Percussion Discussion Podcast

Back in the legends lounge again today with Budgie.  Peter Clarke, better known as Budgie is a wonderful English Drummer best known for his drumming with Siouxsie and the Banshees and The Creatures.  Join Budgie and myself as we talk about his early days with a busy cabaret band gigging around the North West of England onto his remarkable career as a drummer with a brilliantly unique style, snubbi...

Kyle Stevenson - Percussion Discussion - Episode 102 Joining me today is Kyle Stevenson. Kyle is best know for being the powerhouse drummer for the last 16 years for American alternative metal band Helmet  Join Kyle and myself as we talk about his career from the very beginning of his music career from starting as a 14 year old with a rented Percussion Plus drum kit through to moving to LA in 95 t...

Percussion Discussion - Episode 101 - Steve Grantley  Joining me today is british drummer Steve Grantley. Steve has an enviable CV with names including Julian Lennon, The Alarm, Eight Wonder, Billy Duffy, Glen Matlock, Jake Burns and the Big Wheel, RT-ZED, but for the last 25 years he has been the driving force for Northern Irish Punk Rockers Stiff Little Fingers.  Join Steve and myself as we chat...

Percussion Discussion - Episode 100 - Billy Cobham  We are 100% firmly in the legends lounge for the 100th episode of Percussion Discussion - Billy Cobham.  In 2001 Billy Cobham was named one of the 25 most influential Drummers by Modern Drummer Magazine, Billy is one of the very few who can truly be called a pivotal drummer in music history!  Join Bill and myself as we chat about his remarkable c...

Percussion Discussion - Episode 99 - Joby Burgess.  Joining me today is one of the UK's most diverse percussionists - Joby Burgess.  Joby has played for the likes of Peter Gabriel at Red Rocks Ampitheatre and The Who at Wembley stadium but is equally at home as a studio musician performing on soundtracks such as Black Panther, Rocketman, Ad Astra, Mission: Impossible, The Darkest Hour, Dr Who...

Percussion Discussion - Episode 98 - Joe Franco We are firmly back in the legends lounge today with legendary New York drummer Joe Franco. Join Joe and myself as we chat about the highlights of his remarkable career so far, from his early days with The Good Rats (if you havent heard this band, you must. check out Tasty and be prepared to be blown away!) We had to talk about Joe's incredible D...

Joining me today is Tristan Head, the owner of Drumattic in Frome.  Join Tristan and myself as we chat about all aspects of Drumattic, they have recently moved to a much bigger premises in Frome from Radstock and are still outting the finishing touches to what what will be a stunning space including Shop, Workshop and eventually a rehearsal space.  We talk about Tristans love of vintage drums, how...

Percussion Discussion - Episode 97 - Steve Williams.  Joining me today is Steve Williams, from 1974 to 2010 (apart from one very short spell) Steve was the powerhouse drummer with Welsh hard rock/heavy metal legends Budgie.  Join Steve and myself as we talk about his amazing career, from his early days as a young drummer ( and not particularly being a fan of Budgie!) through to getting the auditio...

Joining me today is Mark Jeffs, the main man behind one of the biggest Vintage drum shops in Europe - Rusty Drums.  Join Mark and myself as we chat about the incredible Rusty Drums and how it has grown from a fairly small set up operating from his drum studio at his family home to the industrial unit that now is home to Rusty Drums stocking some 180 Vintage kits and countless snare drums!  We talk...

John Coghlan - Percussion Discussion - Episode 96. Firmly back in the legends lounge today with one of the most requested interviews, the fabulous John Coghlan . John played drums for Status Quo from 1962 - 1981 with the classic line up with Francis Rossi and the late Rick Parfitt & Alan Lancaster playing on the first 14 albums with countless gigs and tours to back the albums up!  John set up...

Joining me today is Craig Buckley & Nicko Mcbrain, both partners in Nicko McBrains Drum One in Manchester.  I speak at length with Craig about how he started up the drum shop in 2016 and how Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain became involved and how it has transformed from an already great drumshop under previous owners Manchester Drum Centre, to something quite incredible under the Nicko'...

Percussion Discussion - Episode 95 - Moritz Mueller.  Joining me today is the incredible talented German drummer, Moritz Mueller.  Moritz is founding member and drummer with The Intersphere, described as German progressive alternative groundbreakers, this easy to understand with just a few listens to this band packed with incredible talent!  Join Moritz and myself as we talk about his amzing caree...

Percussion Discsussion - Episode 94 - Joel Barford. Joining me today is without doubt one of the most talented young drummers in the UK today, Joel Barford . At the tender age of 25 Joel has already secured endorsments with industry giants such as Gretsch Drums , Zildjian Company cymbals and Vic Firth drum sticks, as well as playing with some remarkable musicians!  Join Joel and myself as we talk...

Percussion Discussion Episode 93 - Pete Marshall Joining me today is Pete Marshall. Manchester born and bred Pete has an icredible wealth of experience as a session drummer having played for Liam Frost, Stephen Fretwell , The Courteeners , Karima Francis and Lucy and the Caterpillar. For the last 9 years Pete has held the coveted drum stool with one of the finest singer /song writers in the UK Pau...

Welcome to Episode 2 of Percusion Discussion - Shop Talk.  Today i chat to the the wonderful chap that is Graham Russell, the owner of arguably the biggest drum shop in the UK Graham Russell Drums.  Join Graham and myself as we delve into his beginnings as a drummer and how how after gigging across Europe and the USA with various bands he got into buying and selling a few drums as a hobby from his...

Percussion Discussion - Episode 92 - Math Priest Joining me for todays conversation is Math Priest. Math is a founder member, song writer and drummer for UK Pop/Rock band Dodgy producing such incredible songs as Good Enough, Staying out for the summer and Grassman as well as many studio and live albums.  Aswell as playing for Dodgy, Math has also played fo the likes of The Lightening Seeds, The El...

Percussion Discussion - Episode 91 - Stuart Elliott Joining me today is British Drummer Stuart Elliott Stuart has had an incredible career so far having started his career with Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel playing on 3 top 10 albums and of course the Number 1 single Make Me Smile.... Come Up and See Me. Stuart has also toured with and played on a staggering 10 The Alan Parsons Project Albums!!...

Percussion Discussion - Episode 90 - Mark Brzezicki  Joining me today is a british drummer with an instantly recognisable sound and style, the fabulous Mark Brzezicki!  Mark has played for the likes of Nik Kershaw, Pete Townshend, The Cult, Fish, Ultravox but is best known for his magnificent playing with Big Country.  Join Mark and myself as we celebrate his incredible career so far, he tells us...

Percussion Discussion Episode 89 - Dave Hassell Joining me today is drummer / percussionist / author and one of the finest drum and percussion educators in the UK Dave Hassell. Dave has played for so many incredible solo artistes, bands, orchestra's, sessions etc.... it would take forever to list them all, here is a little taster for you... Dr John, Karl Jenkins, Apitos, Jim Mullen, Lisa Stan...

Percusson Discussion - Episode 88 - Brian Bennett We are firmly back in the legends lounge for this episode. Joining me today is Drummer, Composer, Arranger, Pianist, three times winner of the Ivor Novello award, Brian Bennett, OBE. Join Brian and myself as we celebrate some of the highlights of his remarkable career. Brian shares with us at the age of 82 years old he still writes and records ever...

This is the first Episode in a new series featuring independant local drum shops from across the UK.  I have always admired anyone who has the nerve and business acumen to create a succesful drum shop, so ive made the decision to speak to some of the people behind these independant drum stores and hopefully generate a little more business for them.  Episode 1 features Leigh Smith from Cariad Drum...

Percussion Discussion - Episode 87 - Chris Whitten Joining me today is the wonderful British Drummer Chris Whitten  Since the early 80's Chris has made his mark as one of the finest session and touring drummers in the UK. Join Chris and myself as we talk about his amazing career from starting out as a youngster playing mainly orchestral percussion (rather than drum kit) including some time pl...

Percussion Discussion - Episode 86 - John Macaluso Joining me today is John Macaluso Originally a New Yorker, John now resides in Italy, John has played on around 200 albums so far in his incredible career as well as touring the world with many incredible artists and bands. Join John and myself as we chat about some of key moments from his quite remarkable career, including his early days taking l...

Percussion Discussion - Episode 85 - Gary Astridge Joining me today is Historian and Curator of every Drum Kit used by Ringo Starr throughout his career with The Beatles - Gary Astridge  Today is all about Ringo, when i ask the many drummers i speak too, a few names constantly appear, Buddy Rich , Steve Gadd and yes.... Ringo Starr!  Im very grateful that today i get to chat to not only a personal...

 Percussion Discussion - Episode 84 - Ian Haugland Joining me today is Ian Haugland Since 1984 Ian has been the drummer with Swedish rockers Europe Join Ian and myself as we chat about his amazing career from his early influence by Cozy Powell after attending a Rainbow gig with Powell on drums in 1976, then onto almost blowing up a gig venue with some home made pyrotechincs at a very early gig wit...