Global Drum Network Bob Spry

Welcome to Episode 15 of the Global Drum Network podcast. This time we feature our exclusive interview with DYLAN HOWE. Noted particularly for his work on drums with WILKO JOHNSON (on whose tour we catch up with him here), IAN DURY AND THE BLOCKHEADS and his father’s iconic Progrockers YES, Dylan is an accomplished and established figure on the jazz scene, as a Bandleader, Composer and Session Player.
We caught up backstage with Dylan as he enjoyed a little quiet time preparing for a show with the legendary Rhythm & Blues guitar eccentric WILKO JOHNSON. Don’t be surprised if there’s an unexpected contribution from Wilko himself (if not his Game of Thrones alter ego). So, as always, put your sticks down for a minute, take the weight off your feet, and enjoy!
Oh, and always remember;
Whatever you play, Play it with passion!

Welcome to Episode 14 of the Global Drum Network podcast. This time we’re featuring our exclusive interview with the Funk-tastic PETE RAY BIGGIN, who has been tearing up stages all over Europe and beyond with the brilliant LEVEL 42, and driving his own project, the equally funky PB UNDERGROUND. With the latter outfit, Pete’s having to wear all the hats, from Songwriting to Producing and Arranging. It all makes the actual drumming part of day the most relaxing. Just as well he’s a bundle of energy! Anyway, his journey from Sheffield hopeful to driving along sell-out tours with the band he idolised as a kid is a fascinating one. Join us backstage in Bournemouth as he talks us through it all;
Put your sticks down for a minute, take the weight off your feet and enjoy! Oh, and please be aware that if you're offended by swearing, Pete 'keeps it real' with his fruity expletives. In fact, you could say he's our sweariest  guest to date!
Anyway, if that hasn't put you off (and I hope it hasn’t), always remember;  Whatever you play, Play it with passion!

Welcome to Episode 13 of the Global Drum Network podcast. This time we have not one, not two, but THREE drummers for your delight and delectation. We went to the Colston Hall, Bristol, to see all three of them performing onstage together, but only two of them were playing drums on the night. The other is the man whose name is at the top of the bill, the star of the show, Mister PAUL CARRACK. Labelled by the BBC as ‘THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN VOICE’, Paul is not only a highly successful singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist in his own right, but an in-demand session man for a huge list of massive worldwide stars, bands and artists including Eric Clapton, Squeeze, Mike & The Mechanics and many more. No doubt you’ve heard his distinctive, soulful voice on instantly-recognisable hits like ‘The Living Years’, ‘Over my shoulder’ and ‘Tempted’, but did you know that this man of many talents started out on his musical journey as a drummer? Not only that, he’s been playing drums on his own albums for many years now. We get to hear his modest take on his own drumming skills, and of course some of the drumming royalty with whom he’s worked; Steve Gadd, Steve Jordan and Gilson Lavis, to name but a few. Paul also tells us about setting up his own record company after releasing himself from a major label, and the night his whole live show was stolen lock, stock and barrel (including the truck!) while his crew slept just yards away in a hotel. Before that, we also got to shoot the breeze with the two drummers who keep Paul's live band on their toes; Long-time stalwart DEAN DUKES and Paul's son JACK CARRACK. Put your sticks down for a minute, take the weight off your feet ... and always remember; WHATEVER YOU PLAY, PLAY IT WITH PASSION!

Welcome to Episode 12, featuring the one and only LLOYD RYAN. In a very busy career spanning many decades at the top of his game, Lloyd has worked with over 100 top-line acts from Comic Magic Maestro TOMMY COOPER to Eurovision winners THE BROTHERHOOD OF MAN. Along the way, he's appeared in many feature films, countless TV shows and played as many as 7 gigs in a day! When he's not been driving bands along (including his own Big Band), Lloyd has been a passionate teacher. So far his successful students have played on over 70 Top 10 singles between them, and counting. His book 'The complete drum tutor' has been in print since 1981, and continues to be one of the top texts on the subject. With all this going on, it's a wonder he's had any time to breathe, but at the height of UK wrestling's popularity in the 1970s, Lloyd was the spokesman and rabble-rouser for the sport's most mysterious masked man; KENDO NAGASAKI! Have a listen, as Lloyd guides us through his extraordinary life in music and mayhem! And, whatever you play, Play it with passion!

Welcome to episode 11, which is another bumper feast of drumming goodness featuring exclusive interviews with two of the UK’s greatest giants. ASH SOAN is known worldwide as one of THE go-to guys for both recording and live work and his extensive CV backs this up. From Grammy award-winner ADELE to DEL AMITRI, FAITHLESS and SQUEEZE, JAMES MORRISON and many more, Ash is also the resident drummer on BBC TV’s primetime series ‘THE VOICE’. Ash is very relaxed company as he talks us through his career to date.
Also on this episode we talk exclusively with BOB ARMSTRONG. For many years Bob has been known as ‘ The Teacher’s Teacher ‘, as so many of his students have gone on to enjoy stellar careers around the world. Nowadays he concentrates his formidable energies on this role, having stepped back from the gruelling world of the West End theatrical orchestra pit. Here he made many of the most demanding gigs his own following a long career backing the very biggest names in show business.
We hope you enjoy this episode and, as always, remember:
Whatever You Play, Play it with Passion!

Welcome to episode 10.
In this bumper edition you'll find our exclusive interviews with the mighty MEL GAYNOR of SIMPLE MINDS and TIM BROUGHTON from PROVENANCE DRUMS. Mel needs little introduction as his work with epic stadium-rockers Simple Minds has taken him all around the world for over 30 years, but did you know he was already well established as a leading session man before getting that call? His CV includes the likes of Tina Turner, The Pretenders, Robert Palmer, Imagination, The Nolans and many more. We also catch up with TIM BROUGHTON from PROVENANCE DRUMS. Tim combines his twin passions of drums and engineering history by building custom snare drums from the most exotic of rare materials, all of which have a unique and inspiring past.
We hope you enjoy the episode, and always remember;
Whatever You Play, Play It With Passion!