Real (GOOD) Drums for churches - Churchfront Podcast | Joey Parish

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Church Front Worship and Tech Podcast - Episode with Joey Parish

Guest: Joey Parish - Founder of Parish Drums

Episode Description

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Joey Parish, founder of Parish Drums and longtime touring drummer with Chris Tomlin and Shane & Shane. Discover how one drummer's need for portable gear led to a complete rethinking of drums designed specifically for worship contexts. From canvas drum heads to brush techniques, Joey shares practical insights for worship teams looking to solve volume and space challenges.

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Key Topics Covered

Joey's Background

• Started playing in church in 5th/6th grade with a pawn shop drum kit
• Early touring with Chris Tomlin (the "little east Texas guy in a cowboy hat")
• Years on the road with Shane & Shane, learning nuanced, acoustic-focused drumming
• Transition from bus tours to flying and the birth of Parish Drums

The Parish Drums Innovation

• The Problem: Need for consistent, portable drums for fly dates
• The Research: Existing portable kits were too heavy (70+ lbs without cases)
• The Solution: Custom-built nesting kit under 50 lbs, fits in airline luggage
• Evolution: From 14" bass drum to current 18" bass drum design

Design Philosophy

• Wood Choices: Mahogany exterior, poplar interior (softer, less dense woods)
• Bearing Edges: Rounded edges for less resonance and more control
• Shell Depth: Shorter drums for quicker decay
• Goal: "Dead, thumpy" drums that don't require extensive muffling

Revolutionary Canvas Heads

• Patent Pending: First-of-its-kind cotton canvas drum heads
• Benefits: Extremely quiet, removes high frequencies, maintains attack
• Testing: Road-tested extensively during Shane & Shane Christmas tour
• Sound: Natural muffling without sacrificing musical quality

Playing Techniques for Worship

• Brush Advocacy: Nylon bristle brushes for volume control and articulation
• Brush Development: Creating improved brushes to solve durability issues
• Dynamic Range: Learning to play from whisper-quiet to full volume
• Adaptability: Removing drums as needed to fit the room/moment

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Practical Tips for Worship Drummers

In-Ear Monitor Mixing

• Counter-intuitive Tip: Turn problem instruments UP in your mix to naturally play softer
• Simplification: Turn off crowd mics, choir mics to maintain timing focus
• Click Track: Use plenty of click for solid timing foundation

Transitioning from Rock to Worship

1. Understand the Mission: Create an environment for corporate worship
2. Know the Songs: Learn originals thoroughly before adapting
3. Build Vocabulary: Play with different worship leaders to develop adaptability
4. Embrace Dynamics: Move beyond on/off playing to gradual dynamic shifts

Room Adaptation

• Play the Room: Adjust setup and dynamics to fit the space
• Less is More: Sometimes removing elements serves the music better
• Acoustic Partnership: Leave space for other instruments to fill

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Technical Insights

Microphone Approaches

• Versatility: Parish drums work well with any standard drum mics
• Preference: Beta 98s on toms for wood hoop compatibility
• Studio Standard: 421s on toms, large diaphragm dynamics on kick
• Monitor Mix: Often removes bottom snare mic from personal mix for clarity

Drum Tuning and Setup

• Locking Tension Rods: Maintain tuning stabi