Drum History

Latest Episodes:

The Gear of Steve Gadd (Part 3) with Steve Gadd, Paul Wells and John DeChristopher Oct 15, 2026

Show notes

🥁 STEVE GADD’S GADDIMENTS - GET YOUR COPY HERE! https://link.amazon/B0gpNPICM What does it take to create the sound of one of the most influential drummers of all time? We’re diving into the gear, stories, and musical approach of the legendary Steve Gadd, joined by Steve himself, Paul Wells, and John DeChristopher! From iconic recordings like Steely Dan’s Aja and Paul Simon’s 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover to decades of groundbreaking performances, Steve Gadd has inspired generations of drummers with his incredible feel, creativity, and unmistakable sound. In this episode, we explore the gear behind the legend and get insights from the people who know his playing and equipment best. It’s a unique opportunity to hear directly from Steve Gadd himself and learn more about the tools and techniques behind his legendary sound. Whether you’re a longtime Gadd fan, a gear enthusiast, or a drummer looking to expand your musical knowledge, this is an episode you won’t want to miss! 🥁 THANK YOU TO PASIC FOR SPONSORING THIS EPISODE! The Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) brings together drummers and percussionists from around the world for an incredible celebration of music, education, and percussion. Don’t miss Steve Gadd LIVE at PASIC! 📅 Friday, November 13, 2026 🕐 1:00 PM EST Come experience a special conversation with one of the greatest drummers of all time, hosted by John DeChristopher! 🎟️ Learn more about PASIC and plan your visit: https://pas.org/pasic Join my YouTube membership channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6-idkIENcqobRy0s9Jc5Yw/join **JOIN PATREON** https://www.patreon.com/drumhistorypodcast

The Gear of Steve Gadd (Part 2) with Paul Wells Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

In Part 2 of our deep-dive into the gear of Steve Gadd, Paul Wells returns to unpack even more forensic-level details about one of the most influential drummers of all time. Building on the wildly popular Part 1, this episode revisits earlier conclusions with new photographic evidence, listener-submitted research, rare interviews, and meticulous analysis of Steve Gadd’s drum kits, heads, sizes, cymbals, and studio backline setups from the mid-1970s through the 1990s. We explore: • Newly discovered photos from Saturday Night Live (1975) confirming early drumhead choices • The evolution of Gadd’s Pearl/Gretsch hybrid kit • Deep analysis of Yamaha Recording Custom Kit #1 and #2 • Evidence-based breakdown of the Steely Dan “Aja” drum kit myth • Backline vs personal kits on classic recordings • The transition from Recording Custom to Maple Custom and early signature kit prototypes If you love drum history, gear archaeology, and Steve Gadd, this one goes deep into the weeds—in the best way possible. 📺 Highly recommended to watch on YouTube — this episode includes extensive photo references throughout.

https://youtu.be/aElL-iXetrc

New Show! The Fully Vented Podcast: The Story of Orange County Drum & Percussion Nov 12, 2025

Show notes

I am super excited to share with you the first episode of this great new podcast!

The Fully Vented Podcast: the story of Orange County Drum & Percussion

By host Jarrod Fallon and producer Evan Nagorner

New episodes premiere every Thursday at 8PM EST on Patreon and then everywhere else Saturday’s at 11AM (YouTube + everywhere you listen on all podcast platforms). Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/@FullyVentedPodcast

They also have a bonus segment exclusively on Patreon where we dive into what drums our guests still have in their collection!

Upcoming guest include the majority of the custom shop builders, their ghost builder, and many of the drummers that played the legendary drums, like Stevo 32 former drummer of Sum 41, Cyrus Bolooki of New Found Glory, Chris Hornbook of Poison The Well, and many more!

You can follow the podcast @FullyVentedPodcast on all socials and Youtube for updates and join their Patreon at Patreon.com/fullyventedpodcast

How Drum Sample Packs Are Created with Shawn Fields and Darrell Thorp Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Bart talks with Shawn Fields, founder of Drumatica, and Grammy-winning audio engineer Darrell Thorp (Radiohead, Beck, Foo Fighters) about the creation of the groundbreaking Black Oyster drum sample library.

Shawn shares how his lifelong obsession with capturing the perfect drum sound evolved from sampling friends’ kits in the ’90s to launching Drumatica — a company dedicated to delivering “mix-ready” virtual drum instruments for musicians everywhere. He explains how years of experimentation, precision sampling, and collaboration with Sweetwater Studios led to the creation of this meticulously detailed collection.

Darrell dives into the mixing philosophy behind the Black Oyster project — from mic placement and compression choices to balancing vintage warmth with modern punch. Together, they explore how Drumatica aims to empower musicians, producers, and songwriters with authentic acoustic drum sounds that inspire creativity right out of the box.

The discussion also covers:

The origins of the “automatic drummer” concept
The painstaking process of recording and tuning hundreds of drum hits
Collaborations with top engineers like Brendan Dekora
The evolving role of AI in music creation and how Drumatica plans to use it
Why capturing every nuance of a performance still matters in the digital age

Whether you’re a drummer, producer, or recording enthusiast, this episode offers a fascinating look at the art, science, and obsession behind modern drum sampling.

🎵 Learn more at: www.Drumatica.com and www.darrellthorp.com/

Save 30% with code drumhistory30

A Look at the Gear of Steve Gadd (Part 1) with Paul Wells Oct 07, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Drum History, we take an in-depth look at the legendary gear of Steve Gadd, one of the most recorded and influential drummers of all time.

Our returning guest, Paul Wells (Juilliard jazz faculty, Curtis Stigers, Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks), joins host Bart van der Zee for another ultra-detailed “gear episode” exploring the drums that shaped Gadd’s sound across his incredible career. Part 1 covers from Childhood to 1989.

From his early Gretsch and Rogers kits to the iconic Yamaha setup that became synonymous with his style, we trace how each era of his gear evolved — and how innovations like his tom configurations, hi-hat preferences, and snare choices influenced generations of drummers.

Paul also shares insights from his exclusive interview with Steve Gadd, arranged with help from John DeChristopher (Live From My Drum Room), and stories from Artie Smith, Steve’s longtime drum tech.

Links and resources:

📘 Steve Gadd: A Life in Time by Joe Bergamini (Hudson Music)

https://amzn.to/3KvLSP9

🥁 Gaddiments – Steve’s book of modern rudimental exercises

https://amzn.to/4h4rgd2

🎥 Ruben van Roon’s YouTube channel for rare Steve Gadd performances and breakdowns

https://www.youtube.com/@RubenvanRoonDrumChannel

and of course, Live from My Drum Room with John DeChristopher

https://www.youtube.com/@livefrommydrumroom

If you love deep gear history, detailed analysis, and legendary drumming stories, this is one you won’t want to miss.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Intro & Steve Gadd overview

2:30 – Early Gretsch kits and childhood setup

10:00 – Rogers kits, The Hustle, and the disco era

20:00 – Army years & rare cymbal stories

28:00 – Yamaha era and gear innovations

45:00 – Interview with Steve Gadd preview

55:00 – Books, resources & legacy

🎙️ Hosted by Bart van der Zee

🎵 Guest: Paul Wells

https://www.youtube.com/@paulwells2227

Your Mind’s Ear: Dave Elitch on Sound, Gear, and Playing Without Pain Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

Drummer and educator Dave Elitch (The Mars Volta, Weezer, Miley Cyrus) joins me to break down why so many drummers hit a ceiling—and how to fix it with better mechanics, smarter practice, and choices that actually translate to the kit. We dig into eliminating hidden tension, building sustainable speed and feel, practical tuning and muffling, and Dave’s new course Your Mind’s Ear on dialing in sound and gear (launching September 8, 2025).

Highlights

The #1 mistake: building speed on top of tension—and how to unwind it
Meeting players where they are: playing “more you” without pain
Social media vs. reality: flashy techniques that won’t hold up on a gig
Practical tuning & muffling (heads, dampening, avoiding dead drums)
Small daily habits that prevent injury and compound progress

Find Dave

Website/Courses: www.daveelitch.com

Instagram: @daveelitch

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How To Pronounce the Tough Drum Brand Names with Eric Leiderman Feb 04, 2025

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Ever wondered if you’ve been saying Tama, Paiste, or Sonor correctly? You’re not alone! In this episode, Late Night with Seth Meyers producer and friend to all drummer's, Eric Leiderman joins the show to settle the debate on how to pronounce some of the most commonly mispronounced drum brands.

We break down the correct pronunciations of brands like Ludwig, Zildjian, Meinl, Sabian, Canopus, Trixon, Gretsch, and more, with recordings from the companies themselves.! Whether you’re a seasoned drummer or just starting out, this episode is a must-listen to make sure you’re saying these legendary names the right way.

Tune in and never mispronounce Paiste again!

Follow Eric on social media at @erx11

Drumming Insights: A look at "Drummers on Drumming" with Ben Hilzinger Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

We are joined by Ben Hilzinger, professional drummer and author of Drummers on Drumming, to explore the stories behind the records that shaped the legends of the drumming world. Ben shares his experiences performing with bands like Cannons and Eve 6, hosting his acclaimed podcast, and diving into the journeys of iconic and up-and-coming drummers through his book.

Discover the challenges, inspirations, and unique philosophies that define what it means to be a drummer today. Whether you're a seasoned percussionist, an aspiring player, or just someone who loves great music, this interview is packed with insights to inspire your musical journey. Don't miss this engaging conversation with a creative force in the drumming community!

📖 Purchase Drummers on Drumming: https://amzn.to/4gYwZ2Y

🎧 Connect with Ben: https://benhilzinger.com/ or on social media @benhilzinger

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The History of How We Buy Drums with Gerry Porter Dec 24, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating history and evolution of buying and selling drums with special guest Gerry Porter of Hazelshould.com. From the dapper beginnings of mom-and-pop drum shops in bustling cities to the rise of mail-order catalogs that revolutionized access to musical instruments, we trace the industry's transformation. We'll explore how massive retailers like Guitar Center and Sam Ash brought drums to the masses and discuss how platforms like eBay and Reverb.com shifted the marketplace entirely online.

Gerry Porter brings his deep insights and expertise to this episode. Don’t miss his thoughtful takes on how these changes have shaped the way drummers find and sell gear today.

Check out Gerry Porter's website for everything you could ever need or want for your drum set: www.hazelshould.com

Finding a New Rhythm: Ryan Dusick on Life After Maroon 5 Dec 10, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, we dive deep into the extraordinary journey of Ryan Dusick, the original drummer for Maroon 5. Ryan shares his experiences of rising to fame with one of the world’s most popular bands, the mental health and substance struggles that forced him to step away, and his remarkable path to recovery. We discuss how he rebuilt his life, found a new purpose as a therapist, and authored his powerful memoir Harder to Breathe. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about resilience, self-discovery, and creating a new rhythm in life.

Learn more about Ryan here: https://www.ryandusick.com/

Purchase "Harder to Breathe" here: https://amzn.to/3VwzsZE

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