Drum History

🥁 STEVE GADD’S GADDIMENTS - GET YOUR COPY HERE!https://link.amazon/B0gpNPICMWhat does it take to create the sound of one of the most influential drummers of all time? We’re diving into the gear, stories, and musical approach of the legendary Steve Gadd, joined by Steve himself, Paul Wells, and John DeChristopher!From iconic recordings like Steely Dan’s Aja and Paul Simon’s 50 Ways to Leave Your...

In Part 2 of our deep-dive into the gear of Steve Gadd, Paul Wells returns to unpack even more forensic-level details about one of the most influential drummers of all time.Building on the wildly popular Part 1, this episode revisits earlier conclusions with new photographic evidence, listener-submitted research, rare interviews, and meticulous analysis of Steve Gadd’s drum kits, heads, sizes,...

I am super excited to share with you the first episode of this great new podcast! The Fully Vented Podcast: the story of Orange County Drum & PercussionBy host Jarrod Fallon and producer Evan Nagorner New episodes premiere every Thursday at 8PM EST on Patreon and then everywhere else Saturday’s at 11AM (YouTube + everywhere you listen on all podcast platforms). Subscribe here:...

In this episode, Bart talks with Shawn Fields, founder of Drumatica, and Grammy-winning audio engineer Darrell Thorp (Radiohead, Beck, Foo Fighters) about the creation of the groundbreaking Black Oyster drum sample library.Shawn shares how his lifelong obsession with capturing the perfect drum sound evolved from sampling friends’ kits in the ’90s to launching Drumatica — a company dedicated to...

In this episode of Drum History, we take an in-depth look at the legendary gear of Steve Gadd, one of the most recorded and influential drummers of all time.Our returning guest, Paul Wells (Juilliard jazz faculty, Curtis Stigers, Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks), joins host Bart van der Zee for another ultra-detailed “gear episode” exploring the drums that shaped Gadd’s sound across his...

Drummer and educator Dave Elitch (The Mars Volta, Weezer, Miley Cyrus) joins me to break down why so many drummers hit a ceiling—and how to fix it with better mechanics, smarter practice, and choices that actually translate to the kit. We dig into eliminating hidden tension, building sustainable speed and feel, practical tuning and muffling, and Dave’s new course Your Mind’s Ear on dialing in...

Ever wondered if you’ve been saying Tama, Paiste, or Sonor correctly? You’re not alone! In this episode, Late Night with Seth Meyers producer and friend to all drummer's, Eric Leiderman joins the show to settle the debate on how to pronounce some of the most commonly mispronounced drum brands.We break down the correct pronunciations of brands like Ludwig, Zildjian, Meinl, Sabian, Canopus, Trixon,...

We are joined by Ben Hilzinger, professional drummer and author of Drummers on Drumming, to explore the stories behind the records that shaped the legends of the drumming world. Ben shares his experiences performing with bands like Cannons and Eve 6, hosting his acclaimed podcast, and diving into the journeys of iconic and up-and-coming drummers through his book.Discover the challenges,...

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating history and evolution of buying and selling drums with special guest Gerry Porter of Hazelshould.com. From the dapper beginnings of mom-and-pop drum shops in bustling cities to the rise of mail-order catalogs that revolutionized access to musical instruments, we trace the industry's transformation. We'll explore how massive retailers like Guitar...

In this episode, we dive deep into the extraordinary journey of Ryan Dusick, the original drummer for Maroon 5. Ryan shares his experiences of rising to fame with one of the world’s most popular bands, the mental health and substance struggles that forced him to step away, and his remarkable path to recovery. We discuss how he rebuilt his life, found a new purpose as a therapist, and authored his...