Episode 8 of The Drum Panel

This week, Eric (@ericsurrea) is back!...alongside our newest bestie George Martinez (@skinnygeorge).

In this episode, we dive into:

• Are ghost notes the modern-day equivalent of skinny jeans—cool now but overdone?
• How do you strike the right balance between technical precision and feel in your playing?
• Are dynamics the single most important factor in making a drummer sound great?
• Why is it so challenging to produce a high-quality drum part on the spot?
• Are tambourines and shakers actually more essential than toms?
• What are the guilty-pleasure drum songs we secretly love to play but would never admit to?
• Is a rubber practice pad less effective than a gel pad or pillow for improving your playing?
• Are self-taught drummers at a disadvantage in the long run?
• What’s the best way to handle trolls in the drumming community?
• Is quantizing your Instagram drum videos considered cheating?

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Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!

🎯 Click here to order now!

Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram.

Episode 7 of The Drum Panel

This week, we're joined by Stacy Jones (Miley Cyrus, Letters to Cleo, American Hi-Fi) and Elias Mallin (Kesha, Noah Cyrus, Filter)—two seasoned veterans of the touring music industry and influential figures in shaping the competitive LA music scene.

This episode steps away from our usual bullet-point list of hot takes and dives into a bigger-picture conversation about what it really takes to build and sustain a career in live music. We cover everything from technique tips and tuning tricks to staying mentally sharp during performances, audition dos and don’ts, and plenty of honest stories about the ups and downs of auditions and live shows.

Special thanks to Patches Sound for hosting us!

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Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!

🎯 Click here to order now!

Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram.

Welcome back to Big Fat Five—a segment of Drummers on Drumming brought to you by Big Fat Snare Drum, where I chat with my favorite drummers about the stories and records that shaped their sound. I’m your host, Ben Hilzinger, and this week’s guest is the incredible Sterling Laws.

Sterling is a fellow Pacific Northwest native now based in Los Angeles, but more importantly, he’s a Grammy-nominated drummer whose resume is as impressive as it gets. He’s worked with artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Kim Gordon, Chappell Roan, NIKI, Matt Berninger, Liz Phair, The War on Drugs, Linda Perry, Aly & AJ, Lo Moon, Dave Stewart, and many more.

Sterling is out there doing the thing and still manages to bring a unique perspective to the kit while working with such a diverse roster of artists—a quality that’s both rare and inspiring. It’s exactly why I was so excited to talk to him.

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Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!

🎯 Click here to order now!

Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

STERLING'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - Badmotorfinger

Artist - Soundgarden

Release Year - 1991

Key Track(s) - Rusty Cage, Searching With My Good Eye Closed, Jesus Christ Pose

Drummer - Matt Cameron

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Album - In Rainbows

Artist - Radiohead

Release Year - 2007

Key Track(s) - 15 Steps, Bodysnatchers, Weird Fishes, Reckoner

Drummer - Philip Selway

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Album - Future Self

Artist - The Globes

Release Year - 2011

Key Track(s) Pigeon, Stay Awake, A Stitch Couldn't Save The World

Drummer - Marcus Ourada

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Album - Boxer

Artist - The National

Release Year - 2007

Key Track(s) - Mistaken For Strangers, Brainy, Apartment Story

Drummer - Bryan Devendorf

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Album - Live From The Ryman And More

Artist - Sheryl Crow

Release Year - 2019

Key Track(s) - A Change Would Do You Good, Everything Is Broken, Maybe Angels, If It Makes You Happy

Drummer - Fred Eltringham

For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram.

Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming!

Today, I’m thrilled to share a conversation with a true force in modern drumming—Ilan Rubin. You’ve heard his incredible work behind the kit with artists like Nine Inch Nails, Danny Elfman, Angels & Airwaves, Paramore and so many more. But Ilan is not just an outstanding drummer; he’s also a passionate educator, and his latest project proves just that. 

He’s recently released his instructional book, Start Somewhere to Go Somewhere, and trust me, it’s not just another drum method book.

In this episode, we certainly discuss the book, but we dive deep into Ilan’s philosophy on practice and technique in a way that I personally haven’t heard him talk about before … and why he felt compelled to share his unique perspective in an already crowded field of drum education. I have the book and ive been able to spend some more time with it since recording this episode and I can say first hand, it’s worth it. So without further ado…here is my chat with the youngest rock n roll hall of fame inductee, Ilan Rubin.

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Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!

🎯 Click here to order now!

Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram.

Episode 6 of The Drum Panel

This week's guests are two of my favorite drummers and people, Sarab Singh (MUNA) and Adam Christgau (Tegan and Sara).

In this episode, we dive into:

• What’s the greatest compliment a drummer can get, and does it truly matter?
• How do others really describe your playing style—are you sure you'd agree?
• Should every drummer dive into jazz, or is it a skill only some truly need?
• Has the golden era of iconic bands come to an end, or is it just evolving?
• Are music schools churning out technical robots at the cost of creative souls?
• Is practicing on pillows with heavy sticks a hidden secret or just a myth?
• Are quintuplets and sextuplets essential or a complete waste of practice time?

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Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!

🎯 Click here to order now!

Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram.

We’ve got another installment of Big Fat Five: a segment where I talk to drummers about the stories and records that shaped their sound.

Today’s guest is Lucy Ritter, a New York/New Jersey native who picked up the drums at just 9 years old and was already landing professional gigs by 14. After three years at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, she made the bold decision to leave and join her first major tour: the Broadway musical An Officer and a Gentleman. That gig opened doors, eventually leading to her being offered the drum chair for the Grammy Award-winning musical Jagged Little Pill.

These days, Lucy has stepped away from the Broadway scene and taken on an exciting new role as the drummer for one of today’s fastest-rising pop acts, Chappell Roan. We dig into how she landed that gig and explore the five records that have profoundly influenced her drumming style. This episode has been a long time coming, so let’s dive in. I hope you enjoy my conversation with the incredibly talented Lucy Ritter... cheers!

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Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!

🎯 Click here to order now!

Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

LUCY'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - A Love Supreme

Artist - John Coltrane

Release Year - 1965

Key Track(s) - Pt. II - Resolution & Pt. III - Pursuance

Drummer - Elvin Jones

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Album - Earfood

Artist - Roy Hargrove

Release Year - 2008

Key Track(s) - Strasbourg / St. Denis, The Stinger, Mr.Clean

Drummer - Motez Coleman

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Album - Grow

Artist - Chon

Release Year - 2015

Key Track(s) - But / all of them

Drummer - Nathan Camarena, Brian Evans, Matt Garstka

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Album - Live at Velfarre

Artist - Earth, Wind & Fire

Release Year - 1996

Key Track(s) - In The Stone, September, Let Your Feelings Show, Let’s Groove

Drummer - Sonny Emory

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Album - Take Off Your Pants and Jacket

Artist - Blink-182

Release Year - 2001

Key Track(s) - 3

Drummer - Travis Barker

For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram.

Episode 5 of The Drum Panel

This week's guests are my co-host Eric Urrea (Marina City / Sessions) and good buddy Kris Mazzarisi (owner/founder of Big Fat Snare Drum).

SUBMIT YOUR CONTROVERSIAL MUSIC OPINIONS HERE

In this episode, we dive into:

• If you could reinvent one aspect of your drumming, what would it be, and why?
• What's the one piece of advice you wish you'd known as a young drummer starting out?
• How important is style to a drummer’s career—can visuals be as impactful as skill?
• What ingredients create a drum tone that stands the test of time?
• Have we lost the ability to have a hit song without the use of a click?
• With AI's influence growing, what do you think drumming will look like in the near future?
• Is the quest for 'perfect' recordings draining the soul out of live music?
• Why do so many drummers gravitate toward intricate playing—are we losing the groove?

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Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!

🎯 Click here to order now!

Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram.

Today I’m joined by Jesse Boyle, my good buddy and the drummer for the boundary-pushing band Chase Atlantic. Known for blending genres like alternative, R&B, and electronic music, Jesse’s unique approach drives the pulse behind Chase’s immersive live soundscapes. We’ll dive into the top five influences that shaped his drumming and musical journey and we get into a newer career he’s started…all because he gave himself permission. I think it’s important for everyone to stay tuned through the end of the episode. 

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Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!

🎯 Click here to order now!

Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

JESSE'S BIG FAT FIVE:

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Album - Reggatta De Blanc

Artist - The Police

Release Year - 1979

Key Track(s) - Message in a Bottle, Walking On the Moon

Drummer - Stewart Copeland

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Album - By The Way

Artist - Red Hot Chili Peppers

Release Year - 2002

Key Track(s) - By the Way, Don’t Forget Me

Drummer - Chad Smith

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Album - Only by the Night

Artist - Kings of Leon

Release Year - 2008

Key Track(s) - Closer, I Want You

Drummer - Nathan Followill

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Album - The Colour and The Shape

Artist - Foo Fighters

Release Year - 1997

Key Track(s) - My Hero, Everlong

Drummer - Dave Grohl / William Goldsmith

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Album - TOTO IV

Artist - TOTO

Release Year - 1982

Key Track(s) - Rosanna

Drummer - Jeff Porcaro

For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram.

Hey friends, Ben Hilzinger here. I wanted to take a few minutes to talk to you about a pretty exciting shift I’m making with this podcast. After much thought, I’ve decided to change the name of the podcast. Moving forward, it will be known as Drummers on Drumming.

Let me tell you a little about how I got here.

This whole thing started as The Big Fat Snare Drum Podcast, just a fun way to connect with drummers I admire—talking about stories, gear, grooves, and whatever else came up. It was a blast. But after a while, I wanted to dive deeper into the stories that shaped the way drummers think and play. That’s where the Big Fat Five concept came from: drummers sharing the five records or moments that influenced them the most.

The Big Fat Five format really connected with people, and I loved it. But over time, I realized the name was becoming a little limiting. I’ve got so many ideas for other segments—like The Drum Panel, where multiple drummers join me for roundtable discussions—and I didn’t want to feel stuck in one format. I needed a title that gave me space to try new things and keep the podcast fresh.

And honestly, if I want to keep doing this—and growing the show—I need to make sure it’s easy for new listeners to find. Big Fat Five isn’t exactly the most discoverable name if someone’s searching for “drumming podcasts.” So this rebrand to Drummers on Drumming not only reflects the direction I want to take, but it’ll also make the show more findable for people who haven’t discovered it yet.

Now, here’s how the change will happen. Right now, the podcast is still called Big Fat Five, but I wanted to give everyone a heads-up before the switch. One week from today, both the name and the podcast icon will officially change to Drummers on Drumming. So, if you see the new name and artwork in your podcast feed next week, don’t worry—it’s still the same show you know and love, just with a new name and more room to grow.

Oh! And speaking of exciting new things, I’ve been working on a book—also called Drummers on Drumming—and it’s almost ready! The book dives deep into the Big Fat Five concept, with insights from some truly amazing drummers. I’m currently wrapping up the book cover as I record this, and I plan to have it available by Black Friday. So keep an eye out for that—it’ll make a pretty sweet gift for the drummer in your life...or, you know, yourself.

So there you have it—a new chapter for the podcast. It’s the same vibe, the same passion, just with a new name and more freedom to explore new ideas. I can’t wait to bring you along for this next phase.

Thank you so much for listening, supporting, and being part of this journey. I’ll see you next time on Drummers on Drumming.

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Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!

🎯 Click here to order now!

Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram.

Episode 4 of The Drum Panel

This week's guests are my good buddies Kris Mazzarisi (owner/founder of Big Fat Snare Drum), and Mark Stepro (The Wallflowers, Butch Walker).

In this episode, we dive into:

• If we could steal one drummers’s feel and add it to our own, who would it be?
• What is an example of a perfect drum take on record?
• What does “pocket” ACTUALLY mean?
• What is the role of drummers in songwriting credits?
• Does music theory really make one a better musician?
• What’s the first thing we notice about a drummer that makes them come across as “amateur”?

Check out Steward Copeland on Drumeo HERE

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Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!

🎯 Click here to order now!

Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram.

Our guest today is one of Berlin’s rising stars in the drumming world, Julian Wieder. At just 25, he’s already making serious moves across the RnB, Hip-Hop, and Indie scene, both on stage and in the studio. I first discovered Julian thanks to the algorithm gods on Big Fat Snare Drum’s Explorer page—and once I saw his playing, I knew I had to get him on the show. His feel is unreal, blending pocket grooves with a sense of freedom that feels completely natural and effortless. Plus, he’s not just a drummer…he’s an educator, and a bit of a clinic master in the making.

In this episode, we’ll dive into the top records that shaped his sound, and he introduced me to a new favorite of mine that I can’t wait for you to hear. So I hope you enjoy the top records that helped shaped Julian Wieder into the drummer he is today.

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Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!

🎯 Click here to order now!

Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

JULIAN'S BIG FAT FIVE:

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Album - The Joy Of Motion

Artist - Animals as Leaders

Release Year - 2014

Key Track(s) - The Woven Web, Tooth and Claw

Drummer - Matt Garstka

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Album - Continuum

Artist - John Mayer

Release Year - 2006

Key Track(s) - Waiting On The World To Change, Gravity

Drummer - Steve Jordan

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Album - Wallflower

Artist - Jordan Rakei

Release Year - 2017

Key Track(s) - Eye To Eye, Sorceress

Drummer - Jim Macrae

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Album - Chris Dave and The Drumhedz

Artist - Chris Dave

Release Year - 2018

Key Track - Whatever

Drummer - Chris Dave

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Album - Past Present and Futures

Artist - Chick Corea

Release Year - 2001

Key Track(s) - Fingerprints, Rhumba Flamenco

Drummer - Jeff Ballard

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Honorable Mentions:

Nas - Illmatic

Ghost Note - Swagism

Yussef Kamaal - Black Focus

For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram.