Working Drummer

British-born and now Los Angeles-based drummer, Louie Palmer, has recorded and performed with some of the world’s best musicians including Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, Tom Scott, Luis Conte, Tim Lefebvre, Mitch Forman, Gary Husband, Jason Rebello and many more. In addition to performing, Louie also runs an online drum school (playbetterdrums.com) which has become a huge online resource for drummers of all abilities around the world. In this episode, Louie talks about: Moving from the UK to LA Accommodating traditional grip with a variety of set ups The problem with defining yourself as a “pocket player” Why you should practice improvisation The importance of sound and presentation Louie’s background on traditional grips Creating a variety of income streams His online school: Playbetterdrums.com

John Doing is based in San Francisco and has compiled a deep resume of musical theatre experience, most notably being involved in the Hamilton world for many years. He has been a chairholder and sub on multiple tours, he did the show’s San Francisco residency, he’s done the drumset chair, he’s done the percussion chair. In addition to Hamilton and a lot of other musical theatre work, he has played drums and percussion in all sorts of capacities, from jazz and latin music during his grad school years in New York, to cover bands in his hometown of Madison Wisconsin, to recording in his home studio in the bay area. In this episode, John talks about: Getting a start on the scene in his hometown of Madison, WI The wide range of subjects and teachers he was exposed to in grad school at NYU How musical theatre presented an opportunity to explore a lot of the variety he was interested in  Doing part of the Hamilton tour with his wife and two small kids in tow  The Hamilton drumset chair vs. the perc

Jay Weinberg is best-known as the former drummer of the band Slipknot as well as the son of Bruce Springsteen's longtime drummer Max Weinberg. But from an early age, Jay proved to all that he was his own drummer and artist who could create a career of his own. Along with subbing for his father on in 2009 with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band, Jay stayed busy in many other projects that included groups like The Reveling, Against Me and Madball. In 2014, Jay replaced Joey Jordison as the drummer for Slipknot, and stayed with the band until his departure in November 2023. In 2024, Jay was announced as the new drummer for Infectious Grooves. He is also currently in Suicidal Tendencies. In this episode, Jay talk about: His approach to clinics Jay’s organic discovery of drums Performing with Springsteen at 17 Total commitment to the music you’re performing New solo project Trusting your instincts Recovering from hip surgery Touring with Suicidal

Greg Sadler is a Los Angeles-based drummer who keeps a relentlessly busy schedule both in the studio and on the stage. He has provided the rhythmic foundation for GRAMMY, Emmy and Tony winners, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees, and many more.  He is a graduate of the University of North Texas, where he was a member of the six-time GRAMMY-nominated One O’Clock Lab Band in 2012. Greg also teaches privately and has coached some of the biggest names in Hollywood, helping actors prepare for on-screen drum features. In this episode, Greg talks about Studying with Ed Soph at North Texas Playing with Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band The idea that each of us almost can't help but sound like ourselves Taking advantage of the variety LA has to offer Making his social media presence reflect that variety, and gearing different posts to different audiences ⁠⁠Here's our Patreon⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Here's our Youtube⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Here's our Homepage

Currently on tour with rock legend Alice Cooper and the Hollywood Vampires Glen Sobel has played in a variety of genres including rock, hip hop, pop, metal, punk, and fusion. A seasoned pro with world tour experience, Glen has developed a reputation for being a quick study, known to learn an entire set of material in a day or record a CDs worth of songs on short notice. Glen subbed a week for Tommy Lee in Mötley Crüe on a few hours notice pulling double duty on the Crue/Alice tour. 
Recent live events have found Glen playing in the house band backing such heavyweights as Steven Tyler, Rob Halford, Weird Al, Pat Simmons & Michael McDonald of The Doobie Brothers, Sammy Hagar, Richie Sambora, Joe Lynn Turner, Night Ranger, Jonny Lang, Nils Lofgren, Sarah Mclachlan, Nuno Bettencourt, Dexter and Noodles of The Offspring, Robby Krieger of The Doors, Ke$ha, Orianthi, Johnny Depp, Mike Myers and many more. 

Other touring/recording credits for Glen include Chris Impellitteri, Jennifer Batten (Michael Jackson's guit

 Shawn King. Shawn has been the drummer for the band Devotchka for over 20 years and has been based in Denver for longer than that. Over that time he has been tightly woven into the Denver scene and involved in all kinds of projects from experimental festivals to musical theatre. We are right around the 20 year anniversary of both Devotchka’s album “How it Ends” and the movie “Little Miss Sunshine” for which Devotchka provided the soundtrack and score. In this epsidoe, Shawn talks about: The high premium placed on multi-instrumentalism in Devotchka The record label model vs. the Patreon model, and the full record model vs. the single model  Treating the drumset as the multi percussion instrument it is, thinking more in terms of patterns than grooves  Structuring improvisation through parameters and limitations  What has kept him in Denver Recording the soundtrack for “Little Miss Sunshine” Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage

Curt Bisquera is one of Los Angeles' top recording / touring drummers and producers. Curt has recorded and/or toured with the biggest names in music including Sir Elton John, Johnny Cash, Mick Jagger, Tom Petty, Bonnie Raitt, Josh Groban, Ricky Martin, Sarah McLachlan, Hans Zimmer (Superman / Batman), The Beach Boys, Lana del Rey, John Legend, Tina Turner, Celine Dion and countless others. In this episode, Curt talks about: Embracing new social media norms The power of the human connection Adapting to changes in the industry Recording digitally for the first time on the first Seal record How to reconcile the threat of A.I. The importance of time feel and groove above all else Recording with Bonnie Raitt, Tom Petty Low snare drum tunings X: @curtbisq IG band: @alnesbittalchemy The Kirkee B. Show: IG - Youtube: @thekirkeebshow Drum Consultation: kirkeebdrum@gmail.com ⁠Here's our Patreon⁠ ⁠Here's our Youtube⁠ ⁠Here's our Homepage

Steve has headed up drumset studies at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, and has countless alumni active in all corners of the music industry. In addition to teaching, Steve’s legacy as a player includes recording and touring with a huge range of artists including Gloria Estefan and Ben Vereen, and a stint of more than a decade as the drummer for the BeeGees. In this episode, Steve talks about: Creating a constructive, collaborative environment for drum students to learn from each other Why he stayed in Miami as opposed to moving to New York or LA Creating one of the first college programs that treated drumset seriously as its own thing How learning to record isn’t just about tech, it’s about learning how to  listen Shifting his focus from being a sideman for big acts and artists to developing his own voice and composing his own music Taking what comes naturally to a student and helping them develop it as part of their voice Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's

Adam Gust is the world's first Polyvagal-Informed professional drummer. Using his performance experience and knowledge of nervous system science, Adam has created the Somatic Drummer - a unique combination of science, wellness, and drumming. Adam's 'Science of the Groove' was the first talk about the Vagus Nerve to appear on TED.com, exploring how drummers sync their brains and bodies to find their 'groove,' a feedback loop between intention and action. Conducting workshops at top institutions like USC and Musicians Institute, Adam teaches how resourcing our nervous system optimizes wellness and musical performance. In this episode, Adam talks about: Assessing and diagnosing Matt’s stress injury and how Adam’s knowledge is applied The addiction to tension that we can acquire The connection between emotion and motor learning aka muscle memory Recognizing that the joy of playing drums is priority one Link to "Tuning Your Nervous System" Link to Adam's Master Class Link to

Growing up in a musical family gave JT an early start into sound and rhythmic exploration. He set on the path to becoming a working musician while playing in his father’s big band as a teen. Over the years he remained steeped in the improvised music scene, both as a performer and presenter. As a session drummer JT has appeared on Grammy record of the year “Folklore” (Taylor Swift) as well as the follow up “Evermore”. Grammy nominated “s/t”(Bonny Light Horseman) as well as critically acclaimed records by Bon Iver, Big Red Machine, Cassandra Jenkins, The National, Maya Hawke, Ed Sheeran, and many others. In this episode, JT talks about: Getting opportunities to record for Taylor Swift and others through older, more localized relationships Going from deep in the jazz world to deep into electronic music Being. not just your own marketing department, but your own HR department Being a booker for a music venue in Minneapolis, and balancing modern metrics like social media following with old school

Sterling Campbell was born and raised in New York City at a time when the music scene was rich with innovators like David Bowie, Peter Gabriel, Joni Mitchell and many others. Sterling would go on to work with David Bowie from 1992 until 2004. Other notable artist Sterling has worked for throughout his career include Cyndi Lauper, Duran Duran, Soul Asylum, Chic, Tina Turner, David Byrn and many others.  Since 2012, Sterling has been working and touring with the B-52s.  In this episode, Sterling talks about:  Reconnecting and touring with Cyndi Lauper  Physical demands of touring at 61 His early roots and meeting Dennis Davis in 1978 Events that shape us, our drumming and music  Adapting to the new tech of the day in the 80’s David Bowie’s creative process and sense of humor Recording remotely on an electronic kit Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage

In 2006, J-rod uploaded his first Youtube video, receiving positive feedback that reinforced his belief in using his musical talent to educate and inspire others. Committed to honing his craft, J-rod enrolled in the Atlanta Institute of Music, graduating in 2012, and later joined The 4 Korners band in 2013. With a growing online community of over 700K+ followers, J-rod’s brand transcends his talent, drawing in aspiring and talented musicians with his style, methods, and dedication.Currently serving as the drummer for Janet Jackson, Jeffrey Osborne, and The 4 Korners, J-rod continues to make waves in the music industry through his passion and dedication. Adapting to his first big pop gig coming from the jazz fusion world Being told to go for it “in show mode” for his audition video Adjusting to the smaller box of a pop gig and still finding ways to be himself How this live gig is improving his session playing Learning to navigate the infrastructure of a big tour Ways to have the compensati

Jorge Palacios is an in demand drummer based in San Diego, California. He’s been the drummer for iconic rock star Rick Springfield since 2010. Other artists he’s worked with include Paul Young, Tommy Tutone, Sammy Hagar, The Mustard Seeds and many others. In this episode, Jorge talks about: Embracing different genres Balancing local and touring gigs Making real connections Drumming for Rick Springfield  What he learned working cartage in L.A. Drumming for Sammy Hagar  Bringing the energy ⁠Here's our Patreon⁠ ⁠Here's our Youtube⁠ ⁠Here's our Homepage

Kassandra is working with altadenamusicians.org to get instruments to musicians affected by the LA fires. Go to altadenamusicians.org and download the Instrumental Giving app to help. Kassandra Kocoshis was raised in a musical family and has been playing percussion since she was eleven years old. She received her Bachelors of Music in Percussion Performance from DePaul University and her Masters of Fine Arts from California Institute of the Arts. In 2010, Kassandra relocated to Los Angeles to earn her MFA in World Percussion at California Institute of the Arts under the tutelage of Randy Gloss. Currently she is freelancing in Los Angeles playing with pop, R&B, soul, new music, rock and flamenco groups around the city. She is a current member of California soul band “Beat Mosaic" and the all female salsa band "Las Chikas". She has recorded with artists from an array of different genres including Meghan Trainor, Vahagni, Soul Scratch, Beat Mosaic, and many other artists.   Kassandra is an LP and Amplified T

From Cuba, Dafnis Prieto’s revolutionary drumming techniques and compositions have had a powerful impact on the music landscape, nationally and internationally. His various awards and honors include a MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship, a GRAMMY Award for Back to the Sunset (2018), two additional GRAMMY nominations, two Latin GRAMMY nominations (including Best New Artist in 2007), and the Jazz Journalists Association’s Up & Coming Musician of the Year in 2006. As a composer, Prieto has created music for dance, film, chamber ensembles, and most notably for his own bands, ranging from duets to big bands. He has received commissions, grants, and fellowships from Chamber Music America, Princeton University, Jazz at Lincoln Center, MoMA, Whitney Museum of American Art, National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures, Jerome Foundation, East Carolina University, Painted Bride Art Center, Meet The Composer, WNYC, New Music USA, Hazard Productions, and Metropole Orkest, among others. Prieto has performed at many nation

As an internationally acclaimed drummer and percussionist, Bill Ransom has played some of the world’s biggest halls with a host of world-famous artists. While building his performing career Bill also worked as an educator, guiding countless young drummers into professional careers. One passion fueling another. He has toured and recorded with artists including Patrice Rushen, Aretha Franklin, Marion Meadows, Cecil Bridgewater, Diane Reeves, Mary Wilson, and James Newton.  Bill currently tours the world with renowned singer, Beth Hart, and is an endorser for Yamaha drums, Remo drumheads, Vic Firth sticks, and Paiste cymbals. Bill has been on faculty at Cleveland State University since 2007 teaching drums, mallet and hand percussion, and jazz combo. In this episode, Bill talks about: His gig with Beth Hart, and what she needs from the drum chair School at Ohio University and The New School in New York Living in New York for awhile but returning home to Cleveland  Cleveland’s active theatre and jazz scenes 

Originally from Garland Texas, Chris Brush moved to Nashville in the fall of 1999 after college to play drums professionally. Over time, session opportunities ignited a passion in Chris as he began to work toward getting off the road full time, and move into the studio scene. Along the way Chris discovered that engineering, mixing, and music production were as exciting to him as drumming. He put the effort into learning about the world of acoustics, microphones, pre-amps, compressors, equalizers, DAWs, mixing, engineering, etc. He began mixing his own projects that turned into mixing and recording other artists — all the while playing drums live, in his home studio, and at studios around Nashville. In 2014 Chris and a partner, opened PlethoraTone studios. After eight years at PlethoraTone, Chris moved into a studio he designed and built. On any given day, Chris is either out and about Nashville playing on sessions or working out of his own place recording, producing, or mixing. In this episode, Chris talks

Jamey Haddad's career as a drummer and percussionist has spanned five decades, countless genres, and multiple continents. For over 25 years, he’s had a close relationship with Paul Simon, playing alongside Steve Gadd on multiple records and live projects. He has appeared on over 170 recordings and has played with a wide range of artists from Joe Lovano to Yo Yo Ma, and his career as an educator has found him at Berklee, New England Conservatory, Oberlin Conservatory, and the Cleveland Institute of Music. In this episode, Jamey talks about: Playing with Paul Simon, and Paul’s constant desire to rehearse and adjust how his music is presented Recording the album You’re The One and collaborating with Steve Gadd to create the rhythmic and textural foundations for those songs Committing to representing the traditions he studied in the pop world  How a given style can be treated as both an academic subject or a folkloric tradition “Every generation needs its music.” How to make people you’re playing with know

Newsboys is one of the biggest bands in Christian music history, having sold more than 10 million records across 23 recordings and garnering boundless accolades, including 1 RIAA® Platinum certification and 8 Gold certifications, 30 #1 radio hits, four GRAMMY® nominations, two American Music Award nominations and multiple Dove Awards. With signature songs like “We Believe,” “Born Again” and the unstoppable mega-hit “God’s Not Dead” — which birthed a film franchise of the same name — Newsboys have continued to collect career-defining accolades at full speed ahead. Reinventing and reinvigorating the sounds fans have come to love, Newsboys present their two-part album, Worldwide Revival, featuring 16 songs and a national tour to support. For over three decades, the band, with current members Adam Agee, Duncan Phillips, Jeff Frankenstein, and Jody Davis, have toured extensively throughout the world to present their unparalleled high-energy shows. From their formation in Australia to their current residence in the

Russ Lawton has spent most of his career in and around New England from Cape Cod to Boston to Burlington Vermont. For almost 25 years, he has been the drummer for the Trey Anastasio Band. He also has an organ trio project called Lamp that is about to release their second record and tour in support of it, and has played with countless other bands and artists from blues to Afro beat. In this episode, Russ talks about His early career, moving through Cape Cod, Boston, and Woodstock NY Infusing afrobeat into his mating early on   Being a lifelong “band guy” Playing with Trey Anastasio, and Trey building songs around Russ’s grooves  The LaMP project and their “no chops” approach