Drumeo Gab Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Sput and Nate (Ghost-Note, Snarky Puppy) - It's A Movement May 24, 2020

Show notes

"We are making music for the people. For everyone."

Sput and Nate have been sharing the bandstand together for 15 years. They both played together for the world-renowned band Snarky Puppy but eventually they decided that it was time to develop their own thing and that thing was called Ghost-Note. A wonderful collection of diverse musicians all working together to bring, as Nate had said, "peace, love, harmony and unity to the entire world."

You Will Hear About….

The trip to the Drumeo Festival.
How did Ghost-Note develop into what it is now?
Their intentions with their music.
What they represent is what they attract.
Mailbox money, incentives, and culture within the band.

Why Should You Listen?

Ghost-Note is everywhere, especially within the drumming community. Vic Firth's VFJams, Zildjian Live, essentially you are listening to Ghost-Note. You will get to hear a lot about how the band operates and what their intentions and aspirations are. It is all for the love of music and creating a movement. So, if you are a fan of Ghost-Note, Sput, Nate or Snarky Puppy, you will dig this episode.

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Photo: Ronn Dunnett

VIP - 05/20/20 - The VHS/DVD Episode May 20, 2020

Show notes

VIP is created in part by YOU, the audience. Submit your media to Seamus@drumeo.com.

This week we are discussing our favorite drumming instructional DVDs and VHS tapes.

Opening funk groove performed by Brian "Brain" Mantia from the video "Shredding Repis on the Gnar Gnar Rad" (my favorite drumming education video.)

We have two beats. The first submission is by Jacob Randall and the second one is by Tomas Hoces.

The other two beats are performed by me. I want to start tracking my progress by ending episodes with a groove to Tim Baltes' Drumless tracks.

Harry Miree (LOCASH, HARDY) - Dude ...That Was Heavy May 17, 2020

Show notes

"How much good can you have before the bad comes around?"

Harry Miree is a dude. Actually, let me rephrase. He IS dude. Harry is a touring and session musician who currently lives in Nashville, TN but is originally from Alabama. He also has his own YouTube channel which is fantastic and I strongly recommend that you check it out. Overall, Harry has forged a good career for himself so far and spreads his dudely vibes wherever possible.

The most common response to anyone that knew about this interview was, "oh man, that is going to be so funny!" and I am not sure if this will come as a disappointment or not but this interview is not really funny at all. It is actually the heaviest interview I have ever released. In fact, I think we were both a little disoriented after this chat. It went to some dark places and as it turns out, Harry and I share a lot of parallels in our life experiences.

I had wondered why Harry had chosen humour as his method of delivering content. It just seemed to me that everything he creates for YouTube or the times he has collaborated with Drumeo is focused on comedy. Even my content has been cited by listeners as funny and people always have something to say about my laugh. So, comedy to me is also a big thing that I consider with my content. I believe it has so much to do with my dark past and my path to find happiness. I am getting closer and closer all of the time to realize that but there are definitely setbacks from time to time. So, I wondered if Harry experienced some hard times too. Once I found out what that is, everything started to make sense.

You Will Hear About….

Harry found his career in music but not without opposition.
Feeling guilty for having joy.
What is "dude"?
What did Harry learn about Carter Beauford?
Visualizing our target.
Making difficult yet simple decisions.
Karmic bills.
A tragic part of Harry's past.

Why Should You Listen?

How this interview unfolded was something I have not experienced yet as a journalist. As Harry and I had our chat it became apparent that both him and I share a lot of the same experiences in life. We also have a lot of painful experiences that we are both trying to find a way to process without ignoring. You probably won't hear this side of Harry anywhere else and it was truly a moment of real connection. Hearing it will likely bring up things in you that you have been ignoring or stuffing down.

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VIP - 05/13/20 - The First Drum Set Episode May 13, 2020

Show notes

VIP is created in part by YOU, the audience. Submit your media to Seamus@drumeo.com.

This week we have a listener story submitted by Gene Gonzalez. Check out his drumstick holders here :)

Here is the TED Talk video Reuben Spyker was talking about.

Beat submissions were provided by Lucas Farran and Vinny Werneck

Today we are talking about our first drum set. I read comments, I share my own first drum set story, a Harry Miree podcast teaser clip and we have a lot of laughs too.

Aquiles Priester (Angra, Hanger, W.A.S.P.) - Iron Will May 10, 2020

Show notes

"When you know you're well prepared and you have the passion. No one can stop you."

Aquiles Priester is a national treasure to Brazil. Without question, he is one of the best and most well-known heavy metal drummers alive today. His career spans over thirty-years and features credits such as playing drums for W.A.S.P., Tony McAlpine, Angra, Hanger, and up until this Covid pandemic, he was gearing up to perform with DragonForce. Of course, his list of artists that he has worked with is much longer than what I listed here.

Aquiles' career is an incredible story of perseverance and passion. It took him many years to reach the level of success that he enjoys today. He gave up on his dreams for music being his full-time career to work for Dana Incorporated and dedicated himself to that job. He actually made a good career for himself by working up the ranks. However, his passion for music took over, once again, and this time for good.

It took many years but since the year 2000, Aquiles has found his success in the music industry. His story is one of how passion can guide us to our true selves and that without enough patience and effort anything is possible.

You Will Hear About….

Why Aquiles puts so much pressure on himself.
Aquiles, the soccer player?
What was Tropical Band?
Aquiles' first drums.
How Aquiles finally found success in the music industry.
What practice looks like for Aquiles.
How Aquiles feels about his son not taking up drums.
What Eloy Casagrande taught Aquiles.

Why Should You Listen?

Aquiles Priester's story is very inspirational. It creates a wonderful backstory to what you witness now when he plays. I see someone who is doing what they are meant to do. That feeling of, "finally, we're back here again!", when you step behind the kit. Even if it was only an hour or two since you last played, you are so happy to be back. That is what I see when I see Aquiles play.

It is a tremendous takeaway to behold when you are hearing about how much work it takes to get to an elite level. It is well earned and we can all have our own version of that with enough passion and commitment to something.

Aquiles' Socials

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Photo: Ronn Dunnett

VIP - 05/06/20 - Why Drum? May 06, 2020

Show notes

VIP is created in part by YOU, the audience. Submit your media to Seamus@drumeo.com.

Huge shoutout to Austin Koziol (groovi_drums) for his voice memo this week. I always had hoped that at some point the podcast would provide a strong positive influence on our drumming community. For everyone who has ever reached out to inform me of your love of this podcast; thank you! It means a lot to me that drummers from all over the world look forward to future episodes and that it is part of your weekly routine. You will have content to enjoy for years to come and I hope that you will continue to pop by and say hello.

We have two beats this week. Tim Buell and Bucket & Sticks

The music collab was with Donald Waugh and me.

Dom Famularo (Global Drumming Ambassador) - Surrender To Passion May 03, 2020

Show notes

"We only own now."

Dom Famularo is probably the happiest guy that you will ever meet in your life. He maintains a high degree of optimism all of the time and is simply infectious. It is no wonder why he is known as the "Global Drumming Ambassador". He has traveled all over the world to present his masterclasses and clinics and was also the first western drum educator to perform clinics in China. Dom has been one of the most sought after drum teachers for over forty years and to this day maintains a student list of 2500 students. He has also authored two books, "It's Your Move" and "The Cycle of Self-Empowerment". The list of accolades and achievements are immense with Dom and he shows zero signs of slowing down.

Besides the educational side and the public speaking, Dom is an incredible drummer as well. His solos tend to have dramatic peaks and valleys dynamically. Dom really sucks you in with his storytelling. I always hear a stealthy army approaching the enemy quietly creeping in and then a battle ensues! An absolute brutal assault from pounding double-bass drums thundering beneath the flurry of cymbal crashes and tom rolls. It is unmistakable.

Dom's enthusiasm for life and music is the kind of genuine inspiration that is great for people. In many ways, he is my personal role model and I feel very fortunate to know him and to have had some incredible moments with him. This interview with him was very fulfilling and many times over I felt my body tingle with his positivity and energy. I hope that everyone feels that when they listen to this.

You Will Hear About….

How Dom became the speaker he is today despite having a stutter when he was a child.
Learning why it is important to focus on how you deliver a message.
Dom's 3 E's.
Whether Dom's drum students show signs of improvement in other areas of their life due to drumming.
Why do people squash their passions?
Why is drumming a great option for people to take up?
How would Dom help convince a drummer to stick with drumming?
Whether Dom can tell true passion from temporary inspiration?

Why Should You Listen?

This episode with Dom is vitamins. Despite the short length of this episode, there is so much jammed into it. It is an incredibly full episode with nothing to waste. Dom's message is one that could make a difference in a person's life and for that reason alone, it might be worth your time. To learn a bit more about human compassion, communication skills, diving headfirst into your passion, and living a life that is purposefully yours.

Dom's Socials

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube (The Sessions Panel)

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Photo: Ronn Dunnett

VIP - 04/29/20 - The Influences Episode Apr 29, 2020

Show notes

VIP is created in part by YOU, the audience. Submit your media to Seamus@drumeo.com.

Today's episode deals with our drumming influences. I take a deep dive into my top 10 drumming influences, comment reads, and other ramblings.

The beat featured today comes from Austin Koziol.

Steve Smith (Vital Information, Steps Ahead, Journey) - Evolution Is Vital Apr 26, 2020

Show notes

"I allow it to be what it is."

Steve Smith is a treasure to drumming culture. He was inducted into the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame", he's been awarded many times over in the industry including the Modern Drummer readers poll where he was voted "Best All-Around Drummer" five years in a row. The list goes on and on and you will always find him on the top 100 drummers of all time lists as well. There is no question that Steve Smith is one of the finest drummers in history.

He is probably best known to most people as the drummer for Journey. He would end up recording six albums, including Journey's most popular album "Escape", during his tenure with them. However, regardless of his massive success with Journey, Steve is a jazz drummer at heart. He has been the bandleader of his group Vital Information since the early seventies and of course, in between has been a sideman for artists such as Jean-Luc Ponty, Steps Ahead, Dweezil Zappa, Bryan Adams, Savage Garden and many others.

What I find personally fascinating about Steve is his evolution as a musician. When I watch performances from the '70s and '80s, I hear a completely different Steve Smith than what he is today. With his introduction to Carnatic music by the great Zakir Hussain, Steve's path went far in that direction. If you look at his path of development, he has had many deep periods of growth. In my opinion, I can't think of many drummers who have mastered as many disciplines within drumming as Steve has.

I would imagine that Steve will always be on a path of discovery and refinement with music and drumming. Even quite recently, since COVID-19, he has stated that he has gone back to basics, practicing slowly. Even after over 60 years of playing the drums, Steve is still going back to basics to continue improving and evolving and that is truly inspiring.

You Will Hear About….

Steve's headaches with being a bandleader.
How Steve allows musicians' true selves to alter the delivery of his music.
The fascinating story of how Steve was introduced to Carnatic and Hindustani music.
Steve's approach to learning new music quickly.
Steve's drum art.
Steve on pursuing our creative passions.
Steve's experience adapting and transitioning to learning how to play with a click.
The value of seeing live music.

Why Should You Listen?

Well, an interview with Steve Smith is not something to pass on. He has so much knowledge that is backed up by profound levels of experience. He is someone we should be listening to and learning from. Besides that, his story about how he learned Konnakol and his time with Zakir is truly fascinating stuff.

Steve's Socials

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Photo: Ronn Dunnett

VIP - 04/22/20 - The Big Project Episode Apr 22, 2020

Show notes