Percussion Discussion Podcast

Joining me today for an On Tour Special episode are the drummers from Hall & Oates and Squeeze - Brian Dunne from the USA and Simon Hanson from the UK. they have been touring the USA together for the last 2 months after Covid brought the original tour to a grinding halt in 2020!

 Join Simon, Brian and myself as we talk about what its like touring post lockdown, we also talk about Squeeze and Hall & Oates, The incredible back catologue of songs to choose from and the magnificent list of drummers that have played for both great bands in the past!

 We of course had to touch on Live From Daryl's House where Brian of course is the drummer - Daryl Hall invites some of his musical friends along to his house to jam. The results are stunning!

 This was such a fun interview to do - this was just after Soundcheck on Friday 24th September 2021 from the Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, Alpharetta Georgia.

 These 2 fabulous drummers are clearly good friends and lots of fun to talk to - I thank to them both for giving up their time so generously.

Percussion Discussion - Episode 59 - Darby Todd

Darby Todd is without doubt one of the most talented drummers in the UK Today, he has a remarkable talent for playing drums and applying it to any style!

Join Darby and myself as we chat about his amazing career so far from his early days taking lessons with legendary uk drum teacher/educator Colin Woolway and the world renowned Thomas Lang.

Darby has played for some incredible bands and musicians including Justin Hawkins, The Darkness, his regular gig with Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre, Alan Price, Gary Moore and many more.

we also chat about his recent solo album that features contributions from some of the finest musicians on the planet including Don Airey, Kee Marcello, Adam Wakeman, Laurence Cottle, Marco Minnemann and Andy Newmark to name but a few!

We had to talk about Darby's recent gig with Canadian mega star singer/guitarist Devin Townsend, headling the Bloodstock Festival with very little rehearsal time! Since the interview Darby has gone on to recorded the drum parts for Devin's new album, so i think we can safely assume that he was impressed with Darby's incredible talent!

 it was a total pleasure chatting to Darby, i thank him very much for finding the time in his ridiculously busy schedule to do this!

Please leave a review if you are enjoying these interviews, it really helps! thank you

Joining me today are two incredible percussionists, one of the finest in the UK Lea Mullen and without doubt one of the finest in the world Luis Conte.

 Join Luis, Lea and myself as we chat about their longtime friendship and of course their incredible careers so far - Lea of course has played for The Happy Mondays, Sister sledge and the late great George Michael as well as many other fabulous artists. 

Luis of course has an incredible musical CV having played for such iconic artists such as Madonna, James Taylor, Pat Metheny, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Carlos Santana, Rod Stewart and so many more. 

This was a fascinating insight to life as a percussionist, as well as life on the road! Listening to these firm friends and seasoned professionals talk was a total joy. 

Many thanks to both Luis & Lea for giving up their valuable time to talk to me. i really hope you enjoy this conversation. 

Joining me today is the wonderful Cherisse Osei. 

Since 2016 Cherisse has been the drummer with Simple Minds.

She has previously played for such legendary performers as Paloma Faith, Kelly Jones, Bryan Ferry and MIKA

Join Cherisse and myself as we chat about her incredible career from here initial visit to "Drum Club" in school through to getting her first pro gig with a band signed to Polydor - THE FADERS then of course onto her incredible musical journey with global pop icon Mika.

Cherisse also talks about having to be versatile, having played in a band with former Extreme metal band Venom guitarist - Mantas through to playing on the latest Marvel epic Black Widow.

Many thanks to Cherisse for finding time in her VERY busy schedule to chat to me, it was a fantastic conversation and one i hope you will really enjoy!

joining me today is Canadian drummer mikesleathdrums

Since 2015 Mike has been playing drums for Canadian Megastar Shawn Mendes.

 As well as playing for Shawn Mendes he has performed with a huge and varied list of artists including Francesco Yates, Shawn Desman, Conor Maynard and many more.

Join Mike and myself as we talk about his early memories of music and his first taste of drumming, through to finding himself playing on the Rock Remix of Katy Perrys' I Kissed A Girl!

We also chat about how the gig came about with Shawn Mendes and what life is like playing for one of the biggest stars in the world, including a few eye opening stories!!

This was hugely enjoyable hour spent with a fabulous drummer and an incredibly nice and humble human being! Mike - thank you so much for giving your time so generously!

Many thanks to Andrew Thornton for connecting us both.

Joining me today is the Drummer from Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons and the host for Drum For The Song Podcast - Dane Campbell.

Join Dane and myself as we chat about the amazing guests he has had so far on his podcast - including Mikkey Dee and Matt Sorum!

 We also talk about how he got into drums. What was life like growing up with your dad being the guitarist in one of the Biggest Rock n Roll bands in the world - Motörhead.

 We had to talk about Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons of which Dane is the drummer with dad Phil On Guitar and Dane's 2 brothers on guitar and bass!

This was a fascinating conversation, one i really enjoyed - please check out Danes Podcast - Drum For The Song - if you like mine then i am certain that you will like his too!

Dane, thank you for your time!

oining me today is John Thomson - British Actor, Comedian and Narrator best know for his roles in The Fast Show, Men Behaving Badly ., Cold Feet, 24 Hour Party People, The Brothers Grimsby and Coronation Street and of course revealed his fine singing voice in the smash TV show The Masked Singer.

 John is also a fantastic drummer with over 35 years experience, Join us as we chat about his journey as a drummer from learning as a youngster in his home town of Preston throught to playing drums with the Buddy Rich big band.

 We also talk about his involvement with many drum events across the UK and of course getting to play some of Phil Collins best known drum parts in front the man himself on The Jonathan Ross Show.

 Many thanks to John for giving up his valuable time, he genuinely is an incredibly busy chap! 

Joining me today is my first percussionist, and what an incredible musician to start with. Sting's long time remarkably talented percussionist Rhani Krija

Join Rhani and myself as we talk about his incredible career so far, from his childhood in Morocco and learning percussion at a young age, through to moving to Germany to Study. 

He also talks about how Drumming legend Manu Katche recommended Rhani to Sting when he was looking for a percussionist....... the rest as they say is history.

we also talk about how Rhani has to adapt his style when playing with some of the best drummers in the world including Vinnie Colaiuta, Keith Carlock and many others!!

This was a fascinating and really enjoyable conversation, Rhani is without doubt one of the nicest people on the planet and i thank him for giving his time so generously.

Many thanks to my good friend Steve Barney for connecting us!

Percussion Discussion - Episode 52 - Zachary Alford.

Joining me today is the incredible Zachary Alford, a hard hitting drummer with an impeccable groove! 

Zachary has an amazing CV having played for some legendary names including The B-52's, Bruce Springsteen and of course David Bowie as well as being the house drummer on Saturday Night Live

 Here we chat about his amazing career, including his early days plus selected highlights from his incredible back catalogue! 

 Huge thanks to Zachary for giving up his time so generously. 

Many thanks also to Mike Cusick for connecting me with Zachary

Please leave a review if you have enjoyed this conversation! thank you

Joining me today is UK ace drummer Kaz Rodriguez. 

Kaz posseses dazzling technique, has an incredible groove and inner clock plus he is a very nice guy too! 

For the last few years Kaz has held the drum chair with legendary US Crossover Classical Artist Josh Groban touring the world and playing to 20,000 people a night. 

He has currently written and produced 4 hugely successful 4 drumless albums, these tracks have had some incredible drummers from across the globe use them including Tony Royster Jr, Aaron Spears, Sput and Chris Coleman.

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