444 - Brandon Green: Drum Mechanics, Combining Fitness and Drumming, Exercises that Specifically Benefits Drumming

Clayton Craddock’s drumming career spans decades and numerous Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals. Clayton is currently the drummer of the Broadway Show Ain’t Too Proud-The Life AndTimes Of the Temptations now playing at the Imperial Theatre on Broadway. Clayton has also held the drum chair and recorded the cast albums for the musicals Altar Boyz, tick…tick… BOOM!, Memphis the Musical and Lady Day At Emerson’s Bar And Grill with Audra McDonald. After earning his bachelor’s in business administration from Howard University in Washington, Clayton stayed in the D.C. area, managing record stores by day and immersing himself in the local music scene by night as a drummer for blues and rock bands. In 1993, Clayton took a leap of faith and moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. In this episode, Clayton talks about: * The development and upward trajectory of Ain’t Too Proud * The process of launching a musical from the conception and initial workshopping to the full production* Learning the vocabulary of choreographers to understand what they want from a drummer* Emulating Benny Benjamin and other drummers who were part of The Funk Brothers, Motown’s “Wrecking Crew.”* Taking low money for workshops and readings in hopes that you can get in on the ground floor of something big * The many shows he’s played for over the years, either on a permanent or sub basis* The role of the Musicians Union in New York and the musical theatre scene* His experience at Howard University in Washington DC* His white collar career after college, and making the leap to full time drumming* How building your network is constructing your own safety net Clayton endorses Innovative Percussion.

6 Jun 20191h 22min

Harry McCarthy has offered his technical skills­­ on the road and in the studio for major artists such as Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, The Eagles, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Mark Knopfler, Carly Simon, Hall & Oates, Michael McDonald, Madonna, Toto, James Taylor, Keith Urban and numerous others. He was raised in the same metro New York neighborhood as successful drummers, Rick and Jerry Marotta. In 1989, he established Drum Paradise Los Angeles, with partner Jeff Chonis. Throughout the late 80s and early 1990s, Harry toured extensively with many high profile acts. In 1994, McCarthy relocated to Nashville and established Drum Paradise Nashville, Inc. Throughout his career, McCarthy has assisted legendary drummers, including Steve Gadd, Jeff Porcaro, Don Henley, Rick Marotta, Jerry Marotta, Max Weinberg, Richie Hayward, Bernard Purdie, Vinnie Colaiuta, Jim Keltner, Mitch Mitchell and many others. Jon Hull was born and raised in Chillicothe, OH. He started playing drums at age 13. Thoughout high school and college he played and recorded in various bands, and marched indoor drum corps. After finishing college and relocating to Nashville, he began working as a drum tech both on tour as well as in the studio. He has since worked with such artists as Jason Aldean, Paramore, OAR, Young the Giant, Story of the Year, and others. Harry and Jon’s latest venture is The Drum Pad, a new teaching facility for drummers of any age or skill level. In this episode, Jon and Harry talk about:  * What is involved in being a drum tech * The “Drum Pad” in Drum Paradise* The origins on Drum Paradise * How Jon got the job of drum teching for Rich Redmond* Dealing with emergencies * Harry’s experience working the Super Bowl halftime show with Bruce Springsteen * Importance of understanding technology * Harry’s tech work with Jeff Porcaro * Managing your time and expectations in the music business

30 Mai 20191h 38min

Mathieu Gramoli is a French-American drummer, composer, teacher and producer, who is best known for recording and touring with the band Her. Born in Paris, his musical talent became apparent at the age of fifteen when he picked up drumming during high school to play rock and funk with some friends. After high school he went to the Sorbonne Nouvelle Paris III to study Applied Foreign Languages for two years before attending the Centre des Musiques Didier Lockwood, graduating in 2004. Professor André Charlier entrusted him to replace him as the drummer for Captain Mercier. He then entered the Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique de Paris and went on tour the same year. In graduate school, he met and performed with musician Ricardo Herz and played with Marco Pereira, Philippe Baden Powell, all members of the Brazilian scene. He has toured with French artists Lou Marco, L, Nina Attal, Corneille, Gaël Faye and had his first experience as a co-leader with the band Tekere with which he recorded two LPs. As a studio musician, he recorded on Eric et Ramzy’s movie Seul Two, Sofia Ribeiro and Guillaume Duvignau’s Porto LP, Orquestra do Fuba’s Quem Mando and Fabrica do Sonhos. In this episode, Matthieu talks about: * The challenge of playing simple but funky grooves with Her* His musical education in Paris* Getting involved in Paris’ Brazilian music scene and traveling to Brazil* Getting into Hip Hop, and how Brazilian phrasing overlapped with it * Some of his favorite venues and musicians in Paris* Learning how to communicate with musicians who don’t speak “drum,” – what people say doesn’t always express what they want.* The value of recording drums at low volume, and some micing techniques* Wanting to lead more projects, but knowing that nobody does it alone * Mathieu endorses Bay Custom Drums.

23 Mai 20191h 19min

After his thoughtful move to Nashville from his home state of California in 2012, Jarred Pope has found strong and steady work in the heavy rock world. Throughout his career, Jarred has and continues to earn respect among a highly reputable group of musicians within many genres that includes rock, hard rock, country and pop. Jarred has worked with Gene Simmons, Whiskey Falls, Hannah/McCuen, Julianne Hough, Jimmy Hayslip, Waylon Holland, Crosby Loggins, Beasto Blanco, Dennis Hamm, Mother Funk Conspiracy. In recent years, Jarred has been working with The Tom Keifer Band (lead singer from Cinderella) as well as Damon Johnson (Alice Cooper, Thin Lizzy, Black Star Riders) with whom he recorded on a new record, – Memoirs of an Uprising.   In April of 2014, Jarred started playing drums for the Thee Rock and Roll Residency that was started by guitarists Jeremy Asbrock and Phil Shouse. It became a regular and longest-running, star-studded, Rock N’ Roll extravaganza in Nashville, TN.  In this episode Jarred talks about: * Working with Tom Keifer and the trust and respect that Tom extends to his band mates* Jerred’s drum tech Jeff Brown and the benefits of having a drum tech* Jarred’s early experience in California * His short stint with Gene Simmons* “Thee Rock and Roll Residency” in Nashville* Touring and recording with Damon Johnson * The parallels between playing golf and playing drums  Jarred endorses Gretsch Drums, Aquarian, Vater and Gibraltar

16 Mai 20191h 35min

Dame Drummer lives in Oakland, tours with Fantastic Negrito, and is about to release his latest original project, a double-length album called Loveolution. Dame grew up in Cleveland where he cut his teeth on the local scene playing funk, R&B, and whatever else came along. He moved to Oakland in 2012 at the urging of some friends who already lived there. His Rust Belt work ethic quickly and creative spirit put him in high demand Oakland and he’s been busy ever since, both as a collaborator and a leader. In this episode, Dame talks about: * The drum chair with Fantastic Negrito, and sharing it with other drummers* Combining drumming, singing, and rapping* How drums and rap influence each other* Why it’s important to be “more than a drummer” * The underdog identity of his hometown of Cleveland, and how it gave him a strong work ethic* His move to Oakland and working his way onto the scene there* The history and legacy of Oakland Funk, Hip-Hop, and R&B* Viewing each gig as a point on the arc of your career, rather than a make-or-break single event* Getting creative and proactive about building and targeting an audience Dame Drummer endorses Regal Tip sticks.

9 Mai 201959min

For the last few years, Derek Mixon has been the drummer for country singer and songwriter Chris Stapleton. Derek played drums on all of Chris’s award winning solo albums to date. Originally from West Monroe, Louisiana, Derek drew inspiration from his surroundings that included his father who was a professional musician. The musical sensibilities he learned early in life as well as his time in Nashville over the last 20 years has been the preparation that was needed to play the role of drummer supporting one of the most prolific writers and modern country music.  Derek has also worked with Sam Lewis, Jedd Hughes, Rodney Crowell, Tracy Bird, She daisy, Jack Pearson, Sarah Buxton, Sam Bush, Jamey Johnson, Jace Everett, Jim Lauderdale and Al Perkins  In this episode, Derek talks about: * Performing on Austin City Limits* Derek’s intro to music through his dad* His start in Nashville * How to support the songwriter * Derek’s drum tunings in the studio  Derek endorses: Ludwig Drums, Remo drumheads, Vic Firth, Zildjian, Winding Wheel Supply

2 Mai 20191h 4min

Damian Erskine is known for his ability to fit into most any musical situation, extraordinary reading and improvising skills as well as being an educator and columnist. He has played in the studio or on the stage with Peter Erskine, Gino Vannelli, The Jaco Pastorius Big Band, Bob Sheppard, John Beasley, Jeff Lorber, The Buddy Rich Alumni All-Star Band, Antonio Hart, Charmaine Neville, and many others as well as being featured on the GospelChops.com “Shed Sessionz Vol. 1” DVD. Damian is an adjunct professor at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. In addition, he regularly teaches abroad with JAE (Jazz Education Abroad) in Shanghai, Beirut, Cyprus, and Bangkok as well as teaching camps in the US at • Gerald Veasley’s Bass Bootcamp, the National Guitar Workshop, and Berklee College of Music’s Guitar Week. Damian has written for Bass Player Magazine, Bass Musician Magazine, as well as continuing to maintain a popular weekly column at NoTreble.com. Damian has also authored two books, “Right Hand Drive” and “The Improvisor’s Path” In this episode, Damian talks about: * The Portland/Pacific Northwest scene, and what keeps him busy there* Starting on drums, moving to bass* How the competitive environment of Berklee didn’t inspire or motivate him* Growing up and playing with Peter Erskine, and how Peter influenced his bass playing* The pros and cons of having a “drummer brain” as a bassist* His take on Peter’s “tough love” style of mentorship* Staying up on the Portland scene and forming new relationships with younger players Damian Erskine endorses Skjold basses, Aguilar amplification, Groove Gear, MXR pedals, D’Addario strings, Reunion Blues gig bags, and Pig Hog cables.

25 Apr 20191h 12min

Rick Marotta is known for his recordings and touring with such luminaries as James Taylor, Jackson Brown, Steely Dan, Carly Simon, Paul Simon, Linda Ronstadt, Aretha Franklin, Larry Carlton, Warren Zevon and Bette Midler. Rick began playing drums at 19 when a friend went into the army and left his set of drums to Rick. It wasn’t long before Rick began playing with R&B bands in the New York area, recording with David Spinozza and the group Giant as well as The Riverboat Soul Band. Rick’s current activities include writing music for movies and television, recording jingles and producing.His scoring for TV can be heard on Everybody Loves Raymond, Yes Dear, and the Hank Azaria Show. In this episode, Rick talks about: * His master class at Drum Paradise in Nashville* Staying open to input and fresh ideas* Skills that are needed to record in the studio * Bringing your personality to your playing * Playing gigs with his brother Jerry* Composing music * Cutting “Hour That the Morning Comes” for James Taylor * Recording with Steely Dan * Double drums with Steve Gadd* Changes in the music industry

18 Apr 20191h 41min