194 episodes

Every drummer encounters a unique chain of influences that shape the way they approach the instrument. Join me, Ben Hilzinger, as I chat with my favorite players to dissect the TOP 5 records that helped make them who they are today...on and off the kit. For more info, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com or find us on Instagram @bigfatsnaredrum. Cheers!

Big Fat Five: A Podcast Financially Supported by Big Fat Snare Drum Ben Hilzinger

    • Music

Every drummer encounters a unique chain of influences that shape the way they approach the instrument. Join me, Ben Hilzinger, as I chat with my favorite players to dissect the TOP 5 records that helped make them who they are today...on and off the kit. For more info, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com or find us on Instagram @bigfatsnaredrum. Cheers!

    Chris Fryar's (Zac Brown Band) Top 5 Influences

    Chris Fryar's (Zac Brown Band) Top 5 Influences

    This week's guest is Chris Fryar, primarily known for his work with the Zac Brown Band. He has also worked with Oteil and the Peacemakers, led by bassist Oteil Burbridge of the Allman Brothers Band, as well as with Victor Wooten, John Popper, Steve Bailey, and many more.
    Chris is powerful, creative, and consistent, yet very reactive and conversational with his playing. I was so happy to chat with him. I'll be honest—I haven't really said this in an intro before, but this conversation is what I envisioned when I started this podcast. Chris is incredible at sharing his story through his choices and offers invaluable advice along the way.
    This is hands down one of my favorite episodes. Please enjoy my chat with Chris Fryar about the five records that shaped him into the musician he is today. And make sure you check out his honorable mentions. He's got plenty, and they'll all make you a better player. I promise.
    Cheers!

    CHRIS' BIG FAT FIVE:
    -
    Album - Zenyatta Mondatta
    Artist - The Police
    Release Year - 1980
    Key Track(s) - Shadows In The Rain, Driven To Tears, When The World Is Running Down
    Drummer - Stewart Copeland
    -
    Album - Ten Summoner's Tales
    Artist - Sting
    Release Year - 1993
    Key Track(s) - Seven Days, St. Augustine in Hell, She's Too Good For Me, Shape of My Heart
    Drummer - Vinnie Colaiuta
    -
    Album - Kind of Blue
    Artist - Miles Davis
    Release Year - 1959
    Key Track(s) - So What, All Blues, Freddie Freeloader
    Drummer - Jimmy Cobb
    -
    Album - Live and In Living Color
    Artist - Tower Of Power
    Release Year - 1976
    Key Track(s) - Knock Yourself Out (live), What Is Hip (live)
    Drummer - David Garibaldi
    -
    Album - Robben Ford & The Blue Line
    Artist - Robben Ford
    Release Year - 1992
    Key Track(s) - You Cut Me To The Bone, Real Man, Prison Of Love
    Drummer - Tom Brechtlein

    HONORABLE MENTIONS:
    Aja - Steely Dan
    Big Swing Face - Buddy Rich Big Band
    TOTO IV - TOTO
    Led Zeppelin IV - Led Zeppelin
    Moving Pictures - Rush
    Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack - various artists
    Life On Planet Groove - Maceo Parker
    At Fillmore East - Allman Brothers Band
    HELP! - The Beatles
    Rubber Soul - the Beatles
    Revolver - the Beatles
    John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman
    Apple Juice - Tom Scott
    Col. Bruce Hampton & the Aquarium Rescue Unit
    Heavy Weather - Weather Report

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

    • 1 hr 9 min
    Mark Guiliana's Biggest Influences

    Mark Guiliana's Biggest Influences

    This week’s guest is Mark Guiliana, a visionary drummer and solo artist known for his eclectic style that blends jazz, electronic, and experimental music. He’s worked with artists like David Bowie, Brad Mehldau, St. Vincent, and has his own projects such as the Mark Guiliana Jazz Quartet and Beat Music.
    Mark continuously pushes the boundaries of rhythm and sound, earning him a reputation as a trailblazer in contemporary music. This is a condensed version of my conversation with Mark from early 2021. With his new album, Mark, coming out in July 2024, I wanted to highlight his insights and present an episode that fits better with our current format.
    Instead of a top 5 list of records, I gave Mark a set of prompts to choose from, and we went from there. There’s so much wisdom in this chat, so even if you heard it before, give it another listen. I definitely learned new things the second time around.
    Concierto de Osain del Monte VIDEO
    For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram. 

    • 37 min
    Porter Bliquez' (@415porter) Top 5 Influential Records

    Porter Bliquez' (@415porter) Top 5 Influential Records

    This week’s guest is Porter Bliquez, a young American drum prodigy from San Francisco. Despite his age, Porter has already recorded and performed with award-winning producers and musicians associated with Kevin Gates, Olivia Rodrigo, Haan, Andy Prado Jr., and more.
    While still attending USC, Porter manages to carve out time to make a significant impact in both the LA and online drum communities. At my ripe old age of 37, it's refreshing to connect with the younger generation of drummers and see what’s happening in their world. Porter is destined for the biggest stages globally, so I'm thrilled if this is the episode that introduces you to him. Please enjoy the records that helped shape Porter into the exceptional drummer he is today. Cheers!
    Eric Harland - Zildjian Performance Video HERE

    PORTER'S BIG FAT FIVE:
    Album - Homey
    Artist - Chon
    Release Year - 2017
    Key Track(s) - Sleepy Tea / Water slide
    Drummer - Brian Evans
    -
    Album - Black Focus
    Artist - Yussef Kammal
    Release Year - 2016
    Key Track(s) - Strings of Light / Wingtai Drums / Joint 17
    Drummer - Yussef Dayes
    -
    Album - Chon
    Artist - Chon
    Release Year - 2019
    Key Track(s) - Peace / Pitch Dark
    Drummer - Brian Evans
    -
    Album - Two Star & The Dream Police
    Artist - Mk.gee
    Release Year - 2024
    Key Track(s) - Rylee & I / Dream Police / DNM / How Many Miles
    Drummer - Micheal Gordon
    -
    Album - Misadventures
    Artist - Peirce the Veil
    Release Year - 2016
    Key Track(s) - Song For Isabel / Texas is Forever / Phantom Power / Ludicrous Speed
    Drummer - Mike Fuentes

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

    • 29 min
    Wiktoria Bialic's (@wiktoria_drums / Allison Russell / Ralph Kaminski) Top 5 Influential Records

    Wiktoria Bialic's (@wiktoria_drums / Allison Russell / Ralph Kaminski) Top 5 Influential Records

    This week's guest is Wiktoria Bialic. Wiktoria has been nominated for four Grammy awards for her recordings on Allison Russell's album, "The Returner." She has also recorded drums for Grammy-winning musicians like Ondre J. Pavic, Alex Marley, Maati Baani, Ralph Kaminski, SARSA, and various other artists and producers from Britain, India, Scotland, Poland, America, and Puerto Rico.
    Wiktoria collaborated with Zildjian Artist Ash Soan on the single "Dark Dark Days" by Black Dog All Starsand often fills in for other well-known drummers in Poland. She won the Hit Like A Girl contest in 2021 and has performed at prestigious drum festivals such as PASIC, Bag Show, The UK Drum Show, and Silesia Drum Festival.
    You can find her Instagram HERE and listen to a Spotify playlist featuring many of her recordings HERE. Wiktoria offers a great perspective on excelling as a studio musician, so get ready to improve your drumming skills. I hope you enjoy the recordings that shaped Wiktoria Bialic into the musician she is today.

    WIKTORIA'S BIG FAT FIVE:
    -
    Album - Exodus
    Artist - Bob Marley
    Release Year - 1977
    Key Track(s) 0 Three Little Birds / One Love / Whole Record :)
    Drummer - Carlton Barrett
    -
    Album - The Returner
    Artist - Allison Russell
    Release Year - 2023
    Key Track(s) - Stay Right Here / Springtime
    Drummer - Wiktoria Bialic
    -
    Album VoodoO
    Artist - D'Angelo
    Release Year - 2000
    Key Track(s)
    The Root
    Drummer - Questlove
    -
    Album - Feats Don't Fail Me Now
    Artist - Little Feat
    Release Year - 1974
    Key Track(s) - Skin It Back
    Drummer - Richie Hayward
    -
    Album - 7
    Artist - Seal
    Release Year - 2015
    Key Track(s) - Redzone Killer
    Drummer - Ash Soan
     
    For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.

    • 34 min
    Brandon Combs' (Leon Bridges / Joy Oladakun / John Legend) Top 5-ish Influential Records

    Brandon Combs' (Leon Bridges / Joy Oladakun / John Legend) Top 5-ish Influential Records

    This week’s guest is Brandon Combs. Brandon is a drummer, programmer, and producer hailing from Lansing, Michigan. Brandon obtained his Bachelor of Music degree in Popular Music Studies from the University of Southern California in 2015 and is currently based in Nashville, Tennessee. He’s worked with so many amazing artists, including Grammy Award-winning artist Leon Bridges, Joy Oladakun, John Legend, Raphael Saadiq, Moses Sumney, Tori Kelly, Greyson Chance, Chris Bullock of Snarky Puppy, and many more. He’s got a lot of energy and his choices center around very hirable theme. I hope you enjoy the records that helped shaped Brandon Combs into the artist he is today. Cheers!

    BRANDON'S BIG FAT FIVE 
    -
    Album - Perpetual motion
    Artist - Dave Weckl Band
    Release Year - 2002
    Key Track(s) - Child's play
    Drummer - Dave Weckl
    -
    Album - Heavier Things
    Artist - John Mayer
    Release Year - 2003
    Key Track(s) - New Deep / Something's Missing,
    Drummer - Steve Jordan
    -
    Album - Somethin' Bout Love
    Artist - Brian Culbertson
    Release Year - 1999
    Key Track(s) - Do you Really Love Me?
    Drummer - Chris Miskel
    -
    Album - Mixtape - Volume One
    Key Track(s) - Movin / Nine
    Drummer - Ben Jones
    -
    Album - Opal / Brunei
    Artist - Vinyl Williams
    Release Year - 2018 / 2016
    Key Track(s) - Lansing / Feedback Delicates

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

    • 48 min
    Myles Sargent's (The Japanese House) Top 5 Influential Records

    Myles Sargent's (The Japanese House) Top 5 Influential Records

    This week’s guest is Myles Sargent. Myles is a drummer, musical director and playback engineer based in Brighton, UK. Throughout his career, he's collaborated with an array of artists and bands, including The Japanese House, Justin Jesso, Calum Scott, Thomas Headon, Gabriels, Cavetown, Mae Stephens, Gang of Youths and MANY more. He’s quickly become one of my favorite online-converted-to-real-life buddies and I was excited to force him to answer my questions for an hour. I hope you enjoy the 5 records that helped shaped Myles Sargent into the player he is today. Cheers!
    MYLE'S BIG FAT FIVE 
    -
    Album - American Idiot
    Artist - Green Day
    Release Year - 2004
    Key Track(s) - Holiday / American Idiot
    Drummer - Tre Cool
    -
    Album - Rumours
    Artist - Fleetwood Mac
    Release Year - 1977
    Key Track(s) - You Make Loving Fun / The Chain
    Drummer - Mick Fleetwood
    -
    Album - Nm Brass 2015 - 1. Division
    Artist - Oslofiord Brass
    Release Year - 2015
    Key Track(s) - St. Magnus (5:45 it gets cooking)
    Composer - Peter Maxwell Davies
    -
    Album - Little Voice
    Artist - Sara Bareilles
    Release Year - 2007
    Key Track(s) - Vegas
    Drummer - Matt Chamberlain
    -
    Album - Rickie Lee Jones
    Artist - Rickie Lee Jones
    Release Year - 1979
    Key Track(s) - Chuck E's in Love (and that fill at 1:55)
    Drummer - Steve Gadd
    -
    Any Honorable Mentions?
    Album - Face Value
    Artist - Phil Collins
    Release Year - 1981
    Key Track(s) - In the Air Tonight 
    Drummer - Phil Collins
    -
    Album - Regatta De Blanc
    Artist - The Police
    Release Year - 1979
    Key Track(s) -  Walking on the Moon
    Drummer - Stewart Copeland

    • 39 min

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