140 – Pat Torpey: Drummer for Mr. Big, Nashville Drummer Jam Honoree, Fighting Parkinson’s Disease

In years past for milestone episodes, we would do something kinda special or make a big deal out of it in some way. This is definitely our biggest milestone yet but it comes at a time when neither of us (Zack & Matt), really have a lot of time to organize anything much more involved than a regular episode. We tried to line up a special guest but the scheduling didn’t quite work out. We’re confident that person will join us for an episode in the near future, just not this one. This podcast has always been a side project for both of us, and has often taken a backseat to the main aspects of our personal and professional lives, and it’s kinda ironic and fitting that our 500th episode is no exception. So for this episode, we take the opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come, talk about what's been learned along the way, where we’re at in life at the moment, and what’s coming up, and of course to thank you all for your support in helping us get this far. In this episode Zack and Matt talk about:     ◦    Zack’s interview with Dave DiCenso     ◦    Matt’s exploration in traditional grip     ◦    Trying to be the change you want to see on the drumming internet     ◦    Zack’s touring gig     ◦    New YouTube content on the podcast channel     ◦    Reoccurring guests     ◦    How modern tech influences drumming styles     ◦    Steering clear of envy or jealousy Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage

9 Jan 1h 30min

Dave DiCenso began his career in the late 80s on the metal scene in his hometown of Boston. He later studied at the Drummers Collective in New York and went on to enjoy a successful and varied career touring and recording with Steve Morse, Hiromi, John Petrucci, Duran Duran, Josh Groban, and many others. He is the author of several books including Universal Rhythms for Drumset and his most recent, Fluid Fills and Musical Phrasing, and just celebrated the milestone 30 years of teaching at Berklee. In this episode, Dave talks about: Self identifying as a “backbeat” drummer and that being the common thread in all the music he's played Possible reasons for modern drum recordings sounding “safe”  How your limitations can actually benefit you and help you define yourself How his teaching approach has evolved over 30 years at Berklee  “Mastering the instrument that plays the instrument” i.e. self-mastery Taking a break from performing in an effort to finally address a physical issue that has dogged him his whole career  Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage

19 Dec 20241h 21min

Dango is a professional drummer based in Nashville, TN who is currently drumming for Grammy award winning artist Scott Stapp – the voice of Creed. He is also a member of the platinum selling worship band, Sonicflood. He has performed with bands and artists all over the world, from the US, to South Africa, to Europe, and South America. He graduated from Belmont University, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance, studying under the legendary Chester Thompson. Dango is a longtime member of the punk band Amber Pacific, having songs on TV shows, movie soundtracks, video games, Monday Night Football, an album on Billboard Top 100, and four music videos on MTV. With Amber Pacific he has performed four full summers on the Vans Warped Tour and toured almost a decade together. Dango has also performed or toured with the multi platinum selling rock band RED, Fireflight, Superchick, All Time Low, Mxpx, Nofx, Manafest, Scarlet White, Tricia, Warren Barfield, Phil Joel, Tommy Walker, Craig Campbell, The Swon Brothers, Tucker beathard, and Deana Carter. Dango is an active teacher and clinician. In 2009 he released his first instructional DVD. In this episode Dango talks about:    ◦   Why drummers make great tour managers    ◦   Building a home studio and a clientele base    ◦   Taking even the smallest gig seriously    ◦   Drumming with Seattle band Amber Pacific    ◦   Playing with confidence    ◦   Drumming for Scott Stapp - singer for Creed    ◦   Overcoming knee issues    ◦  Sharing knowledge with the next generation Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage

12 Dec 20241h 31min

Jano Rix is a drummer, multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and producer who has been the third member of The Wood Brothers for over a decade. He started as a hard core jazz pianist, earning a degree from the University of Miami and playing experimental jazz on the New York scene, but he gravitated back to the drums, his dad's instrument, and steered his path back to other styles of music. The Wood Brothers are currently on tour and in the process of recording their next album. In this episode, Jano talks about: How recording to tape changes not just the result, but the entire experiencing of playing and listening during the tracking process  How playing keys and drums at the same time brings cool ideas out of both The idea of following flexible time instead of dictating steady time  How his jazz education focused too much on the music’s theoretical result and not enough on its emotional process.  What he took (and left behind) from his jazz days What he learned from his dad Luther Rix about playing with conviction

5 Dec 20241h 8min

Brandon Green is a biomechanics specialist, fitness educator, gym owner and drummer. Brandon’s online presence, often recognized as “Drum mechanics”, explores educational biomechanics perspective on fitness, drums and life. Brandon provides a series for all called the "Drum Ergonomics Blueprint" as well as his "Drum Forever Fitness Community". In this episode, Brandon talks about: The Drum Ergonomics Blueprint Physical demands of drummers in the modern age Understanding your range of motion and working within that Brandon’s podcast: The Drum Mechanics Podcast Hacks for setting up backline kits consistantly The importance of recovery & being able to interpret sensation(s) https://www.youtube.com/@brandondrummechanics https://www.instagram.com/drummechanics Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage

21 Nov 20241h 9min

Aaron Redfield grew up in San Diego and started his career on that scene. In addition to his long tenure as the drummer for The Greyboy Allstars, he has compiled a long list of touring and recording credits including Elton John, Ceelo Green, and Foster the People. After 15 years living and working in LA, he has moved is family back to San Diego and operates from there. In this episode, Aaron talks about: The new Greyboy Allstars record and how it came together The musical meaning and history of the word Boogaloo The San Diego scene and how it shaped him His non-profit that pairs professional producers and artists with aspiring teenage musicians The powerful negative effects of isolation The three A’s: Affable, Able, Available Relocating from LA to San Diego Finding world-class musicians and studio spaces in San Diego Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage

14 Nov 20241h 19min

Martina Barakoska is a drummer and musician who in her considerably short career has gained notable achievements. Deep and thoughtful yet energetic and playful, her style reflects her love of modern music and her fascination with the power of the drums. Throughout the years, she has maintained continuous growth of success preaching individuality, quality, and persistency.Winning an award for the best drummer at “T’k Tak” drum competition when she was only 17 was followed by many successful music projects. She is actively involved in North Macedonia's music scene, currently working and touring with Funk Shui. She's also worked with artists like Swindle, Emmy Meli, Luboyna, Vladimir Chetkar, MPNG, Efterklang, Duper, Luboyna, Vladimir Chetkar, etc. Her projects have taken her on tours across Europe and the Balkans.In 2022 she released her second solo album named "Sunrise” and took part in the “Yamaha Drum Days” Festival in Paris. She was also a part of the line-up at the workshops in Salzgitter Drum Meeting 2022, Berlin Drum Days 2023 and Dresden Drum and Bass Festival 2024. Martina is also featured in the newly released Yamaha documentary “Way Up House - Portugal”. ​ In this episode Martina talks about:    ◦   The power of meditation    ◦   Touring southeastern Europe    ◦   Using social media to connect with musicians, not impress drummers    ◦   Diving deep into Ringo’s drum parts to better understand his musicality    ◦   Fine tuning and cultivating creativity Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage

7 Nov 20241h 23min

Caleb Whitlock grew up in Charlotte and has been based there for two years after having attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He tours nationally with singer/songwriter Ethan Regan, plays locally with a variety of acts, records in his home studio, and also works as a post-production engineer. Making part of his living doing post-production and editing, and how that differs from mixing How doing post production on acapalla vocal music has influenced how he hears and records drums Neutralizing his room acoustically rather than try to make it sound amazing The Charlotte scene and how he returned to it after college, a couple years of work in "The Triangle" (Raleigh/Durham Chapel Hill), and a few months in a Catholic monastary. Being clear-eyed about finances, how much different types of work earn, and saying yes and no to gigs according to your lifestyle goals Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage

31 Okt 20241h 4min