Percussion Discussion Podcast

Joining me today is Chris Jago.

 Chris originally hails from Toxteth in Liverpool however he has lived in Los Angeles for the last 20  years.

 Chris has a remarkable story in the world of drumming and music in general, he has played for the likes of the legendary Neil Diamond, Alan Cumming, Boy George, Barclay James Harvest and many more....... but wait there is more, Chris is hugely respected in the musical theatre / Broadway world with a whole other CV in his back pocket including Wicked, Rent (Live on Fox) We Will Rock You, Frozen the musical plus he has written the drum book for Paradise Square and his new musical Shucked. 

Join Chris and myself as we talk through his incredible career so far from his beginnings in Toxteth through to heading to London to hopefully take his career further and how he found himself in accidentally in a Musical thinking that the audition for a touring band!

 we talk about all the twists and turns that lead Chris to where he is now, an incredibly busy drummer with many plates to juggle including his own Shabby Road Studio where Chris is constantly recording drum parts for many clients around the world. 

We had such an enjoyable conversation it went on a bit longer than they usually do so i have decided to put this out as 2 parts, Part 2 contains the most incredible story about Chris's run up to actually playing with Neil Diamond.....DONT MISS IT!!

 Chris - Thanks so much for giving up your time, cant tell you how much i enjoyed it.

www.chrisjago.com

Homer Steinweiss - Percussion Discussion - Episode 118 

Joining me today is Homer Steinweiss, Homer is a drummer, writer and producer from New York, he has an enviable CV of both live and recording credits including - Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Fleet Foxes, Lady Ga Ga, Bruno Mars, Texas, Amy Winehouse, St Vincent, Michael Buble, Charles Bradley, Sheryl Crow, Rufus Wainright, Daniel Merriweather and literally hundreds more! 

Join Homer and myself as we talk about his quite remarkable career so far - we talk about his work with late Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings and the effort that went in to making those beautifully crafted and incredibly authentic sounding albums, including the approach of the producer, recording equipment and of course the vintage drums themselves, something Homer is very passionate about (as am i) 

We also talk about his work with the late great Charles Bradley and how his soulful style was the perfect fit with Homers beautiful and equally soulfull touch on the drums. 

Homer speaks at length about how he thinks drummers should recieve a writing credit for coming up with a drum part for a song, he explains that had this happened many years ago then the likes of the late Clyde Stubblefield could have had a much more comfortable lifestyle later in life as the composer of one of the most sampled drum beats in history "The Funky Drummer" 

We also talk about the sessions with Mark Ronson about the Amy Winehouse Back to Black sessions of which Homer played on half of the tracks on this iconic album, he lso tells about how Valerie was recorded live in the studio with Amy Winehouse singing!

 This conversation was nothing short of remarkable, Homers name deserves far more recognition than it presently has, an incredible drummer, writer & producer plus with a great head for business too.

Homer kindly offered to let me use the beautiful playing that you hear over the titles totally free of charge, definitely more drummy and more in keeping with the nature of this podcast.

www.homersteinweiss.com

Please rate and review this podcast if you are enjoying it - Thanks!

Joining me today is Grammy winning drummer, producer and composer Trevor Lawrence Jr. 

Trevor has an impeccable career as drummer, composer and producer, his CV boasts names such as Stevie Wonder, Snoop Dogg, Dr Dre, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, LeAnn Rimes, Macy Gray, Eminem, DJ Khaled, Lizzo, Kelly Clarkson, Alicia Keys...... the list goes on and on! 

Join Trevor and myself as we chat about his love of hip hop and how he thinks the genre is stagnating a little at the moment with no Number 1 album or single from this genre this year as yet. Trevor tells us about his incredible work ethic, being taken seriously as a producer, how he finds time to share between work, family, his love of firearms and spending time at the shooting range!

 As if thats not busy enough, we talk about his love of photography which is going to be another side to his business and the exclusve news that he has a new Podcast about to come out with Thomas Lang, you heard it here first!

 We also chat about the Clapstack, a cymbal he designed with Istanbul Agop to replicate the sound of an authentic hand clap, something he was keen to have without having to use, Pads, triggers and mountains of equipment. 

I had to ask Trevor about two huge musical events that he took part in - The half time show at the 2022 Superbowl with Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre and of course playing Live 8 with Stevie Wonder in 2005 in Philadelphia. 

Thank you so much to Trevor for giving his valuable time up to speak to me, it was a conversation i thoroughly enjoyed!

 www.trevorlawrencejr.com

 www.trevorlawrencejrflix.com

Joining me today is Mikey Sorbello. 

Mikey is an Australian born  London based Drummer. Perhaps best known for being the percussive half of The Graveltones, Mikey has graced stages around the world and has played on countless albums. 

Here is a quote from UK Session Great Ash Soan about Mikey....

 "Mikey has a unique playing style which reflects his personality. I feel personality and individuality are very much needed in todays players. If you learn one thing from Mikey, it will be how to find your own personality and style" 

Join Mikey and myself as we chat about his career so far - We of course talk about The Graveltones, Mikey's love/obsession with Coffee, we share our mutual love of vintage drums and how sad it makes us when we see vintage drums that have been fitted with modern components, something that irks every vintage drum nuts! 

We also talk about his unique style, and how his instantly recognisable set mutated from a more regular set up. 

Mikey is an incredible drummer and a great human being to boot, check out his performance from the 2022 UK Drum Show on YouTube if you are in any doubt!

Mikey - Thank you for being a wonderful guest. 

Mark Pusey - Percussion Discussion - Episode 115

 Joining me today is Mark Pusey. 

Mark is a superb british session drummer, he has played for some amazing artists such as Tom Jones, Andrea Bocelli, Nicole Scherzinger, Leona Lewis, Olly Murs, Sarah Brightman and Pixie Lott and for the last 11 years has been the drummer for Ed Sheeran. 

Mark has also worked on many movie soundtracks including the 2019 Elton John Biopic Rocketman. 

Join Mark and myself as we talk about his recent feature in Modern Drummer Magazine and why this was so special to him! 

We also chat about the huge stadium tour that he is bang in the middle of with the mighty Ed Sheeran (Mark was actually talking from his hotel room in Atlanta, just a few hours before hitting the stage in front of 75,000 fans!) Mark talks to me about how the band are completly live with no click tracks at all and how Ed likes to change the setlist and how the songs are performed on the night! He also explains the changes he has to make to his own playing when going from a more intimate venue into a stadium. 

Mark has recently recorded some drums & percussion on some huge films that will be hitting the Silver Screen next year (2024) The film version of the west end & broadway smash Wicked, this will be featuring Jeff Goldblum & Ariana Grande. He also appears on Back to Black, the upcoming Amy Winehouse Biopic that will also be out next year. Mark talks to us about the different approaches that can be taken when recording soundtracks for movies, some having well written parts, some not so, but requiring a little bit of creativity to satisfy the directors needs.

It was a real pleaseure chaatting to Mark, i feel we only scratched the surface on his already incredible impressice career! 

Mark - Thank you so much!

Please rate & review this podcast if you are enjoying it!

Percussion Discussion - Episode 114 - Ian Palmer.

Joining me today is my good Friend Ian Palmer.
Ian is a remarkable drummer that has played at the highest level from a very young age, he has gone on to play for the likes of Ray Russell Music, The Ghosts, Martin Taylor, Randy Brecker, Mark Egan, Mo Foster, Alan Price, Leo Sayer, Roy Wood, Jane McDonald and many more!

We talk about so much in this conversation including Ian's passion for constant learning from lessons with the legendary Joe Morello in New York through to lessons with Ian's friend and mentor Dom Famularo and funk drumming legend David garibaldi

Ian also tells us about a recent recording with American composer, arranger and guitarist Richard Niles, a band that was packed to the rafters with the most talented musicians you could ever wish to hear, the result is the album Niles Smiles, a beatifully crafted album that is now released and available for everyone to hear. This album showcases Ian's wonderful and tasteful drumming style perfectly.

As well as being a superb drummer, Ian has another side to his career, an airline pilot for Virgin Atlantic, this puts him in a pretty exclusive club of musicians that fly aeroplanes including Bruce Dickinson and former Deep Purple guitarist Steve Morse.

This was a fantastic conversation (as i knew it would be) Ian, thanks so much for giving up your time to do it!

www.ianpalmer.com

Joining me today are 2 wonderful gentlemen, Nigel Constable and Bob Henrit. 

Nigel is a wonderful drummmer and in the last few years along with Bob wrote the hugely succesful Hayman Drum Book. 

Bob of course needs no introduction, he has played for some huge British bands including Argent and The Kinks, has written many books over the last 30 years and is an absoloute authority on vintage drums. 

Together they have written Crash Bang, Wallop! The people and the products behind the beat from the 1950's to the millenium. 

This is an incredible read, one i highly reccomend. we have a great chat about the book, why it needed to be written and we get a few tasty little insights into the man that it is loosely centered on, Ivor Arbiter. 

Thanks so much to Nigel & Bob for finding time to chat with me about this remarkable book. 
You can find the book for sale here - www.libripublishing.co.uk/Products/ProdID=280 
Or here - https://amzn.eu/d/iqlPXNm

Percussion Discussion - Episode 112 - Robin Guy. 

Joining me today is the wonderful Robin Guy. Robin is the powerhouse drummer best known for playing for Glam Rockers Rachel Stamp and legendary punk band Sham 69. Robin has also played for Tigertailz, Bruce Dickinson and many more..... 

Join Robin and myself as we talk about some of the aspects of his wonderful career so far, he starts by giving us the tour of his incredible rehearsal/recording space in his back garden, Robin tells us how he is about to dip his toe into remote recording and the pros and cons involved in this.

 We talk about the time Robin had to fill in for the mighty Jason Bonhham at a drum festival in Birmingham and how he was heavily involved in the 2 world record breaking attempts with Stick it to MS.

 It is no secret that Robin is going through regular and intense Chemotherapy sessions, he talks very openly about these treatment sessions and how hard it is to bounce back, not only to gig but to perform day to day tasks.

 We of course had to talk about his legendary performance filling in for Mike Bordin drummer for Faith No More on Top of the Pops and how it didnt go quite to plan...... 

Robin is a real force of nature, a lovely guy, a hell of a drummer and an inspiration to us all! Mate, Thank you so much for giving up your time so generously.

Percussion Discussion - Episode 111 - Nic Collins. 

Making a very welcome 3rd appearance is the fabulous Nic Collins. 

Join Nic and myself as we chat about what he has been upto recently including his remarkable apperance on Drumeo recreating the the grooves of Genesis and how that experience was, we also talk about the interview for Drumeo with Nic and his dad Phil in Switzerland with Brandon Toews. 

Of course Nic is kept busy with his own band Better Strangers and we had a good chat about what they have been up to and their recent single Raincheck. 

it will be great to welcome Nic back to the UK this April and May as drummer with Mike & The Mechanics for a lengthy UK Tour. 

It is always a total pleasure to speak to Nic, he is genuinely one of the nicest drummers in the business and always gives his time up so generously! Thank you Nic. please check out Better Strangers www.betterstrangers.net

Percussion Discussion - Episode 110 - Peter "Dougal" Butler.

Joining me today is Peter "Dougal" Butler.

Peter was personal assistant to one of the most iconic, influential, famous and possibly infamous drummers of our time, the late great Keith Moon.

Join Peter and myself as we chat about this huge chunk of his life from the late 60's as he tells us how he joined The Who as a roadie (hugely exciting for a young Mod as Pete was) how the job eventually turned into being personal assistant for a young Keith Moon.

 i dont want to give to much away about our incredible conversation, but.... Pete does share some incredible stories about his time with Keith,including the time when Keith got onstage with Led Zeppelin to jam with John Bonham during his solo masterpiece Moby Dick at the Forum in Los Angeles, And how Keith NEVER Practiced and infact had little interest in drums unless he was playing them!

 Im not saying anymore as i would like you to listen to it!!

It was quite remarkable to chat to Peter and get this incredible information first hand, Pete, you are a gentleman and i cant thank you enough for giving up your time so generously and for sending me some of your photographs of your time with Keith.

Peter's remarkable book - Full Moon : The Amazing Rock and Roll Life of Keith Moon is available to buy in Paperback, Kindle and Audiobook versions from Amazon.

Many thanks also to our mutual pal Bill Sanders for connecting us up - much appreciated!