Drum Channel Podcast

Latest Episodes:

S2 E33 - Sandy Gennaro Nov 25, 2022

Show notes

Hi everyone, Billy A here; welcome to the Drum Channel Podcast. As drummers, time is a powerful word; In playing and especially in life.
Our guest today, the drummer/author Sandy Gennaro understands the importance of timing in life and has written an inspiring book combining his music career with life lessons titled ”Beating The Odds: In Business & Life.”
Sandy and I chat about the book, our long-time-friendship, his music career with The Monkees, Cyndi Lauper, Joan Jett, Benny Mardones, the legendary Bo Didley and his advice breaking down the importance of B.E.A.T.S. Enjoy!

S2 E32 - Rikki Rockett Nov 18, 2022

Show notes

Welcome to this week’s Drum Channel Podcast. Billy A here with my guest Rikki Rockett, co-founder, drummer, and bonafide rock star of the past three decades with the band Poison.

One of the few groups from the 80s era with all original members, Rikki and Poison, sold over 50 million records. They recently wrapped up the most extensive stadium tour of the year, with Motley Crue, Def Leppard, and Joan Jett.

Rikki and I talk about the music business, and how almost two years of the tour being postponed finally happening, his career with Poison, the best news, a clean-bill of health as a six-year cancer survivor and more.

Please welcome my good buddy Rikki Rockett to Drum Channel. Enjoy!

S2 E31 - Don Lombardi Nov 11, 2022

Show notes

Hi everyone, welcome back to Drum Channel West.

Billy Amendola and DC founder Don Lombardi chat at Thomas Lang’s Westlake Studio to talk about what’s going on at DC as well as reminiscing about teacher/guru Freddie Gruber, hand technic (matched, traditional), the late John Blackwell, the Buddy Rich Tribute concert, and much more. Enjoy.
Happy 50 to Don & Chris Lombardi, John Good, and everyone at DW Drums!

S2 E30 - Liberty DeVitto Nov 04, 2022

Show notes

Welcome to this week’s Drum Channel Podcast featuring Billy Amendola and Liberty DeVitto.
Today Liberty joins Billy in the studio for episode 2 of their “Did You Know?” Series on “Billy’s Bubble” to honor the east coast session legend, Gary Chester.
DeVitto, who’s played on over 150,000 selling albums with Billy Joel, listens and talks about all things drums and drumming with Amendola on recordings by Chester as well as their recording sessions and more.
Enjoy this casual conversation between two long-time friends about their favorite drummers.

S2 E29 - Justin Kreutzmann Oct 28, 2022

Show notes

Hello everyone! Welcome to the Drum Channel podcast with Billy Amendola.

Today’s episode features filmmaker Justin Kreutzmann (the son of The Grateful Dead’s Bill Kreutzmann - who, along with Mickey Hart, is half of the Dead’s driving rhythm section).

Justin, who grew up on the road, directed the new music documentary Let There Be Drums! released today October 28th, 2022. The film is an examination into the crucial role drumming plays in bands and how music passes down from generation to generation.

Listen in on how Justin put it all together and how after the pandemic, and a bit of luck from the universe, everything fell into place naturally.

Let There Be Drums! features (besides his dad Bill and Mickey Hart), Taylor Hawkins, Ringo Starr, Stewart Copeland, Stephen Perkins, Jason Bonham, Mandy Moon, Chad Smith, and Matt Sorum to name a few. The film consists of incredible performances and recordings, along with rare and/or never-before-seen footage.

Enjoy the show and look for “Let There Be Drums” on your favorite streaming platforms.

Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/a-pT2uq02jw

S2 E28 - Cherisse Osei Oct 21, 2022

Show notes

Hi everyone! Billy Amendola here on Drum Channel with my guest (from the UK) Cherisse Osei, best known for her work with the band Simple Minds.

The 80’s band, who had a massive hit with “Don’t You, Forget About Me,” sold over sixty-million records, (long before Cherisse was born-she joined in 2016).

The legendary band is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a brand-new album “Direction of the Heart,” being released today, October 21, 2022, as this podcast premieres.

Let’s welcome Cherisse to Drum Channel as we talk about her joining the band, recording the latest album, her early years growing up in the UK, getting a recording contract with The Faders, (which gave her both touring and recording experience at a young age), her gear setup and her playing and touring with Roxy Music’s Bryan Ferry, Paloma Faith, Mika, Kelly Jones, and in between working at Wembley Music store, and more.

She kindly took time off to speak with us at Drum Channel in between recording for two major film soundtracks, teaching, as well as gearing up to head back out on tour with the band in 2023. Enjoy!

S2 E27 - Herman Matthews Oct 14, 2022

Show notes

Welcome to Drum Channel. I’m Billy Amendola, and my guest today is “The Hermanator” Herman Matthews.

Moving from Houston, Texas to Los Angeles, CA., has put this “groove master” in the drum seat for Kenny Loggins, Richard Marx, Tom Jones, Timothy B. Schmit, Tower of Power, and more.

As a band member for four years, touring with TOP, Matthews also recorded their albums “Souled Out” and “Rhythm & Business,” along with his 2007 solo album “Home at Last.”

We also talk about his “side business” gear, what’s next, and more.

Thank you for tuning in, we’ll see you next week on the Drum Channel Podcast. Enjoy!

S2 E26 - Jacquelene Acevedo Oct 07, 2022

Show notes

Hello everyone, Billy A here in the Drum Channel East studio with percussionist Jacquelene Acevedo. If that name sounds familiar and you’re unfamiliar with Jacquelene, her father is famed percussionist/drummer Memo Acevedo.

Jacquelene spent the last year on Broadway playing with Talking Heads founder David Byrne in his “American Utopia” Broadway play and concert film directed and produced by Spike Lee.

We speak with Jacquelene about Byrne’s show, winning a Grammy and Tony awards, learning from her dad, and her advice for women and men who want to work in the music business.

S2 E25 - Jim McCarty Sep 30, 2022

Show notes

Hello from Drum Channel! Billy Amendola is with his guest today Jim McCarty, co-founder and original member of the 60’s English band the Yardbirds.

Not many can claim to have drummed for three early bandmates who went on to become the greatest guitarists in the world, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and Jeff Beck, who were all in the same band for a short period.

As part of the sixties British Invasion, the band had a string of hits, including the 1965 top-charting songs "For Your Love,” “Heart Full of Soul,” and “Shape of Things.”

Jim is currently on the road with a new line-up as we speak and was kind enough to take a bit of time between shows to talk about his early days and touring today. Also, popping on to say hello is Yardbirds guitarist Godfrey Townshed.

The new group also features along with Townshed and McCarty, bassist Kenny Aaronson.

Jim has been the only drummer/band member in the group for the past five decades. Let’s listen!

S2 E24 - JJ Kramer & John Martin Sep 23, 2022

Show notes

Hi everyone! Welcome back to “Billy’s Bubble” here on Drum Channel. My bubble show is a bit different from my regular weekly podcasts, but the lesson and message is always the same; learning words of wisdom with knowledgeable, successful guests.
This episode is a business theme with my guests Chairman (and son of Creem magazine’s co-founder Barry Kramer), JJ Kramer along with CEO/Publisher John Martin.
Anyone from my generation may recognize the magazine or be reminded; I grew up reading it as a young teenager. It was around for twenty years and then disappeared for over twenty more. Now, it’s back in both monthly digital and four issues a year of print.
Creem magazine was a ground-breaking music magazine back in the day and I’m happy to say, they’re picking up right where they left off. Let’s listen. Enjoy!

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected