Percussion Discussion Podcast

Joining me today is Jon Farriss.

 Since 1977 Jon has been the drummer with Austrailian rock/pop icons INXS, along with his brothers Andrew and Tim Farriss, Gary Garry Beers, Kirk Pengilly and of lead singer and main lyricist, the late great Michael Hutchence they created an incredible back catalogue of catchy funk tinged rock/pop songs with amazing hooks and bundles of energy, including songs such as Need You Tonight, Never Tear Us Apart, New Sensation, Mystify, Kick, Suicide Blonde and many more. 

Join Jon and myself for a very rare interview about his remarkable career, we talk about many things including how his signature drumming style and sound has influenced so many drummers around the world, Jon tells us how Mick Jagger actually told him that INXS had influenced the Rolling Stones for a track on the Steel Wheels album! 

We also talk about how Jon started using electronics alongside his traditional drum kit and how the band got slated by some music journalists for doing so! I dont want to give too much away, Jon and i had the most incredible and enjoyable chat, i hope you enjoy it as much as i did! 

Jon, thank you so much for taking the time from your busy schedule to talk to me! 

Many thanks to Paul Beard for introducing me to Jon, thanks to my good friend Steve Barney for introducing me to Paul and lastly, thank you to Richard Hughes from Keane for supplying me with a great question for Jon!

here is a clip from my interview with the legendary Billy Cobham, Bill talks very candidly about the recording of the iconic Spectrum album. Including how quickly it was recorded and how the other incredible musicians were chosen!

Take 11 minutes out of your day to watch / listen to this - you wont regret it!

ris Gustofson (Trauma) - Percusssion Discussion - Episode 108

Joining me today is Kris Gustofson.

Kris has been the drummer since the early 80's with Bay Area Thrash Metal Titans - Trauma, in 1984 their debut album Scratch and Scream was released with great success, the band were keeping high profile company in the Bay area, gigging and recording alongside the likes of Exodus , Testament and of course the mighty Metallica. 

 The late and legendary bass player Cliff Burton famously left Trauma to Join Metallica before the release of Scratch and scream.

 Join Kris and myself as we talk about his career in drums including his many influences, suprisingly many of them jazz/big band drummers.

 Kris talks candidly about why Trauma split up in 1985 and how they ended up reforming in 2015 releasing the album Rapture and Wrath, then the follow up in 2018 As The World Dies and the stunning new album ( and arguably the heaviest album yet) Awakening.

Trauma are on tour very shortly supporting Queensrÿche on their US Tour, hope you manage to catch them live!

Thanks to Kris for giving up his time so generously and thanks to Chipster PR & Consulting for connecting us up.

Here is a short overview of the 30th RNCM Day of Percussion, i have been lucky enough to have attended most of these days, i have witnessed some remarkable performances over the years and made lots of great friends along the way.

 The video features clips of performances by Paul Patrick (principle percussionts with the BBC Philarmonic) Plus a segment featuring some incredible talented RNCM Students. Pipe Band legend Jim Kilpatrick - MBE alongside the fabulous Rachel Thom. Dave Hassel, Chris Manis & Saxophonist Andy Scott. The incomporable Ash Soan. it also features interviews with Jim Kilpatrick, Rachel Thom, Matt Nolan (Matt Nolan Cymbals) and Bruce Parry from Sabian Cymbals. 

I really want to spread awareness about this great day as it is remarkably good value for money at £26.00 for the whole day and the evening concert. it is usually on the first Sunday in February, please check the RNCM website though before making the journey

 www.rncm.ac.uk

This will make more sense on my Youtube channel.
the first clip is Paul Patrick and some RNCM students
next is Jim Kilpatrick and Rachel Thom
next two clips are Dave Hassell, Chris Manis and Andy Scott
the last 3 short clips are Ash Soan.

Greyson Nekrutman - Percussion Discussion - Episode 107

Joining me today is Greyson Nekrutman.

Greyson has set the internet on fire over the last few years with his remarkable drum videos showcasing his incredible talent, from playing note for note blistering Buddy Rich solos (alongside the original video footage) Through to playing Tool , Black Sabbath and Messhugah covers whilst wearing his trademark suit!

Join Greyson and myself as we pick through his remarkable musical journey so far!

At just twenty years old Greyson really has taken the world by storm, we talk about him recently winning the Drumeo Tony Williams award, how he prepares for the videos that he regurlarly posts , how his peers react to him when on drum shows with multiple drummers, his forthcoming appearance at the UK Drum Show in October 2023 and so much more.

This was a real treat to speak to this very humble young man, he really does have the whole world at his feet, you know you are doing well when non musicians recognise your work!

Greyson, thank you so much for taking the time from your very busy schedule to talk to me!

www.greysonnekrutman.com

Please rate & review this podcast if you are enjoying it.

Something different for this week, i thought i would share with you my Top 5 Drum related podcasts. 

I mainly listen to podcasts on my travels these days, these are the ones that i really enjoy, im sure there are many that i havent listened to, im not saying theyare the best, they are just my personal favourites. if you like a podcast that you think i may like please let me know and i will gladly listen to it!

 1 - www.drumhistorypodcast.com 
2 - www.youtube.com/c/johndechristopherlivefrommydrumroom
 3 - www.drumforthesong.com 
4 - www.patreon.com/drumwithmikeandeddy 
5 - https://drummersonly.co.uk/category/podcasts/

Please Rate and Review this podcast if you are enjoying it! thanks.

Roy Mayorga - Percussion Discussion - Episode 106

Joining me today is Roy Mayorga

Roy has had the most incredible career so far playing with bands at the heavier end of the musical spectrum from the late 80's with NY Hardcore band Nausea - NYC, Soulfly ( With Max Cavelera formerly of Sepultura) Stone Sour, Hellyeah and as well as Stonesour Roy is currently the drummer with industrial metal legends Ministry.

Join Roy and myself as we talk about his amazing career so far from his early days as a drummer being a huge KISS fan as a teenager, through to living in a squat while playing for NY Hardcore band Nausea, Roy also tells us how he worked as a soundman at legendary NY venues such as CBGB's & Wetlands inbetween gigs to keep the money coming in.

It was really interesting to hear Roy talk about when he was asked to play with Hellyeah to complete a tour filling in for his friend and lengendary metal drummer, the late great Vinnie Paul and how at first he turned the gig down. He talks about the difficulties of learning Vinnie's incredible and at times slightly unorthadox grooves.

This was a great interview for me to do, so incredibly interesting, i really hope you enjoy it.

Roy, Thank you for doing it! 

Hugh thanks to our buddy John Tempesta for hooking us up!

Please Rate & Review this podcast, it really helps other drummers find ( and hopefully ) Enjoy us!  thank you

Percussion Discussion - Episode 105 - Brass Band Percussion. 

In this episode of Percussion Discussion we are focusing on something very close to my heart, Brass Bands, and in particular the percussion section.

 This episode features 2 members of the percussion section from the #1 ranked brass band on the planet - The Cory Band, Steve Jones and Ali Woodman. 

Join Steve, Ali and myself as we talk about many of the aspects of playing percussion in a modern brass band setting. we talk about how they got into banding, the huge array of instruments thay have to play, the logistics of playing in a section with up to 6 percussionists and of course how rewarding it can be, especially playing at the very highest level as The Cory Band have done for many years. 

I was thrilled to be joined by the bands Musical director, Philip Harper to give his thoughts and opinions on percussion from both the perspective as a composer and a conductor, we also get to see & hear a snippet of the band in full flight performing a section of one of Philips very Challenging test pieces - Explorers On The Moon.

 Many thanks to Steve, Ali, Phil for giving up their time so generously. 

Many thanks to the Cory Band for granting permission to use the clip of Explorers on the moon.

 www.coryband.com 

i really hope you have enjoyed this episode, quite different to our usual interviews, i genuinely believe that brass bands provide an incredible grounding for a musician that wants make dums or percussion his or her career, there is usually one on yoy doorstep crying out for new members, do yourself a favour and try it!

Please rate and review this podcast - it really helps other drummers and percussionists find it. Thanks, Matty.

Here is a festive special featuring Don Powell of Slade fame talking to myself and my special guest Co-Host Steve White about the 1973 classic slade festive hit - Merry Xmas Everybody. 

This was taken from our chat with Don in the summer of 2020. 

Thank you to everyone who has watched, listened, shared, commented on or messaged me throughout 2022 - its appreciated! 

Merry Christmas & a very happy new year to you all!

Joining me today is american powerhouse drummer Mike Vanderhule. 

Since 2006 Mike has been the drummer with American hard rockers Y&T. 

Join Mike and myself as we chat about his career so far, of course we talk about his gig since 2006 with Y&T, Mike tells us how he respected the drum parts of the great drummers that previously held the drum stool with the band including the late Leonard Haze (and original Y&T drummer) - Jimmy DeGrasso and the legendary Steve Smith who recorded the majority of the songs on the 1990 album - Ten. 

Speaking of Steve Smith, Mike tells us how he had listens with Steve and how they became good friends. and still are today.

Mike has an really impressive CV of amazing artists that he has either recorded with or played live with including - Vince Neil, Steve Lukather, Eric Martin, John Denver, Neal Schon, Geoff Tate, Stu Hamm, Soul Motor and many more! 

i really enjoyed this conversation with Mike, he has so much to offer as a drummer and a teacher, i really hope you enjoyed this as much as i did. 

please check out Mike's website - www.mikevanderhule.com 

Many thanks to our mutual buddy and great drummer John Tempesta for putting us both in touch! its much appreciated!

If you are enjoying these conversations then please consider subscribing and leaving us a short review - thanks!