245 – Mark Cobb: Playing with Yacht Rock Revue, Combining Clean Craft and Bombastic Showmanship

As the drummer in Atlanta’s ’70s juggernaut Yacht Rock Revue, Mark Cobb performs for thousands of rabid fans every week. From the Irving Plaza in Manhattan to the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles, he brings to life the sounds of the most iconic studio drummers of all time — the Purdie shuffle, Russ Kunkel’s artful tom fills, Jeff Porcaro’s relentless grooves, Steve Gadd’s perfect precision — with stunning accuracy.  He’s performed at the Rose Bowl, the College Football National Championship, the NCAA Final Four, for 35,000 fans on the 4th of July at Turner Field, and on music cruises with Kid Rock, Weezer, KISS, Train, Zac Brown Band, Dinosaur Jr., Emmylou Harris and Heart.   Mark’s infectious enthusiasm for music and drumming was heightened during his time at the prestigious Indiana University School of Music. However, it was not until after he received his degree and spent a year in Los Angeles that he grew into the seasoned player he is today. In this episode, Mark talks about: * The good, bad, and ugly of social media* Building a tribute band around a concept rather than an individual artist* Getting era-specific sounds out of backline kits * Combining the styles and sounds of the era’s drummers into one setlist* How the rise of Yacht Rock Revue and the genre’s rise in popularity have fed each other Mark endorses Vic Firth sticks, Porter & Davies, and Big Fat Snare Drum