Working Drummer

After years of steady touring and teaching, Steve set about cultivating a Youtube audience. In hundreds of videos, Steve analyzes drummers and drum parts from every imaginable genre and era, deconstructing the techniques and musical concepts that make them great. At 36,000 followers and over 6 million views, his channel’s popularity as a Youtube resource is on the rise and not looking back. In this episode, Steve talks about: * Why he started Junk Drummer TV and how it differs from other “react” videos* His pre-pandemic touring and teaching life* Building his playing and videos around what he really likes and cares about * How various types of Southern music and culture shaped him as a musician * The legacy of his hero, Levon Helm This episode is sponsored by Sonitus.

29 Apr 20211h 28min

Jack was born and raised in the Boston, Massachusetts area. Influenced by a musical family, he started playing drums at the age of nine and was playing in rock bands by the time he was twelve.  He’s toured and recorded with many different artists over the course of his career including Joe Cocker for 20 years, recording and playing on all Tina Turner tours for 28 years, as well as tours with Elton John, Richard Marx, Peter Frampton and Taj Mahal.   He’s currently playing with Texas blues great Delbert McClinton. In This episode, Jack talks about:  * Getting the gig with Tina Turner* Touring eastern European countries in the 1980’s* Drumming behind singers* Changes in tech over the years * Filling in on an Elton John tour and how it came about* Moving Nashville and working with Delbert McClinton This episode is sponsored by Sonitus.

22 Apr 20211h 21min

Brody Simpson lives and works in Perth, Australia, where he is the co-owner of Underground Sounds, a full service tracking and production house. As a drummer, engineer, and producer, he is becoming known for a unique set of sounds influenced by Boom Bap, Drum & Bass, 808s, and other electronic genres. In this episode, Brody talks about * The alchemy of playing, tuning, mic selection/placement, and mix he uses to get his unique sounds* A few of his favorite plugins* The non-musical responsibilities of running a brick-and-mortar business* Not getting caught up in the hustle, staying patient and focusing on the music and sounds he wants to make* The extensive process of shaping the acoustics in his studio’s rooms. * His social media approach – “do our thing, not just something,” both when it comes to content and followers* Why he generally avoids extensive touring Brody endorses A&F drums and Meinl cymbals This episode is sponsored by Sonitus.

15 Apr 20211h 18min

Anthony Grimani has spent 28 years in the audio industry, is a highly respected expert in home theater acoustics and design and consults worldwide. He is responsible for several audio/acoustic patents. His experience includes positions at Dolby and Lucasfilm THX where he led the development of both Dolby and Lucasfilm THX Home Theater technologies. In 2013, CEPro Magazine named him one of the “Top 20 Most Influential People of the Past 20 Years.” Check out Sonitus USA here In this episode, Anthony talks about: * A/B-ing Matt’s studio with the sound treatment* The strategic use of absorbers and diffusers * The benefits of sound treatment in small rooms* How drums “sit” in the mix* The positive visual element of treatment  Fig #5 – Right side wallFig #4 – front wallFig #7 – The ceilingFig #6 – the back wallFig #3 The Left wall or hi-hat sideFig #2Fig #1 This episode is sponsored by Sonitus USA

8 Apr 20211h 3min

With a drumming pedigree from Berklee and a musical ethos from the eclectic creative community in The Berkshires where he grew up, Max MacVeety has been embedded in the LA scene, specifically Long Beach, for over a decade. He has toured and recorded with Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Lyrics Born, DJ Williams, and many others. Prior to that, he was based in Oakland, primarily riding the drum chair for seminal west coast hip hop group Crown City Rockers. He also helms his own studio, Bunkhouse Recordings, where he does drum tracking, mixing, producing, and artist development. In this episode, Max talks about: * The unique experience of growing up in the Berkshires where his father was a musician* How studying jazz and world music at Berklee made him turn to more socially conscious types of music* How he overcame imposter syndrome in the hip hop world * Oakland’s rich history and thriving creative community* The various musical cultures and subcultures of L.A. * How he uses Tik Tok * His experience playing with Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe* His studio, Bunkhouse Recordings, and the blurred lines between engineering, mixing, producing, etc. Max endorses Bosphorus Cymbals and Mono Cases

1 Apr 20211h 54min

Dan Needham is recognized in Nashville as one of the top session and live drummers. Dan has performed and/or recorded with Michael McDonald, Amy Grant, Peter Cetera, Dave Barnes, Chaka Khan, Nathan East, Garth Brooks, Sara Bareilles, Phil Keaggy, Gino Vannelli, Al Green, Billy Preston, James Ingram, Steven Curtis Chapman, Kenny Loggins, Christopher Cross, Carole King, as well as many other amazing artists. Besides being in the studio, Dan has appeared on several nationally syndicated television shows including Regis & Kathy-Lee and the Pat Boone Show. In this episode, Dan talks about: * The balance between live and studio work* “Reading the room” when recording * Being a chameleon in the studio* Working with Michael McDonald * Early and important lessons Dan endorses, Yamaha drums, Paiste cymbals, VicFirth sticks, Remo drumheads and SlapKatz

25 Mar 20211h 19min

Joe Montague graduated from the renowned Jazz Course at Leeds College of Music in 2011 before embarking on a career as a touring drummer. Spending the next few years playing with numerous theatre shows and original projects, touring all over the UK and Europe, Joe soon found his passion in faithfully recreating the music of The Beatles. Through his website and email list, Joe offers a recreation of Ringo’s drums free for anyone who is interested. Joe is also the host of a podcast called That 60’s Recording Podcast.  Joe tours worldwide in the internationally acclaimed theatre show Beatlemania, and has performed at The World Famous Cavern Club with The Cavern Club Beatles and worked with West End theatre tour Let It Be. Joe endorses Amedia Cymbals and Balbex Drumsticks

18 Mar 20211h 47min

Ben Hilzinger is a Los Angeles-based drummer and songwriter with 20+ years of performing, recording and teaching experience.  Currently the drummer for Eve 6, Ben has also written, recorded, and/or toured throughout the USA/internationally with MXPX, Fitness, Mike Herrera, The classic crime, tapir, cannons, chevy mustang, Party Nails, We Shot The Moon, prxzm, Glorybots, Ever So Android, Jake Cummings, Josh Eacrett, rental 58, ray little, Jody ellen, young Professionals, Dave Cavalier, madhawkes and many more.  In addition to performing and teaching, Ben is the Director of Artist / Client Relations for Big Fat Snare Drum and hosts the ‘Big Fat Five’ podcast. Before moving to Los Angeles in 2016, Ben also taught drums/percussion/music theory both privately and at Off The Wall school of music in Seattle, WA.  In this episode, Ben talks about: * Finding his voice during the shut down* The Big Fat Five podcast* Ben’s Big Fat Five* Ben’s role at BFSD* Setting time aside for yourself* Finding work in L.A.

11 Mar 20211h 22min