114 – Angela Lese: Drumming for The Dead Deads, Cultivating a Strong Fan Base, From “Regular Job” to Touring Musician

Rob Hammersmith’s musical journey began at an early age in a small town outside of Buffalo, NY. After a brief detour to California, Rob settled in Atlanta, GA, where his drumming quickly gained attention in the rock underground. Rob spent many years touring and recording with Atlanta rockers “Rockets to Ruin” and toured with “Gunfire 76” featuring “Murderdolls” frontman Wednesday 13. Rob also maintains a busy schedule of recording and working with many different bands and artists throughout the country. In 2010, Rob was offered the drum position in the multi-platinum selling rock band Skid Row. When asked about working with the band Rob says “Having always been a fan, it is an honor to be asked to join the band. The band’s music and history holds a special place in both my life, and the lives of so many loyal fans. To be a part of that history is the chance of a lifetime.” In this episode, Rob talks about: Balancing family and touring Chemistry among the band members of Skid Row Staying positive and open minded How he got the Skid Row gig The mechanics of the live show Warming up before hitting hard (pre-show routine) Working in the studio with Skid Row Rob’s 5 desert island records Rob endorses: Sabian Cymbals, Aquarian Drumheads, Pearl Drums, Drumtacs, Vater Drumsticks This episode is sponsored by Crush Drums

28 Dec 20171h 37min

Ganesh Giri Jaya was born in New Orleans, moved to Atlanta at age 16, spent his early 20’s in L.A. and Portland, and ultimately returned to Atlanta where he has remained for the past 25 years. His career has usually found him drumming and/or singing in cover and tribute bands of various types. He was one of the original members of Yacht Rock Revue and for the past few years has been the singer, drummer, and leader of its overflow band, Yacht Rock Schooner. Those bands and a few others are under the umbrella of the entertainment company PleaseRock. In his mid 20s, he was introduced to yoga and soon delved deeper into it, beyond the physical practice most of us have done at least once, and into the spiritual, emotional and psychological lessons it has to offer. In this podcast, Ganesh talks about: How yoga has improved every aspect of his physicality, behind the drums and in daily life The hallmarks of a good yoga teacher Growing up in New Orleans How singing and playing trumpet before taking up drums made him a more sensitive musician His approaches to matched vs. traditional grip over the years The aspects of New Orleans music that still inform his playing Studying with Joe Porcaro and Ralph Humphrey at Musicians Institute, and his brief tenures in L.A. and Portland Developing versatility vs. honing your strengths His work as a copy editor for Drumhead Magazine, and the principles good writing and good music share This episode is sponsored by Crush Drums

20 Dec 20171h 23min

Luis Espaillat is a multi-faceted bassist and musician whose career has spanned many genres and taken him around the world. His unique sound can be heard in all forms of media from shows on network television such as Smallville and King Of The Hill, major motion pictures including S.W.A.T. and American Wedding and even video games including Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 and Project Gotham Racing. In the studio, Luis has recorded with country legends like Michael Martin Murphey to the Billboard Top 20 hard rock sounds of Eve To Adam. His sense and respect for the art of the song itself has made him in demand for many songwriters and producers not only in Nashville, but also Los Angeles and New York City. On the stage, Luis has performed with country stars Trace Adkins, Jamie O’Neal, Jimmy Wayne, Lindsay Ell, Jake Owen, Terri Clark, Pam Tillis, James Otto, Tanya Tucker and Doc Walker, rockers such as Tantric and Bo Bice, progressive instrumentalist like Johnny Hiland, and even artists that defy normal convention such as country rapper Colt Ford, just to name a few. A graduate of Berklee College Of Music, Luis also conducts clinics and master classes on the world of studio recording, touring and of course, bass. Luis resides in Nashville, TN with his wife, three children and three dogs. In this episode, Luis talks about: Working with Trace Adkins and balancing touring with sessions Playing with a major label signed rock band The challenge of making life changing decisions The importance of real relationships The power of positivity on stage The roll he plays in the rhythm section Note length from the bass & it’s effect on the groove Connecting with drummers live and in the studio Advice for young drummers Advice for experienced drummers This episode is sponsored by Crush Drums

13 Dec 20171h 31min

Ganesh Giri Jaya was born in New Orleans, moved to Atlanta at age 16, spent his early 20’s in L.A. and Portland, and ultimately returned to Atlanta where he has remained for the past 25 years. His career has usually found him drumming and/or singing in cover and tribute bands of various types. He was one of the original members of Yacht Rock Revue and for the past few years has been the singer, drummer, and leader of its overflow band, Yacht Rock Schooner. Those bands and a few others are under the umbrella of the entertainment company PleaseRock. In his mid 20s, he was introduced to yoga and soon delved deeper into it, beyond the physical practice most of us have done at least once, and into the spiritual, emotional and psychological lessons it has to offer. In this podcast, Ganesh talks about: The origins of Yacht Rock Revue and Yacht Rock Schooner The popularity of cover/tribute bands, and their market value vs. original artists Social media marketing strategies How over-preparing allows you to play through nerves His process for learning songs Our mutual admiration of Levon Helm His yoga practice Playing with bassist Khari Simmons This episode is sponsored by Crush Drums

6 Dec 20171h 34min

Ray Luzier was raised in West Newton, Pennsylvania, a small town an hour outside of Pittsburgh. He began playing drums at age five, and although basically self-taught, he participated in high school jazz, concert, and marching bands. After graduating in 1988, Luzier moved to Hollywood, California to pursue an education at the renowned Musicians Institute. He graduated in 1989 with a degree from MI’s Percussion Institute of Technology. Luzier later returned as an instructor at Musicians Institute (1992–2001), where he taught rock-style drumming classes and gave private lessons. Luzier is well known for his work with David Lee Roth, whom he played drums for from 1997-2005. Luzier has also played with The Hideous Sun Demons, a progressive-rock/fusion trio formed with DLR bandmembers Toshi Hiketa (guitar) and James LoMenzo (bass). In 2004, Luzier released an instructional DVD. It features a wide variety of lessons, including double-bass technique, drum fills, motion exercises, and warm-ups. It was released through Hal Leonard Publishing Co. In January 2006, Luzier appeared at the NAMM in Anaheim, California with Billy Sheehan and Toshi Hiketa. Robert DeLeo and Dean DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots appeared at the same NAMM venue as part of an impromptu band put together by Steve Ferrone. After seeing Luzier’s performance, the DeLeo brothers invited Luzier to join Army of Anyone, the band they were putting together with vocalist Richard Patrick of the band Filter. In 2007, after original drummer David Silveria had left (in 2006), Korn hired many touring drummers including Joey Jordison of Slipknot. Jordison left due to preparation for the recording of Slipknot’s new album All Hope Is Gone. Consequently, Korn was then looking for a new drummer; and Luzier reportedly flew to Seattle to audition for Korn with Munky and Fieldy. When told to learn only five of their songs, Luzier learned 30. After an amazing audition, Ray was immediately invited to join Korn. Luzier played his first show with Korn on January 13, 2008 in Dublin, Ireland and played with the band throughout 2008. Korn recorded their ninth studio album together with Ray and their original producer Ross Robinson. Korn frontman Jonathan Davis revealed that Luzier is now an official member of the band. Ray made “UltimateRockGods” Artist Of The Month for July. Luzier also played live with Stone Temple Pilots for a couple of the band’s shows on their reunion tour in October filling in for drummer Eric Kretz, who took time off due to the death of his father. In November 2010, Ray played drums for the immensely popular Japanese band, Kat-Tun on their song ‘Change UR World’. It was Kat-Tun’s 13th number 1 single on the Oricon charts. In 2013, the band KXM was formed with Ray and King’s X bassist/vocalist dUg Pinnick and Lynch Mob/ex-Dokken guitarist George Lynch. Their second record Scatterbrain came out in 2017. In this episode, Ray talks about: Moving from the Pittsburg area to L.A. to study at P.I.T. Helping to create a rock curriculum at P.I.T. and teaching The importance of “The Hang” in the studio and on the road Working with David Lee Roth Having a back up for the back up Working and recording with Billy Sheehan His audition for Korn

29 Nov 20171h 17min

Jake Reed was born and raised in Kansas City and went on to study drumset under two of the great educators of our time: John Von Ohlen at University of Cincinnati and Peter Erskine at USC. While in grad school at USC, Jake gradually worked his way into the LA scene doing live dates and recording sessions with colleagues and mentors alike. He has performed or recorded with Bill Bolman, Johnny Mandel, Lisa Loeb, Bob Mintzer, and many others. His most active current project is drumming in TrioKait, led by his wife, pianist and composer Kait Dunton. The group has just recorded their second record. Jake has also just released his first book, “Jazz Drumset Etudes, Vol. I,” which takes a new approach to developing jazz vocabulary. In this podcast, Jake talks about: His early years in Kansas City The differences in the teaching styles of Von Ohlen and Erskine Learning to “pay attention” when listening and playing to absorb and convey more information quicker A couple of the more unique projects he’s been part of, including Cow Bop and The Vibrometers His new book, and how its approach differs from other jazz method books Using melodies, not rudiments, to develop your drum language Being married to a fellow musician who is also his boss His relationship with TrioKait bassist Cooper Appelt Jake Reed endorses Gretsch Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks, and Remo Drumheads.

22 Nov 20171h 21min

Evan Hutchings grew up in Ft. Smith, AR and is the son of a preacher. He started playing drums at age 2 and got his first drum set at age 8. It was through hours of watching other drummers play in church that he learned how to play for a song and try to convey a sense of emotion through the drums. After high school, Evan moved to Nashville to attend Middle Tennessee State University and studied with Lalo Davila and Tom Giampietro. Since leaving school in 2009, Evan has been touring extensively throughout the USA and abroad with various artists including Katie Herzig, Sugar and the Hi-Lows, Griffin House, Andy Gibson, Erin McCarley, and others. Evan is currently an in-demand session drummer in Nashville and has worked in the studio with Nathan Chapman (Taylor Swift), Jamie Kenney (Erin McCarley, Marc Broussard), Neilson Hubbard (Kim Richey), and many others like Danielle Bradbery, Rascal Flatts and Kelsea Ballerini. In this episode, Evan talks about: Different drummers style to playing, soloing, clinics Tuning drums live v.s. studio Trends in style and tone in the studio Developing his abilities The idea of complex drumming (ie metric-modulation) as a way to reinforce a solid time feel Our mutual crush on Steve Jordan Playing other instruments for writing and producing Learning to write and produce Finding your people, like minded musicians The direction of the music industry Evan endorses Innovative percussion This episode is sponsored by Crush Drums

15 Nov 20171h 26min

Gerald French was born and raised in New Orleans in one of the city’s most prominent musical families. Over his career, he has played with most of New Orleans musical royalty, including Harry Connick Jr., Charmagne Neville, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and Dr. John. In 2014, he became the leader of the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band. He is only the fifth person to lead the group in its 107-year history, and the third member of his family to do so, preceded by his uncle Bob French and his grandfather Albert “Papa” French. In this podcast Gerald talks about: His annual tours of Japan with Tom Fischer and the New Orleans All-Stars Succeeding his uncle and grandfather as the leader of The Original Tuxedo Jazz Band, and the long history of that group Drumming and singing Transitioning from sideman to leader “Being a soldier”, not a star, in the music industry His work as an educator with the Traditional New Orleans Jazz Camp Teaching young musicians how to properly play traditional New Orleans music, and preventing that tradition from being lost or diluted How New Orleans musicians have historically His experience during and after Hurricane Katrina His involvement in the Wild Magnolias Mardis Gras Indians Gerald French endorses Taye Drums, Sabian Cymbals, and Innovative Percussion Sticks This episode is sponsored by Crush Drums.

8 Nov 20171h 23min