Vlad Ulasevych of Jinjer joins filmmaker Ari Gold for an in-depth conversation on groove, restraint, and the architecture of heavy music. They discuss Vlad’s unique drum setup, his signature dry snare sound, long-term collaboration with engineers in Kyiv, and the discipline behind Jinjer’s unmistakable feel—plus reflections on touring, lockdown creativity, and briefly reconnecting with piano.

Watch the full video version and read the Director’s Note at: https://www.cinemaverses.com

Thanks for listening and keep air drumming!

Matt Greiner of August Burns Red joins Ari Gold for a wide-ranging conversation that connects heavy music, spirituality, farming, posture, and purpose. From growing up on a farm with seven siblings to becoming a two-time Grammy-nominated drummer who’s played six continents, Matt shares how discipline, humility, and long-term thinking shape both his drumming and his life.

They discuss posture and balance behind the kit, working without immediate reward, Neil Peart’s lasting influence, air drumming as a spiritual practice, and why the hardest thing to improve is often the thing you avoid practicing. A grounded, thoughtful conversation about intensity with intention.

Watch the full video version and read the Director’s Note at:https://www.cinemaverses.com

Thanks for listening and keep air drumming!

Ludvig Kennberg (Ghost) joins Ari Gold from Linköping, Sweden for a low-key, deep-dive conversation on drums, feel, and the art of staying in the pocket. They talk about tracking with Tobias Forge, why Ludvig doesn’t tour with Ghost, and his philosophy of “never practicing” (at least not in the traditional sense). Ludvig also shares his early influences (Dave Matthews Band, Blind Melon, Pearl Jam), his love of “beefy” low-tuned snares and vintage kits, working with drum tech Ross Garfield, and how his current listening habits (jazz + modern textures) are shaping his next project—songs where he plays everything and sings.

Watch the full video version and read the Director’s Note at: https://www.cinemaverses.com

Thanks for listening and keep air drumming.

Session drummer Brendan Buckley joins filmmaker Ari Gold for a wide-ranging conversation on adaptability, musicianship, and longevity. From recording with Shakira to touring with Perry Farrell, Buckley shares behind-the-scenes stories, lessons learned from technical failures, and why serving the song always comes first.

Watch the full video version and read the Director’s Note at:https://www.cinemaverses.com

Thanks for listening and keep air drumming!

John Humphrey joins Ari Gold and Ethan Gold for a wide-ranging conversation on air drumming, preparation, and being the foundation behind emotionally powerful rock bands. From growing up on Rush and Kiss to touring with Seether, Humphrey discusses auditions, family legacy, drum tone, and what it means to truly serve the song.

Watch the full video version and read the Director’s Note at:https://www.cinemaverses.com

Thanks for listening and keep air drumming!

Todd Sucherman (Stix) joins Ari Gold for a wide-ranging conversation that moves from childhood air-drumming rituals to the discipline, feel, and endurance required to anchor one of rock’s most enduring bands. From recording a modern Stix album remotely to unpacking the invisible magic behind groove, Todd reflects on Brian Wilson, Jeff Porcaro, Phil Collins, and the quiet mentorship of Neil Peart. Together, they explore music education, artistic integrity, and why air drumming is more than fantasy—it’s training. Watch the full video version and read the Director’s Note at:https://www.cinemaverses.com

Scott Reeder of Fu Manchu | The Discipline of Groove and the Long Game of Rhythm

This episode is less about drumming as a skill and more about rhythm as a lifelong practice. Ari Gold sits down with Scott Reeder, longtime drummer for Fu Manchu, to explore what it really means to commit your life to groove, discipline, and creative endurance.

Scott isn’t here to mythologize talent. He’s here to talk about work. The slow burn. The decades of showing up. The unglamorous repetition that eventually turns into voice, feel, and identity.

From early experiences in marching band to finding his place in the Southern California rock scene, Scott reflects on how rhythm lives not just in music, but in the body, the nervous system, and the way a person moves through the world.

What does it actually take to build a sustainable life as a drummer in 2025?

In this wide-ranging conversation, Tucker Rule — drummer for Thursday, former touring drummer for My Chemical Romance, and longtime fixture in New York’s music scene — sits down with Ari Gold to unpack the reality behind the gigs.

This isn’t a gear talk. It’s a human one.

In this episode, we explore:

How Tucker navigated radically different worlds — from post-hardcore to pop arenas

What “humanly perfect” really means when every hit is under a microscope

The unglamorous truth of touring and why vibe matters as much as chops

Fatherhood, pandemic timing, and redefining success offstage

Why Stewart Copeland’s feel still haunts drummers in the best way

The discipline of practice — and why it should still be fun

How being kind can be a career strategy

Whether you’re a drummer, musician, filmmaker, or creative trying to stay sane while doing what you love, this episode is a reminder that longevity isn’t built on ego — it’s built on rhythm, adaptability, and showing up as a decent human.

Ari Gold opens with air-drumming energy and the “human heartbeat” behind rhythm

Meet the guests: Matt Ochoa (Dirty Heads / former Tribal Seeds) + Carlos Verdugo (Sublime with Rome)

The shared DNA of SoCal ska, reggae, punk, and rock—and how it evolved into today’s sound

Why Stuart Copeland is the bridge: technique, groove, and unexpected rhythmic choices

Carlos’ origin story: punk upbringing → speed + aggression → finding reggae as “the feel”

Drum tone philosophy: low tuning, using toms + kick to create the illusion of double bass

Matt’s start in concert band: percussion tests, paradiddles, and “anything to make loud noise”

Dirty Heads + Sublime with Rome: how “cousin bands” became a touring family (not rivalry)

Lockdown era live music: drive-in concerts, coast-to-coast differences, and adapting to chaos

The Ozarks biker rally story: a show that was absolutely not socially distanced

The hidden theme: rhythm as sanity, community as survival, and groove as a lifelong practice

Ari’s Adventures of Power stories + the always-on comedic chaos that makes this show feel live

In this wide-ranging, deeply human conversation, Johnny Rabb (Collective Soul, freehand drumming pioneer) and Scott Hessel (Gin Blossoms) join filmmaker Ari Gold (Adventures of Power) for a no-filter talk on drumming, music, legacy, and what it actually means to be a working musician.

The trio dives into the origins of freehand drumming, the influence of Neil Peart, Stewart Copeland, and 80s icons like The Police, Duran Duran, Wang Chung, Talk Talk, and Mr. Mister, and the evolving reality of modern drumming in the age of Instagram virtuosity.

They unpack the tension between technical mastery vs. musicality, why playing with people still matters more than playing to a camera, and how ego, empathy, and listening are the real survival skills in music.

Along the way: tour stories, injury chaos, drummer jokes, broken bones, vintage headphones, drum sounds that changed lives, and honest advice for young drummers navigating today’s hyper-digital music landscape.

This episode is for:

Drummers of all levels

Musicians navigating the modern industry

Fans of Neil Peart, Stewart Copeland, and 80s music