Global Drum Network

Welcome to Episode 15 of the Global Drum Network podcast. This time we feature our exclusive interview with DYLAN HOWE. Noted particularly for his work on drums with WILKO JOHNSON (on whose tour we catch up with him here), IAN DURY AND THE BLOCKHEADS and his father’s iconic Progrockers YES, Dylan is an accomplished and established figure on the jazz scene, as a Bandleader, Composer and Session Player. We caught up backstage with Dylan as he enjoyed a little quiet time preparing for a show with the legendary Rhythm & Blues guitar eccentric WILKO JOHNSON. Don’t be surprised if there’s an unexpected contribution from Wilko himself (if not his Game of Thrones alter ego). So, as always, put your sticks down for a minute, take the weight off your feet, and enjoy! Oh, and always remember; Whatever you play, Play it with passion!

Welcome to Episode 14 of the Global Drum Network podcast. This time we’re featuring our exclusive interview with the Funk-tastic PETE RAY BIGGIN, who has been tearing up stages all over Europe and beyond with the brilliant LEVEL 42, and driving his own project, the equally funky PB UNDERGROUND. With the latter outfit, Pete’s having to wear all the hats, from Songwriting to Producing and Arranging. It all makes the actual drumming part of day the most relaxing. Just as well he’s a bundle of energy! Anyway, his journey from Sheffield hopeful to driving along sell-out tours with the band he idolised as a kid is a fascinating one. Join us backstage in Bournemouth as he talks us through it all; Put your sticks down for a minute, take the weight off your feet and enjoy! Oh, and please be aware that if you're offended by swearing, Pete 'keeps it real' with his fruity expletives. In fact, you could say he's our sweariest guest to date! Anyway, if that hasn't put you off (and I hope it hasn’t), always remember; Whatever you play, Play it with passion!

Welcome to Episode 13 of the Global Drum Network podcast. This time we have not one, not two, but THREE drummers for your delight and delectation. We went to the Colston Hall, Bristol, to see all three of them performing onstage together, but only two of them were playing drums on the night. The other is the man whose name is at the top of the bill, the star of the show, Mister PAUL CARRACK. Labelled by the BBC as ‘THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN VOICE’, Paul is not only a highly successful singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist in his own right, but an in-demand session man for a huge list of massive worldwide stars, bands and artists including Eric Clapton, Squeeze, Mike & The Mechanics and many more. No doubt you’ve heard his distinctive, soulful voice on instantly-recognisable hits like ‘The Living Years’, ‘Over my shoulder’ and ‘Tempted’, but did you know that this man of many talents started out on his musical journey as a drummer? Not only that, he’s been playing drums on his own albums for many years now. We get to hear his modest take on his own drumming skills, and of course some of the drumming royalty with whom he’s worked; Steve Gadd, Steve Jordan and Gilson Lavis, to name but a few. Paul also tells us about setting up his own record company after releasing himself from a major label, and the night his whole live show was stolen lock, stock and barrel (including the truck!) while his crew slept just yards away in a hotel. Before that, we also got to shoot the breeze with the two drummers who keep Paul's live band on their toes; Long-time stalwart DEAN DUKES and Paul's son JACK CARRACK. Put your sticks down for a minute, take the weight off your feet ... and always remember; WHATEVER YOU PLAY, PLAY IT WITH PASSION!

Welcome to Episode 12, featuring the one and only LLOYD RYAN. In a very busy career spanning many decades at the top of his game, Lloyd has worked with over 100 top-line acts from Comic Magic Maestro TOMMY COOPER to Eurovision winners THE BROTHERHOOD OF MAN. Along the way, he's appeared in many feature films, countless TV shows and played as many as 7 gigs in a day! When he's not been driving bands along (including his own Big Band), Lloyd has been a passionate teacher. So far his successful students have played on over 70 Top 10 singles between them, and counting. His book 'The complete drum tutor' has been in print since 1981, and continues to be one of the top texts on the subject. With all this going on, it's a wonder he's had any time to breathe, but at the height of UK wrestling's popularity in the 1970s, Lloyd was the spokesman and rabble-rouser for the sport's most mysterious masked man; KENDO NAGASAKI! Have a listen, as Lloyd guides us through his extraordinary life in music and mayhem! And, whatever you play, Play it with passion!

Welcome to episode 11, which is another bumper feast of drumming goodness featuring exclusive interviews with two of the UK’s greatest giants. ASH SOAN is known worldwide as one of THE go-to guys for both recording and live work and his extensive CV backs this up. From Grammy award-winner ADELE to DEL AMITRI, FAITHLESS and SQUEEZE, JAMES MORRISON and many more, Ash is also the resident drummer on BBC TV’s primetime series ‘THE VOICE’. Ash is very relaxed company as he talks us through his career to date. Also on this episode we talk exclusively with BOB ARMSTRONG. For many years Bob has been known as ‘ The Teacher’s Teacher ‘, as so many of his students have gone on to enjoy stellar careers around the world. Nowadays he concentrates his formidable energies on this role, having stepped back from the gruelling world of the West End theatrical orchestra pit. Here he made many of the most demanding gigs his own following a long career backing the very biggest names in show business. We hope you enjoy this episode and, as always, remember: Whatever You Play, Play it with Passion!

Welcome to episode 10. In this bumper edition you'll find our exclusive interviews with the mighty MEL GAYNOR of SIMPLE MINDS and TIM BROUGHTON from PROVENANCE DRUMS. Mel needs little introduction as his work with epic stadium-rockers Simple Minds has taken him all around the world for over 30 years, but did you know he was already well established as a leading session man before getting that call? His CV includes the likes of Tina Turner, The Pretenders, Robert Palmer, Imagination, The Nolans and many more. We also catch up with TIM BROUGHTON from PROVENANCE DRUMS. Tim combines his twin passions of drums and engineering history by building custom snare drums from the most exotic of rare materials, all of which have a unique and inspiring past. We hope you enjoy the episode, and always remember; Whatever You Play, Play It With Passion!

Welcome to Episode 9, this time it’s our exclusive interview with special guest MARK BRZEZECKI. Mark is one of those drummers whose style is so innovative and instantly recognisable that he’s inspired a whole generation of players. That’s why he’s so often mentioned in the same breath as his contemporary Stuart Copeland, and that’s also why he’s so much in demand! He came to prominence as the driving force behind the huge BIG COUNTRY, and has also brought his unique style to the work of THE CULT, PROCOL HARUM, JOAN ARMATRADING, MIDGE URE, PETE TOWNSHEND, NIK KERSHAW and the PRINCE’S TRUST ALL-STAR HOUSE BAND among many others. This is a bumper episode at nearly an hour and half, as Mark has so much good stuff to say about all the above PLUS his highly resourceful early solution to noisy practice! We hope you enjoy the podcast, and always remember; Whatever you Play, Play it with Passion!

Welcome to episode 8. This time we have a bumper edition for you, featuring exclusive interviews with CRAIG BLUNDELL, CHRIS ‘WOODY WOOD’ from BASTILLE and a report from the FREDDIE GEE DRUM ACADEMY. Workaholic CRAIG BLUNDELL is possibly the busiest drummer on the planet, with an work ethic which puts most of the world to shame. For some time established as one of THE most inspirational clinicians and teachers around, Craig has become an accomplished composer, arranger and producer too, with recent credits including the whole of BBC Radio’s current jingles and TV ads for Jaguar. At last year’s Gadget Show Live events, he spread the e-drumming word to over 100,000 visitors on the NEC’s main stage. Clinic tours and assignments take him all around the world in his roles as Global Ambassador for both Roland and Premier Percussion, and Craig recently enjoyed recording and touring with one of prog’s best-loved bands, Pendragon. As you’ll hear, Craig’s career journey has been unorthodox yet underpinned by self discipline, immense drive, enthusiasm and determination. Oh, and he’s a real people person who can really play too! Meanwhile, Chris ‘Woody’ Wood is riding the crest of a wave with his BRIT award-winning band BASTILLE flying high. Their meteoric rise continues unabated and as you’ll hear, Woody had to pull out all the stops to squeeze his first ever masterclass performance into the band’s hectic schedule. Woody’s story is one to encourage us all; working away at the original material while building a following and taking covers gigs to keep the bills paid. All that hard work is certainly paying off now, as Bastille continue to break into new markets around the world while working on the follow up album to their debut success, ‘All This Bad Blood’. We round off episode 8 with a look at the annual FREDDIE GEE DRUM ACADEMY, and a quick chat with some of the course participants to give you a flavour of this exceptional annual event. Thanks for reading, hope you enjoy the podcast. And always remember ... Whatever You Play, Play It With Passion!

Welcome to Episode 7, featuring our exclusive interview with the extraordinary PETE LOCKETT. Probably the finest world percussionist on the planet, Pete's CV features work with a host of A-listers in addition to being an accomplished artist in his own right. He's also composed, arranged and performed the ethnic percussion parts on the last 5 James Bond movies, has developed his own smartphone app and is now a published novelist! Enjoy, and always remember; Whatever you Play, Play it with Passion!

Welcome to Episode 6, featuring our exclusive interview with '70s legend DON POWELL of SLADE. As you'll hear, he's really lived the dream while powering the world's favourite GlamRock giants for more then 40 years of hellraising. And don't miss his tale of being attacked on live kids' TV by SHEP, the Blue Peter dog. It's a belter! Rounding off the show we preview this year's London Drum Show and celebrate the launch of our new website: www.globaldrumnetwork.com . Thanks for listening, and always remember; Whatever you Play, Play it with Passion!

Well Folks, it's been a long time coming, but here at last is Episode 5 of the Global Drum Network podcast. This time we're taking a long, hard look at the visceral, epic percussive art that is TAIKO DRUMMING, as practised by the mighty MUGENKYO TAIKO DRUMMERS. They're Europe's only touring Taiko ensemble, and they're thunderously good. In Bob's exclusive interview, Mugenkyo's founder NEIL MACKIE gives us the lowdown on all things Taiko, the group itself and he takes us on a walk-through of the individual instruments ontsage prior to curtain-up. Coming up next month is DON POWELL of glam rock giants SLADE ( and it's not even CHRISTMAAAASSS!! ). Get your platform boots on for that one!

Welcome to episode 4 of the Global Drum Network podcast, featuring our interview with the highly acclaimed GILSON LAVIS. World-renowned for his drumming with SQUEEZE and JOOLS HOLLAND'S RHYTHM & BLUES ORCHESTRA, Gilson's eclectic career spans 5 decades and he's worked with almost everyone you can name. As you'll hear, he's also an accomplished artist and eloquent raconteur. Enjoy, and always remember; Whatever you play, Play it with passion!

Welcome to episode 3 of the Global Drum Network, our first of 2014. In this bumper, extended edition we welcome some special guests to the studio for exclusive interviews and more. First up is ex-International Footballer-turned-broadcaster and now percussion instrument inventor DION DUBLIN. He joins us for a chat about drums, professional sport and life lessons in general before leading a roomful of us in an inspirational DUBE JAM. Next in is drummer and author SPIKE WEBB. After an entertaining discussion he reads some excerpts from his first book ' Mad, Bad and Dangerous - The Book of Drummers' Tales '. Listen up for details of how you can win a signed book and DVD package in our great competition. And last but by no means least in anyone's book, drumming legend BOB HENRIT ( Argent / The Kinks ) tells us about a couple of books he's working on. We hope you enjoy this special edition. If you do, please feel free to tell your friends, follow us on Twitter ( @GlobalDrumNet ) or 'Like' us on Facebook ( Global Drum Network ). Thanks for listening, and always remember; Whatever You Play, Play It With Passion!

Welcome to episode 2 of the Global Drum Network. Features this time include interviews with some truly inspirational players: STEVE WHITE ( Paul Weller / Style Council / Oasis / Trio Valore ), CHERISSE OSEI ( Mika / Paloma Faith / Bryan Ferry ) and BOB HENRIT ( Argent / The Kinks / Adam Faith ). And always remember: Whatever you play, Play it with Passion!

Welcome to our first episode!On this special edition we feature a report from the annual FREDDIE GEE DRUM ACADEMY, including interviews with STEVE WHITE, PETE CATER and GEOFF DUGMORE. We also take a look at the ethereal world of the haunting instrument that is THE HANG (played by our guest CLOUDSONG), and take a fond look back at the life and career of the late, great COZY POWELL. Enjoy, and remember; WHATEVER YOU PLAY, PLAY IT WITH PASSION!