Drum Dog Podcast

Drum Dog

The Drum Dog Podcast goes deep on the instrument we love. In our interviews, we sit down with world-class drummers, from session players to festival headliners, for honest, unhurried conversations about their playing, their careers and the craft behind the kit. Guests include Bill Bruford, Gavin Harrison Antonio Sánchez, and Mel Gaynor.On 'The Back Beat', our weekly format, Dan talks spotlights drummers worth your attention, goes through albums that are must-listens, worthwhile gear, and think-pieces to ruminate on. Hit follow so you don't miss any drum chat.Drum Dog is the UK membership platform for drummers, combining world-class lesson packs, live events, gear discounts, and an ad-free community. Join at drumdog.com

  1. 3d ago

    Steve Gadd, Miguel Lamas & Does Practice Pad Time Actually Work? | The Back Beat #9

    Send us Fan Mail Steve Gadd gets the spotlight this week because, honestly, how could he not. Plus a fusion find on Vincen García's Ventura, the Meinl Marshmallow Pad in the studio, and a Gavin Harrison clip that might change how you practice. 00:00 - Cold open / what's on this week 00:30 - Heavy Rotation: Vincen García, Ventura 01:53 - Drummer Spotlight: Steve Gadd, the formality that isn't 04:24 - New Gear: Meinl Marshmallow Pad 05:15 - Think Piece: Does practice pad time actually transfer to the kit? 06:37 - Outro & fanmail Referenced in this episode: → Vincen García, Ventura (Aprieta): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOl6xHy0r7g&list=PLT4F4IG7YwYo2SC_yFFFcXDHSKssyazzP → Steve Gadd with Al Di Meola: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHrzhFoYXu0&list=PLOq5FKEh5CHViUxD1X-jsICQCcfhZTAvU → Meinl Marshmallow Pad: https://www.grahamrusselldrums.com/meinl-12-inch-marshmallow-practice-pad-in-sea-foam.html?srsltid=AfmBOoq1MCp5k_cYnfROtSyK7MlJ7LE8DN2uY_s2oI4k8aqF2PzkXWmn → Gavin Harrison interview, full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9B794MBuE10&t Got a drummer you want spotlighted, gear you reckon I should check out, or an album that's been on your heavy rotation? Drop me a message: 📩 Spotify fanmail (built into the app) 📷 Instagram: @drumdoguk ✉️ dan@drum.dog New episodes every Tuesday. Hit follow so you don't miss out on any drum chat! #TheBackBeat #DrumDog #Drumming #Drummers #DrumPodcast #SteveGadd #MiguelLamas #Meinl #PracticePads #DrumCommunity 🥁 Drum Dog is a membership built for drummers — gear discounts, members-only flash offers, artist sessions and interviews, prize draws, event and ticket perks (including free Drum Show tickets), and full access to the lesson library.  Want to try it? 30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked. 👉 https://link.drum.dog/join 🎧 Listen to the Drum Dog Podcast wherever you get your podcasts: Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/2s8IAlRWNnu3SGOZo0BxTW Apple → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drum-dog-podcast/id1806605706 Amazon → https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/b859c830-c051-46c6-a094-cc9b92973e4a/drum-dog-podcast 🔔 Subscribe for interviews, lessons, gear and performances from world-class drummers. Follow us: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/drumdoguk/ Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/drumdoguk TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@drumdoguk Support the show

    Steve Gadd, Miguel Lamas & Does Practice Pad Time Actually Work? | The Back Beat #9
  2. Aug 18

    Ralph Rolle (Nile Rodgers & CHIC) Interview: Auditioning for Nile Rodgers, D'Angelo & Biggie Stories, & The Rocketman Soundtrack

    Send us Fan Mail We sat down with Ralph Rolle at the Drum Dog studio during his latest visit to the UK. Ralph talks growing up in the Bronx, the high-pressure audition that landed him the Nile Rodgers & CHIC gig, and the stories behind sessions with D'Angelo, Biggie Smalls, and the Rocketman soundtrack. If you've ever wondered what it takes to build a career playing with music legends, this one's for you. 00:00 Welcome Back & Talking Dogs 02:35 From The Bronx to Rural Somerset 04:44 Learning Drums in the Bronx River Houses 07:06 Saving Up for His First Drum Kit 08:33 Landing His First Professional Gig at 19 15:26 The Cookie Business: Soul Stacks 19:08 The Nile Rodgers Audition That Almost Wasn't 26:34 Playing on the Rocketman Soundtrack 29:20 Discovering D'Angelo Before Anyone Else 36:13 The Biggie Smalls Session & the Credits Mix-Up 40:44 Walking Away from the Apollo 43:12 Why He Chose Drum Dog #ralphrolle #chic #drumdog 🥁 Drum Dog is a membership built for drummers — gear discounts, members-only flash offers, artist sessions and interviews, prize draws, event and ticket perks (including free Drum Show tickets), and full access to the lesson library.  Want to try it? 30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked. 👉 https://link.drum.dog/join 🎧 Listen to the Drum Dog Podcast wherever you get your podcasts: Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/2s8IAlRWNnu3SGOZo0BxTW Apple → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drum-dog-podcast/id1806605706 Amazon → https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/b859c830-c051-46c6-a094-cc9b92973e4a/drum-dog-podcast 🔔 Subscribe for interviews, lessons, gear and performances from world-class drummers. Follow us: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/drumdoguk/ Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/drumdoguk TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@drumdoguk Support the show

    Ralph Rolle (Nile Rodgers & CHIC) Interview: Auditioning for Nile Rodgers, D'Angelo & Biggie Stories, & The Rocketman Soundtrack
  3. Aug 11

    Dennis Chambers, Los Cabos & Is Your Drumstick Actually 5A? | The Back Beat #8

    Send us Fan Mail Dennis Chambers holds down one of the tightest live records in the catalogue, Steely Dan's Alive in America. This week: his playing on that record, a look at Los Cabos sticks, and a question that's been bugging me, are your drumsticks actually the size the label says? 00:00 - Cold open / what's on this week 00:30 - Heavy Rotation: Steely Dan, Alive in America 02:44 - Drummer Spotlight: Dennis Chambers 04:22 - New Gear: Los Cabos 05:42 - Think Piece: Is your drumstick actually the size it says it is? 07:11 - Outro & fanmail Referenced in this episode:  → Steely Dan, Alive in America: https://open.spotify.com/album/66rBZ848b4aO0hCJQF6GGc?si=GYVbDTQiTKO91DwOj5mx5g  → Dennis Chambers video essay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvbY2Y5LLeg Got a drummer you want spotlighted, gear you reckon I should check out, or an album that's been on your heavy rotation? Drop me a message:  📩 Spotify fanmail (built into the app)  📷 Instagram: @drumdoguk  ✉️ dan@drum.dog New episodes every Tuesday. Hit follow so you don't miss out on any drum chat! #TheBackBeat #DrumDog #Drumming #Drummers #DrumPodcast #DennisChambers #SteelyDan #LosCabos #DrumSticks #DrumCommunity 🥁 Drum Dog is a membership built for drummers — gear discounts, members-only flash offers, artist sessions and interviews, prize draws, event and ticket perks (including free Drum Show tickets), and full access to the lesson library.  Want to try it? 30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked. 👉 https://link.drum.dog/join 🎧 Listen to the Drum Dog Podcast wherever you get your podcasts: Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/2s8IAlRWNnu3SGOZo0BxTW Apple → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drum-dog-podcast/id1806605706 Amazon → https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/b859c830-c051-46c6-a094-cc9b92973e4a/drum-dog-podcast 🔔 Subscribe for interviews, lessons, gear and performances from world-class drummers. Follow us: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/drumdoguk/ Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/drumdoguk TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@drumdoguk Support the show

    Dennis Chambers, Los Cabos & Is Your Drumstick Actually 5A? | The Back Beat #8
  4. Aug 4

    Spike T. Smith (The Damned) Interview: Joining The Damned, Touring With Morrissey, & 50 Years of Punk

    Send us Fan Mail We chatted with Spike over a video call ahead of his masterclass at the 2026 UK Drum Show, marking 50 years since the birth of punk. Spike talks joining The Damned twenty years after watching Rat Scabies first inspired him to play drums, touring the world with Morrissey (including the very first Coachella), and his picks for the most underrated drummers in punk history. If you've ever wondered what actually drives real musical innovation, this one's for you. 00:00 Welcome & Catching Up 01:08 Two Thousand Trees & The Pistols at 50 03:15 Why 1976 Was the Birth of Punk 05:41 Falling for Punk at Twelve 11:55 Joining The Damned, Twenty Years Later 13:37 First World Tour: Coachella '99 With Morrissey 17:51 What It's Really Like Playing With Morrissey 19:51 Staying Physically Ready for High-Energy Punk Shows 26:28 Three Punk Drummers You Need to Know 32:07 Inside the UK Drum Show Masterclass 40:10 Where Punk's Heading in 2026 51:04 What Real Musical Innovation Looks Like 👉 Check out Drum Dog for more lessons from world-class drummers: https://drum.dog #spiketsmith #thedamned #drumdog 🥁 Drum Dog is a membership built for drummers — gear discounts, members-only flash offers, artist sessions and interviews, prize draws, event and ticket perks (including free Drum Show tickets), and full access to the lesson library.  Want to try it? 30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked. 👉 https://link.drum.dog/join 🎧 Listen to the Drum Dog Podcast wherever you get your podcasts: Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/2s8IAlRWNnu3SGOZo0BxTW Apple → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drum-dog-podcast/id1806605706 Amazon → https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/b859c830-c051-46c6-a094-cc9b92973e4a/drum-dog-podcast 🔔 Subscribe for interviews, lessons, gear and performances from world-class drummers. Follow us: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/drumdoguk/ Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/drumdoguk TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@drumdoguk Support the show

    Spike T. Smith (The Damned) Interview: Joining The Damned, Touring With Morrissey, & 50 Years of Punk

About

The Drum Dog Podcast goes deep on the instrument we love. In our interviews, we sit down with world-class drummers, from session players to festival headliners, for honest, unhurried conversations about their playing, their careers and the craft behind the kit. Guests include Bill Bruford, Gavin Harrison Antonio Sánchez, and Mel Gaynor.On 'The Back Beat', our weekly format, Dan talks spotlights drummers worth your attention, goes through albums that are must-listens, worthwhile gear, and think-pieces to ruminate on. Hit follow so you don't miss any drum chat.Drum Dog is the UK membership platform for drummers, combining world-class lesson packs, live events, gear discounts, and an ad-free community. Join at drumdog.com