New episode: The Drum Panel — Gunnar would prefer a ball cap first
What is up. Ben here.
This week on Drummers on Drumming, I’m back with a new Drum Panel.
This one gets practical fast.
I’m joined by:
Gunnar Olsen
Touring and session drummer with Puscifer
Eric Urrea
Drummer for Marina City and a thoughtful educator
We talk about the unglamorous stuff most drummers deal with quietly:
How we track gigs, holds, and money owed
Late invoices, late payments, and when follow-ups stop being worth it
Deciding when a day is “full” and why that math is stressful
The tension between being available for work and having a life
The low-level anxiety of never knowing what the next few months look like
There’s also a spicy moment where Gunnar lays down a hard rule about percussionists and cymbals.
It turns into a thoughtful riff on roles, boundaries, and etiquette on stage.
If you’re a working drummer, or trying to be one, this episode is straight talk.
No hustle myths. No highlight reels. Just how it actually feels.
Listen to the full episode → HERE
Thanks for being around.
—Ben
P.S.
How far ahead do you actually need to see to feel calm?
The Drum Panel is a recurring series on Drummers on Drumming, powered by Big Fat Snare Drum
And don’t forget to check out my book, Drummers On Drumming: The Stories and Records That Shaped Their Sound👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
“an absolute gem—The depth here is next-level...“
- Butch Vig
“[This book] brings us back to carefully gathered, intimate insight and a deeper sense of connection that feels like sitting at a round table sharing stories with drumming colleagues. Well done, Ben!”
- Jojo Mayer
“A beautiful tribute to the drumming community...”
- Jared Falk