Percussion Discussion Podcast

Joining me today is Craig Buckley & Nicko Mcbrain, both partners in Nicko McBrains Drum One in Manchester.

 I speak at length with Craig about how he started up the drum shop in 2016 and how Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain became involved and how it has transformed from an already great drumshop under previous owners Manchester Drum Centre, to something quite incredible under the Nicko's Drum One banner. Described as the most delectable drum emporium, filled with most incredible range of drums, cymbals, percussion & accesories that you could ever need!

 We also delve into Craigs background in the industry including a fascinating chat about a lengthy stint at Premier Drums where he met Nicko McBrain and a certain Keith Keogh - now of British Drum Co of course!

 Nicko makes a brief appearance in the last 10 minutes of this video talking about his involvment in the shop and how much he enjoys getting hands on, even serving behind the till! this was such a fascinating conversation, one i enjoyed very much! 

Thanks to Craig & Nicko for giving there time so generously! 

Astra Business Park 
Guiness Road 
Stretford 
Manchester 
M17 1SQ
 T - 0161 872 9777
 E - [email protected]
 W - www.drumone.co.uk

Percussion Discussion - Episode 95 - Moritz Mueller.

 Joining me today is the incredible talented German drummer, Moritz Mueller. 

Moritz is founding member and drummer with The Intersphere, described as German progressive alternative groundbreakers, this easy to understand with just a few listens to this band packed with incredible talent! 

Join Moritz and myself as we talk about his amzing career so far, including his early days in Bavaria, getting lucky finding a great American drum teacher who happened to be over in Germany with the forces, through to getting endorsements with industry giants Pearl & Sabian and supporting the legendary Dennis Chambers on a 2 week drum clinic tour!!! 

We also talk about some of the amazing artists that Moritz has played for including Midge Ure, and Toto band members (Past & Present) Vocalist Bobby Kimball & Guitar Virtuoso Steve Lukather and how its was following in the footsteps of the late great Jeff Porcaro and the incredible Simon Phillips.

 Many thanks to Moritz for giving up his time so generously. 

please check out the incredible band he plays for www.theintersphere.com 

If you are enjoying these conversations, please leave a short review and share with your friends. Thanks

Percussion Discsussion - Episode 94 - Joel Barford.

Joining me today is without doubt one of the most talented young drummers in the UK today, Joel Barford.

At the tender age of 25 Joel has already secured endorsments with industry giants such as Gretsch Drums, Zildjian Company cymbals and Vic Firth drum sticks, as well as playing with some remarkable musicians!

 Join Joel and myself as we talk about his career so far, including how his presence on social media helped him get some high profile notice, including a message from the remarkable Benny Greb when Joel was just 19 years old asking if he could have a lesson with him when he was in the country!!!!

 We also talk about his musical education (another drummer starting out on violin!) and how he progressed to where he is at the moment playing with some incredible bands, The Nigel Price Organ Trio and UK Trumpet Virtuoso Louis Dowdeswell big band to name but two!

 We also talk about Joel's first major drum clinic performance on the mikedolbear.com Stage at the The UK Drum Show in April 2022!

 one or two of you may not be too familiar with Joel's name yet, but trust me YOU WILL! Joel is a remarkable young drummer with a very wise head screwed on his shoulders, i am in no doubt that he is going to be a megastar of the drum world!

 Joel, it was a pleasure talking to you, thank you so much for giving up your time so generously!

www.joelbarford.com

Percussion Discussion Episode 93 - Pete Marshall

Joining me today is Pete Marshall.

Manchester born and bred Pete has an icredible wealth of experience as a session drummer having played for Liam Frost, Stephen Fretwell, The Courteeners, Karima Francis and Lucy and the Caterpillar. For the last 9 years Pete has held the coveted drum stool with one of the finest singer /song writers in the UK Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott

 Join Pete and myself as we talk about his amazing career so far, from starting off his musical life playing Violin (He still does) and switching to drums and percussion very last minute for a school concert and how this changed his career path!

 We of course talk about his gig with Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott, how he got the gig ( and how he keeps the gig!) Pete explains how there are no click tracks and even no In ear monitoring is used on those shows and how this allows the songs to breath and move in a live situation.

 We briefly talk gear, Pete is an endorser for the fabulous and very local (Stockport based) British Drum Co and Amedia Cymbals.

This was a lot of fun to do, Pete, thanks so much for sparing me the time during a manic fetival season!

Thanks to Mathew Priest from Dodgy and our mutual pal Richard Charles for putting myself and Pete in touch!

Welcome to Episode 2 of Percusion Discussion - Shop Talk.

 Today i chat to the the wonderful chap that is Graham Russell, the owner of arguably the biggest drum shop in the UK Graham Russell Drums. 

Join Graham and myself as we delve into his beginnings as a drummer and how how after gigging across Europe and the USA with various bands he got into buying and selling a few drums as a hobby from his spare room at home, Graham explains how his business grew and grew and is now a million miles away from that bedroom with 5500 square feet of show room crammed with over 70 drum kits, 140 snare drums and hundreds of cymbals from every household drum and cymbal manafacturer you could ever think of with a team of 7 experienced staff members. 

We talk about many things, including the expense involved with owning a drum shop of this size and how they manged to survive the pandemic, Grahams love of Yamaha Recording Custom Drums and how he couldnt live without his Porter & Davies Tactile Monitoring BC2 system. 

Many thanks to Graham for giving us this fascinating insight into Graham Russell Drums, i really hope you enjoy it, and if you are in the area why not pop in, one things for sure, you are guaranteed a warm welcome and a cuppa, whats not to like? 

Graham Russel Drums
 Unit 5 
Axis Park 
Newgate Lane
 Fareham 
PO14 1FD 
Tel - 01329 834012
 www.grahamrusselldrums.com

Percussion Discussion - Episode 92 - Math Priest

Joining me for todays conversation is Math Priest.

Math is a founder member, song writer and drummer for UK Pop/Rock band Dodgy producing such incredible songs as Good Enough, Staying out for the summer and Grassman as well as many studio and live albums.

 Aswell as playing for Dodgy, Math has also played fo the likes of The Lightening Seeds, The Electric Soft Parade, The yellow Moon Band and Ian McNabb in The Icicle Works plus many more.

Join us as we talk about Math's career from his early days with his first thrown together drum kit and how he is a completley self taught drummer and the problems this created onto searching for a vintage drum sound for an album and buying a used Gretsch Roundbadge Drum Kit from Steven White, through to playing the Pyramid stage at the mighty Glastonbury Festival!

 We also talk about his drumming work with other bands such as the Lightening Seeds and The Icicle works.

 Math is a really great chap, and a very funny guy to boot, this was such a fun experience to spend an hour in his company, Yes, there is some swearing and yes there is a section where Math gets a beer from the fridge and isnt wearing trousers! (it was a very warm day!) i dare you not to enjoy this!!

Math, thanks so much mate, it was a total pleasure, many thanks also to our mutual friend Chris Hawkins for connecting us!

Please rate & review if you are enjoying our conversations! Thanks 

Percussion Discussion - Episode 91 - Stuart Elliott

Joining me today is British Drummer Stuart Elliott

Stuart has had an incredible career so far having started his career with Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel playing on 3 top 10 albums and of course the Number 1 single Make Me Smile.... Come Up and See Me.

Stuart has also toured with and played on a staggering 10 The Alan Parsons Project Albums!!

Stuart is perhaps best known for his work with the remarkable Kate Bush having played on the likes of Babooshka, Wuthering Heights, Breathing and of course Running Up That Hill!

If thats not enough, then he has also worked with Al Stewart(Having payed on the Year of the Cat) Kenny Rogers, Chris Rea, B.A. Robertson, Toyah and many more.

Join Stuart and myself as we chat about his remarkable career from the beginning of his musical career right through to the incredible success of the Kate Bush Song - Running Up That Hill, recently featured in the Netflix Sci Fi Horror Drama - Stranger Things, it has now become a Global Number 1 hit (This means a number 1 hit in most countries worldwide) 

We Talk all things Cockney Rebel, Alan Parsons and of course Kate Bush!

Stuart, thank you for giving your time up so generously to chat and celebtrate your incredible career so far, its was totally fascinating!!!

Please subscribe, share and leave a review! thank you

Percussion Discussion - Episode 90 - Mark Brzezicki

 Joining me today is a british drummer with an instantly recognisable sound and style, the fabulous Mark Brzezicki!

 Mark has played for the likes of Nik Kershaw, Pete Townshend, The Cult, Fish, Ultravox but is best known for his magnificent playing with Big Country.

 Join Mark and myself as we celebrate his incredible career so far, he tells us how excited he was seeing a drum kit in the flesh for the first time as a child, through to practicing in the back of his van!! 

Drawing from his early influences such as Phil Collins with Brand X, Steve Gadd, Billy Cobham, Harvey Mason & Rod Moregenstein its quite easy to understand how Mark developed his very poished and musical drumming style. 

Of course we talk about Big Country and the incredible success that the band have had over the years. 

Mark goes into real detail about his input to The Cult's 1985 masterpiece Love including some incredible insights in to how he got some of the sounds on the album using some very interesting items! (you will have to listen to find out what!)

 We also talk about Pete Townshend, Fish and Nik Kershaw whom Mark has done so much with over the years. Chatting to Mark was a total privilege, he shares so many incredible nuggets of information with us all! Thank you Mark!

Percussion Discussion Episode 89 - Dave Hassell

Joining me today is drummer / percussionist / author and one of the finest drum and percussion educators in the UK Dave Hassell.

Dave has played for so many incredible solo artistes, bands, orchestra's, sessions etc.... it would take forever to list them all, here is a little taster for you... Dr John, Karl Jenkins, Apitos, Jim Mullen, Lisa Stansfield, Dusty Springfield, BBC Radio Big Band, and The Halle Orchestra to name but a few!

Join Dave and myself as we talk about his early days including lessons from some remarkable teachers including Geoff Riley, Max Abrams and Jim Blackley.

 Dave has a fearsome reputation as a teacher, with a no nonsense approach, he talks at length about this, putting to bed all the myths about him being a monster! sharing his amazing insights into teaching and what he expects from his students.

We also talk at length about the books that he has written including the fabulous Graded Course For Drum Kit and the story behind the title of the book! ( you will have to listen to find out! )

This conversation is a must for any drummer or teacher, it is full of little golden nuggets of information for any drummer, i really hope you enjoy it as much as i did!

Dave, thank you so much for giving up your time - please check out Dave's website www.davehassell.co.uk

Percusson Discussion - Episode 88 - Brian Bennett

We are firmly back in the legends lounge for this episode.

Joining me today is Drummer, Composer, Arranger, Pianist, three times winner of the Ivor Novello award, Brian Bennett, OBE.

Join Brian and myself as we celebrate some of the highlights of his remarkable career.

Brian shares with us at the age of 82 years old he still writes and records every day in his studio, this just proves that age is merely a number!

We talk about Brian's early years and how after a year of violin lessons he realised it wasnt for him, on to the gig as house drummer (shared with his life long pal and another remarkable UK drummer Clem Cattini) at the legendary 2i"s coffee bar in Old Compton Street, Soho, said to be the the birthplace of British Rock n Roll, a small cramped venue that hosted some of the biggest stars of the day, Brian explains it was this showcase that got him most of his work at that time including the gig with the hugely popular Oh Boy a BBC Music show featuring many huge stars.

 Of course we had to talk about The Shadows and how Brian didn't initially want to join after 10 years of solid touring, however he did and the remarkable results are there for all to see!

 I ask Brian a couple of questions from a previous guest on the show and another legendary british drummer, founder member of both Free & Bad Company Simon Kirke for whom Brian was a huge influence when beginning his musical path.

 It was an absoloute pleasure chtting to Brian, i really appreciate him finding time in his incredibly packed schedule!

 I also have to thank our mutual friend and wonderful drummer Ian Palmer for putting us in contact initially.