Percussion Discussion Podcast

3 legendary british drummers share their thoughts and memories of performing at the iconic Live Aid Concert at Wembley in 1985.
Charlie Morgan - Elton john
Steve White - The Style Council
Kenney Jones - The Who.

Firmly back in the legends lounge today for our 50th episode with one of the nicest and funniest people in the whole of showbusiness, and without doubt a phenomenal drummer - Gregg Bissonette. 

Join Gregg and myself as we chat about his amazing career from his beginnings with Maynard Ferguson and of course we speak at length about his time with David lee Roth, a band crammed full of ridiculous talent!
 How could we not talk about his gig with The Ringo Starr All Star band where Gregg plays double drums with the man himself! We also touch on Gregg's playing on all the incidental music along with his brother Matt for every episode of every series of Friends. i

 feel very privileged to have spent some time in Gregg's company and thank him for giving his time so generously! 

Joining me today is legendary Drum Industry professional - John DeChristopher. 

Join John and myself as we chat about his amazing career, from his early passion for playing the drums to getting a job with Simmons Drums, then moving onto Drum Workshop who were in there their infancy, finally John was head-hunted by cymbal giants Zildjian whre he eventually became vice president.

 John also manages/represents some of the best drummers on the planet including Peter Erskine and Steve Gadd. 

You can catch john doing his regular Live chat shows with some amazing drummer on Youtube - John DeChristopher - Live from my drum room. Many thanks to John for giving up his valuable time to do this.

 Huge thanks also to my good friend and fabulous UK Drummer Ian Palmer for putting me in contact with John.

Joining me today is the drummer that has powered the iconic British Electronic band Depeche Mode since 1997.

 Join Christian and myself as we chat about his remarkable career from his early days beginning as a young drummer in his home city of Vienna quickly finding himself in demand playing on lots of sessions and gigs.

 We talk about his move to London as a relatively unkown musician in the UK, how he eventually met, how he got the gig with, and how it is performing and recording with Depeche Mode.

 I was thrilled to be offerd the opportunity to chat with Christian, he is a chap who scarcely does interviews, for no other reason than being constantly in demand as one of the most sought after drummers in Europe.

Joining me today is Dan "Woody" Woodgate , since 1978 Woody has been the drummer with legendary British Ska/2 Tone Band Madness.

 Join Woody and myself as we chat about his early influences through to getting the gig with Madness including a very funny story of how he missed the bands first ever recording session!! 

We also chat about his time as drummer with Anglo /American pop rock band - Voice Of The Beehive from 1986 until 1992. 

It was a total pleasure chatting to Woody - thank you so much for giving your time so generously. 

Please leave a review if you are enjoying these conversations!

Joining me today is Producer and the master of the Drum and Bass style drumming - KJ Sawka.

 Since 2010 KJ has been the drumming force behind Festival favourites Pendulum, a band notable for mixing electronic music with Hard Rock.

 Join KJ and myself as we chat about his early days, where his fascination for electronic drums began and of course how he developed his incredible Drum and Bass technique.
 
we also talk about Destroid, a supergroup that KJ formed and plays drums for. 

This was a fascinating conversation - KJ Thank you for giving up your time so generously! 

Joining me today is British drummer, producer and songwriter… CHRIS MERRICK HUGHES Chris was producer & one of the drummers in Adam and the Ants - producing (& playing on) "Kings of the Wild Frontier” and "Prince Charming" albums. 

He then went onto produce, co-write and play on some of Tears for Fears biggest hits… Including co-writing the epic "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" and producing the first two albums, “The Hurting” and “Songs from the Big Chair” Behind the drum kit, Chris played on TFF’s “Shout” • “Sowing The Seeds Of Love” • “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”

 Alongside Chris & myself for this chat is UK session drummer, Steve Barney who currently plays for Anastacia (& previously for Annie Lennox, Mike + The Mechanics, Jeff Beck & HOTEI). 

Join Hughes, Barney and i as we chat about Chris's stunning & varied career… including how he & Steve met in the late-90’s, working with Adam and the Ants, Tears For Fears, Peter Gabriel + producing/playing for Robert Plant. 

This was such an enjoyable interview to do, really fascinating to be a part of this conversation with two industry professionals at the very top of their game. Many thanks to both Chris & Steve for giving up their valuable time - i really hope you enjoy the conversation. 👏🏼

I am thrilled to be joined by one of the Heavyweights of the Rock / Metal world today - Brooks Wackerman.
 Since 2015 Brooks has been the drummer for US Metal Titans Avenged Sevenfold. Join Brooks and myself as we chat about his Illustrious and very long career playing for such incredible and diverse bands such as Bad4Good (his first pro band whilst barely in his teens!) 

Infectious Grooves, Suicidal Tendencies, Bad Religion, Tenacious D with Jack Black and then of course onto Avenged Sevenfold. 

It was a real pleasure chatting to Brooks about his remarkable career so far, its not really suprising considering the incredibly talented and musical family that he comes from.

 Brooks - Thank you so much for giving up your valuable time!

Joining me today is Jerry Gaskill, Drummer and founder member of American Power trio Kings X. Jerry is a real powerhouse drummer who has been driving Kings X since 1979 He has played on 16 albums and done countless tours and festivals across the world. 

Join us as we chat aboiut some of his career highlights including a performance at Woodstock in 1994, plus performing with the likes of Roger Waters, Paul Mcartney and many more megastars whilst playing drums in the house band at a star studded party for Jon Bon Jovi. Huge thanks to Jerry for giving up his valuable time. 

Please Subscribe to our channel so you dont miss any further episodes. Thank you

Back in the legends lounge today., Joining me for my latest chat is the original Alice Cooper drummer Neal Smith. 

Founding member Neal was in the band from 1967 - 1974 playing on and co writing some of the biggest rock hits ever known including Schools out, Billion Dollar Babies, No More Mr Nice Guy, Under My Wheels..... the list goes on and on. 

Neals amazing technique has influenced so many drummers from around the world including my good friend Robb Reiner from Anvil who kindly provided me with a great question for Neal. 
We had a really great chat and covered so much in a short time, it was a total pleasure chatting to this Legend!!

 Please Subscribe to our Channel & Dont miss any of our upcoming interviews!