Drummers on Drumming

By Ben HilzingerMusic Music Commentary Music Interviews

Drummers on Drumming episodes

November 06, 2024The Drum Panel: Timeless Drum Tones, AI’s Impact, Advice We’d Give Our Younger Selves, and More...
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).

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In this episode, we dive into:
If you could reinvent one aspect of your drumming, what would it be, and why?
What's the one piece of advice you wish you'd known as a young drummer starting out?
How important is style to a drummer’s career—can visuals be as impactful as skill?
What ingredients create a drum tone that stands the test of time?
Have we lost the ability to have a hit song without the use of a click?
With AI's influence growing, what do you think drumming will look like in the near future?
Is the quest for 'perfect' recordings draining the soul out of live music?
Why do so many drummers gravitate toward intricate playing—are we losing the groove?
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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.

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43 min
October 30, 2024 Big Fat Five: Jesse Boyle (Chase Atlantic) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records...
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.
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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.

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.

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41 min
October 23, 2024 'Big Fat Five' Is Becoming 'Drummers on Drumming' + A Book Announcement
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.
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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
4 min
October 16, 2024The Drum Panel: Stealing Feel, Perfect Drum Takes, and Defining Pocket
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).
In this episode, we dive into:
If we could steal one drummers’s feel and add it to our own, who would it be?
What is an example of a perfect drum take on record?
What does “pocket” ACTUALLY mean?
What is the role of drummers in songwriting credits?
Does music theory really make one a better musician?
What’s the first thing we notice about a drummer that makes them come across as “amateur”?

Check out Steward Copeland on Drumeo HERE
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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
51 min
October 08, 2024 Big Fat Five: Julian Wieder (Independent) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records
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.
---
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.

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.

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35 min
October 02, 2024 Big Fat Five: Gabe Smith (Gracie Abrams) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records
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!
---
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.

GABE'S BIG FAT FIVE:
Album - Abbey Road
Artist - The Beatles
Release Year - 1969
Key Track - She Came In Through The Bathroom Window
Drummer - Ringo
-
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
-
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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
26 min
September 25, 2024The Drum Panel: The Worth of Gear: Are Drum Heroes Still Relevant?...and yes, we talk about Oasis
Episode 3 of The Drum Panel
This week's guests are my good buddies Gunnar Olsen (Puscifer, Carina Round), Neal Daniels (Matchbox 20, Liz Phair), Mike Robinson (Blame My Youth, Food On Tour Podcast).
In this episode, we dive into:
The value of high-end gear: Is it really worth the investment?
The existence of drum heroes: Do they still inspire us today?
Yes...we talk about Oasis...
Insights from the guys on the current landscape of drum endorsements.
---
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
48 min
September 18, 2024 Big Fat Five: Daniel Glass (Royal Crown Revue, Author/Historian) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records
Our guest today is Daniel Glass. Daniel is a renowned drummer, educator, and historian known for his deep expertise in the roots of American drumming, particularly in jazz, swing, and early rock 'n' roll. A member of the pioneering retro-swing band Royal Crown Revue, Glass has performed with a wide array of top artists, blending historical influence with modern flair. His passion for drumming history is reflected in his books, clinics, and instructional videos. The project that introduced Daniel to me was his three-hour documentary called “The Century Project” which explores the evolution of the drum set and drumming styles from 1865 to 1965. Glass is also celebrated for his dynamic, groove-focused playing and his ability to bridge the gap between past and present drumming traditions. Go check out all his happenings at danielglass.com, but for now, please enjoy the 5 records that helped shape Daniel Glass into the drummer he is today. 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.

DANIEL'S BIG FAT FIVE:
Album - Made In Japan
Artist - Deep Purple
Release Year - 1972
Key Track(s) - Highway Star, Space Truckin', The Mule
Drummer - Ian Paice
-
Album - Three Quartets
Artist - Chick Corea
Release Year - 1981
Key Track(s) - Quartet No. 1, Quartet No. 2, Part 2
Drummer - Steve Gadd
-
Album - Buffalo
Artist - Frank Zappa
Release Year - 2007 (from a 1980 live concert)
Key Track(s) - The Torture Never Stops
Drummer - Vinnie Colaiuta
-
Album - Lyric
Artist - Billy Childs
Release Year - 2005
Key Track(s) - In Carson's Eyes, Into the Light, Scarborough Fair, American Landscape
Drummer - Brian Blade, Marvin "Smitty" Smith
-
Album - From Darkness
Artist - Avishai Cohen
Release Year - 2015
Key Track(s) - Beyond, Abie, C#-, From Darkness
Drummer - Daniel Dor
-
Honorable Mentions:

Album - Blue
Artist - Joni Mitchell
Release Year - 1971
Key Track(s) - All I Want, This Flight Tonight
-
Album - The Concert at Carnegie Hall
Artist - Benny Goodman
Release Year - 1938
Key Track(s) - Don't Be That Way, Honeysuckle Rose, Sing, Sing, Sing
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Album - Drumsville
Artist - Earl Palmer
Release Year - 1961
Drummer - Earl Palmer
-
Album - Live at the Royal Festival Hall
Artist - John McLaughlin
Release Year - 1989
Key Track(s) - Mother Tongues
Drummer - Trilok Gurtu
-
Album - Tiny Resistors
Artist - Todd Sickafoose
Release Year - 2008
Key Track(s) - Allision Miller
Drummer - Everyone Is Going

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
55 min
September 11, 2024The Drum Panel: Gear Criticism, Flat Toms, and Endorsement Realities: Can You Play Without Knowing the Vocals?
Episode 2 PART DEUX of The Drum Panel
Welcome to The Drum Panel—a segment where a rotating group of professional drummers engages in roundtable discussions on polarizing and controversial drum topics submitted by our listeners.
Today's episode is the second half of a conversation between myself (Ben), my co-host Eric Urrea and special guest, Kris Mazzarisi (owner/founder of Big Fat Snare Drum & drummer for Winnetka Bowling League).
Today we discuss:
If you're overly critical of gear, are you showcasing your lack of skill?
Should snare drums and floor toms always between flat (Eric is surprisingly passionate about this subject)?
If you don't know what the singer is singing, can your take still suit the song?
We do it...we talk the world of endorsements.
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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
September 04, 2024 Big Fat Five: Taye Dever Shares His Top 5 Influential Records
Our guest today is Taye Dever, a young drummer from North Carolina who recently came onto my radar and quickly grabbed my attention. Taye draws inspiration from a diverse range of genres, including R&B, Pop, Folk, Rap, Gospel, and more. While his musical style is eclectic, he seems to be a fresh face in the music scene. I’m honored if this is your first introduction to his work. We dive right in, so here are the records that have shaped Taye Dever into the musician he is today. 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.

TAYE'S BIG FAT FIVE:
Album - Not Guilty
Artist - The New Life Community Choir featuring John P. Kee
Release Year - 2000
Key Track(s) - Rain On Us
Drummer - Calvin Rodgers
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Album - Thirsty
Artist - Marvin Sapp
Release Year - 2007
Key Track(s) - Praise Him In Advance
Drummer - Calvin Rodgers
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Album - Confessions
Artist - Usher
Release Year - 2004
Key Track(s) - "Caught Up" Aaron Spears' drum performance @ 2006 Modern Drummer Festival
Drummer - Aaron Spears
-
Album - Pure Energy DVD
Artist - Various drummers
Release Year - 2009
Key Track(s) - Rekindled featuring Tony Royster Jr
Drummer - Tony Royster Jr.
-
Album - Paramore
Artist - Paramore
Release Year - 2013
Key Track(s) - Ain’t It Fun?, Still Into You
Drummer - Ilan Rubin

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
29 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.