A podcast all about the rich history of the drums - and how they became what they are today! Join Bart van der Zee as he speaks with experts about the curious journey of the ever-evolving drum set.
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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
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 • Duration 43:46
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
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 • Duration 01:10:57
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
Tuesday, October 7, 2025 • Duration 02:12:41
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
Tuesday, August 12, 2025 • Duration 50:22
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
Tuesday, February 4, 2025 • Duration 01:06:28
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
Tuesday, January 21, 2025 • Duration 01:05:20
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
** CHECK OUT MY GEAR ON SWEETWATER **
https://imp.i114863.net/yRYRGN
** 30 DAY FREE DRUMEO TRIAL **
https://drumeo.pxf.io/c/3607735/1268414/14652
**JOIN PATREON**
https://www.patreon.com/drumhistorypodcast
**I record interviews with Riverside.FM - I highly recommend it. Here is my affiliate link: https://riverside.fm/?via=bart-vanderzee
The History of How We Buy Drums with Gerry Porter
Tuesday, December 24, 2024 • Duration 01:14:30
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
Tuesday, December 10, 2024 • Duration 49:55
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
A Deep Dive into Shakers with William Johnson
Tuesday, November 26, 2024 • Duration 54:04
Join us as we explore the fascinating world of shakers, one of the most versatile and underrated percussive instruments! In this episode, we dive into the origins of shakers, their unique classifications, and a variety of playing techniques. Whether you’re a percussion enthusiast or a curious music lover, you’ll gain insights into how these simple instruments add rhythm and texture to music around the globe.
Our special guest, William Johnson, brings his extensive expertise and passion for percussion to the conversation. With over 25 years of experience as a performer, composer, and educator, William has recorded on more than two dozen albums, collaborated with award-winning artists, and produced music featured on networks like TLC, Univision, and Discovery. A former Air Force member with a Master’s in Ethnomusicology, William draws inspiration from his Latin heritage and global travels to create and teach diverse musical styles.
Discover the art and rhythm of shakers in this engaging discussion!
Check out more about William here:
Website: www.williamjohnsonmusic.com
Social Media: @williamjohnsonmusic
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WilliamJohnsonmusic
