The Trap Set with Joe Wong

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175: Tony Hajjar (At The Drive-In, Sparta, Gone is Gone) Jul 11, 2018

Show notes

Tony Hajjar's explosive, emotionally-raw style propelled At The Drive-In to mainstream success. He tells Joe about emigrating to the US from Lebanon, losing both of his parents at an early age, his tight relationship with his brother, the band dynamic of ATDI, breaking up just after breaking into the mainstream, Sparta, staying in a psychological "survival mode", creating the stability he's always craved, and creating a thriving business with his wife.

174: Kate Schellenbach (Luscious Jackson, Beastie Boys) Jul 04, 2018

Show notes

Kate Schellenbach's formative musical experience was in the choir at the Church of St. Luke in Greenwich Village; but soon enough, she was watching Clem Burke do lines at CBGB. Kate tells Joe about drumming for an early, punk-influenced version of The Beastie Boys; achieving popular success with Luscious Jackson; singing on Broadway as a child; her second career as an Emmy-Award-winning TV producer; and raising a son.

173: John "J.R." Robinson (Rufus, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Daft Punk, etc.) Jun 27, 2018

Show notes

John "J.R" Robinson has an extraordinary sense of time, a crisp tone, and a gift for developing rhythmic hooks. All of these attributes contribute to his status as one of the most in-demand session drummers of all time. Joe visited J.R. at his home to discuss: his childhood in Iowa; why his drum set was his best friend; attending Berklee College; joining Rufus and moving to LA; working with a host of iconic artists; and why marriage is a bad idea (at least until you have your life together).

172: Pete Moffett (Government Issue, Wool, Burning Airlines, Second Letter, etc.) Jun 20, 2018

Show notes

Pete Moffett cut his teeth in the DC punk scene, where he developed a signature style balancing angular inventiveness with oversized bombast. He talks to Joe about why he's so hard on himself; transitioning from an ELO-heavy diet to punk rock; the ramifications of being a recovering alcoholic; coming out and meeting his partner of 25 years; and drum teching for high profile artists.

171: Dave Elitch (Antemasque, Justin Timberlake, M83, Killer Be Killed) Jun 13, 2018

Show notes

Dave Elitch has the rare ability to deconstruct the craft of drumming on a granular level. This gift has led to a diversity gigs ranging from The Mars Volta to Justin Timberlake. Dave's primary passion, though, is for teaching. At age 34, he's taught a who's-who of professional drummers, some of whom are twice Dave's age and icons in their own right. Dave tells Joe about how he fell in love with drumming; his teaching style; his love of visual art; and the parallels between therapy and drum instruction.

BNS: Ezra Miller Jun 13, 2018

Show notes

In this bonus mini-episode, actor Ezra Miller (Justice League, Fantastic Beasts) talks about harnessing anxiety for creative endeavors, diarrhea, and Philip Glass. This is an excerpt from an upcoming episode about actors who are also drummers. Check out the debut album from Ezra's band, Sons of an Illustrious Father, out now!

170: Brian Blade (Fellowship, Wayne Shorter, Joni Mitchell, etc.) Jun 06, 2018

Show notes

Brian Blade burst on the scene in the early 90s and has since distinguished himself as one of the all time greats.

Brian met with Joe in Chicago to discuss: his musical beginnings in church; how he developed his gifts as an artist; what he learned from his older brother, drummer Brady Blade; working with iconoclasts ranging from Joni Mitchell to Wayne Shorter; being "in the moment, almost to a fault"; reuniting with his childhood sweetheart after nearly 30 years apart; and how within any one thing, everything else exists.

Musical mythology is rife with stories of troubled genius. As an antidote, here's a conversation with a thoroughly joyful genius.

169: Brad Wilk (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, Prophets of Rage) May 30, 2018

Show notes

Rage Against the Machine is an exceptionally rare band that managed to combine a radical, populist message with massive popular success. At the core of the band is Brad Wilk's drumming, which combines an explosive groove and hypnotic use of space. Brad visits The Trap Set to discuss: his formative love of Van Halen; Studying with David Garibaldi; the creative dynamic of RATM, Audioslave, and Prophets of Rage; playing flute; his family's roots in the jewelry business; parenting; a nine month love affair with cocaine; and his growing interest in meditation. Finally, he answers listeners' questions.

168: Michael Shrieve (Santana, Go, Solo Artist) May 23, 2018

Show notes

In 1969, Michael Shrieve took the world by storm with his jaw-dropping performance at Woodstock. His raw power, combined with jazz-inflected finesse, was a crucial component to the band's success. Over the subsequent 50 years, Michael's adventurous body of work has comprised collaborations with: Stomu Yamashta, Steve Winwood, Al Di Meola, Klaus Schulze, Andy Summers, Mick Jagger, etc. Joe met with Michael at his studio in Seattle to discuss Michael's childhood as a devout alter boy; his first drum kit (made from scraps of carpet); joining Santana and rocketing to superstardom as a teenager; his "left of center" aesthetic; creative inertia; guru shopping; and how too much success strained his relationship with a famous bandleader.

167: Live from KEXP, Seattle May 16, 2018

Show notes

This week, we share Joe's epic live panel with Matt Cameron (Soundgarden, Pearl Jam); Ruby Dunphy (Thunderpussy); Tendai Maraire (Shabazz Palaces); and Jason McGerr (Death Cab for Cutie). This episode was recorded in front of a capacity crowd at KEXP in Seattle.

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