Drumeo Gab Podcast

“I wake up every day and have many ideas for what sounds I would like to try.”   Try Drumeo Edge for free for 7 days   Wiktoria Bialic is a great live and studio drummer from Poland. She has been working hard towards making a career in music and was even told that it wouldn't work out because she lives in Poland. I think it is fair to say that she has busted that myth.   You Will Hear About….   Location and how it plays a role in how we approach the music industry. Experimentation with sound. Wiktoria breaks down her financial situation. Whether or not Wiktoria's parents have been hesitant for her to become a musician. Why passion leads people to a higher chance of success with whatever they do. Why Should You Listen?   Wiktoria is a drummer that I have been following for some time now. I have seen her sound, ability to play, and success come through in a big way in the last year or so. To listen to a young person talk in such a mature way about their goals and where they want to be in life is really satisfying. This episode may just lift up your spirits a bit.   Check out my new podcast Shootin' The Shit With Seamus   Follow Wiktoria   Instagram Facebook   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab'   Instagram Facebook YouTube

“I need things like skateboarding, or surfing, or art, or like you, building to just balance myself out.”   Try Drumeo Edge for free for 7 days   Brandon Scott is an online drum educator through his very popular YouTube channel. Most of the content he produced was while he lived in Cape Town, South Africa. Recently, however, he made the move back to the USA with his wife.    With a growing YouTube channel, a huge uproot, and sorting out his next moves, this was a great time to sit down and chat about what is going on with him.   You Will Hear About….   What makes something good and letting go of certain things during the creative process? His experience recording 400 minutes of content at the Drummers Collective. Is Brandon getting bored of what most drumming content consists of? The big uproot that Brandon and his wife are currently going through. Some thoughts about Covid. The fine line between overdoing the drumming thing and not doing it enough. What is Brandon's ultimate goal with his YouTube channel? Self-esteem and imposter syndrome. Some opinions regarding social media. The importance of having a connection with nature. Why Should You Listen?   Because this is nearly the end of this podcast I felt inclined to discuss some stuff that isn't talked about much but I feel is thought about often. I get the sense that there is a lot not discussed so that people's brands aren't put into jeopardy but because I have cancelled myself, I figured I would venture into some of that territory. You might like this just because of the nature of the conversation and how uncomfortable most of this stuff is to talk about.   Follow Brandon   YouTube Instagram Facebook Website   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab'   Instagram Facebook YouTube

“The one environment that I cannot lie in is music. Music tells the truth all the time. Either you can play or you can't.”   Try Drumeo Edge for free for 7 days   Our second episode with the great Billy Cobham. In this episode, we are talking about the nature of creativity.   You Will Hear About….   Billy shares his thoughts on where creativity comes from. Does creativity ever tire for Billy? With advancements in technology are we better off nowadays or was there more of a hotbed of creativity in the past? The importance of taking notes to capture creativity that would be fleeting if not captured somehow. Why Should You Listen?   Creativity is a deep subject and it is one that I enjoy exploring with my guests. In particular, to hear testimony of an incredible musician stating that his creativity never ceases to exist is inspiring to hear. I just wondered if there ever comes a point where you run out of ideas.   Follow Billy   Instagram Facebook Website   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab'   Instagram Facebook YouTube

Try Drumeo Edge for free for 7 days   The time has come for me to part ways with the DrumeoGab podcast. It has been a blast making this show but my time has come to move onto other things.    I also share a prank call that I made to Drumeo where Jack Thomas answered the call.   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab'   Instagram Facebook YouTube

“It's been told to me that our minds are like Teflon when it comes to positive and velcro when it comes to the negative.”   Try Drumeo Edge for free for 7 days   We are back with Larnell Lewis! Our first episode dealt with Larnell ranking some facets of drumming in order of their importance and I think we all learned a lot from that one. Today though, we are dealing with something very different.   What happens when life gets in the way of your drumming? It happens to all of us. Even the pros. Larnell has had his fair share of interruptions and having to deal with balancing his professional career and the rest of his life. He shares some invaluable wisdom that struck a chord with me not just when I interviewed him but also today as I write this.   For those drummers out there who feel guilty for not feeling like they are spending enough time behind the kit then this one is for you. You Will Hear About….   Reaching your greatness and the balancing act that comes along with that. The importance of your brand. How interruptions in life happen and how we can keep the flame lit for our passion for drumming. Some final thoughts regarding today's episode. Why Should You Listen?   When I connect with listeners it is often said that they feel like they don't play enough drums or that they feel as though that they should be better than they are. It seems to me that their lifestyle has other plans in store for them. Family, work, events, other interests, emergencies, health, stress, and so forth. This episode will help you.   I share a lot of my own personal thoughts too because like most of you, I am not a pro drummer. I love the drums but I honestly never felt like they were going to be my all. I just never could justify that. But there is always a big ol' gushy spot in my heart for them and that will never die. I think y'all might connect with what I had to say also.   Follow Larnell   Instagram Facebook Website   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab'   Instagram Facebook YouTube

“I have to play stuff that I truly love.”   Try Drumeo Edge for free for 7 days   When I interviewed Todd Sucherman for the top five unique snare drums (and five honorable mentions) we also discussed endorsements.    I feel that endorsements will always have a gravitational pull for most of us. If someone gets offered one what do you think the likelihood of someone accepting it be? My guess is that it would probably be quite high. Even if it isn't really something they need for their career or if it meant that they would need to take out a line of credit to buy the cymbals, or drums.   So, what are endorsements for?    Well, I share my views on it and Todd shares his. You Will Hear About….   What does it mean when drummers switch companies a lot? Why you should play the instruments you love. Some common misconceptions about endorsements. How Todd got hooked up with Sabian. Why Should You Listen?   I have spoken to many artists. I have observed many posts regarding endorsements. I have spoken about endorsements and my thoughts about them but I have always been slightly cautious about what I say….until now. I mean no disrespect but I had to share my thoughts about them.   Follow Todd   Instagram Facebook Website   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab'   Instagram Facebook YouTube

“That's old history. Great history. Like I said every now and then I'll think back on it.  Especially when someone asks about it.”   Try Drumeo Edge for free for 7 days   Dennis Chambers is involved with Billy Cobham's “Guide To Stress-Free Drumming” and so for that ongoing event, I was invited to speak with the legend himself. Due to a house fire situation, all of Dennis' recording gear was offsite which meant that we would need to do this over Zoom. Or did it…?   I decided that maybe it would be a vibe to just record a phone call. You know, an old-fashioned phone call! It was amazing. I was sitting out on my hammock on a beautiful sunny day talking to one of my all-time favorite musicians. It turns out that Dennis is funny, charming, and down-to-earth. That made this all the more incredible. Sometimes they say “never meet your heroes”. This was certainly an exception.   You will hear about many things in this messy and natural conversation. No notes. No prep. Just a phone call that I will never forget. I hope that you experience this episode like you were listening in on us like a fly on the wall. This episode is as casual as this podcast will ever get.   You Will Hear About….   Honestly, there is too much going on here to even begin listing off everything within this conversation. Just as a general overview though, we talked about his dog, his incredible collection of historically important instruments, the house fire, his health scare, playing in a band, and much more. Why Should You Listen?   This is Dennis Chambers talking on the phone with me in a funny and memorable conversation. Need I say more?   Follow Dennis   Instagram Facebook Website   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab'   Instagram Facebook YouTube

“I was lazy until I found something I liked to do.”   Try Drumeo Edge for free for 7 days   Since I started doing this podcast thing I have been friends with Jefferson, a quirky woodworker out of Santa Cruz, CA. I can almost see his eyebrows raise when I refer to him as being quirky. What I mean by that is that he doesn't give a shit. I mean, he definitely gives a shit about the whole people and drums thing, but at the end of the day he really just does his own thing. That is probably why we both connected like we did.   The drums are second to none. I play Sugar drums and they are simply spectacular instruments. There is a sense of occasion every time I play them but the time is never spoiled with unrealistic expectations of yourself. Good drums can sometimes feel like they expect a lot from me and it has gotten to my head before. With crappy drums I feel like it is more of a surprise when someone sounds good on them. So, nice drums, I feel, set up a scenario of expectations. The worst case scenario with Sugar drums is that you just look like a player who has fine taste. But this is all totally subjective and my personal experience.    Of course, it goes without saying that I recommend that you look into these drums if you like the idea of owning furniture grade drums that sound magnificent and have incredible tonal range. This episode is more about highlighting personal and emotional connections to the company and how it is affecting people.    You Will Hear About….   Some details about Jefferson's recent move. How the name of the company affects what Jefferson does with the drums he builds. The thought process behind Jefferson's high quality standards and where the neurosis comes from. Noah and his role at Sugar Percussion. The charitable work that Jefferson commits himself to. What 2020 was like for Jefferson. The FedEx thing. Why Should You Listen?   It is great to hear about what matters to Jefferson and how that works itself into the company values. It isn't just about the drums. It goes deeper than that.   Follow Sugar Percussion   Instagram Facebook Website   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab'   Instagram Facebook YouTube

“It took me two years to convince my parents that I needed a drum set.”   Try Drumeo Edge for free for 7 days   Greek metal maestro and drummer for Nile, George Kollias, is on another level when it comes to extreme metal drumming. He has authored the trilogy, The Odyssey of Double Bass Drumming and has also released his two DVD's Intense Metal Drumming 1 and 2.    In this episode you will hear a lot about George's thoughts about comparisons, creating independent learners, Nile, Derek Roddy, whether blast beats can groove and much more.   You Will Hear About….   Has having an abundance of convenient knowledge hurt or helped drummers? George's observations on students discovering their potential. What does George think about comparing ourselves to others? What does George's practice routine look like currently? Hobby versus professional career. Which is better? Derek Roddy and Nile. Can blast beats groove? How George goes about creating independent learners. About George's teacher Yannis Stavropoulos. How is big band jazz similar to metal? How exhausted George is after a Nile show? George's love for drumming and where that comes from. Invictus and what George would have done differently? Why Should You Listen?   George is one of the greatest metal drummers in the world. If you are really into what George does then you will be really into this episode.   Follow George   Instagram Facebook YouTube Website   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab'   Instagram Facebook YouTube

“It's all about the why. If you figure out the way then you figure out purpose.”   Try Drumeo Edge for free for 7 days   Juan Mendoza is a classically trained musician who is one of the smoothest, knowledgeable and musical drummers around. Hailing from New Jersey, Juan has developed his own home studio where he films his lessons, teaches his students and records for artists. The results that he manages to achieve are second to none.   In addition to being a fantastic performer, Juan is also an incredible teacher. He has filmed courses at Drumeo where he got into, what I feel, is his specialty. Rudiment applications. I highly recommend checking them out.   I wanted to have Juan on to talk about how he interprets his students and how they can become better students but this also means how can teachers become better teachers because they work hand in hand.    You Will Hear About….   What is it like to teach the next generation? How recordings help with education? How Instagram clips might be hurting our abilities. Some tips on how to become better at improvising and creating. Why Should You Listen?   Juan shares his opinion on why results may not be being met with our youth, how Instagram is foiling our ability to play through entire tracks and so much more. They are hard truths. They should be heard. This will also be a helpful episode for educators and how we can better connect with our students.   Follow Juan   Instagram Facebook YouTube Website   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab'   Instagram Facebook YouTube

“What is the impression that we make when we say what we say with regard to speed, ya know?”   Try Drumeo Edge for free for 7 days   Part two of my conversation with Dream Theater's drummer Mike Mangini.   You Will Hear About….   Rhetoric and the importance of knowing the true meaning of words. How do we define music that has feel?  Mike's thoughts concerning speed and musicality. A dream Mike had and Virgil Donati. Thoughts about gratitude. Why Should You Listen?   Mike's thoughts regarding the words we use and their true meaning is important to hear. We hear folks talking about how speed isn't musical and certain genres having feel while others don't. These topics are interesting to a lot of people and Mike makes a lot of sense with what he has to say about this stuff. Plus, a dream that Mike had enabled him to achieve a goal is very interesting stuff.   Follow Mike   Instagram Facebook YouTube Website   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab'   Instagram Facebook YouTube

“It exists for you because it exists.”   Try Drumeo Edge for free for 7 days   You are probably familiar with Mike Mangini, drummer for Dream Theater. He was known for his speed, independence, crazy drum setups, odd time and subdivisions, and much more. There is no doubt that he is one of the greatest drummers alive today. Whether you like his style of play or not, he is remarkable.   He is also a great teacher. He developed the renowned “Grid” system for improvisation and turned this system into a DVD pack several years ago.    This is the first of two parts where I sat down with Mike and had a very lengthy conversation with him. You Will Hear About….   How Mike felt about the original interview I had with him and why we decided to do it again. Why practice? The importance of writing things down. How to manage our thoughts. How can practice change a person for the better? Creating discipline. Mike and his history with hockey. Why it is good for people to have their hobbies and passions. Perception. How our personal history can be a negative bias towards forging new paths in our lives. Why Should You Listen?   Mike is a very interesting person to speak with. He is deep, well-read, and very scientific with his approach to things. We touch on some very compelling ideas over the course of this discussion that we can translate and apply to many different areas of our lives.   Follow Mike   Instagram Facebook YouTube Website   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab'   Instagram Facebook YouTube

“It was so good to just be alive and walk down the street in the rain. I’ll never forget it.”   Try Drumeo Edge for free for 7 days   Continuing from last weeks’ episode, we are now going to hear what life was like for Jason Mills AFTER surgery. What is Yummy Sounds about? How did an outlet for musical creativity allow him to weather a terrible storm?  You Will Hear About….   Jason and John talk about the project “Yummy Sounds” and what it means to them. Three stories told by Jason that were very meaningful to him post-surgery. Why Should You Listen?   This whole experience of making ‘Drums As Life Preserver’ was so organic and fun. We are both stoked that Jason’s story is now out there. He told me that his buddies were telling him to get his story put into a book or something.    So, basically, we are happy about it and a lot of love went into it. I just hope that you enjoy the story and the power behind what drums and art did for a human being out there. I could see this one inspiring a lot of people for many different reasons.   Follow Jason    Linktree Yummy Sounds Instagram Yummy Sounds YouTube Website   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab’   Instagram Facebook YouTube

“I’m just glad to be alive.”   Try Drumeo Edge for free for 7 days   Jason Mills wrote me an email late last year to talk to me about how my interview with Jack Thomas deeply resonated with him. He then proceeded to tell me about his story. Before this email, I had never been introduced to Jason but the depth of his story immediately inspired me. I wrote him back to say many things but among them was an invitation to host him and tell his story.   Drums as life preserver. A fitting title considering that drums happened to be one of a few aspects of his life that kept him sane during a major rehabilitation. I won’t spoil anything but please listen closely to this and reflect upon it with your own experiences as a musician. Have they ever saved you from tremendously difficult times? Are they a dependable companion to you? If you answered yes, this will likely resonate deeply with you. You Will Hear About….   Today’s episode goes back over twenty years when Jason began having crazy neurological symptoms throughout his career in STOMP until he was finally properly diagnosed and received major surgery. Why Should You Listen?   This episode has many lessons in it. Our lives can change immediately and this episode highlights this fact of life.     Follow Jason    Linktree Yummy Sounds Instagram Yummy Sounds YouTube Website   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab’   Instagram Facebook YouTube

“I’m not gonna get a scholarship but I’m gonna go in there and I’m gonna try!”   Try Drumeo Edge for free for 7 days   Taylor Gordon, AKA The Pocket Queen, originally from New Orleans is a drummer and producer who has been through some big ups and some big downs. We are mostly all aware that in order to succeed, you must also fail. Taylor embodies this statement very well.    You will hear about her story from the time that she was accepted with a Presidential scholarship to Berklee, her mishap with a harddrive, her spontaneous encounter with someone important in a fast food restaurant, and how she took it upon herself to begin creating her own music. Which you can listen to right here.   This is a nice reminder that we will all experience ebbs and flows within our lives and they become more drastic in either direction when we take more risk.  You Will Hear About….   Taylor gets into Berklee. Her mom said no to Berklee but also wanted Taylor to challenge this instruction. How Taylor’s family success influenced her own. A publishing deal that she got. The upsets along the way and what she did about it. Why Taylor decided to begin making her own music. Why Should You Listen?   A lot can be learned from a good story. Taylor’s story outlines what can go right but what can also go wrong. I think there are many people who truly fear taking matters into their own hands and being true individuals. Whether the fear is born from our sets of beliefs within ourselves, the unknown territory, or what will happen to us along the way. It can be very intimidating to branch out from what feels safe but many people still likely want to feel the rewards of taking action and pursuing dreams. This episode can provide some reassurance that living our lives the way we want to is more than worth it.     Taylor’s Linktree   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab’   Instagram Facebook YouTube

“It has to start with the why.”   Try Drumeo Edge for free for 7 days   Benny Greb recently released his book Effective Practicing For Musicians: The Ultimate Guide For How To Become Better At Your Instrument. So far we have discussed how to practice more effectively and in part two we talked about the importance of recording yourself. Today we focus on why we are making an effort to improve, practicing gratitude and always doing your best with what you have in the moment.   So, how did I make out with the EPM system? It is a bit of a surprising conclusion that I didn’t see coming whatsoever.    I consider this book an essential resource for drummers who are committed to becoming the drummer they wish to become. You can get it right here.   You Will Hear About….   Your why. The right way to compare yourself. Practicing gratitude. My conclusion to the three-month EPM cycle. Staying on course. Doing the best you can with what you have right now. Why practice should be exciting.   Why Should You Listen?   This episode rounds out the series, so if you have been listening since part one you will likely want to know how it ends. It was an ending that was bitter-sweet but it highlights how priorities can change within a person.    Music Featured In Today’s Show   Benny Greb - Grebfruit: 0:06 Moving Parts - Soulfood: 1:51 Moving Parts - Spacecake: 17:33 Benny Greb - Polka: 36:49 Moving Parts - Kalimba: 49:31     Benny’s Socials   Instagram Facebook YouTube Website   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab’   Instagram Facebook YouTube

“I was a good person but I was just miserable. I hid it well but I was not happy.”   Try Drumeo Edge for free for 7 days   Steven Wolf is a bi-coastal drummer, programmer, remixer, producer, and songwriter who has worked with artists such as Beyonce, Alicia Keys, David Bowie, Katy Perry, Pink, and many more.   With all of his efforts made towards his musical career it hasn’t come without some difficulty regarding physical and mental health. But are they connected? Body and mind health is something that may seem disconnected but Wolf believes that they are absolutely connected. He shares his personal experiences with mental health and his thoughts regarding body and mind health in today’s episode.   You Will Hear About….   Wolf’s brief history with mental health issues. Physical activity, BDNF, and endorphins. Completing small tasks to get you moving when you feel down. Distractions can keep you from improving your mental health. The problems associated with the labels we place on ourselves. Stored trauma in our bodies. A little message from me to you about why we shouldn’t ignore our troubles.   Why Should You Listen?   Mental health is something I have had my battles with. Feeling better about who we are, investing in our relationships and being mindful of how we interact with ourselves and our environment has helped me a lot. I do believe that the quality of our mental health is a contributing factor to how we express ourselves creatively as well.     WOLF’s Socials   Instagram Facebook Website   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab’   Instagram Facebook YouTube

“I felt like I didn’t have any time to finish my project which was kind of hard.”   Try Drumeo Edge for free for 7 days   Jost Nickel returns to DrumeoGab to talk about his new record “The Check In”.    Click here to listen to “The Check In”  or get a signed copy on CD or Vinyl.   You Will Hear About….   How the project to record an album started for Jost. Did the pandemic play a role in the album’s completion? Managing expectations. Exploring different types of microphones with Victor Guidera. Jost’s involvement with creating the album. Did he write this music to satisfy drummers or a general audience? Were there any new senses of vulnerability with creating this album? What surprised him the most about the process?   Why Should You Listen?   For anyone who has considered writing and recording their own album or have done so in the past will connect with this episode today. Jost also contributes some great thoughts about making things to satisfy your own creativity and quality standards first. Another major theme in this episode is adaptability. You can reflect on your own projects and perhaps see some value in today’s episode to help you see the value and purpose in your own endeavors if that is something you struggle with.   Music Featured In Today’s Show   Jost Nickel - I Understand: 0:00 Jost Nickel - Bloon: 13:04 Jost Nickel - Silk: 20:25 Jost Nickel - The Check In: 39:01 Jost Nickel - Cookies: 44:37   Photo Credit: Gerhard Kuehne     Jost’s Socials   Instagram Facebook Website Linktree   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab’   Instagram Facebook YouTube

“Just lay it down. And if that happens, you work until you get sick of playing.”   Try Drumeo Edge for free for 7 days   Billy Cobham is a name that echoes throughout the history of drumming. Known for his power, finesse, dynamics, speed, musicality, metric modulation, and well just about every attribute that we drummers admire, it is impossible not to recognize the impact Billy had on music. Whether it was his work on several of Miles Davis’ records including Bitches Brew, Mahavishnu Orchestra’s early recordings, several Stanley Clarke records, Billy always brought a certain energy and sound that could be identified rather quickly. While he worked on many important early fusion recordings and beyond, he also led bands that produced important works, in particular the 1973 record Spectrum.   Billy has also been quite involved with drum education as well. In fact, he was performing educational drum clinics back in the early ’80s. He has also hosted drum retreats and masterclasses as well. Currently, he is hosting a masterclass series titled, “Billy Cobham’s Guide To Stress-Free Drumming” which consists of ten classes that are three hours in length. He is joined with his co-host Dom Famularo each month and there are two classes each where special guests Dennis Chambers, Will Calhoun, and Gary Husband offer their expertise.   Click here to sign up for Billy Cobham’s Guide To Stress Free Drumming   You Will Hear About….   Knowing what you are playing to maximize your sound. How to deploy rudiments musically. The problems with alpha dominant musicians and how to deal with them. Are musical choices like opinions? Making the band comfortable and creating great feeling music. Billy’s out-of-body experiences with Horace Silver and Mahavishnu Orchestra. Do artistic compromises create a long-lasting negative impact on musicians?   Why Should You Listen?   Billy and I really dove headfirst into a dialogue about how musicians can better serve a band. This isn’t about how we become better drummers through exercises and practice. This is about taking what you know and utilizing it tastefully to create great music. Forget the thrills of speed and complex patterns, while they have their place once we have a firm grasp on their musical qualities, just laying it down and making our bandmates comfortable is critically important if we want to become great musicians. This is a beneficial message to any musician.   Music Featured In Today’s Show   George Duke and Billy Cobham Band - Hip Pockets: 1:40 Billy Cobham - Red Baron: 8:40 & 9:52 Billy Cobham - Life & Times: 18:15 Billy Cobham - Stratus (Intro): 18:42 Billy Cobham’s Glass Managerie: AC DC 24:27 Billy Cobham - Stratus: 29:54 Billy Cobham - Le Lis: 43:15     Billy’s Socials   Instagram Facebook Website   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab’   Instagram Facebook YouTube

“That’s the fun thing about practicing. That it actually does something. It actually changes you!”   Try Drumeo Edge for free for 7 days   Benny Greb recently released his book Effective Practicing For Musicians: The Ultimate Guide For How To Become Better At Your Instrument. In part one of our three-part series, we discussed how to become more effective during your practice. Today, we are focusing, mostly, on the benefits of recording yourself.    This also marks two months of work within my three-month EPM cycle. So, you will hear my journaling and thoughts about the process so far.   I consider this book an essential resource for drummers who are committed to becoming the drummer they wish to become. You can get it right here.   You Will Hear About….   The different types of recordings and how to use them. What you show social media vs what is really going on. Defining the word discipline. Going deeper with what you know.   Why Should You Listen?   If you heard the first episode and thought that it was a worthwhile listen, then you will consider this to be a continuation from where we left off a month ago. Recording yourself is crucial to understanding how we really sound and what progress has been made within our development.    Music Featured In Today’s Show   Moving Parts LIVE - September: 0:00 Greb/Husband - Deep Breath: 30:50 Benny Greb - No.5 (looped): 46:57 Benny Greb - No.6: 47:29 Moving Parts LIVE - 3/5Tel (Intro): 48:28     Benny’s Socials   Instagram Facebook YouTube Website   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab’   Instagram Facebook YouTube

“If there’s no groove. What do ya got?”   Try Drumeo Edge for free for 7 days   Larnell Lewis is among the elite modern drummers of the last decade. Whether you found him through his many notable Snarky Puppy performances, his solo work or perhaps his several appearances on Drumeo, including the viral video where Larnell hears Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” for the first time, you know that Larnell has got the goods.   I thought it would be fun to revisit my list of essential drumming skills and have Larnell rank them from most important to least important. As a bonus, Larnell also offers a helpful tip to improve upon each skill set.  You Will Hear About….   The BIG 7: Speed, Independence/Coordination, Time Keeping/Groove, Personality, Sound, Repertoire, Technique. This list is then ranked by Larnell from least important to most important.  A tip from Larnell for each item in “The BIG 7” to improve upon these skills. A word from Larnell about confidence. Why Should You Listen?   This list is by and large what drummers, and all musicians for that matter, need to develop in order to become competent on their respective instruments. But what needs to be addressed first? Which of these things doesn’t need to be entertained until other skills have been sorted out? Clarity brings focus. Focus brings direction. Direction served with diligent practice brings results. This is the purpose of today’s episode. To help you see results in your drumming and beyond.   Music Featured In Today’s Episode   Larnell Lewis - The Forgotten Ones (RTM) Larnell Lewis - Change Your Mind (RTM) Larnell Lewis - In The Moment (RTM)   Follow Larnell Lewis on Spotify   Larnell’s Socials   Instagram Facebook YouTube Website Follow ‘Drumeo Gab’   Instagram Facebook YouTube

“It’s an uncomfortable space to be in especially when you’re playing with a metronome.”   Try Drumeo Edge for free for 7 days   Donald “DJ” Johnson is the drummer for Khruangbin, an instrumental trio hailing from Houston, Texas. The irony of today’s episode is due to the fact that Khruangbin does not record their records to a click track. They approach their recordings in a very “old school” kind of way. The band has recorded each of their records at Mark’s family farm in Burton, Texas, which is a rural area between Houston and Austin.    The need for a band to have impeccable timing to record music without a click is paramount, otherwise, the editing would be far more nightmarish. To gain a strong internal pulse that is in time is a skill that every musician needs to continually work on. With that being said, today’s episode focuses on practical exercises to strengthen your timing through metronome practicing methods.    You Will Hear About….   A brief history lesson on the metronome. A gap click exercise. Rob “Beatdown” Brown shares a lesson on displacing the metronome. An active listening exercise featuring a Khruangbin tune. What is a hemiola? How I learned to love the metronome.   Why Should You Listen?   We all need to submit ourselves to the metronome at some point. For timekeeping is arguably the most important skill set to develop as a drummer. This episode provides at least two very effective exercises to sharpen these skills.   Music Featured In Today’s Episode   Khruangbin - People Everywhere (Still Alive) Khruangbin - So We Won’t Forget Khruangbin - Friday Morning Khruangbin - Hasta El Cielo   Follow Khruangbin on Spotify   DJ’s Socials   Instagram Follow ‘Drumeo Gab’   Instagram Facebook YouTube Follow Efajrmusic & Carrtoons on Instagram

“Get the drum set of your dreams.”   Try Drumeo Edge for free for 7 days   Todd Sucherman, the drummer for Styx, has one of the most immaculate and astonishing modern drum collections I have ever seen. It was during a Drumeo Coaches session where I heard him speak in fascinating detail about a Serenity drum that he owns that I decided to reach out to him to talk about his impressive collection.   So, this is what we have here. Todd goes through each of his most unique snare drums in his collection. These are all bespoke drums from custom builders all over the globe. Whether it is Sugar Percussion’s Sequoia snare drum that was harvested from wood ranging upwards of 5000 years old or his Providence snare drum crafted from the cylinder head of a Rolls-Royce, each of these drums that Todd describes is works of art with a tremendous sentimental appeal.   We are also treated to the sounds of the top five unique drums that were recorded directly from Todd’s home studio. This is a special episode for drummers. An episode that will hopefully ignite our inner drum nerd.   You Will Hear About….   Incredible details and stories regarding each of Todd’s top 10 unique snare drums. A blindfold test to see if you can tell which drum is which. A story about Todd’s Signature Series Bubinga drum set and why we should buy the drums of our dreams. My own story about the Sugar Percussion drum building workshop.   Why Should You Listen?   I know that part of being a drummer is the admiration of gear. The history, the details, the sounds, and the dreams we all have for those particular pieces we would like to see in our own collection one day. I know that this episode re-ignited my passion for the gear. I used to drool over DW’s kit builder as a teenager and I looked through the Modern Drummer magazines to see what new shell technology was being developed or the newest line of Zildjian cymbals that were available. If that sounds similar to your own experiences, well, you will probably enjoy this episode.   Follow @happy_imaeda on Instagram Todd’s Socials   Instagram Facebook YouTube Website   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab’   Instagram Facebook YouTube

“To stay on course there has to be a course in the first place.” Try Drumeo Edge for free for 7 days Benny Greb recently released his book Effective Practicing For Musicians: The Ultimate Guide For How To Become Better At Your Instrument. It took him many years of research and several years to write it as well. He wrote me late last year to ask about hosting him on the podcast to discuss his book to which I replied, “Absolutely! Send me the book and we will do it!”. Upon receiving his book I began reading and put together my own EPM system using the book and its sets of questions to determine where I wanted my drumming to go and what needed to be addressed. Since then, I have never been so happy and determined in my drumming life.  The book calibrates you and fills you up with momentum to tackle the lessons, whether online or in person, with more focus and purpose. Whenever I look for lessons on Drumeo Edge, I now know exactly what I am looking for. I consider this book an essential resource for drummers who are committed to becoming the drummer they wish to become. You can get it right here.   You Will Hear About…. Why we must separate playing from practicing. Benny’s ratio between time spent practicing versus playing. How should we treat ourselves during practice? A story from the book outlining how small changes applied consistently over time can create an enormous impact. The Whale Method. The Feel Good Factor. What should you practice?   Why Should You Listen? Do you want to become better at your instrument? If you said yes to that question then I suppose you should listen to this. This is only the first part of three parts of the EPM series and I think this is a nice coat of primer for what’s to come. A lot of the material in the book and within this podcast episode resonated with me deeply. These are things that most, if not all, of us, go through and to have some empathetic advice to steer us towards more clarity is valuable.   Music Featured In Today’s Show Moving Parts - Celsius: 0:00 Greb/Husband - Immune System: 1:33 Greb/Husband - Icebath: 11:50 Greb/Husband - Meditation: 32:53 Benny Greb - No. 1: 43:37   Photo by Gerhard Kuehne   Benny’s Socials Instagram Facebook YouTube Website   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab’ Instagram Facebook YouTube

“Everybody should be given the opportunity to enjoy the drums and play music.” Mike Dolbear has been serving the drumming community and industry through MikeDolbear.com for over twenty years now. What started off as a website to promote the launch of his book “Rhythm & Fills” quickly became more than that. He became a host, interviewer, event organizer, and journalist all while maintaining his career in drum instruction.  In 2020, Mike has risen to the challenges our industry faces during these restrictive times by utilizing his platform to bring even more awareness to drummers by interviewing nearly one-hundred (at the time of this release) interviews through Instagram. These interviews have been with artists, company reps, and shop owners primarily. To see another individual in our industry take it upon himself to contribute something of value is always appreciated and I felt like now was a great time to catch up with Mike and see how this year has been for him.   You Will Hear About…. Mike’s early years leading up to and including the creation of MikeDolbear.com. Why when you fall you must get back up again and to portray confidence you don’t really have. Creating your own luck. Mike’s take on teaching and students. Social media and mental health. An incredible story regarding a student of Mike’s in the past. Danny Boyle and why he is so humble. What it is like broadcasting in 2020 for Mike. Some thoughts about anxiety.   Why Should You Listen? The story about the kid with cancer that Mike coached in order to play drums at a major sporting event is worth the listen alone. That story is incredibly inspirational and heartwarming. In general, Mike sticks up for the little guy. That is kind of his thing. Everything he does for drumming is certainly appreciated. The other reason to listen is that Mike Dolbear is rarely a guest on podcasts. I suppose I am lucky in that sense that we have some mutual friends and he trusted me enough to host him. In any case, to hear his thoughts about luck, confidence, anxiety, teaching, and broadcasting media is very interesting and it is coming from a very good source.   Photo by F.Desmaele   Mike’s Socials Instagram YouTube Website   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab’ Instagram Facebook YouTube

So, last week I decided to pick up bass guitar. I have been practicing and I have taken note of a few things that I have discovered by reminding myself of what it feels like to start something new. Also, I talk a bit about my thoughts on what happened with Dorothea Taylor's IG getting hacked and the spirit of Christmas.   Try Drumeo Edge for FREE! Start your 7 day trial now!   Check out my Spotify playlist "seamus is all mixed up"

“If you want to play busy, learn how to play all of the in-between stuff really quietly.” Brody Simpson is a drummer and recording engineer from Perth, Australia. He is a co-owner of Underground Studios and out of that studio he, in addition to the regular studio services, provides a service that he calls RealDrumsForYou. Brody is very well-known in the drumming community as an exceptionally creative engineer and fantastic drummer, who’s interested particularly in creating sounds that you may believe are samples upon listening. Instead, he has spent years painstakingly creating these sounds through experimenting with equipment and acoustic instruments. While Brody doesn’t tour and has spent most of his career in a studio, he has had no shortage of keeping busy as a professional engineer and session musician. In this chat, we discuss many talking points directly related to his specialties.   You Will Hear About…. Brody’s change of approach to laboring over his work. Some thoughts about maintaining a fresh outlook towards recording multiple takes. How Brody approaches the conversation with artists when offering different ideas for the artists’ music during a recording session. A conversation regarding drummers developing a sound and whether drummers pardon their creativity often for the sake of the music. Whether or not Brody’s ideas can always become reality as he imagined. The importance of playing quietly while recording. Some tips for when you plan to buy some recording equipment.   Why Should You Listen? Brody is highly specialized in recording drums and other instruments. Considering how many people are now getting into home recordings, Brody is a wealth of information. There are many tips and ideas being presented here that will be incredibly useful for drummers that are making their own recordings and don’t have access to a knowledgeable engineer. It won’t answer all of your questions by any means but the bulk of the conversation relates to drummers who are diving into more studio work and/or are making recordings.   Brody’s Socials Instagram Facebook Website   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab’ Instagram Facebook YouTube

“If your mind is empty, it is always ready for anything, it is open to everything. In the beginner's mind, there are many possibilities, but in the expert's mind, there are few.” - Shunryu Suzuki   Do I know a lot about this subject? No. However, I have some tangible thoughts about it and I wanted to explore some ideas that involve this beginner's mind concept.   Check out Drumeo Edge for 7 days!   Here is my Spotify playlist.

“I think starting out with those recitals really just burned that love and passion for live performance into me.” Patch Mahoney is a drummer from Arizona who began making content for Instagram nearly five years ago. Due to his efforts he has gained a career in music. He comes from a musical family and his Dad even worked for Remo for a while providing Patch with his first drum set when he was a little kid. Patch didn’t begin taking drumming seriously until he was late in his teens. He picked up sticks here and there but he wasn’t considering the drums as his calling or something to take more seriously than a hobby. Patch was actually studying to become a doctor and one day he stumbled across a Ludwig Black Oyster Pearl Kit online and he was struck with a sudden change of heart. The rest is history.   You Will Hear About…. Patch’s early memories of his Dad working at Remo and the full-circle moment when he became endorsed by Remo. Some tips for using social media to maintain creativity, engagement, and reduce burnout. Patch’s earliest performances as a kid for Stages Music, which was owned by his parents. Some ideas to help manage nerves during performances or any presentation. A concept that falls in line with “fake it until you make it”.  Patch’s story about the time when he dropped med school to become a drummer. Perfectionism vs productivity and keeping the two in check.   Why Should You Listen? Patch and I are buddies within the community and this was long overdue. He hit me up to hang out virtually and I recommended that we record it. So, this is basically us having a chat. Of course, for the sake of the interview I prepared some stuff and so we get some deep background on Patch and his story. But the “fake it until you make it” part, social media management, and perfectionism is relevant. It is the first time where I bring up some of these ideas I had and it was great that we did because it got me thinking more about it since the interview.    Patch’s Socials Instagram   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab’ Instagram Facebook YouTube

Musicians often say, "the music tells me what to play", and I agree with that one hundred percent. But what if music told us what to practice? I have often heard how confusing it is out there with the many lessons online. There is just so much to potentially learn! But if our music tastes dictated to us what we need to improve upon in order to play the music we love, maybe it would cut down the confusion. That is what today's episode is all about.   Check out my Spotify playlist "seamus is all mixed up" for some inspiration.

“Allow yourself to understand that your emotions are completely valid and sometimes you do need help for understanding and adapting to these emotions.” Jack Thomas is a survivor. Quite literally. About five years ago, when Jack was seventeen years old, he was involved in a serious workplace accident that nearly cost him his life and in the end, it did cost him an arm. As a result, Jack thought for a moment that he would never play drums, bass, or guitar again.  It has not been an easy transition as you can imagine. Re-learning how to play instruments with the use of only one arm has been both rewarding but also frustrating too for Jack. But with mental strength and support from his friends and family Jack has managed to achieve something most people would consider an impossibility. Jack’s story is remarkable, tragic, and not one without a struggle.  He had recently been featured on Drumeo and amongst other content, Jack performed “Duality” by Slipknot. The video has surpassed 1,000,000 views with an incredible degree of positive feedback. It has resulted in capturing the interest of several media outlets and exposure to a large audience. He has also earned a position at Drumeo, which he had started about a month ago (at the time of the interview). Overall, Jack has worked hard to get to where he is today and did so under very difficult circumstances. We can all learn something from Jack.   You Will Hear About…. What happened after Drumeo released Jack’s drum cover of Duality by Slipknot. The process of learning how to play drums, bass, and guitar with one hand. How the accident happened. The aftermath. Some of Jack’s fears. How Jack overcomes the obstacles in his life. An encouraging word for listeners.   Why Should You Listen? This episode is heavy and will make you feel a lot of different things. His story is one that we can all learn from and it puts things into perspective. If Jack can do what he does, what is our excuse? I cannot begin to imagine what life must be like for an amputee and to watch his drumming is so inspiring. This is a good one.   Duality by Slipknot - Drum Cover by Jack Thomas    Jack’s Socials Instagram YouTube   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab’ Instagram Facebook YouTube

Today's VIP is all about execution. You've prepared. You've mustered up the courage and taken the risk. Now it is time to complete the task at hand. In my experience hosting numerous in-person and virtual interviews, I have felt and experienced what it is like to be in these situations that are scary. In this episode, I talk about some tips that helped me get through those experiences.   Try the 7 day Drumeo Edge Trial!

“It was a religious experience seeing Russell (Batiste) for the first time.” Stanton Moore is proudly carrying the flag of New Orleans tradition in the world of music and drumming so it can be passed down to the next generation. The founding member of Galactic and his Stanton Moore Trio, Stanton brings that New Orleans sauce into full force oozing with panache and funky attitude behind the kit. He is an absolute treasure to music. Besides his own projects, Stanton’s list of appearances as a sideman is too long to list. Just look it up though and be astounded by it. Besides his love for performance and music, he is also an enthusiastic teacher. He has recently launched his brand new Stanton Moore Drum Academy and has been using his studio to stream masterclasses and film lessons/courses to educate his students, with an emphasis on groove. He is also highly involved with famed nightclub Tipitina’s which has a very special place in Stanton’s heart. Overall, Stanton is bringing the New Orleans sound to the next generation and I think it is important that we understand a bit more about where he comes from and his expression within music.   You Will Hear About…. Playing examples and explanations of his new Zildjian cymbals, including his new signature cymbal “Lunar Crash”.
 Stanton walks us through his Zildjian Live experience.
 Stanton’s early years with music in New Orleans.
 Russell Batiste and the huge impact he left on Stanton.
 Whether there is an adequate substitution for live music.
 A little tribute to Johnny V.
 Would Stanton enjoy how he evolved as a musician if he was born in a later generation?
 A lesson on phrasing.
   Why Should You Listen? This episode is something you want to hear. The way New Orleans is described during Stanton’s early years as a musician and the religious experience he had hearing Russell Batiste and what it all means to him is heartwarming and awesome listening. The playing examples throughout are a massive treat and educational. The advice from Stanton to help us become groovier drummers is amazing. This episode just rocks!   Stanton’s Socials Instagram Facebook YouTube Website   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab’ Instagram Facebook YouTube

Today's episode piggybacks onto the "Always Prepare" episode.   Taking risks, building confidence, and challenging yourself is an interesting venture. Will I fail or will I succeed? In this episode, I share my personal experiences with this stuff in hopes that you will reflect on your own choices and whether you ever felt ready to take risks. I have had many scary moments concerning this topic but I have always seen growth from it.   Try Drumeo Edge for free!

“I decided just to be myself.” Domino Santantonio has been playing drums for quite a while and doing so professionally touring for Roxane Bruneau and being called for studio sessions. She recently, however, became noticed by millions of people due to TikTok. One day she made a 15-second drum cover of Shakira’s “Hips Don’t Lie” and in a few hours, it received millions of views.  It was Roxane who recommended to her that she become involved with TikTok but Domino felt that it would just be another platform to browse through cat and dog videos, which we laughed about. But then the pandemic happened and she realized that it might be a good time to start making some videos and I suppose she was right! Opportunities are opening up for her due to her massive and rather immediate exposure.    You Will Hear About…. The day her TikTok account blew up. Her newfound popularity online and the impact it’s had on her social media use. Why she no longer compares herself to others online anymore. A bit about her background with music and drumming. Her audience and what she believes her appeal is online. Our thoughts about female drummers being objectified.   Why Should You Listen? So, the first half-hour is mostly to do with social media boundaries and addiction, her TikTok account growing at a rapid pace, and her background with music. The second half of this interview is where things get really interesting. I wanted to get some information about her demographic and that led to some thoughts we have about female drummers being objectified.  For Domino, this was a big concern at one point. She considered how much make-up to wear, what clothing to wear in her videos, and whether or not people would listen to her drumming more than simply watching her. Like many women playing drums, she takes it very seriously and loves it so much. So, she works hard at it, and as a result, she is an incredibly solid player. However, we did talk about something that is definitely true and does not help female drummers. Women who use their sexuality to gain views online. It is not talked about much but it definitely led to a very interesting and transparent conversation.    Domino’s Socials TikTok Instagram Facebook YouTube Website   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab’ Instagram Facebook YouTube

Today's episode is regarding preparation. I go over a handful of points as to why preparation is important. This episode was inspired by an email sent to me from Benny Greb regarding his new book. Click this link to learn more about his book.   Try Drumeo Edge for FREE!  

“I practiced every single minute I could! No question.” Matt Bover is originally from the Woodstock, NY area where he would find his love for drums but it didn’t stop there. After a failed audition for Berklee College of Music, he decided to head to Barcelona, Spain at a music conservatory called “Barcelona’s Conservatori del Liceu”. He managed straight A’s while practicing drums for roughly fifteen hours per day while he studied there. From Barcelona, he re-auditioned for Berklee and was accepted. Not only was he accepted into the school but he managed a full performance scholarship and later Berklee would pay Matt to attend their school! During his time at Berklee, he would maintain an unbelievable practice routine, and commonly he would practice for seventeen hours per day. He also wrote a book called Chops For The Modern Drummer which would later be distributed by Hudson Music. Matt’s story is one that is bittersweet. It’s balanced between failure and success and while it is incredibly inspiring, it is also a bit heart wrenching. For example, his cymbals were stolen right from the school never to be recovered due to a faulty security camera. Also, Covid has prevented him from starting a really great teaching position in a school. The time away from music hasn’t been easy either. But Matt has persevered before and I know he can again.    You Will Hear About…. Growing up in Woodstock, NY. The trip to study in Barcelona and some key learning experiences there. How by having the ability to choose what to learn produces a better experience. The second audition at Berklee and studying there. When his cymbals were stolen. What his hopes are for the future.   Why Should You Listen? Matt is a key example of why I choose to interview up and coming drummers. A lot of us can really connect with drummers who are working hard towards their goals. The successes and failures that we all experience at some point in our lives is also a realistic reminder of what we can expect when carving out our own paths.  So, while it is fantastic to hear from artists who have created a legacy already, it is also nice to hear from those who are trying to do that currently and still have mileage left to get there. Also, for some reason, my heart really goes out to Matt. I don’t know exactly why but you may feel it too when you hear this one. He is a humble and hard-working dude that just loves drumming and teaching. He has had some upsets in his journey but he keeps on going and I really feel him with that. I have nothing but love for this guy.   Matt’s Socials Instagram   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab’ Instagram Facebook YouTube

Drop a line to Amanda   I feel that these five tips for social media make for an experience that is more enjoyable long-term and better for my mental health.   1. When someone follows you, check out their profile. If it looks interesting, look a little deeper. If you really like what they are putting out there, give them a follow and make a comment. Connect with new people.   2. Don't fuss over numbers. Make good stuff that you like to make and present it. Hopefully it gets some attention and you did it your way. Just don't let the numbers dictate whether or not you want to do it or be validated by the numbers. Pay attention to how you can connect with people through the content.   3. When you have the opportunity, send voice dm's to your friends and audience online. Especially if they love what you do, make it more personable by sending them your voice. I have done this for a long time with DrumeoGab and I think it is a nice way to connect. Recommend.   4. Police your page. Show respect to your followers and friends by keeping your page a respectful and open environment. Hopefully, it is fun and enjoyable too. I immediately block and delete any comments that are insulting and intended to harm someone. That doesn't fly here and it shouldn't on your page either.   5. Just be yourself. Work hard and do your best. Present the things you are excited about and love. Don't worry about appealing to everyone and/or feeling overly vulnerable by putting yourself out there. You'll become comfortable eventually and you will thank yourself for that. So, if it is all coming from you, it can have more power and appeal. Almost every great thing that you really enjoy was made by people who just wanted to make something and they were good at it.

“It’s endless of how many different opportunities we can provide and create for ourselves.” Greg Hersey is the Director of Instrumental Music at Episcopal School of Jacksonville and received his masters degree at University North Florida. He is a very well studied musician and has a passion for education as he is currently in his fourth year as band director. He uses Instagram to showcase his talents and creativity with many of his videos reaching well into five-figure for the number of views. In particular, his trap set videos indicate his high level of musical knowledge and creative rhythmic applications. I wanted Greg on the show because he works in the school system and with all of the changes that teachers face, I thought it would be very interesting to hear his perspective on how he and his colleagues have adapted to this new way of doing things. We also get an in-depth look as to how his love for drumming took shape and a few people in his life that pushed him to become who he is today.   You Will Hear About…. What it is like teaching in the school system today. His first real drum lesson with Benjamin Wiseman and the impact that had. Greg’s observations on support from home regarding music. Intrinsic values vs extrinsic values. Charlotte Mavery and the positive influence she had on Greg.   Why Should You Listen? It is really interesting to hear about how within the education system things have changed and what faculty have to do now in order to satisfy the current situation we are in. Also, for people who may feel like they have a deep connection with something, it is great to hear a success story that involves a career path that is not always associated with the word “stable”. Greg managed to find a career that he strongly connects with and he finds a lot of pleasure in what he does professionally day to day.   Greg’s Socials Instagram YouTube Twitter   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab’ Instagram Facebook YouTube

VIP is created in part by YOU, the audience. Submit your media to Seamus@drumeo.com   The opening clip was from Marcus Gilmore Excerpts of Nube by David Virelles. Performed with Sunhouse Sensory Percussion. Watch the Video   Today we are discussing the idea of whether the drum heads are mostly responsible for the output of sound from a drum. This idea was inspired by this YouTube video - Watch Video

“I was meant to do it.” Tony Royster Jr. is a household name in the industry and has been famously recognized by drummers all over the world since his drum solo that he performed at the age of twelve during the Modern Drummer Festival. He has since been mostly a touring musician with some of the biggest musical entertainers in the world, including Jay-Z and Katy Perry. Times are changing though and with musicians essentially being pulled from touring, Tony has begun pivoting in his career. Private lessons, YouTube, and so on have been on his mind as things continue to change.   You Will Hear About…. Tony’s decisions lately regarding his career. Whether he believes in natural talent and his experiences in the early years of his life with music. What it is like for him teaching when considering his innate abilities. Tony’s thoughts on the generation he was born into. Bowling. What that Modern Drummer Festival solo meant to him. A nerve-racking experience on Dave Letterman. How social media affects our ability to socialize.   Why Should You Listen? To hear Tony’s perspective on the questions raised in this interview is really interesting to hear. This situation has forced him to look at different ways of maintaining a career. For a drummer who has been blowing minds with his abilities all of these years, it is kind of unreal to hear him speak on how to keep it going.   Tony’s Socials Instagram Facebook YouTube Website   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab’ Instagram Facebook YouTube

VIP is made in part by YOU, the audience. Submit your media to Seamus@drumeo.com   Today's episode deals with the importance of experiencing joy playing the drums, why I love drumming, and to encourage you to just play.   Try Drumeo for free for 1 week!

“One of my youngest memories at four years old was him quitting drums in 1979, literally destroying his drum set.” Jeremy Taggart is a household name in Canadian music due to his twenty-one-year career with the iconic rock band Our Lady Peace. Taggart began playing with OLP at the age of seventeen and from there on out he experienced life on the road playing packed venues and making records. In 2014 it all came to an end for him with OLP and he decided to reinvent himself. Enter Taggart & Torrens podcast. Their podcast has been downloaded (at the time of writing this) over four million times! They have toured their musical/comedy act, wrote a best-selling book titled “Canadianity: Tales From The True North Strong And Freezing” and they even released an album this year titled “Bahds”. They have managed to create a buzz with their show by infusing strong Canadian flare that we Canucks can strongly relate to and a serious dose of comedy.  On a more personal note, to record this episode was an absolute honour. Given the fact that I am Canadian and grew up during the era in which OLP was in the Canadian music spotlight, Taggart was definitely a major influence to me growing up with drums. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed making it.   You Will Hear About…. Touring in Canada. Mushroom Fish n’Chips and cowboy boots. How the podcast started with Jonathan Torrens and everything they have worked on together. The early days of Jeremy’s drumming and starting with OLP.   Why Should You Listen? First and foremost, this is just a fun and hilarious hang. Taggart & Torrens is a very casual and comical podcast, which I strongly recommend! I did want to capture the spirit of their program on this episode. A dash of interview amongst random conversation. There is by no means anything essential in this episode except for some good laughs.   Check out TnT’s new record Bahds Canadianity: Tales From The True North Strong And Freezing Taggart & Torrens Podcast   Photo Credit: Aaron McKenzie Fraser   Jeremy’s Socials Instagram Twitter   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab’ Instagram Facebook YouTube

VIP is made in part by YOU, the audience. Submit your media to Seamus@drumeo.com   Today's episode is the second half of me covering my favorite modern drummers over the last fifteen years.   Dan Weiss Bandcamp   Clips used: 1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hP4fwwHpYZM 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-e4YJ-3Cb0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViHmnR4OXUc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqH_jK48slE 3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcr2f1l7aDE&t=190s 4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYooD58N0Lg&t=231s 5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6muS5lg-9B8    

“I’m curious how many people are good at saying, “I like this. I don’t like this”, no matter what someone else says.” It is always a good time chatting with Aric Improta. He’s the extremely energetic drummer for Night Verses and Fever 333 that you may have seen hanging off of speaker cabinets, rafters all while performing backflips and pulling 360’s off his drum throne. Aric is an absolute beast of a showman. Of course, many drummers have watched his Guitar Centre Drum-Off video which was riddled with tricks and stunts. Beyond the tricks, Aric also has a way of paving his own lane. He has a preference for remaining focused on his own creativity and not taking in very much outside influence. Aric is the kind of drummer who incorporates technology, ingenuitive techniques, radical showmanship, athletics, and then all of the other “normal” stuff we drummers usually do. No one is like Aric. A dedicated craftsman who is among my favorite drummers of his generation.    You Will Hear About…. The quarantine, habits, and masks. Attachment and creating art in isolation. Authenticity and the importance of choice. Past references and making a statement. How art lubricates society so that ideas and thoughts can be expressed more freely. Our thoughts on getting attention online. A bit about a new project with Munky from Korn.   Why Should You Listen? Aric and I tackle a lot of stuff that touches on the quarantine and creativity. The whole situation of the lockdown and how that affects creative output is a big topic and it is interesting to think about and have discussion. How does social media change our perspectives on what we create? This is the kind of territory we explore. Aric and I have talked before more than once and I wanted to create something very unplanned and spontaneous with him here. I know that Aric appreciates that and he would carry the conversation well. So, really this episode is just two dudes having some fun gabbing about some deep stuff.    Song featured is "Copper Wasp" performed by Night Verses - watch the whole thing here   Aric’s Socials Instagram Facebook YouTube Hexwave Instagram   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab’ Instagram Facebook YouTube

VIP is made in part by YOU, the audience. Submit your media to Seamus@drumeo.com   Today's episode is covering my favorite modern drummers over the last fifteen years. This is the first five.   Clips used: 1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhtcG79kPNw 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlxe3EpJDLk 3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oUSvp6qg2A&t=122s 4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZKpAPpHm2Q 5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJDARjzHhZE

“A lot of drumming fans are just that.” Chris Paprota is a multi-instrumentalist who experiments with making his own recordings, such as his latest project “Riff Tapes” which is due for release on October 1st of this year. He is also the drummer for the Philly based prog-fusion band “Gnarbot”. Click this link to a sample of their work from a performance at Meinl which was released as a four-song EP titled “Meinl Sessions, Vol 1” which is also available as a vinyl release.  Chris was scheduled to perform this year at the Meinl Festival in Germany but due to Covid it has been canceled for this year. Chris is hopeful that due to the fact that he was invited this year that he will be performing next year assuming that it is in fact happening next year. Chris is a drummer who I feel falls far below people’s radar and I have been asking myself why that is and what makes a drummer rise to fame or social media fame?  It is interesting to hear how he aligns with his own creativity and how people assume the worth of somebody based on their associations and achievements. This is just one aspect of this conversation.   You Will Hear About…. Improvisation and risk taking. Why we think some drummers are underrated. Social media and whether it hurts an artist. The difficulty in converting your drumming audience into a fan of your music. Obsession. Meinl festival cancellation and how that affected Chris. Chris’s time studying with Dom Famularo. Riding the ebbs and flow of motivation. A conversation about the spark within us. A listener question.   Why Should You Listen? This is really relatable to anyone who is working hard and their craft and has experienced a slow burn, maybe not being noticed or feeling like you have had some missed opportunities. These events and experiences can be a hard thing to deal with but Chris’s point of view with this is hopeful. It is encouraging to hear such a great musician have a tone of voice that indicates that he believes in himself and that by working hard at his drumming and making moves in the world will bring what he is looking for. The song in the intro of today’s podcast is a sample of Chris Paprota’s “Megazord” from his Riff Tapes record.   Chris’s Socials Instagram Facebook Website   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab’ Instagram Facebook YouTube

VIP is made in part by YOU, the audience. Submit your media to Seamus@drumeo.com.   Opening music by @ianhitsdrums and @elotium   Taggart and Torrens Podcast

"Creativity stems from the mind.  Feeling stems from the heart.  When you combine the two together you get character." Maison Guidry is a multi-instrumentalist who may not be known to many people. He is an extremely advanced drummer who pushes the boundaries of what is possible. He commits himself to thirteen hours of practice per day, however, due to a recent injury to his shoulder he has had to take some time off.  To find a conversation in a podcast with Maison is rare and therefore it is a great honour to feature him here because he has some incredibly compelling thoughts regarding how people may want to pursue their life in order to gain a fuller experience day to day. He is uncompromising with his art. I hope that in the future his name becomes more widely recognized because there is no one else like him.   You Will Hear About…. Progress report on Maison’s injury. The uncertainty of life. Why we should embrace ourselves. Standing by your vision. Where creativity comes from in Maison’s words. How sometimes people devalue themselves. Listener questions.   Why Should You Listen? I get a lot of emails and messages from listeners who are a bit uncertain about what they want. Sometimes they realize that they love drumming but they aren’t sure it is meant for them as a professional career. What are the influences that bring people to this state of mind? This is one of the biggest takeaways from this episode. It allows you, the listener, to reflect on your own choices and thoughts about what your life could become. This is a common dilemma with some of the drummers I have spoken with who listen to this podcast. Besides that, this is just an incredibly interesting conversation about life and choices in life. There is also some Star Wars stuff in here too because Maison loves Star Wars.    Jonathan Scales Fourchestra - Pillar (album)   Maison’s Socials Instagram Facebook   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab’ Instagram Facebook YouTube

VIP is made in part by YOU, the audience. Submit your media to Seamus@drumeo.com   Follow Tim Baltes and check out his Vol.6 Drumless track packs.   Today we are talking a bit about music and whether it was better in the good ol' days. These are just ideas and conversation. Don't take this as gospel.

“You can never forget that a technique book is someone else’s ideas that they actually put on paper. Those aren’t your ideas.” JT Bates is a drummer from the Twin Cities area, Saint Paul to be specific. He was recently informed that three tracks that Aaron Dessner from The National asked JT to perform on earlier in the year were actually for the new Taylor Swift record titled Folklore. That seems like an opportunity that could potentially heighten JT’s career. So, naturally, I had to feature him on the podcast to discuss this massive opportunity. But this is just a small part of what JT is about. It is really JT’s skills and fortunate networking situations that made this opportunity possible. JT has the incredible ability to add the human touch of drum set playing to music featuring programmed drums. He is a very conscientious drummer who knows exactly how to fill that space. I also encourage people to check out the drum duets that he has performed with his long-time friend Dave King on YouTube.   You Will Hear About…. JT’s game-changing moment where he learned that his drumming was featured on Taylor Swift’s new record “Folklore”. If he knew the gig was Taylor Swift, would he have performed differently? JT’s passion projects and how these have been a great study to learn what he has applied on several projects for other artists. Our mutual love for ambient music. Rates and whether a big recording gig like Taylor Swift changes anything? Embracing our true selves and experimenting regardless if it is right or wrong. The relationship between sound and emotional response. How day to day events affect our creative output.   Why Should You Listen? The big takeaway in this episode, in my opinion, is the idea of creating full/complete music or drum parts with very few ingredients. This is one form of mastery that is often overlooked. We often look at adding rather than subtracting to create something that we believe feels finished. While this is a small portion of the episode, I think it is the most interesting concept for drummers to examine and apply in certain situations of playing.    Music used in this podcast comes from JT Bates “Open Relationships”   JT’s Socials Instagram Website   Follow ‘Drumeo Gab’ Instagram Facebook YouTube