320 – Mark Stepro: Recording in the 21st Century, Working with Butch Walker, Drumming for The Wallflowers
Mark Stepro is a Los Angeles-based musician originally from Galion, Ohio. He is currently performing and recording with singer-songwriter-producer Butch Walker (Dangerbird Records), with whom he has been working since 2011, as well as singer-songwriter Brett Dennen (Elektra Records). He recently recorded the upcoming album by the Wallflowers, “Exit Wounds,” their first release in ten years. Since 2010, Stepro has performed and recorded with singer Mary McBride under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State as a Cultural Ambassador, presenting a program of American music overseas. The group has logged performances in twenty-three countries including Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Indonesia, appearing in schools, hospitals, prisons, women’s shelters, orphanages, and places of worship. He has also performed or recorded with Leon Bridges (including a European slot opening for The Rolling Stones), Panic! At The Disco, Gavin DeGraw, Jewel, Keith Urban, Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20, Brian Fallon of The Gaslight Anthem, Jackson Browne, Shooter Jennings, Hayes Carll, Dan Wilson, Ben Kweller, Andrew McMahon, Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine, The Old 97s, Courtney Love, Corb Lund Sara and Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek, Morgan Kibby of M83, Mike Viola, Joe Pug, Robert Ellis, Adam Levy, and Tim Easton. He also spent five wonderful years and a staggering number of liver and brain cells as the bass player for Brooklyn indie-roots favorites The Madison Square Gardeners, led by Aaron Lee Tasjan. He has studied with teachers Ed Soph, Steve Houghton and Glenn Kotche of Wilco. He has performed on every continent except Antarctica and has appeared multiple times on The Late Show With David Letterman, The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien, Craig Ferguson, and Carson Daly, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and CBS This Morning In this episode Mark talks about: * Teachable moments early in Mark’s life * From Ohio to New York to L.A.* Working with Butch Walker* Recording in 2021* Playing a last minute show on Conan O’Brien* To play or not to play to a click live* Engaging with your music community without relying solely on social media Keith Dudek Recovery Fund This episode is sponsored by Sonitus. Mark endorses: Zildjian, Ludwig, Remo and Vater
27 Maj 20212h 7min
319 – Ross Pederson: Playing with Grace Kelly and Manhattan Transfer, Designing a New Home Studio, The North Texas Pedigree
Ross Pederson has been in New York for over a decade after going through the famed North Texas program and studying with Ed Soph. He tours and records with a number of notable New York based acts including Grace Kelly and Manhattan Transfer, and records, mixes, and produces at his home studio in Brooklyn. In this episode, Ross talks about: * Moving into a new house and starting a home studio from scratch* Being married to bassist Julia Adamy* His biggest takeaways from North Texas and Ed Soph* The musical families both he and Julia come from * Starting with Grace Kelly as a hired gun sub, and growing into a trusted collaborator Ross endorses Meinl Cymbals This episode is sponsored by Sonitus. Keith Dudek Recovery Fund Hxa6VowqKJwu4NstUlX8
20 Maj 20211h 7min
318 – Doane Perry part 2: Composing and Creating, More Jethro Tull Stories, Doane’s Sustained Passion for Music and Creating
A professional musician since 1972, Doane Perry has been called one of the most prolific and versatile drummers in contemporary music. His career spans over 28 years with the internationally acclaimed progressive rock band Jethro Tull, incorporating 18 world tours, countless records, videos, and DVDs, and a Grammy. As a performer, composer or producer, he has appeared on more than 100 records to date, many of which have attained gold or multi-platinum status, and also on numerous #1 records in multiple genres. He has worked in the recording studios of New York, Los Angeles, Sydney, and London. And as an author, he has been a featured writer for musical magazines, anthologies, book publications, websites, CD liner notes, Jethro Tull concert programs. He attended Browning, St. Bernard’s and Collegiate Schools in New York City. Later he briefly attended New York University and extension programs at The New School, Rutgers, and Juilliard, followed by extensive private musical study in jazz and orchestral percussion. The people with whom Perry has worked with during his career reads much like a who’s who across many genres of music. The short list would have to include Lou Reed, Bette Midler, Todd Rundgren, Pat Benatar, Martha and the Vandellas, Peter Cetera, Dweezil Zappa, Stan Getz, Kitaro, Dionne Warwick, Liza Minelli, Jeffrey Osbourne, and Magellan. In this episode (part 2), Doane talks about: * Meeting Al Jackson when he was very young (11)* How he spends his practice time * “Great chops is simply the articulation of your own ideas, clearly” * A useful definition of what good technique is and can be* Composing and orchestrating * The current state of his compositions Follow the link below if you are able to help out our friend drummer Keith Dudek. He is fighting to recover from Covid. There is a GoFund.Me page where you can help. Thanks – Matt https://www.gofundme.com/f/keith-dudek-recovery-fund?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer Doane endorses: Premier, DW, Paiste, Remo, Promark, Rhythm Tech, Sure, Kick Port & Stick Handler This episode is sponsored by Sonitus.
13 Maj 20211h 26min
317 – Doane Perry part 1: His Work With Jethro Tull, Bringing Your Ideas to the Session, Working with Lou Reed Early in His Career
A professional musician since 1972, Doane Perry has been called one of the most prolific and versatile drummers in contemporary music. His career spans over 28 years with the internationally acclaimed progressive rock band Jethro Tull, incorporating 18 world tours, countless records, videos, and DVDs, and a Grammy. As a performer, composer or producer, he has appeared on more than 100 records to date, many of which have attained gold or multi-platinum status, and also on numerous #1 records in multiple genres. He has worked in the recording studios of New York, Los Angeles, Sydney, and London. And as an author, he has been a featured writer for musical magazines, anthologies, book publications, websites, CD liner notes, Jethro Tull concert programs. He attended Browning, St. Bernard’s and Collegiate Schools in New York City. Later he briefly attended New York University and extension programs at The New School, Rutgers, and Juilliard, followed by extensive private musical study in jazz and orchestral percussion. The people with whom Perry has worked with during his career reads much like a who’s who across many genres of music. The short list would have to include Lou Reed, Bette Midler, Todd Rundgren, Pat Benatar, Martha and the Vandellas, Peter Cetera, Dweezil Zappa, Stan Getz, Kitaro, Dionne Warwick, Liza Minelli, Jeffrey Osbourne, and Magellan. In this episode (part 1), Doane talks about: * Playing producer, engineer, and drummer in his home studio* Bringing your ideas to the session* His work with Jethro Tull* Working with Lou Reed Doane endorses: Premier, DW, Paiste, Remo, Promark, Rhythm Tech, Sure, Kick Port & Stick Handler This episode is sponsored by Sonitus.
6 Maj 20211h 34min
316 – Steve from Junk Drummer TV: Making Hundreds of Drum Reaction/Analysis Videos
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
315 – Jack Bruno: Drumming for Tina Turner, Backing up Legendary Singers, Touring Over the Decades
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
314 – Brody Simpson: A Distinct Set of Sounds, Staying Focused on His Thing, “I’ve Never Gone Looking for Work”
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
313 – Sound Treatment part 3 with Anthony Grimani: Sonitus USA, A/B-ing Matt’s studio with Sound Treatment
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
