Percussion Discussion Podcast

Percussion Discussion Episode 146 - Brian Tichy

 Joining me today is American hard rock drummer Btian Tichy. 

Brian has a glittering career so far having played for giants of the rock & metal world such as Whitesnake, Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Idol, Foreigner and Sass Jordan. 

We talk through segments of his career including a large section on Pride & Glory, an incredible band that include Brian, Zakk Wylde and James Lomenzo, we talk about their iconic performance at Castle Donnington in 1994, this is the only time i have seen Brian play live! 

Brian gives us some amazing insights and advice throughout this interview as well as some incredible stories, including one about Ozzy Osbourne turning a fire hose on him mid gig!! 

Of course we had to talk about his current gig playing for KISS legend Gene Simmons in his solo band. 

Brian, thank you so much for giving up your time so generously!

Joining me today is legendary goalkeeper Petr Čech.

 Petr is arguably one of the finest if not the finest goal keeper in Premier Leaugue history. best know for his remarkable time at Chelsea FC from 2004 -- 2015, as well as stints with Sparta Prague, Arsenal, Rennes and of course his home country Czech Republic.

 Petr is also a huge fan of playing the drums, although he started a little later in life than some others he has really launched himself into it 100%. Petr explains how he found his way into drums by playing the Guitar Hero Drum Set with team mates, this soon developed into a total obsession with the instrument.

 He tells us how he never goes anywhere without Practice Pad, Sticks and a copy of Stick Control!

 Petr has his own YouTube channel with lots of drum cover versions - www.youtube.com/@petrcech4450

 Petr, thank you so much for giving up your valuable time to chat to me, its very much appreciated!

Kenny Aronoff - Percussion Discussion - Episode 144 

Firmly back in the legends lounge today with the legendary Kenny Aronoff! 

Kenny has the most incredible career under his belt having recorded and toured with some of the most remarkable bands and artistes on the planet, including - John Fogerty, The Smashing Pumpkins, Jon Bon Jovi, Meatloaf, Willie Nelson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Joe Cocker and so many more. 

Join Kenny and myself as we talk about so many amazing subjects, including his very recent and very last minute few gigs filling in for Jason Bonham with Sammy Hagar and a star studded band including Joe Satriani on Guitar and former Van Halen bassist Mike Anthony. Kenny explains his process in learning 20 or more songs with literally 24 hours notice, Kenny runs through his learning process how he transcribes it bar by bar giving a hugely detailed part that enables him to reproduce the parts incredibly accurately. 

With Kennys forthcoming appearance at the UK Drum show at the end of September, of curse we had to talk about it and so much more!

Kenny, thank you for making the time to do this, its trulay appreciated! 

www.kennyaronoff.com

Percussion Discussion Episode 143 - Karl Brazil

 Joining me today is Karl Brazil.

Karl is without doubt one of the leading drummers in the Uk, he has played for a hugely diverse list of bands and singers such as Feeder, Ed Sheeran,  Elton John, Jason Mraz, One Direction, Westlife, James Morrison, Leona Lewis and of course Karl has been with James Blunt from his very early days and has been Robbie Williams drummer and Musical Director for a long time! 

Join Karl and myself as we talk about his incredibly hectic work schedule that is literally cram packed with tours, one off gigs, recording and trying to fit valuable family time in to the mix! In fact one of the things we talk about is how he manages his insanely busy diary and what happens when dates don’t line up! 

We had to talk about James Blunt and his recent resurgence over the last few years culminating in the hugely entertaining ‘One Brit Wonder” documentary that recently aired on Netflix. Karl features heavily in this fabulous programme and tells us what it is like to have been in the hot seat since the very early days of James Blunt. 

As if he isn’t busy enough, Karl has recently put together the amazing King Herd, definitely at the heavier end of the musical spectrum, he tells us all about the band and what its like to be touring on a much smaller scale. 

For the last few years Karl has been best known for his role as drummer and musical director for the musical force that is Robbie Williams, with Robbie Karl has played to some of the biggest crowds on earth with incredible stage shows and a world class band, Karl explains what his role entails as MD for this huge show! 

This was a joy to do, its been quite a while in the making, when you want to speak to the best and the busiest then sometimes you have to wait until the time is right, I’m so glad we got it done, boy was it worth the wait!

 Karl, thank you so much for making it happen! 

www.karlbrazil.com

Joining me today is the super talented Graham Hopkins. 

Graham has played for some remarkable bands and artistes throughout his amazing career so far including 6 years with Northern Irish alternative rockers Therapy? Tom Jones, The Frames, The Swell Season, Glen Hansard, Snow Patrol, Dolores O'Riordan and Rosanne Cash. 

Join us as we have a good old natter about Graham's career so far and day to day stuff. We talk about his passion for recording in his own studio with vintage audio equipment and equally vintage drums and cymbals! Graham tells us how after years of constant touring how he is more than happy to be spending time at home for a while with the freedom to do as much or as little recording as he likes allowing him to have important family time. 

We of course had to talk about his time in Therapy? and boy does he give us an amzing insight on what it was like to be in that hugely succesful band at that time!! 

Graham, thank you so much for giving up your time so generously, what a total pleasure, it almost felt like we were sat in the pub chatting (a virtual one anyway) i really hope you enjoy our conversation as much as i did having it! 

www.grahamhopkinsdrummer.com

Joining me today is Steve "Smiley" Barnard.

 Steve is one of the most respected and liked guys in the business, he has an incredibly succesful career so far having toured and recorded with the likes of Robbie Williams, Joe Strummer and The Mescaleros, The Mock Turtles, Holy Holy, Hard Fi, Lily Allen, Billy Bragg, Newton Faulkner as well his regular gigs with Mike Peters and The Alarm and Archive.

 Join Steve and myself as we have a fascinating chat about his career, not so much focussing on the bands and artists that he has worked with but more the situations that can happen as a very busy working drummer! 

We also chat about his Sunshine Corner Studios and his love of the whole recording process and some of the more unusual approaches he can sometimes have when recording. 

This was such fun to do, chatting to Smiley is addictive, hopefully listening to him will have exactly the same effect! i know you will enjoy this!

 Smiley, you are a legend - Thanks so much!

Joining me today is Pat garvey. 

Pat is a hugely talented drummer and educator, he has a very impressive CV including Noel Redding (Jimi Hendrix) Lonely Robot, Tim Booth, James and is a member of the instrumental (progressive tinged) Ozric Tentacles. 

Somehow, alongside his hectic playing schedule Pat has managed to fit in a whole other career as one of the finest educators in the UK. He is the Principal Lecturer at BIMM music institute in Brighton and has made 100 of contributions to drumming magazines from across the globe, including a regular contribution to the sorely missed Rhythm Magazine. 

Join Pat and myself as we talk about his amazing career so far, you wont be dissapointed! 

Pat, thank you so much for giving up your time so generously.

Joining me today is Tony TC Coleman. 

Tony has had a remarkable career so far playing with some of the finest Blues artists on earth including Otis Clay, Bobby Blue Bland, Albert King, Etta James, Buddy and of course 25 years with the late and legendary BB King! 

Join TC and myself as we pick through his incredible career so far, from his very early start to drumming..... TC tells us he was not a fan of the Blues ironically! We talk about his beautiful playing style and how BB King moulded his playing to suit himself and the band, TC gives us a great insight into life with BB King, never playing less than 300 shows a year!! 

TC can really put over a story, he tells us about his short lived foray into being a percussionist with BB King after they toured with Santana......its worth listening just for this! 

TC is a wonderful charachter, humble, knowledgable, vastly experienced and speaks with huge passion about music and drumming. Thank you TC it was a pleasure. 

www.soulfulldrummer.com

David Ruffy - Percussion Discussion - Episode 138 

Joining me today is founding member and drummer of The Ruts (knowun as Ruts DC these days.
 Join Ruffy and myself as we pick through his amazing career starting with all the bands in Pre Ruts, this explains why they werent your everyday Punk band. 

We also talk about his work with some of the biggest artists in the 80's and 90's including Prefab Sprout, The Waterboys, Aztec Camera, Karl Wallinger, Kirsty MacColl and Sinead O'connor to name but a few, quite the list im sure you will agree. 

Ruffy tells us how he is still practicing and studying new styles every day at 72 years old! His enthusiasm for drums and music is as strong as it ever was as he talks about a new Ruts DC acoustic album and Tour this July. 

What a wonderful chap, Ruffy, thanks so much for giving up your time so generously! please check out the Ruts DC website for the forthcoming tour dates 

www.rutsdc.com

Firmly back in the Legends Lounge today with Vinny Appice! 

Vinny has played on some of the most iconic heavy rock albums of the 1980's with Black Sabbath and Dio. 

Join Vinny and myself as we talk about his incredibe career so far. 

We talk about his early days at home and how his older brother Carmine was a huge influence on his playing. 

We of course talk about when he joined Sabbath halfway through a tour to replace Bill Ward on very little rehearsal, well, not with the band anyway as it soundls like the spent most of it in the pub!

 Vinny tells us some great Black Sabbath stories of course including the late, great Ronnie James Dio! Do not miss this fabuolous episode, we covered so much ground in this episode and its incredibly interesting. 

Vinny, thanks so much for giving up your time so generously! 

www.vinnyappice.com