Percussion Discussion Podcast

Joining me today is Ed "Roddy" Richardson

. Ed is a graduate of The Royal Academy Of Music, he has already had an incredible career, equally at home as adrummer for TV and Film Sessions, Orchestras, West End Shows and with amazing artists such as Taylor Swift, RAYE, Noel Gallagher, Van Morrisson, John Wilson, Pixie Lott, Mica Paris, Clare Teal, Gregory Porter, Seal and many more. 

Late last year following the late great former Squeeze & Jools Holland drummer Gilson Lavis' retirement from playing, Ed got the nod to join The Jools Holland Orchestra with a glowing endorsment from Gilson himself. Ed tells us all about this prestigious gig from getting the call to touring with the band and of course performing at the event synonymous with New Years Eve, the annual Hootenany! 

To cap off an incredible year Ed signed with Slingerland Drums and performed a quite phenomenal debut clinic at the UK Drum Show in October 25 Huge tanks to Ed for this hugely interesting chat!

Joining me today is Emanuel Harrold, Educator, entrepreneur, producer, master drummer, two-time Grammy Award-winning musician, Harrold continues to raise the bar with collaborations and touring with the likes of Damon Alburn, Gregory Porter, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, De La Soul and Roy Hargrove.

 When you think of four words, Emanuel Harrold name comes to mind: Fashion, community, music and love. Emanuels music legacy stands three generations. If you enjoy artists such as Gregory Porter, Robert Glasper, Max Roach, Miles Davis, Gospel, Classical, Jazz, Electro and any music that moves you, Harrold likes it too. Born into the artistry of music by way of St. Louis, MO, USA, Harrold is a multiple Grammy-nominated and winning musician. Emanuel's father being a pastor whilst growing up, the appetite for singing and playing instruments grew. There were many musical outlets, those being his grandfather's Memorial Lancers Drum and Bugle Corps, church gatherings and family reunions. Harrold did not seriously pursue his current instrument until after high school. In St. Louis, Emanuel was involved with Off-Broadway musicals with The Black Repertory Theater, traditional jazz and local gospel scenes.

 Harrold is a self-taught musician and inspired by many great people on his musical journey to date. He has performed or recorded in no specific order with: Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove, Robert Glasper, Ronnie Mathews, Keyon Harrold, Damon Auburn, John Hicks, James Spaulding, Shedrick Mitchell, Marcus Strickland, Stevie Wonder, Kidz in The Hall, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Ben La Uncle Soul, Gregory Porter, Ambrose Akinmusire, Revive The Live Big Band, Jonathan Batiste, Keyon Harrold, Laura Mvula, and too many other great amazing musicians to name in this short bio.

 I truly Love Emanuels, stylish, dynamic and subtle drumming and im very grateful that he was kind enough to give up an hour from his busy schedule.

 www.emanuelharrold.com 

Huge thanks to The UK Drum Show for sponsoring this episode 

www.theukdrumshow.com 2026 drum show dates - October 24th & 25th 2026 ACC Liverpool

Joining me today is Hannes Van Dahl.

 Since 2013 Hannes has been the powerhouse drummer with Swedish Power metal band Sabaton.

 Join us as we chat about his career so far from his beginnings through to joining the mighty Sabaton in 2013. we talk about the upcoming new album being released on October 17th, his love for Metallica, epecially the Ride the Lightning album, the difficulty of finding left footed double bass drum pedal of decent quality in the early days and Hannes speaks of his excitement about getting his new drum set up and running! 

Thanks so much to Hannes for finding the time out of his crazy schedule to fit this in! 

they are on tour in the UK this December - Dont miss them.

 December 4th 02 Arena - London

 December 5th Co-op Live - Manchester 

December 6th Motorpoint Arena - Nottingham

 Check out the bands website too - www.sabaton.net

Joining me today is Bruce Becker,

 Spanning more than four decades as an educator, Master Teacher Bruce Becker has been bringing forward unique concepts in developing “The Flow”! Drawing from his more than thirty-year association with drumming guru Freddie Gruber, Bruce is carrying on the torch of a unique approach in getting the student to understand the natural principles of the physical body’s interaction with the drum set.

 Through the years Top Drummers like David Garibaldi, Tris Imboden, Mark Schulman, Daniel Glass, Glen Sobel, Tim Carman and many more have sought his guidance. 

Bruce Becker co-led the David Becker Tribune for 35 years recording 10 CDs. He has performed/recorded with Ron Carter, Mike Stern, Russell Ferrante, Barbara Dennerlein, John Abercrombie, producer Ken Caillat, Frank Gambale and many others. 

Bruce is performing some very exclusive masterclasses in the UK between September 27th and October 3rd. 2025 if you are in the South and would like to attend a masterclass, 

the great news is, there are tickets still available for one of the events at Planet Drum in London on October 3rd = here is the link for event  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bruce-becker-the-ultimate-guide-to-technique-tickets-1426104339469 

Huge thanks to Bruce for sharing his story, knowledge and insights with us!

Joining me today is Nashville based powerhouse Rich Redmond. 

Rich is an award winning touring and recording drummer based in Nashville & Los Angeles, he either played/recorded or performed with the likes of Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood, Ludacris, Bryan Adams, Kelly Clarkson, Joe Perry and Garth Brooks to name but a few! 

He was voted country drummer of the year by Modern Drummer Magazine in 2010, 2016, 2017 & 2018, and has 30 No 1 hits under his belt. Rich doesnt rest on his laurels in his downtime though, he is a motivatonal speaker, and author an actor and a fellow Podcaster with the hugely succsseful Rich Redmond Show. 

Huge thanks to Rich for somehow finding the time in his crazy schedule to talk to me! 

please check out his website www.richredmond.com

Joining me today is Simon Merry. 

With over 25 years of experience Simon Merry is one of the UK’s most in demand drummers. His style and professionalism has been sought after over the years for touring and recording by such artists as: George Michael, Ronan Keating, Boy George, Natalie Imbruglia, Gene Pitney, Olly Murs, Sophie Ellis Bextor, One Direction, Gary Kemp, Paul Young, Boyzone, Bananarama, Go West and Rick Astley. 

Join us for a fascinating conversation as we pick through some of the amazing highlights of his remarkable career so far. We of course talk about his gig with the legend that is Rick Astley (also a mean drummer as many of you will have seen) 

Simon also tells us how he got the Gene Pitney gig as a teenager, Simons dad was Gene's musical director and offerd the gig to Simon, not without a proper auduition first though, so certainly no favours and he had to and indeed did deliver the goods until Pitneys death in 2006. 

Simon, thank you for an absoloutely fascinating conversation! 

www.simonmerry.com

Percussion Discussion Podcast - Episode 168 - Stan Bicknell. 

Joining me today is Stan Bicknell. New Zealand born Stan Bicknell has worked with Kimbra, Miami Horror, Ecca Vandal and his own band The New Caledonia, he is currently touring the UK and Europe with Natasha Bedingfield.

 He has worked hard to develop a very strong online presence, this was noticed by Jared Falk the owner and creator of the mighty Drumeo, the quite remarkable Canadian based drum education platform where he spent two days creating online content with them . 

Earlier this year Stan was one of the drummers given the opportunity to audition for Primus in a hugely entertaing and beautifully filmed and edited documentary that has been viewed hundreds of thousand of times. 

Stan and myself spoke about all this and much more in our Late Night /Early Morning conversation, including how his day starts at a ridiculously early time to ensure that his drumming doesnt affect his family life too much! 

Stan - Thank you for giving up your time so freely, it was a pleasure talking to you. 

Huge thanks to  @wincentdrumsticks for sponsoring this episode - please visit their website www.wincentdrumsticks.com and check out all of the wonderful products that they make and the incredible roster of artistes that play them! Facebook @Wincent Drumsticks - Official Instagram @wincentdrumsticks

Joining me today is the chairman also known as the head hog of Pork Pie Drums, Bill Detamore. 

Join us as we talk through Bill's amazing story from assembling his first ever drumkit as a teenager made up from different drums and how he wrapped them to make them look the same, through to working for DW Drums in there very early days and of course onto 1987 when Bill founded the Iconic Pork Pie Drums, a company that still proudly producing some of the finest drums on earth to this day. 

This really was a fascinating conversation, Bills knowldege of drums and drum building is second to none, no wonder that he is building shells for the mighty Rogers brand aswell as continuing to produce Pork Pie Drums. 

Bill, Thanks for giving up your time so generously! 

Please check out the Pork Pie Website www.porkpiedrums.com

Joining me today is the wonderful Gabi King. 

Gabi is a session drummer / percussionist who has worked with likes of Declan McKenna, CMAT, Two Door Cinema Club, Ed Sheeran, Years & Years and most recently playing percussion for The 1975. 

If you watched any of the recent Glastonbury Festival you will have seen Gabi with The 1975 headlining the Friday night on the Pyramid Stage!

 Join Gabi and myself as we have a good old chat about her drumming life including the then upcoming Glasto performance, her very first Drum Clinic at the UK Drum Show in 2024 ( i sadly missed this as it clashed with Keith Carlock)

 We also talk about her lack of audition for the 1975, she was asked to play for the band on The Jonathon Ross Show followed by a five week tour with no rehearsals!! 

Thanks so much to Gabi for giving up her time so generously.

Today im joined by Rock Royalty - Matt Sorum.

 Matt has an enviable CV including such incredible names as The Cult, Guns N Roses, Velvet Revolver, Slash's Snakepit, Hollywood Vampires and his current gig with Billy Gibbons. 

Matt joins us from his beautiful home in Palm Springs for a great conversation about all things drums and music.

 Matt's love and enthusiasm for music is so obvious, and this comes across in the conversation! 

This was recorded on the day that Clem Burke sadly passed away, so of course we had to talk about the legendary drummer. 

Huge thanks to our lovely friend Simon kirke for connecting me up with Matt. 

Massive thanks to Matt for the great conversation.