The Trap Set with Joe Wong

Latest Episodes:

078: Ryan Rapsys (Euphone, Heroic Doses, Gauge) Jul 06, 2016

Show notes

Joe first witnessed Ryan Rapsys's singular brilliance at a basement show in Milwaukee in 1996. Since then, he has considered Ryan one of the very best drummers of his generation. Ryan tells Joe about how he learned to play Rush's 2112 as a toddler; how he burst onto the Chicago rock scene with bands like Gauge, Heroic Doses, and Euphone; how he lost his way after crippling tragedy; and how--now recovered--he is poised to create more great work.

077: Stewart Copeland (The Police, Klark Kent, Animal Logic, Oysterhead) Jun 29, 2016

Show notes

Joe is thrilled to welcome one of his favorite drummers, Stewart Copeland, to The Trap Set. A founding member of The Police, Stewart is one of the most admired and influential drummers of all time. He tells Joe about how drumming made him a man; his father's background as a CIA agent; why he was largely unhappy during The Police's massively successful reign; his film scoring approach; and his parenting philosophy.

BNS: Stewart Copeland Answers Listener Questions Jun 29, 2016

Show notes

In this bonus mini-episode, Joe asks Stewart Copeland listener questions. He talks about group therapy with The Police, his recording approach, Klark Kent, and a famous phrase scrawled on his drum heads.

076: Damon Atkinson (Braid, Hey Mercedes) Jun 21, 2016

Show notes

Damon Atkinson is perhaps best known for his drumming with Braid and Hey Mercedes. His cleverly composed, crisply executed beats are essential elements of those bands' formulas. He tells Joe about becoming fascinated with drumming while still a toddler; his punk rock roots in the northern suburbs of Milwaukee; how his DIY background served him well in the world of music business; and how--at age nineteen--he balanced fatherhood and musical ambition.

075: Edwin Bonilla (Gloria Estefan, Cachao, Celia Cruz, Arturo Sandoval) Jun 15, 2016

Show notes

Edwin Bonilla started his musical journey playing rock and R&B on drum kit, but as a teenager he transitioned to timbales, bongos, and congas. He developed an aggressive, hard-hitting style that brought him to the attention of legends such as: Celia Cruz, Arturo Sandaval, and Stevie Wonder. He is perhaps best known, though, for his decades-long run with Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine. Joe caught up with Edwin before a recent performance of Estefan's hit Broadway musical, On Your Feet.

074: Jody Stephens (Big Star, Golden Smog, Those Pretty Wrongs) Jun 08, 2016

Show notes

Jody Stephens drummed for Big Star, a band that was criminally overlooked during its initial lifetime but eventually became monumentally influential. Jody tells Joe about how he fell in love with drums, why he studied accounting and marketing, his creative role in Big Star, and how he has stayed busy at Memphis's legendary Ardent Studios.

BNS: Gina Schock on Edie and the Eggs Jun 08, 2016

Show notes

In this bonus mini-episode, Gina Schock talks about performing with Baltimore legend and John Waters collaborator, Edith Massey, in Edie and the Eggs.

073: Daru Jones (Jack White, Talib Kweli, The Ruff Pack, Rusic Records) Jun 01, 2016

Show notes

Daru Jones was born to two church music directors; and although he is rooted in Gospel music, he was also drawn to jazz and hip hop at a young age. He tells Joe about living in both the sacred and secular worlds; his genre spanning career; running his own label, Rusic Records; and how faith informs his life.

BNS: Peter Erskine on Generosity Jun 01, 2016

Show notes

Peter Erskine talks about generosity among drummers and jazz musicians in general. Don't be a dick, share your knowledge.

072: Gina Schock (The Go-Go's, House of Schock) May 25, 2016

Show notes

Gina Schock moved from Baltimore to Los Angeles with the intention of becoming a rock star, and she soon fulfilled her dreams as the drummer of The Go-Go's. Gina's monstrous groove and distinctively catchy beats proved integral to the band's iconic sound. She tells Joe about ruling the pop charts; moving forward after the band's initial run, writing hits for Disney stars; recovering from drug addiction; and why she loves music as much as ever.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Trap Set with Joe Wong

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected