The Trap Set with Joe Wong

DJ Bonebrake, of legendary punk band X, discusses his time as a Buddhist with Joe, who is just now exploring Buddhism. Be sure to listen to DJ's full-length episode by subscribing to The Trap Set on iTunes or by visiting thetrapset.net

James Gadson is one of most prolific drummers in funk and soul. His singular style can be heard on seminal records by Bill Withers, Marvin Gaye, Charles Wright, The Temptations, and many other legends. He tells Joe his remarkable life story.

Venzella Joy (drummer for Beyoncé) and Joe talk about their wonderful moms.

Steven Adler of Guns N' Roses tells Joe about growing up as a "good Hebrew boy" and seeing UFOs. Be sure to check out his full episode at thetrapset.net/past-episodes or on iTunes.

DJ Bonebrake (yes, that's his real name) is the founding drummer of legendary LA punk band, X. He tells Joe about his tragic childhood, the early LA punk scene, and how he constantly broadens his artistic skill set.

In this bonus mini-episode, Joe and Interpol's Sam Fogarino trade culinary tips and discuss the sometimes annoying foodie culture. Check out Sam's full-length episode at thetrapset.net (Past Episodes) or on iTunes.

In this bonus mini-episode, Sheila E. discusses her grandmother's obsession with sex. Check out Sheila's full-length episode at thetrapset.net (Past Episodes) or on iTunes.

It's not enough to merely be a great drummer if you want to play with the biggest pop star in the world. In addition to her unstoppable groove and technical prowess, Venzella Joy possesses an extraordinary combination of wisdom, humility, and confidence that enabled her to secure the drum throne in Beyoncé's band. But as Venzella continues to develop as a songwriter and producer, it's clear that p...

You know Fred Armisen from his work on Portlandia and SNL, but before he was a comedy star, Fred was a working drummer. He charts the journey from his early fascination with music, to his time touring and recording with arty Chicago band Trenchmouth, to Blue Man Group, SNL, The 8G Band and beyond. Fred also discusses the nature of his creative drive and his relationship with success.

Ron Lynch grew up with aspirations to become a professional drummer. His aptitude for music earned him a scholarship to college, but his path soon led him to pursue comedy and acting. Ron developed his comedy chops as part of the Boston comedy scene of the 80s, that also produced Bobcat Goldthwait, Marc Maron, Louis CK, and Steven Wright. Over the course of his career, Ron has also appeared on acc...

Todd Barry is one of the greatest comics working today; but before he dedicated himself to the art of stand-up, Todd played in popular Florida band The Chant. Nowadays, when Todd isn't busy filming comedy specials or acting in acclaimed films and TV shows, he finds time to sit in with bands like Superchunk and Yo La Tengo. He and Joe explore the relationship between music and comedy.

In this bonus mini-episode, Jon Wurster discusses the influence of legendary producer and drummer Steve Jordan. Also included is an--until now--unreleased song by Jon's early band, The Carneys, with Steve Jordan producing. You can hear a full-length interview with Jon at thetrapset.net or on iTunes.

Jon Wurster first made his name as the drummer for Superchunk, and over the past twenty years, he's become of rock's most in-demand and versatile drummers. He's played with everyone from Bob Mould to Katy Perry, but his creative output isn't limited to music. Jon is one half of the acclaimed and bizarrely hilarious comedy duo Scharpling & Wurster. He talks to Joe about setting ambitious goals at a...

In Part Two of his Trap Set Interview, Bernard Purdie tells Joe about how his legacy has been broadened by sampling, his solo career, and the sessions and artists that who took the music over the top. Also, he briefly addresses his controversial claim of playing on some Beatles recordings.

In part one of a two part interview, Joe speaks to a true original, the legendary Bernard Purdie. They discuss Purdie's early fascination with drumming, the tragic loss of his parents, overcoming alcoholism at a very early age, and his arrival in New York. Part two airs next Wednesday.

Steven Schick first heard music as a child on a farm in Iowa. Over the course of his 40 year career, he has become a renowned performer, educator, conductor, and author. He talks to Joe about cultivating financial stability as an artist, learning to be in the moment, and the symbiosis between teaching and performance.

Sheila E. talks to Joe about her legendary musical family, joining a gang, working with Prince, overcoming abuse, and helping youth through her Elevate Hope foundation.

Sam Fogarino was a productive, adult member of society before he gained notoriety as the drummer of Interpol. He talks to Joe about his creative role in the band, parenthood, the nature of ambition in the Indie scene, and drinking Vodka from the bottle with Josh Homme.

Danny Frankel began his career as the drummer for DC band Urban Verbs. After the group dissolved in 1981, Danny moved to Los Angeles and became an in-demand session drummer. He tells Joe tales of his adventures with Lou Reed, Fiona Apple, and KD Lang. And he discuses how his mentor, jazz great Paul Motian, changed his life.

Legendary drummer Billy Cobham tells Joe about immigrating to the US from Panama, performing with his father's band in New York City, co-founding the extraordinarily influential Mahavishnu Orchestra, making the jump to a successful career as a leader, and constant creative evolution.

As the original drummer for Guns N' Roses, Steven Adler was the swaggering pulse of the 80's Los Angeles hard rock scene. But as the band exploded, so did Adler's addiction to drugs and booze and he was ejected from the band.  Steven discusses his difficult past, his lifelong relationship with Slash, and feeling better than ever thanks to his newfound sobriety. Also, Laser Drum Art.

Joe talks to The Maya Tuttle about growing up in the Bay Area, the nature of biracial Eurasian marriages in the US, drawing inspiration from Karen Carpenter, singing and drumming with popular band The Colourist, and the challenges presented by working as a professional musician.

Joe talks to Milford Graves about exploring uncharted musical territory as an avant-garde pioneer; building a second career in medicine; supporting a family; and cultivating a multi-disciplinary artistic approach.

Kliph Scurlock was born to a musician mother and policeman father in Kansas. He tells Joe how he began his career with The Flaming Lips as a roadie and eventually realized his dream of becoming the band's drummer for over a decade. He also discusses his controversial departure from the Lips and his continued musical development with Gruff Rhys, Psychic Heat, and Split Level Stiffs.

Joe talks to Victor Delorenzo about seeing Sun Ra perform at the Racine Zoo, entering the arts as an actor, co-founding the successful and incredibly influential Violent Femmes, and remaining creative and prolific as a member of several groups including Lorenzo Menzerschmidt and Nineteen Thirteen.