Drummers on Drumming

Ben Hilzinger
  • 5.0 (44)
  • MUSIC INTERVIEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Drummers on Drumming

This isn’t your typical drumming podcast. Hosted by Ben Hilzinger (Cannons, Eve 6) and presented in association with Big Fat Snare Drum, it’s a curated collection of conversations that explore what it means to play, create, and live as a drummer. With segments like Big Fat Five—where drummers break down the five albums, influences, or moments that shaped their style—and The Drum Panel, featuring roundtable discussions on polarizing topics, no two episodes are the same. You'll also hear candid insights from special guests and conversations that dig deeper than the usual talk. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just passionate about drums, Drummers on Drumming offers an honest, varied, and in-depth look at the craft. For more info, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com or find us on Instagram @bigfatsnaredrum. Cheers!

  1. The Drum Panel: The Ultimate Compliment, Jazz Study—Essential or Overrated?, and Is the Band Drummer Era Over?

    23 HR. AGO

    The Drum Panel: The Ultimate Compliment, Jazz Study—Essential or Overrated?, and Is the Band Drummer Era Over?

    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). SUBMIT YOUR CONTROVERSIAL MUSIC OPINIONS HERE 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? For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram.

    50 min
  2. Big Fat Five: Lucy Ritter (Chappell Roan) Share Her Top 5 Influential Records

    NOV 13

    Big Fat Five: Lucy Ritter (Chappell Roan) Share Her Top 5 Influential Records

    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!

    41 min
  3. The Drum Panel: Timeless Drum Tones, AI’s Impact, Advice We’d Give Our Younger Selves, and More...

    NOV 6

    The Drum Panel: Timeless Drum Tones, AI’s Impact, Advice We’d Give Our Younger Selves, and More...

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

    44 min
  4. Big Fat Five: Jesse Boyle (Chase Atlantic) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records...

    OCT 30

    Big Fat Five: Jesse Boyle (Chase Atlantic) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records...

    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.  JESSE'S BIG FAT FIVE: - Album - Reggatta De Blanc Artist - The Police Release Year - 1979 Key Track(s) - Message in a Bottle, Walking On the Moon Drummer - Stewart Copeland - 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 - Album - Only by the Night Artist - Kings of Leon Release Year - 2008 Key Track(s) - Closer, I Want You Drummer - Nathan Followill - Album - The Colour and The Shape Artist - Foo Fighters Release Year - 1997 Key Track(s) - My Hero, Everlong Drummer - Dave Grohl / William Goldsmith - 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.

    41 min

  5. OCT 23

    A New Chapter: 'Big Fat Five' Is Becoming 'Drummers on Drumming' + A Book Announcement

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

    3 min
  6. The Drum Panel: Stealing Feel, Perfect Drum Takes, and Defining Pocket

    OCT 16

    The Drum Panel: Stealing Feel, Perfect Drum Takes, and Defining Pocket

    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). SUBMIT YOUR CONTROVERSIAL MUSIC OPINIONS HERE 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 For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram.

    51 min
  7. Big Fat Five: Julian Wieder (Independent) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records

    OCT 8

    Big Fat Five: Julian Wieder (Independent) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records

    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.   JULIAN'S BIG FAT FIVE: - Album - The Joy Of Motion Artist - Animals as Leaders Release Year - 2014 Key Track(s) - The Woven Web, Tooth and Claw Drummer - Matt Garstka - Album - Continuum Artist - John Mayer Release Year - 2006 Key Track(s) - Waiting On The World To Change, Gravity Drummer - Steve Jordan - Album - Wallflower Artist - Jordan Rakei Release Year - 2017 Key Track(s) - Eye To Eye, Sorceress Drummer - Jim Macrae - Album - Chris Dave and The Drumhedz Artist - Chris Dave Release Year - 2018 Key Track - Whatever Drummer - Chris Dave - Album - Past Present and Futures Artist - Chick Corea Release Year - 2001 Key Track(s) - Fingerprints, Rhumba Flamenco Drummer - Jeff Ballard - 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.

    35 min
  8. Big Fat Five: Gabe Smith (Gracie Abrams) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records

    OCT 2

    Big Fat Five: Gabe Smith (Gracie Abrams) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records

    Our guest today is Gabe Smith, the current CEO of Drums for Gracie Abrams Inc. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, now based in New York City, Gabe has also worked with incredible contemporary artists like Wet, Tei Shi, Eden, Frankie Cosmos, Kimbra and many more. Last summer, he opened for Taylor Swift and is about to rejoin that tour after some headline shows with Gracie Abrams. He’s a busy guy! It took some finessing since we’re both on tour, but we made it happen. I loved his picks, and I’m excited for you to hear this one. Please enjoy the top 5 records that shaped Gabe Smith into the sought-after, hardworking musician he is today. Cheers!   GABE'S BIG FAT FIVE: - Album - Abbey Road Artist - The Beatles Release Year - 1969 Key Track - She Came In Through The Bathroom Window Drummer - Ringo - Album - Songs In The Key of Life Artist - Stevie Wonder Release Year - 1976 Key Track - Knocks Me Off My Feet Drummer - Stevie Wonder - Album - When The Pawn... Artist - Fiona Apple Release Year - 1999 Key Track - A Mistake Drummer - Matt Chamberlain - Album - Friendly Travelers Live Artist - Wolfgang Muthspiel, Brian Blade Release Year - 2007 Key Track - Gnadenwald (Live) Drummer - Brian Blade - Album - Donny Hathaway Artist - Donny Hathaway Release Year - 1971 Key Track - She Is My Lady Drummer - Al Jackson Jr. For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram.

    27 min
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5
out of 5
44 Ratings

About

This isn’t your typical drumming podcast. Hosted by Ben Hilzinger (Cannons, Eve 6) and presented in association with Big Fat Snare Drum, it’s a curated collection of conversations that explore what it means to play, create, and live as a drummer. With segments like Big Fat Five—where drummers break down the five albums, influences, or moments that shaped their style—and The Drum Panel, featuring roundtable discussions on polarizing topics, no two episodes are the same. You'll also hear candid insights from special guests and conversations that dig deeper than the usual talk. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just passionate about drums, Drummers on Drumming offers an honest, varied, and in-depth look at the craft. For more info, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com or find us on Instagram @bigfatsnaredrum. Cheers!

Information

  • Creator
    Ben Hilzinger
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2024
  • Episodes
    216
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Ben Hilzinger
  • Show Website
    Drummers on Drumming

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