Best Ben Hilzinger Podcasts (2025)

1
The Drum Panel: What IS Rock?, Social Anxiety & "Networking" as a Drummer 52:15

8h ago52:15

52:15

Episode 13 of The Drum Panel Welcome to The Drum Panel—a show where a rotating group of professional drummers engages in roundtable discussions pertaining to all things DRUM. For today's panel, we have my co-host Eric Urrea and special returning guest, Mike Robinson. Today we discuss: What the hell does it mean to be "rock"? Dealing with social anx…

1
511 - Jamey Haddad: Playing with Paul Simon, Playing What You Know vs. What You Feel, Bringing Cultural Authenticity to Pop Music 1:19:12

7d ago1:19:12

1:19:12

Jamey Haddad's career as a drummer and percussionist has spanned five decades, countless genres, and multiple continents. For over 25 years, he’s had a close relationship with Paul Simon, playing alongside Steve Gadd on multiple records and live projects. He has appeared on over 170 recordings and has played with a wide range of artists from Joe Lo…

1
Big Fat Five: Marco Kleebauer (Drummer/Producer) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records 55:49

4d ago55:49

55:49

This is another installment of Big Fat Five, a segment where I ask some of my favorite drummers to break down five records that had a major impact on their approach to music. This week, I’m joined by Marco Kleebauer—an Austrian drummer and producer who very recently popped up on my Instagram Explore page… and instantly peaked my interest. His drumm…

1
510 - Duncan Phillips: Drumming for the Newsboys, Making Fitness a Priority, Dealing with Personal Changes 1:07:04

9d ago1:07:04

1:07:04

Newsboys is one of the biggest bands in Christian music history, having sold more than 10 million records across 23 recordings and garnering boundless accolades, including 1 RIAA® Platinum certification and 8 Gold certifications, 30 #1 radio hits, four GRAMMY® nominations, two American Music Award nominations and multiple Dove Awards. With signatur…

1
Big Fat Five: Dee Simone (Doechii, Alison Wonderland, Madame Gandhi) Shares Her top 5 Influential Records 45:37

15d ago45:37

45:37

This is another installment of Big Fat Five, a segment where I ask some of my favorite drummers to break down five records that had a major impact on their approach to music. Today, I’m joined by Dee Simone, a Bay Area-raised dummer currently based in Los Angeles. She’s funky, powerful, dynamic, and incredibly versatile behind the kit. I have to gi…

1
509 - Russ Lawton: Playing with The Trey Anastasio Band and LaMP, Being a New England "Band Guy", Influence of Afro Beat 1:06:00

8d ago1:06:00

1:06:00

Russ Lawton has spent most of his career in and around New England from Cape Cod to Boston to Burlington Vermont. For almost 25 years, he has been the drummer for the Trey Anastasio Band. He also has an organ trio project called Lamp that is about to release their second record and tour in support of it, and has played with countless other bands an…

1
The Drum Panel: Self-Promotion, Authenticity in Pop Gigs, and the Double Pedal Dilemma 42:23

13d ago42:23

42:23

Episode 12 of The Drum Panel Welcome to The Drum Panel—a show where a rotating group of professional drummers engages in roundtable discussions pertaining to all things DRUM. Today, we've got two fantastic guests joining the conversation: First up is Eric Leiderman. Eric is a producer at Late Night with Seth Meyers, where for years he oversaw the r…

1
508 - Robert Blair: Being Your Authentic Self, Subbing with Wang Chung & Martina McBride, Learning from Nashville’s Legends 1:41:06

28d ago1:41:06

1:41:06

Robert Blair is a Nashville TN based drummer with decades of live and studio experience. Originally from South Carolina, Robert's early love and commitment to drumming led him to working and touring by the age of 16 with players many years his senior. At the age of 21, he made the move to Nashville where he's built a reputation as a solid and relia…

1
Big Fat Five: Fred Eltringham (Sheryl Crow) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records 46:39

21d ago46:39

46:39

This week’s guest is Fred Eltringham! If you listened to our recent episode with Sterling Laws, you heard Fred get a lot of love as one of Sterling’s five picks—so it was an honor to finally have him on the show himself. And I gotta say…his voice is so soothing and calm. Puts mine to shame. Fred has been playing with Sheryl Crow since 2012, but his…

1
507 - Jose Medeles: Drummer, Drum Shop Owner, Author, Slingerland Brand Manager, Community Builder 1:17:16

13d ago1:17:16

1:17:16

Jose Medeles is the owner of Revival Drum Shop in Portland and the author of several books including The Stoic Drummer. In his former life, Jose was an LA based working drummer and toured and recorded with The Breeders and many other artists, and also did a stint working at the famed Pro Drum Shop in Hollywood. Most recently, Jose became the brand …

1
Records That Define the 70's Drum Sound 53:29

22d ago53:29

53:29

This week’s episode is going to be a little different. I’m starting a new, perhaps self-indulgent series where I pose a question on the Big Fat Snare Drum Instagram and make an episode out of your responses. Maybe it’ll stick. Who knows?…but these are the conversations I have with my musician friends anyways, so now I’m just pushing record. The fir…

1
506 - Rich Scannella: Drumming for Tonic as well as Bon Jovi and the Kings of Suburbia, Book: "Ghost Notes", Being a “Polite Pain” to Grow Your Social Circle 1:47:18

1M ago1:47:18

1:47:18

Rich Scannella has played for some of the most iconic superstars in the music industry. Rich has played, toured, and or recorded with legendary artists: Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Lady Gaga, Jon Bon Jovi & The Kings of Suburbia, Tonic, Brian Fallon (Gaslight Anthem), Adam Duritz (Counting Crows), Joe Elliot (Def Leopard), Neal Schon (Journey), Mi…

1
Big Fat Five: Chris "Woody" Wood (Bastille) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records 51:10

1M ago51:10

51:10

Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, the podcast powered by Big Fat Snare Drum. This is another segment of Big Fat Five, where I invite my favorite drummers to break down the five records that shaped their approach to the instrument. Today, I’m joined by my friend Chris “Woody” Wood, drummer for the internationally loved band, Bastille. Since expl…

1
505 - Murphy Aucamp: Playing with Blue Man Group, Splitting Time Between New York and Miami, Studying with Dafnis Prieto 1:14:06

2M ago1:14:06

1:14:06

A native of South Florida, percussionist Murphy Aucamp studied classical percussion at Dreyfoos School of the Arts in West Palm Beach, while simultaneously studying rumba in the streets of south Florida. He is a graduate of the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, where he studied under Steve Rucker, Dafnis Prieto, and John Yarling. Murphy’…

1
The Drum Panel: Mental Health > Paradiddles, Signature Sticks and Dream Lessons 51:56

28d ago51:56

51:56

Episode 11 of The Drum Panel Welcome to The Drum Panel—a show where a rotating group of professional drummers engages in roundtable discussions pertaining to all things DRUM. For today's panel, we have my co-host Eric Urrea and special guest, Britt Bowman (Demi Lovato, KiNG Mala, Meg Myers, Royal and the Serpent, Toni Cornell). Today we discuss: Wh…

1
504 - Tim Baltes: Adjusting to Life in France, Being Authentic, Streamlining Content Creation 1:40:07

2M ago1:40:07

1:40:07

Tim Baltes is a drum-centric American music professional living in Nantes, France. Tim has accrued years of social strategy, copywriting, product development, and MI retail operations experience bolstering manufacturers, distributors, and retailers alike. Tim has advised drummers including Curt Bisquera (Johnny Hallyday, Mick Jagger, Elton John, To…

1
Big Fat Five: Ian Matthews (Kasabian) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records 46:12

1M ago46:12

46:12

Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, the podcast powered by Big Fat Snare Drum. This is another segment of Big Fat Five, where I invite my favorite drummers to break down the five records that shaped their approach to the instrument. Today, I’m joined by Ian Matthews, drummer for the "future rock" Kasabian—a group that, like many of the greats, en…

1
How To Pronounce the Tough Drum Brand Names with Eric Leiderman 1:04:28

1M ago1:04:28

1:04:28

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…

1
503 - Ben Hilzinger: Playing With Cannons and Eve 6, His New Book and New Podcast, Harnessing His ADHD For Good 1:34:34

1M ago1:34:34

1:34:34

Ben Hilzinger is a Los Angeles-based drummer and songwriter with 20+ years of performing, recording and teaching experience. Currently the drummer for Eve 6 and Cannons, Ben has also written, recorded, and/or toured throughout the USA/internationally with MXPX, Fitness, Mike Herrera, Party Nails, We Shot The Moon, Glorybots, Ever So Android, Jake C…

1
Big Fat Five: Jason Gerken (Shiner, Hum, Molly McGuire) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records 36:17

1M ago36:17

36:17

Today, we’ve got another segment of the podcast called Big Fat Five. This is where I invite my favorite drummers on the show to break down the five records that helped shape their approach to the instrument. Our guest today is Jason Gerken, a Kansas City-based drummer known for his work with Molly McGuire, Shiner, Open Hand, Project 86, and most re…

1
The Drum Panel: Defining Success, Underrated Drummers, and the Gear We Love (That’s Not a Drum) 45:04

2M ago45:04

45:04

Episode 10 of The Drum Panel Welcome to The Drum Panel—a show where a rotating group of professional drummers engages in roundtable discussions pertaining to all things DRUM. For today's panel, we have my co-host Eric Urrea and special guest, Jessica Burdeaux (Covet, City Mouth, Host of Reverb.com's "What's That Sound?" series on YouTube). Today we…

1
502 - Dylan Wissing Returns: w/ Special Guest Andrew Marsh from WTS Drums, Useful Plug-ins, Tracking Remotely 1:32:40

2M ago1:32:40

1:32:40

Dylan Wissing is a session drummer based in Hoboken, New Jersey, who has recorded for such artists as John Legend, Drake, Kanye West, Jay-Z and Eminem. He is best known as the drummer on Alicia Keys’ Grammy award-winning hit, “Girl on Fire,” and is heard in national ads for AT&T, American Airlines, Valvoline, Behr Paints and Banana Republic. Dylan …

1
Drumming Insights: A look at "Drummers on Drumming" with Ben Hilzinger 1:03:20

2M ago1:03:20

1:03:20

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 th…

1
501 - Master Gunnery Sgt. Chris Rose: Playing in "The President's Own" Marine Band, Serving a Huge Variety of Musical Roles, Promoting National Unity and Tradition Through Music 1:11:37

3M ago1:11:37

1:11:37

Master Gunnery Sgt. Chris Rose has spent the majority of his professional career in his role as percussionist, drumset specialist, and soloist with the United States Marine Band. "The President’s Own" comprises 160 members and takes various forms depending on the event or occasion they’re playing for and the instrumentation needed for it. As you’ll…

1
Big Fat Five: Jared Shavelson (Joyce Manor, Seal, Mariachi el Bronx, Ways Away, The Hope Conspiracy, Boysetsfire, Paint It Black, Chuck Ragan) 38:49

3M ago38:49

38:49

Today, we’ve got another segment of the podcast called Big Fat Five. This is where I invite my favorite drummers on the show to break down the five records that helped shape their approach to the instrument. This format also inspired my book, Drummers on Drumming, which is available now as a paperback or ebook on Amazon. Today’s guest is Jared Shav…

1
500 - Episode 500: Celebrating this Milesone, New YouTube Content, The Past, Present, and Future of WDP 1:31:46

2M ago1:31:46

1:31:46

In years past for milestone episodes, we would do something kinda special or make a big deal out of it in some way. This is definitely our biggest milestone yet but it comes at a time when neither of us (Zack & Matt), really have a lot of time to organize anything much more involved than a regular episode. We tried to line up a special guest but th…

1
The Drum Panel: 2024's Biggest Wins, Unexpected Lessons, and the Stack Debate 43:53

2M ago43:53

43:53

Episode 9 of The Drum Panel Welcome to The Drum Panel—a show where a rotating group of professional drummers engages in roundtable discussions pertaining to all things DRUM. For today's panel, we have my co-host Eric Urrea and special guest, Kris Mazzarisi (owner/founder of Big Fat Snare Drum & drummer for Winnetka Bowling League). Today we discuss…

1
Excerpts from My Book: Drummers on Drumming, Part 2 30:42

3M ago30:42

30:42

Ok, I promise I won’t be promoting my book forever—but give me at least a few weeks to talk about it (I’m proud of it!). And hey, the sooner you grab a copy, the sooner you’ll stop feeling guilty... and, well, left out. In this episode, I read a few excerpts from my new book, Drummers on Drumming. You’ll hear stories and song choices from incredibl…

1
Excerpts from My Book: Drummers on Drumming, Part 1 35:07

3M ago35:07

35:07

Ok, I promise I won’t be promoting my book forever—but give me at least a few weeks to talk about it (I’m proud of it!). And hey, the sooner you grab a copy, the sooner you’ll stop feeling guilty... and, well, left out. In this episode, I read a few excerpts from my new book, Drummers on Drumming. You’ll hear stories and song choices from incredibl…

1
The History of How We Buy Drums with Gerry Porter 1:12:30

3M ago1:12:30

1:12:30

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'l…

1
499 - Dave DiCenso: "Mastering the Instrument That Plays the Instrument," Finding a Common Theme Amidst Versatility, 30 Years Teaching at Berklee 1:22:58

3M ago1:22:58

1:22:58

Dave DiCenso began his career in the late 80s on the metal scene in his hometown of Boston. He later studied at the Drummers Collective in New York and went on to enjoy a successful and varied career touring and recording with Steve Morse, Hiromi, John Petrucci, Duran Duran, Josh Groban, and many others. He is the author of several books including …

1
The Drum Panel: Our Guilty Pleasures, Drum Trolls, and the IG Cheating Debate 1:04:58

3M ago1:04:58

1:04:58

Episode 8 of The Drum Panel This week, Eric (@ericsurrea) is back!...alongside our newest bestie George Martinez (@skinnygeorge). In this episode, we dive into: Are ghost notes the modern-day equivalent of skinny jeans—cool now but overdone? How do you strike the right balance between technical precision and feel in your playing? Are dynamics the s…

1
498 - Dango: Drumming with Seattle band Amber Pacific, Scott Stapp - Singer for Creed, Playing with Confidence 1:32:11

3M ago1:32:11

1:32:11

Dango is a professional drummer based in Nashville, TN who is currently drumming for Grammy award winning artist Scott Stapp – the voice of Creed. He is also a member of the platinum selling worship band, Sonicflood. He has performed with bands and artists all over the world, from the US, to South Africa, to Europe, and South America. He graduated …

1
The Drum Panel: Audition Advice, Anecdotes, and Staying Hired—Thriving in the Touring Industry with Elias Mallin & Stacy Jones 1:10:54

4M ago1:10:54

1:10:54

Episode 7 of The Drum Panel This week, we're joined by Stacy Jones (Miley Cyrus, Letters to Cleo, American Hi-Fi) and Elias Mallin (Kesha, Noah Cyrus, Filter)—two seasoned veterans of the touring music industry and influential figures in shaping the competitive LA music scene. This episode steps away from our usual bullet-point list of hot takes an…

1
Finding a New Rhythm: Ryan Dusick on Life After Maroon 5 47:55

4M ago47:55

47:55

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, fou…

1
497 - Jano Rix: Playing With The Wood Brothers, His Deep Jazz Background, What He Took from Watching His Dad's Playing and Career 1:09:34

4M ago1:09:34

1:09:34

Jano Rix is a drummer, multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and producer who has been the third member of The Wood Brothers for over a decade. He started as a hard core jazz pianist, earning a degree from the University of Miami and playing experimental jazz on the New York scene, but he gravitated back to the drums, his dad's instrument, and…

1
Big Fat Five: Sterling Laws (NIKI, Natasha Bedingfield, Matt Berninger) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records 37:28

4M ago37:28

37:28

Welcome back to Big Fat Five—a segment of Drummers on Drumming brought to you by Big Fat Snare Drum, where I chat with my favorite drummers about the stories and records that shaped their sound. I’m your host, Ben Hilzinger, and this week’s guest is the incredible Sterling Laws. Sterling is a fellow Pacific Northwest native now based in Los Angeles…

1
Ilan Rubin (Nine Inch Nails, Danny Elfman, Angels & Airwaves): Start Somewhere To Go Somewhere 43:31

4M ago43:31

43:31

Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming! Today, I’m thrilled to share a conversation with a true force in modern drumming—Ilan Rubin. You’ve heard his incredible work behind the kit with artists like Nine Inch Nails, Danny Elfman, Angels & Airwaves, Paramore and so many more. But Ilan is not just an outstanding drummer; he’s also a passionate educator…

1
A Deep Dive into Shakers with William Johnson 52:04

4M ago52:04

52:04

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 …

1
496 - Brandon Green returns: The Drum Ergonomics Blueprint, The Importance of Recovery, Understanding Your Range of Motion 1:10:46

4M ago1:10:46

1:10:46

Brandon Green is a biomechanics specialist, fitness educator, gym owner and drummer. Brandon’s online presence, often recognized as “Drum mechanics”, explores educational biomechanics perspective on fitness, drums and life. Brandon provides a series for all called the "Drum Ergonomics Blueprint" as well as his "Drum Forever Fitness Community". In t…

1
The Drum Panel: The Ultimate Compliment, Jazz Study—Essential or Overrated?, and Is the Band Drummer Era Over? 49:58

4M ago49:58

49:58

Episode 6 of The Drum Panel This week's guests are two of my favorite drummers and people, Sarab Singh (MUNA) and Adam Christgau (Tegan and Sara). In this episode, we dive into: What’s the greatest compliment a drummer can get, and does it truly matter? How do others really describe your playing style—are you sure you'd agree? Should every drummer …

1
495 - Aaron Redfield: Playing with The Greyboy Allstars, Returning to San Diego After 15 Years in LA, Building Creativity and Community Through his Non-Profit 1:20:25

5M ago1:20:25

1:20:25

Aaron Redfield grew up in San Diego and started his career on that scene. In addition to his long tenure as the drummer for The Greyboy Allstars, he has compiled a long list of touring and recording credits including Elton John, Ceelo Green, and Foster the People. After 15 years living and working in LA, he has moved is family back to San Diego and…

1
Big Fat Five: Lucy Ritter (Chappell Roan) Share Her Top 5 Influential Records 41:22

5M ago41:22

41:22

We’ve got another installment of Big Fat Five: a segment where I talk to drummers about the stories and records that shaped their sound. Today’s guest is Lucy Ritter, a New York/New Jersey native who picked up the drums at just 9 years old and was already landing professional gigs by 14. After three years at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana Un…

1
How to Ergonomically Set Up Your Drum Set with Brandon Green 1:02:49

5M ago1:02:49

1:02:49

Brandon Green from drummechanics.com joins us on the show to give us a 101 course on all things drum ergonomics and how to play the drums without any pain! We go every piece of the drum set and discuss how to set them up individually for the best results in both comfort and ease for your body, and also to get the best and most efficient performance…

1
494 - Martina Barakoska: The Power of Meditation, Touring Southeastern Europe, Fine Tuning and Cultivating Creativity 1:24:27

5M ago1:24:27

1:24:27

Martina Barakoska is a drummer and musician who in her considerably short career has gained notable achievements. Deep and thoughtful yet energetic and playful, her style reflects her love of modern music and her fascination with the power of the drums. Throughout the years, she has maintained continuous growth of success preaching individuality, q…

1
The Drum Panel: Timeless Drum Tones, AI’s Impact, Advice We’d Give Our Younger Selves, and More... 43:45

5M ago43:45

43:45

Episode 5 of The Drum Panel This week's guests are my co-host Eric Urrea (Marina City / Sessions) and good buddy Kris Mazzarisi (owner/founder of Big Fat Snare Drum). SUBMIT YOUR CONTROVERSIAL MUSIC OPINIONS HERE In this episode, we dive into: If you could reinvent one aspect of your drumming, what would it be, and why? What's the one piece of advi…

1
493 - Caleb Whitlock: The Scene in Charlotte, Eyes on Nashville, Maximizing a Small/Simple Home Studio, Financial Literacy 1:05:06

5M ago1:05:06

1:05:06

Caleb Whitlock grew up in Charlotte and has been based there for two years after having attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He tours nationally with singer/songwriter Ethan Regan, plays locally with a variety of acts, records in his home studio, and also works as a post-production engineer. Making part of his living doing post…

1
Big Fat Five: Jesse Boyle (Chase Atlantic) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records... 41:05

5M ago41:05

41:05

Today I’m joined by Jesse Boyle, my good buddy and the drummer for the boundary-pushing band Chase Atlantic. Known for blending genres like alternative, R&B, and electronic music, Jesse’s unique approach drives the pulse behind Chase’s immersive live soundscapes. We’ll dive into the top five influences that shaped his drumming and musical journey a…

1
The History of Baldman Percussion with Mike Mckee and Danny Young 59:03

5M ago59:03

59:03

Baldman Percussion hit the drum scene in 2018 and took the industry by storm with the Junk Hat! In 6 short years, they have become 2x NAMM best in show winners, created products that are beloved by drummers such as Travis Barker, Matt Chamberlain and Thomas Pridgen, and had a great time doing it. Mike Mckee and Danny Young are professional drummers…

1
492 - Chad Wackerman: Working with Allan Holdsworth, Making a Band Sound Better, Auditioning for Frank Zappa 1:53:57

5M ago1:53:57

1:53:57

Chad Wackerman’s professional career began in 1978 with the Bill Watrous Refuge West Big Band. Since then he has amassed a remarkable body of work including a seven year association with Frank Zappa, with whom he toured the USA and Europe and recorded 27 albums including the London Symphony recordings. He has also recorded 8 albums and toured with …

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