The Downbeat

My guest this week is Mike Johnston. Mike is the owner of the most popular online drum lesson resource mikeslessons.com. At a time when online drum education was not what it is today, Mike started his website (against the advice of many) and built an empire. Mike is truly an inspirational speaker and thinker and we had a great chat. We talked about finding your lane in whatever you do, his old band days, THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAVIS BARKER, the meinl family, and much more. It's very refreshing to see someone in the industry who can be so business savvy yet so humble and it not be a front or a marketing gimmick, and for that reason (and others) this episode is a great listen even if you don't play the drums. I also only swear twice in this episode because I'm trying to be professional.

Mh guest this week is Will Thomson aka @thomsontattoos. Will is the owner of Beacon of Hope tattoo in Brighton and we've been friends since we met at fellow downbeat alumni Dan Searle's wedding. As well as being a great tattooer he's also a flat earther and one of the most ridiculous humans I've ever met. We talk about how he got into tattooing, his new shop, the old deathcore scene and there's a couple of very funny anecdotes about his mum. This episode is barely about music and is very explicit. You have been warned.

My guest this week is Nic Pettersen from Northlane. Nic is a bloody good Australian bloke. And he's a bloody good drummer. A real ripper. I said all that stuff in an Australian accent. Enjoy

My guest this week is Matt Halpern, drummer of Periphery. Matt and I are good friends and have known each other for around 9 years. He's a fantastic drummer (obviously) but also an accomplished clinician and, as I discovered during this podcast, an innovative businessman in the world of drums. We talked about dicks, and some other stuff. Does anyone read this?

My guest this week is Daniel P Carter.We had a proper laugh on this pod. Dan is probably most well known for being the presenter of the BBC Radio One Rock Show, and his podcast Someone Who Isn't Me (SWIM) but he's also been a guitarist in bands like A, Krokodil, The Bloodhound Gang and loads of others. We had a proper laugh on this pod. Dan's a very interesting guy, he's a mystical, magickal entity filled to the brim of ideas and esoteric ramblings....which I like. He's done it all. He's a top lad. See ya!

My guest this week is Josean Orta, drummer of Fit For An Autopsy. Josean came to Brooklyn from Puerto Rico 8 years ago to find himself a band and it worked. He is an incredibly hard working drummer and a great dude who LOVES drums. We talk about DRUMS obviously but also about jazz, injuries, recording, microdoseing and much more. Bartender Drew from Stray pops in for a minute also.

My guest this week is Tom Williams, guitarist of my own band Stray From The Path. We talk about his crippling addiction to gambling and who is bigger out of Rammstein and Tool. We also talk about music a tiny amount and of course the PissGhost haunting Will Putney's studio. Will actually drops in to disrupt the podcast with Pat from Fit For An Autopsy and Steve Seid stars as guest 'Jamie from the Joe Rogan Podcast.' This paragraph makes no sense but who even reads this BYE.

Join Justin Nace, the talented session drummer for PVRIS and friend of Amorosa, as he shares insightful and hilarious tales from his touring adventures. He discusses the challenges of performing in unique locations like Hawaii and Japan, and candidly reflects on the reality of aging in the music industry. The conversation also touches on the link between drumming and physical fitness, revealing how cardio routines enhance performance. With charming anecdotes about life on the road, this chat is filled with both humor and inspiration.

Brendan Murphy, the charismatic vocalist of Counterparts, shares his humorous insights in a lively chat. They dive into nostalgic gaming experiences and the absurdity of adult life without a car. The duo discusses the chaotic world of touring in Europe, mixing humor with the challenges faced by bands on the road. They also tackle the serious side of mental health management through cannabis and alcohol, emphasizing the importance of balance. With anecdotes about musical influences and humorous life truths, Brendan keeps the conversation engaging and relatable.

This week’s guest is Sam Carter, the charismatic frontman of Architects, known for his powerful vocals. He shares insights on the band’s latest album, *Holy Hell*, and amusing school memories. Sam candidly discusses his ongoing passion for drumming despite his frontman role. The conversation veers into light-hearted ghosting antics involving Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech. Lastly, they explore the emotional weight of music, the dynamics of touring life, and the joys of pet ownership, all while reminiscing about their childhood influences.