Drummers on Drumming

This week’s guest is Mark Guiliana, a visionary drummer and solo artist known for his eclectic style that blends jazz, electronic, and experimental music. He’s worked with artists like David Bowie, Brad Mehldau, St. Vincent, and has his own projects such as the Mark Guiliana Jazz Quartet and Beat Music.

Mark continuously pushes the boundaries of rhythm and sound, earning him a reputation as a trailblazer in contemporary music. This is a condensed version of my conversation with Mark from early 2021. With his new album, Mark, coming out in July 2024, I wanted to highlight his insights and present an episode that fits better with our current format.

Instead of a top 5 list of records, I gave Mark a set of prompts to choose from, and we went from there. There’s so much wisdom in this chat, so even if you heard it before, give it another listen. I definitely learned new things the second time around.

Concierto de Osain del Monte VIDEO

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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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This week’s guest is Porter Bliquez, a young American drum prodigy from San Francisco. Despite his age, Porter has already recorded and performed with award-winning producers and musicians associated with Kevin Gates, Olivia Rodrigo, Haan, Andy Prado Jr., and more.

While still attending USC, Porter manages to carve out time to make a significant impact in both the LA and online drum communities. At my ripe old age of 37, it's refreshing to connect with the younger generation of drummers and see what’s happening in their world. Porter is destined for the biggest stages globally, so I'm thrilled if this is the episode that introduces you to him. Please enjoy the records that helped shape Porter into the exceptional drummer he is today. Cheers!

Eric Harland - Zildjian Performance Video 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.

PORTER'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - Homey

Artist - Chon

Release Year - 2017

Key Track(s) - Sleepy Tea / Water slide

Drummer - Brian Evans

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Album - Black Focus

Artist - Yussef Kammal

Release Year - 2016

Key Track(s) - Strings of Light / Wingtai Drums / Joint 17

Drummer - Yussef Dayes

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Album - Chon

Artist - Chon

Release Year - 2019

Key Track(s) - Peace / Pitch Dark

Drummer - Brian Evans

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Album - Two Star & The Dream Police

Artist - Mk.gee

Release Year - 2024

Key Track(s) - Rylee & I / Dream Police / DNM / How Many Miles

Drummer - Micheal Gordon

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Album - Misadventures

Artist - Peirce the Veil

Release Year - 2016

Key Track(s) - Song For Isabel / Texas is Forever / Phantom Power / Ludicrous Speed

Drummer - Mike Fuentes

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

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This week's guest is Wiktoria Bialic. Wiktoria has been nominated for four Grammy awards for her recordings on Allison Russell's album, "The Returner." She has also recorded drums for Grammy-winning musicians like Ondre J. Pavic, Alex Marley, Maati Baani, Ralph Kaminski, SARSA, and various other artists and producers from Britain, India, Scotland, Poland, America, and Puerto Rico.

Wiktoria collaborated with Zildjian Artist Ash Soan on the single "Dark Dark Days" by Black Dog All Starsand often fills in for other well-known drummers in Poland. She won the Hit Like A Girl contest in 2021 and has performed at prestigious drum festivals such as PASIC, Bag Show, The UK Drum Show, and Silesia Drum Festival.

You can find her Instagram HERE and listen to a Spotify playlist featuring many of her recordings HERE. Wiktoria offers a great perspective on excelling as a studio musician, so get ready to improve your drumming skills. I hope you enjoy the recordings that shaped Wiktoria Bialic into the musician she is today.

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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.

WIKTORIA'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - Exodus

Artist - Bob Marley

Release Year - 1977

Key Track(s) 0 Three Little Birds / One Love / Whole Record :)

Drummer - Carlton Barrett

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Album - The Returner

Artist - Allison Russell

Release Year - 2023

Key Track(s) - Stay Right Here / Springtime

Drummer - Wiktoria Bialic

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Album VoodoO

Artist - D'Angelo

Release Year - 2000

Key Track(s)

The Root

Drummer - Questlove

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Album - Feats Don't Fail Me Now

Artist - Little Feat

Release Year - 1974

Key Track(s) - Skin It Back

Drummer - Richie Hayward

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Album - 7

Artist - Seal

Release Year - 2015

Key Track(s) - Redzone Killer

Drummer - Ash Soan

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

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This week’s guest is Brandon Combs. Brandon is a drummer, programmer, and producer hailing from Lansing, Michigan. Brandon obtained his Bachelor of Music degree in Popular Music Studies from the University of Southern California in 2015 and is currently based in Nashville, Tennessee. He’s worked with so many amazing artists, including Grammy Award-winning artist Leon Bridges, Joy Oladakun, John Legend, Raphael Saadiq, Moses Sumney, Tori Kelly, Greyson Chance, Chris Bullock of Snarky Puppy, and many more. He’s got a lot of energy and his choices center around very hirable theme. I hope you enjoy the records that helped shaped Brandon Combs into the artist he is today. Cheers!

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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.

BRANDON'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - Perpetual motion

Artist - Dave Weckl Band

Release Year - 2002

Key Track(s) - Child's play

Drummer - Dave Weckl

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Album - Heavier Things

Artist - John Mayer

Release Year - 2003

Key Track(s) - New Deep / Something's Missing,

Drummer - Steve Jordan

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Album - Somethin' Bout Love

Artist - Brian Culbertson

Release Year - 1999

Key Track(s) - Do you Really Love Me?

Drummer - Chris Miskel

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Album - Mixtape - Volume One

Key Track(s) - Movin / Nine

Drummer - Ben Jones

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Album - Opal / Brunei

Artist - Vinyl Williams

Release Year - 2018 / 2016

Key Track(s) - Lansing / Feedback Delicates

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

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This week’s guest is Myles Sargent. Myles is a drummer, musical director and playback engineer based in Brighton, UK. Throughout his career, he's collaborated with an array of artists and bands, including The Japanese House, Justin Jesso, Calum Scott, Thomas Headon, Gabriels, Cavetown, Mae Stephens, Gang of Youths and MANY more. He’s quickly become one of my favorite online-converted-to-real-life buddies and I was excited to force him to answer my questions for an hour. I hope you enjoy the 5 records that helped shaped Myles Sargent into the player he is today. Cheers!

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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.

MYLE'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - American Idiot

Artist - Green Day

Release Year - 2004

Key Track(s) - Holiday / American Idiot

Drummer - Tre Cool

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Album - Rumours

Artist - Fleetwood Mac

Release Year - 1977

Key Track(s) - You Make Loving Fun / The Chain

Drummer - Mick Fleetwood

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Album - Nm Brass 2015 - 1. Division

Artist - Oslofiord Brass

Release Year - 2015

Key Track(s) - St. Magnus (5:45 it gets cooking)

Composer - Peter Maxwell Davies

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Album - Little Voice

Artist - Sara Bareilles

Release Year - 2007

Key Track(s) - Vegas

Drummer - Matt Chamberlain

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Album - Rickie Lee Jones

Artist - Rickie Lee Jones

Release Year - 1979

Key Track(s) - Chuck E's in Love (and that fill at 1:55)

Drummer - Steve Gadd

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Any Honorable Mentions?

Album - Face Value

Artist - Phil Collins

Release Year - 1981

Key Track(s) - In the Air Tonight 

Drummer - Phil Collins

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Album - Regatta De Blanc

Artist - The Police

Release Year - 1979

Key Track(s) -  Walking on the Moon

Drummer - Stewart Copeland

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

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This week's guest is Steve Durham. Steve is a Drummer, Musical Director and Producer from London, UK. He began playing drums at 8 years old and was out on the road by the time he was 14. Since then he's worked with Louis Tomlinson (One Direction), Dermot Kennedy, Wolf Alice, Foals, Holly Humberstone, Aurora, Declan Mckenna, Marina and the Diamonds and more. I hope you enjoy the 5 records plus a few honorable mentions that helped shape Steve Durham into the drummer he is today. Cheers!

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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.

STEVE'S BIG FAT FIVE

Album - VHS! Invisible Touch Tour

Artist - Genesis

Release Year - 1987

Key Track(s) - Drum Duet / Los Endos

Drummer - Phil Collins & Chester Thompson

WATCH HERE

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Album - Who’s Next

Artist - The Who

Release Year - 1971

Key Track(s) - Won’t Get Fooled Again

Drummer - Keith Moon

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Album - Colour Of Spring

Artist - Talk Talk

Release Year - 1986

Key Track(s) - Give It Up

Drummer - Lee Harris

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Album - The Bends

Artist - Radiohead

Release Year - 1995

Key Track(s) - High and Dry

Drummer - Phil Selway

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Album - Puzzle

Artist - Biffy Clyro

Release Year - 2007

Key Track(s) - Saturday Superhouse

Drummer - Ben Johnston

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HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Artist - Led Zeppelin

Key Tracks(s) - Good Times Bad Times / Whole Lotta Love

Drummer - John Bonham

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Album - The Trees Are Dead & Dried Out, Wait for Something Wild

Artist - Sikth

Key Track - Skies of the Millennium Night

Release Year - 2003

Drummer - Dan ‘The Lord’ Foord 

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Performance - Live at Woodstock '69

Artist - Santana

Key Track - Soul Sacrifice

Drummer - Michael Shrieve (age 20)

WATCH HERE

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

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This week's guest is Gunnar Olsen. Gunnar's been on the show a lot recently with "save it for the pod" segments. But I noticed his Big Fat Five episode is almost 4 years old, which is a shame. Recently, I went to the Hollywood Bowl with my friends Mike Robinson and Neal Daniels, both show alumni, to see Gunnar play with Puscifer on the Sessanta tour, celebrating Maynard James Keenan's 60th birthday. It was mind-blowing. Gunnar is an incredible drummer, one of the best out there. At this show, Josh Freese was playing with A Perfect Circle, but now that Josh is busy with Foo Fighters gigs, Gunnar is playing with both Puscifer and A Perfect Circle for the rest of the tour. It's unbelievable and well-deserved. Puscifer is a perfect fit for Gunnar. Apart from this tour, Gunnar has also recorded or toured with Big Data, Bruce Springsteen, Miley Cyrus, HOKO, Mother Feather, Fischerspooner, Goo Goo Dolls, and many others. He's possibly my favorite drummer, and I admire him a lot. He's a close friend, and I always try to catch his shows when we're in the same town. Although this conversation is from 4 years ago, I wanted to bring it back up because the information is still relevant. It's fascinating to hear Gunnar talk about Tim Alexander of Primus, who has been a big influence on him, and now see them hanging out on tour together, seeming like best buds. Anyway, Gunnar, I'm really proud of you, and I admire your career more than you know, even though I tell you all the time. I hope you enjoy the records that helped shape Gunnar Olsen into the drummer he is today. Cheers!

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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.

GUNNAR'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - ...And Justice For All

Artist - Metallica

Release Year - 1988

Key Track(s) - Harvester of Sorrow

Drummer - Lars Urich

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Album - Reggatta De Blanc

Artist - The Police

Release Year - 1979

Key Track(s) - The Bed's Too Big Without You

Drummer - Stewart Copeland

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Album - Songs for the Deaf

Artist - Queens of the Stone Age

Release Year - 2002

Key Track(s) - Song for the Dead

Drummer - Dave Grohl

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Album - Dust

Artist - Ben Monder

Release Year - 2006

Key Track(s) - Dust

Drummer - Jim Black

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Album - Largo

Artist - Brad Mehldau

Release Year - 2002

Key Track(s) - When It Rains

Drummer - Matt Chamberlain

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

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This week's guest is Earl Talbot. Earl is a renowned Drummer, Composer, Producer, and Music Instructor. He wrote and produced over 90 songs broadcast regularly on the Oprah Winfrey Show. His career includes performances with house music legends Derick Carter and Mark Farina, as well as touring and recording with Master Griots Dialy Mady Cissoko, Christian Bourdon, Poi Dog Pondering, The Chicago Sinfonietta, as well as scores of other artists and clients. 

As a multi platinum recording artist, Earl has worked on songs from Maya Angelou's "Human Family Remix" with Tamarra Love, to Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy's production of "The Hush Sound" with Shawn O'Keefe. Earl wrote and produced 3 songs for Katt William’s ‘American Hustle’.  His hit song "Yakalelo" with French sensation "Nomads" earned a Diamond Record for it's success throughout Central Europe and North Africa.

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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.

EARL'S BIG FAT FIVE

Album - Back In Black

Artist - ACDC

Release Year - 1980

Key Track(s) - Back In Black

Drummer - Phill Rudd

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Album - Time Out

Artist - Dave Brubeck

Release Year - 1952

Key Track(s) - Pick Up Sticks

Drummer - Joe Morello

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Album - Moving Pictures

Artist - Rush

Release Year - 1981

Key Track(s) - YYZ

Drummer - Neil Peart

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Album - Glass Menagerie

Artist - Billy Cobham

Release Year - 1982

Key Track(s) - Observations and Reflections

Drummer - Billy Cobham

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Album - My Favorite Things

Artist - John Coltrane

Release Year - 1961

Key Track(s) - My Favorite Things

Drummer - Elvin Jones

HONORABLE MENTIONS

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Album - Regatta de Blanc

Artist - The Police 

Release Year - 1979

Key Track(s) - Walking on the Moon

Drummer - Stuart Copeland 

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Album - Romantic Warrior

Artist - Return to Forever 

Release Year - 1976

Key Track(s) - Medieval Overture 

Drummer - Lenny White

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Album - Van Halen

Artist - Van Halen

Release Year - 1978

Key Track(s) - Runnin with the Devil

Drummer - Alex Van Halen 

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Album - By All Means Necessary

Artist - KRS One and Boogie Down Productions

Release Year - 1988

Key Track(s) - I’m Still #1

Drummer - (Sample, All the People- Cramp Your Style)

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Album - Let’s Dance

Artist - David Bowie

Release Year - 1983

Key Track(s) - Modern Love

Drummer - Omar Hakim 

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Album - The Game

Artist - Queen

Release Year - 1980

Key Track(s) - Another One Bites the Dust

Drummer - Roger Taylor

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Album - Nightclubbing

Artist - Grace Jones

Release Year - 1981

Key Track(s) - Pull Up to the Bumper

Drummer - Sly Dunbar

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This week, our guest is Maxwell Flanders, a close friend of mine and pseudo-neighbor based in Los Angeles, California. He's a highly sought-after touring and session drummer who recently wrapped up touring with Lizzie McAlpine and is now preparing for a world tour with Luke Hemmings. I've admired Max's drumming for a long time; he plays with such creativity, and his selections today reflect why. I hope you enjoy learning about the five records that have influenced Maxwell Flanders into becoming the drummer he is today. Cheers!

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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.

MAX'S BIG FAT FIVE

Album - 1

Artist - The Beatles

Release Year - 2000

Key Track(s) - Ticket to Ride, Paperback Writer, The Ballad of John and Yoko

Drummer - Ringo Star

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Album - The Nightfly

Artist - Donald Fagen

Release Year - 1982

Key Track(s) - Ruby Baby, The Goodbye Look

Drummer - Jeff Porcaro

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Album - Stuff

Artist - Stuff

Release Year - 1976

Key Track(s) - Foots, (Do You) Want Some of This, Happy Farms

Drummer - Steve Gadd

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Album - Tom Scott and the L.A. Express

Artist - Tom Scott

Release Year - 1974

Key Track(s) - Bless My Soul, Sneakin' In the Back, Nunya

Drummer - John Guerin

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Album - Wrecking Ball

Artist - Emmylou Harris

Release Year - 1995

Key Track(s) - Where Will I Be

Drummer - Brian Blade

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

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This week’s guest is Steve Jocz, also known as Stevo 32. Steve is a Canadian musician best known as the original drummer of the punk rock band Sum 41. Steve co-founded Sum 41 in 1996 with Deryck Whibley and played a significant role in the band's early success, contributing to their distinctive punk rock sound. He remained with Sum 41 until 2013, showcasing his drumming skills on albums like "All Killer No Filler”, “Does This Look Infected?” and Chuck." After leaving Sum 41, Steve left music behind all-but-completely...only to rekindle his relationship with the drums around 2019. We get into a lot of fun Sum 41 history and insider stories via very welcomed tangents and I was smiling the whole time. Steve was a big part of my drumming when I was younger and I was giddy as all hell to have him on the show. I hope you enjoy the 5 records that helped shape Steve Jocz into the drummer he is today. Cheers!

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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.

STEVE'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - Nevermind

Artist - Nirvana

Release Year - 1991

Key Track(s) - In Bloom

Drummer - Dave Grohl

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Album - Dookie

Artist - Green Day

Release Year - 1994

Key Track(s) - Burnout (1:12 - 1:38)

Drummer - Tre Cool

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Album - Master Of Puppets

Artist - Metallica

Release Year - 1985

Key Track(s) - Master Of Puppets

Drummer - Lars Ulrich

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Album - Live Fast, Diarhea

Artist - The Vandals

Release Year - 1995

Key Track(s) - And Now We Dance (00:40 - 01:15)

Drummer - Josh Freese

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Album - Milestones

Artist - Miles Davis

Release Year - 1958

Key Track(s) - Two Bass Hit (00:00 - 01:00)

Drummer - Philly Joe Jones

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

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