I chat with my favorite drummers about the stories and records that shaped their sound. I’m your host, Ben Hilzinger, and this week’s guest is the incredible Sterling Laws.

Sterling is a fellow Pacific Northwest native now based in Los Angeles, but more importantly, he’s a Grammy-nominated drummer whose resume is as impressive as it gets. He’s worked with artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Kim Gordon, Chappell Roan, NIKI, Matt Berninger, Liz Phair, The War on Drugs, Linda Perry, Aly & AJ, Lo Moon, Dave Stewart, and many more.

Sterling is out there doing the thing and still manages to bring a unique perspective to the kit while working with such a diverse roster of artists—a quality that’s both rare and inspiring. It’s exactly why I was so excited to talk to him.

So, without further ado, here are the five records that helped shape Sterling Laws into the drummer he is today. Cheers!

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

Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming!

Today, I’m thrilled to share a conversation with a true force in modern drumming—Ilan Rubin. You’ve heard his incredible work behind the kit with artists like Nine Inch Nails, Danny Elfman, Angels & Airwaves, Paramore and so many more. But Ilan is not just an outstanding drummer; he’s also a passionate educator, and his latest project proves just that. 

He’s recently released his instructional book, Start Somewhere to Go Somewhere, and trust me, it’s not just another drum method book.

In this episode, we certainly discuss the book, but we dive deep into Ilan’s philosophy on practice and technique in a way that I personally haven’t heard him talk about before … and why he felt compelled to share his unique perspective in an already crowded field of drum education. I have the book and ive been able to spend some more time with it since recording this episode and I can say first hand, it’s worth it. So without further ado…here is my chat with the youngest rock n roll hall of fame inductee, Ilan Rubin.

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

Episode 6 of The Drum Panel

This week's guests are two of my favorite drummers and people, Sarab Singh (MUNA) and Adam Christgau (Tegan and Sara).

SUBMIT YOUR CONTROVERSIAL MUSIC OPINIONS HERE

In this episode, we dive into:

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

We’ve got another installment of Big Fat Five: a segment where I talk to drummers about the stories and records that shaped their sound.

Today’s guest is Lucy Ritter, a New York/New Jersey native who picked up the drums at just 9 years old and was already landing professional gigs by 14. After three years at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, she made the bold decision to leave and join her first major tour: the Broadway musical An Officer and a Gentleman. That gig opened doors, eventually leading to her being offered the drum chair for the Grammy Award-winning musical Jagged Little Pill.

These days, Lucy has stepped away from the Broadway scene and taken on an exciting new role as the drummer for one of today’s fastest-rising pop acts, Chappell Roan. We dig into how she landed that gig and explore the five records that have profoundly influenced her drumming style. This episode has been a long time coming, so let’s dive in. I hope you enjoy my conversation with the incredibly talented Lucy Ritter... cheers!

Episode 5 of The Drum Panel

This week's guests are my co-host Eric Urrea (Marina City / Sessions) and good buddy Kris Mazzarisi (owner/founder of Big Fat Snare Drum).

SUBMIT YOUR CONTROVERSIAL MUSIC OPINIONS HERE

In this episode, we dive into:

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

Today I’m joined by Jesse Boyle, my good buddy and the drummer for the boundary-pushing band Chase Atlantic. Known for blending genres like alternative, R&B, and electronic music, Jesse’s unique approach drives the pulse behind Chase’s immersive live soundscapes. We’ll dive into the top five influences that shaped his drumming and musical journey and we get into a newer career he’s started…all because he gave himself permission. I think it’s important for everyone to stay tuned through the end of the episode. 

JESSE'S BIG FAT FIVE:

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Album - Reggatta De Blanc

Artist - The Police

Release Year - 1979

Key Track(s) - Message in a Bottle, Walking On the Moon

Drummer - Stewart Copeland

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Album - By The Way

Artist - Red Hot Chili Peppers

Release Year - 2002

Key Track(s) - By the Way, Don’t Forget Me

Drummer - Chad Smith

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Album - Only by the Night

Artist - Kings of Leon

Release Year - 2008

Key Track(s) - Closer, I Want You

Drummer - Nathan Followill

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Album - The Colour and The Shape

Artist - Foo Fighters

Release Year - 1997

Key Track(s) - My Hero, Everlong

Drummer - Dave Grohl / William Goldsmith

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Album - TOTO IV

Artist - TOTO

Release Year - 1982

Key Track(s) - Rosanna

Drummer - Jeff Porcaro

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

Hey friends, Ben Hilzinger here. I wanted to take a few minutes to talk to you about a pretty exciting shift I’m making with this podcast. After much thought, I’ve decided to change the name of the podcast. Moving forward, it will be known as Drummers on Drumming.

Let me tell you a little about how I got here.

This whole thing started as The Big Fat Snare Drum Podcast, just a fun way to connect with drummers I admire—talking about stories, gear, grooves, and whatever else came up. It was a blast. But after a while, I wanted to dive deeper into the stories that shaped the way drummers think and play. That’s where the Big Fat Five concept came from: drummers sharing the five records or moments that influenced them the most.

The Big Fat Five format really connected with people, and I loved it. But over time, I realized the name was becoming a little limiting. I’ve got so many ideas for other segments—like The Drum Panel, where multiple drummers join me for roundtable discussions—and I didn’t want to feel stuck in one format. I needed a title that gave me space to try new things and keep the podcast fresh.

And honestly, if I want to keep doing this—and growing the show—I need to make sure it’s easy for new listeners to find. Big Fat Five isn’t exactly the most discoverable name if someone’s searching for “drumming podcasts.” So this rebrand to Drummers on Drumming not only reflects the direction I want to take, but it’ll also make the show more findable for people who haven’t discovered it yet.

Now, here’s how the change will happen. Right now, the podcast is still called Big Fat Five, but I wanted to give everyone a heads-up before the switch. One week from today, both the name and the podcast icon will officially change to Drummers on Drumming. So, if you see the new name and artwork in your podcast feed next week, don’t worry—it’s still the same show you know and love, just with a new name and more room to grow.

Oh! And speaking of exciting new things, I’ve been working on a book—also called Drummers on Drumming—and it’s almost ready! The book dives deep into the Big Fat Five concept, with insights from some truly amazing drummers. I’m currently wrapping up the book cover as I record this, and I plan to have it available by Black Friday. So keep an eye out for that—it’ll make a pretty sweet gift for the drummer in your life...or, you know, yourself.

So there you have it—a new chapter for the podcast. It’s the same vibe, the same passion, just with a new name and more freedom to explore new ideas. I can’t wait to bring you along for this next phase.

Thank you so much for listening, supporting, and being part of this journey. I’ll see you next time on Drummers on Drumming.

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

Episode 4 of The Drum Panel

This week's guests are my good buddies Kris Mazzarisi (owner/founder of Big Fat Snare Drum), and Mark Stepro (The Wallflowers, Butch Walker).

SUBMIT YOUR CONTROVERSIAL MUSIC OPINIONS HERE

In this episode, we dive into:

Check out Steward Copeland on Drumeo HERE

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

Our guest today is one of Berlin’s rising stars in the drumming world, Julian Wieder. At just 25, he’s already making serious moves across the RnB, Hip-Hop, and Indie scene, both on stage and in the studio. I first discovered Julian thanks to the algorithm gods on Big Fat Snare Drum’s Explorer page—and once I saw his playing, I knew I had to get him on the show. His feel is unreal, blending pocket grooves with a sense of freedom that feels completely natural and effortless. Plus, he’s not just a drummer…he’s an educator, and a bit of a clinic master in the making.

In this episode, we’ll dive into the top records that shaped his sound, and he introduced me to a new favorite of mine that I can’t wait for you to hear. So I hope you enjoy the top records that helped shaped Julian Wieder into the drummer he is today.

JULIAN'S BIG FAT FIVE:

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Album - The Joy Of Motion

Artist - Animals as Leaders

Release Year - 2014

Key Track(s) - The Woven Web, Tooth and Claw

Drummer - Matt Garstka

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Album - Continuum

Artist - John Mayer

Release Year - 2006

Key Track(s) - Waiting On The World To Change, Gravity

Drummer - Steve Jordan

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Album - Wallflower

Artist - Jordan Rakei

Release Year - 2017

Key Track(s) - Eye To Eye, Sorceress

Drummer - Jim Macrae

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Album - Chris Dave and The Drumhedz

Artist - Chris Dave

Release Year - 2018

Key Track - Whatever

Drummer - Chris Dave

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Album - Past Present and Futures

Artist - Chick Corea

Release Year - 2001

Key Track(s) - Fingerprints, Rhumba Flamenco

Drummer - Jeff Ballard

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Honorable Mentions:

Nas - Illmatic

Ghost Note - Swagism

Yussef Kamaal - Black Focus

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

Our guest today is Gabe Smith, the current CEO of Drums for Gracie Abrams Inc. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, now based in New York City, Gabe has also worked with incredible contemporary artists like Wet, Tei Shi, Eden, Frankie Cosmos, Kimbra and many more. Last summer, he opened for Taylor Swift and is about to rejoin that tour after some headline shows with Gracie Abrams. He’s a busy guy! It took some finessing since we’re both on tour, but we made it happen. I loved his picks, and I’m excited for you to hear this one. Please enjoy the top 5 records that shaped Gabe Smith into the sought-after, hardworking musician he is today. Cheers!

GABE'S BIG FAT FIVE:

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Album - Abbey Road

Artist - The Beatles

Release Year - 1969

Key Track - She Came In Through The Bathroom Window

Drummer - Ringo

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Album - Songs In The Key of Life

Artist - Stevie Wonder

Release Year - 1976

Key Track - Knocks Me Off My Feet

Drummer - Stevie Wonder

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Album - When The Pawn...

Artist - Fiona Apple

Release Year - 1999

Key Track - A Mistake

Drummer - Matt Chamberlain

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Album - Friendly Travelers Live

Artist - Wolfgang Muthspiel, Brian Blade

Release Year - 2007

Key Track - Gnadenwald (Live)

Drummer - Brian Blade

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Album - Donny Hathaway

Artist - Donny Hathaway

Release Year - 1971

Key Track - She Is My Lady

Drummer - Al Jackson Jr.

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