Percussion Discussion - Episode 97 - Steve Williams.

 Joining me today is Steve Williams, from 1974 to 2010 (apart from one very short spell) Steve was the powerhouse drummer with Welsh hard rock/heavy metal legends Budgie. 

Join Steve and myself as we talk about his amazing career, from his early days as a young drummer ( and not particularly being a fan of Budgie!) through to getting the audition and recording Steve's debut album (and my personal favourite) with the band 1975's Bandolier. 

We talk about the wide ranging styles of music on this album and how Steve"s versatility as a drummer along with Burke Shelley"s genius helped facilitate this!

 Budgie played some incredible festivals and tours during their existence, Steve tells us about supporting Ozzy Ozbourne on the Blizzard of Oz tour and a particularly successful Reading festival appearance, both in 1980, He also talks about the 1982 headline slot at the same festival and how he thinks the band didnt have a big enough stage show to back this up!

 Many thanks to Steve for finding the time to talk to me, this was a fascinating conversation, one i hope you all enjoy. 

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Joining me today is Mark Jeffs, the main man behind one of the biggest Vintage drum shops in Europe - Rusty Drums. 

Join Mark and myself as we chat about the incredible Rusty Drums and how it has grown from a fairly small set up operating from his drum studio at his family home to the industrial unit that now is home to Rusty Drums stocking some 180 Vintage kits and countless snare drums!

 We talk about Mark's career in drums from starting out as a drummer in his local brass band through to studying jazz drumming at college, how he juggled working in Talkin Headz... a drum shop in Milton Keynes, with teaching and gigging. 

Mark tells us how he sources all of his drums from America, they are shipped to the UK in shipping containers (adding huge sums to the already significant cost with shipping charges and import duty) so 99% of Mark's stock is fresh in to the uk. 

This was a fascinating conversation - especially for a vintage drum geek like me, Mark has made an incredible success of Rusty Drums, he still teaches 3 days a week plus he is also a gigging drummer, i dont know how he fits it all in! 

Please remember if you want to visit Rusty Drums, it is by appointment only, dont just turn up, please contact Mark in advance or you will be dissapointed!

 www.rustydrums.co.uk
 Rusty Drums Ltd 
Barton Industrial estate 
Faldo Road 
Barton Le Clay 
Bedford MK454RP

 Email - [email protected] 
Opening - strictly by appointment.

 Thanks to Mark for giving up his valuable time for doing this.
Please leave a short review of you are enjoying these conversations - thank you.

John Coghlan - Percussion Discussion - Episode 96.

Firmly back in the legends lounge today with one of the most requested interviews, the fabulous John Coghlan.

John played drums for Status Quo from 1962 - 1981 with the classic line up with Francis Rossi and the late Rick Parfitt & Alan Lancaster playing on the first 14 albums with countless gigs and tours to back the albums up! 

John set up John Coghlans Quo, playing all the classic Quo songs with an incredible band performing all over the world.

Join John and myself as we chat about his career, including his early days, including how he ended up playing in Staus Quo in the early 60's, through to the manic schedule of the 70's some years recording and releasing 2 albums in a year (unheard of these days) as well as lengthy tours to back them up!

 we had to talk about some of the amazing drums that John has used over his career including Ludwig Drums, Yamaha Drums and of course Premier Drums which John is very well known for playing! (it is a drumming podacast after all, what did you expect!)

 We also talk about the Classic Quo reuninon and Documentary Hello Quo and the tour that followed, alledgedly selling out in 20 minutes, how it felt to be back onstage with that classic line up and how much touring had changed (for the better in the last 20 years )

 It was a thrill to spend an hour chatting to John, he is genuinely a lovely guy with an obvious passion for music!

 John, thank you for giving up your time so generously, and thanks to his lovely wife Gillie for setting it up. Thank you both.

www.johncoghlan.com

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 

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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!

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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!!!

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