The SABIAN Podcast takes drummers and music fans behind the scenes with some of the world’s most influential artists and industry insiders. Each episode dives into their stories, their music, and their connection to SABIAN.
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Ray Luzier on Korn, David Lee Roth and the 21" AA MantaRAY
Season 1 · Episode 5
Saturday, September 12, 2026 • Duration 49:55
From the “School of Roth” to nearly two decades with Korn, Ray Luzier has built a career around finding his own voice behind the kit.
Ray joins host Chris Stankee on The SABIAN Podcast to look back on the experiences that shaped him as a drummer, including his early years with SABIAN, his time with David Lee Roth, and the unexpected SABIAN Live soundcheck that led to Army of Anyone.
He also shares what he’s learned from working with world class producers and how those experiences changed the way he thinks about feel, musical identity and serving the song on the drums.
The conversation comes full circle with the story behind Ray’s new signature 21” AA MantaRAY, a cymbal inspired by the distinctive China sound and setup that have been part of his playing for decades.
Subscribe to The SABIAN Podcast for more artist conversations and stories from behind the kit.
👇 In this episode, we cover:
00:00 - Intro 00:41 - The First Company That Believed in Me 06:56 - The David Lee Roth Gig 14:07 - SABIAN Live 21:33 - Joining Korn 23:25 - Working With Incredible Producers 26:02 - Expectations in the Studio 30:23 - Developing an Identifiable Sound 32:32 - Developing the 21" AA MantaRAY 42:26 - Ray’s Current Playlist 45:37 - The Next Generation of Drummers 48:50 - What’s Next?
The SABIAN Podcast: Season 1 Episode 4 Jess Bowen on Fear, Visibility & Taking Up Space
Season 1 · Episode 4
Sunday, March 8, 2026 • Duration 38:24
SABIAN artist Jess Bowen (The Summer Set) joins us for an International Women’s Day conversation about drumming, visibility, and what it takes to build a career in rock when you’re done asking for permission.
Guest host Stacey Montgomery-Clark (Senior VP of Marketing & Sales at SABIAN) sits down with Jess to trace the path from a ten-year-old who believed, “girls didn’t play drums,” to a globally touring musician, Warped Tour staple, and one of the most recognizable female drummers in modern rock.
Jess talks candidly about confidence, and where it actually comes from, the role of failure in growth, and what it really takes to build a lasting career in an industry where women are redefining the stage.
From festival sets to Netflix’s Count Me In and viral drum moments, this episode is a reminder that “taking up space” matters.
If you have ever doubted yourself or hesitated before taking a leap, this conversation is for you.
Subscribe for more conversations with the artists shaping music today.
👇 In this episode, we cover:
00:00 - Life on the Road – Touring & the New Album Cycle
01:21 - How Jess Bowen Started Drumming at Age 10
03:00 - Why Drumming Became Her “Happy Place”
04:45 - From School Jazz Band to Warped Tour – The Summer Set Journey
09:30 - The Reality of Band Life – Hiatus, Burnout & Career Transitions
11:00 - The Hiatus That Made Her a Better Drummer
Todd Sucherman On the Gig That Shaped His Journey
Season 1 · Episode 3
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 • Duration 33:59
In this episode, Todd Sucherman, one of the most respected drummers of his generation, shares an inside look at the realities of a professional life in music. With over 30 years as the drummer for STYX, Todd reflects on the long nights, constant travel, and personal sacrifices behind professional musicianship, along with the moments and opportunities that can change everything. Drawing from decades of experience, he discusses earning trust, staying prepared, trusting your instincts, and continuing to grow long after success arrives.From early club gigs to playing with legendary artists, songwriting, production, and masterclasses, this conversation goes beyond drumming technique and into the mindset required for longevity, creativity, and purpose in music.👇 In this episode, we cover:
30 years with STYX and what sustained success really looks like
Blending influences from rock, Broadway, and beyond
Lessons from playing with Brian Wilson and meeting Phil Collins
Songwriting, production, and lifelong musical curiosity
Masterclasses and helping players find their own voice
Playing smarter, not harder
Snare drum choices for studio and stage
What’s next for Todd Sucherman
Chapter Markers
00:00 - Intro: Chris Stankee & Todd Sucherman
00:50 - 30 Years with STYX
03:40 - From Queen to Broadway: Blending Influences
05:48 - AA Spotlight Crashes
06:51 - Playing with Brian Wilson
11:11 - Last Flight Home: Songwriting & Musical Curiosity
13:43 - Meeting Phil Collins
15:07 - Production Learning
16:30 - Growth since "Methods & Mechanics"
18:01 - Masterclasses: Letting Players Find Their Own Voice
19:12 - Playing Smarter with Power
20:43 - The Snare Drum Collection
A Conversation with SABIAN CEO Andy Zildjian
Season 1 · Episode 2
Monday, November 24, 2025 • Duration 32:42
In Episode 2 of the SABIAN Podcast, host Chris Stankee sits down with Andy Zildjian, CEO and Chairman of SABIAN, for a dynamic conversation about cymbal history, craftsmanship, sound design, and the evolution of one of the world’s leading cymbal makers.
Andy takes a closer look at SABIAN’s origins, from the early development of its Canadian facility to the skilled artisans, hands-on craft, and core values that shaped the foundation of the SABIAN sound. Throughout the conversation, he shares insights into what drives SABIAN’s pursuit of quality and how the brand continues to evolve while honouring its heritage.
This episode also explores SABIAN’s approach to innovation, artist collaboration, and the traditions that continue to shape the company’s signature sound. Andy discusses how creativity, experimentation, and a deep understanding of players’ needs continue to influence SABIAN’s approach to design.
Whether you're a drummer, producer, cymbal collector, or simply passionate about music gear, this episode offers insight into how great instruments are made and how SABIAN continues to shape the future of cymbals.
Chapter Markers:
00:00 – Welcome to the SABIAN Podcast
00:14 – Andy Zildjian Joins the Show
00:42 – Why SABIAN Started in Canada
01:35 – Early Factory Days: Craft vs. Production
03:38 – The Birth of SABIAN
04:28– The Istanbul Negotiations
06:40 – Learning the Lost Art of Hand Hammering
07:38 – Canada Ks, Neil Peart & Early SABIAN Artists
08:17 – What SABIAN Kept after the Split
Mike Portnoy visits the SABIAN Factory
Season 1 · Episode 1
Wednesday, September 10, 2025 • Duration 29:16
In this debut episode of The SABIAN Podcast, host Chris Stankee welcomes legendary drummer Mike Portnoy, known worldwide for his work with Dream Theater, The Winery Dogs, and numerous other projects. Recorded inside the SABIAN Factory, the conversation is both a personal reunion and a deep dive into Mike’s career, artistry, and long-standing connection with SABIAN Cymbals.
Mike reflects on his first visit to the SABIAN Factory in 1999, when he helped develop the Max Stax cymbals, named after his son, Max, who was only a few months old at the time. Twenty-five years later, father and son returned together, underscoring the legacy of both family and music. Mike shares his amazement at finding many of the same craftspeople still working at SABIAN, a testament to the company’s culture of loyalty and craftsmanship.
The episode moves through pivotal moments in Mike’s career, from his influential years with Dream Theater to his passion projects across rock, metal, and progressive genres. He offers candid stories about recording, touring, and the evolution of his playing style. Mike also reflects on the drummers who inspired him and how he continues to stay creative after decades in the drumming world.
Listeners gain an intimate look at how Portnoy balances technical mastery with raw emotion, why sound quality and innovation in cymbals matter so deeply to him, and how SABIAN has been part of his musical voice for decades. The conversation blends humor, history, and wisdom, making it essential listening for drummers, musicians, and fans of progressive music alike.
This episode not only celebrates Portnoy’s achievements but also sets the tone for what The SABIAN Podcast aims to deliver: authentic conversations with influential artists, told from inside the world of drums, music, and creativity.
Chapter Markers (~29 min runtime)
00:00 – Intro
00:39 – Family
01:18 – First Factory Visit
02:00 – Max Stax
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