Drummer Bradley Polain Re-edited S2 episode 14
Guest: Bradley Polain – accomplished drummer, vocalist, composer, and storyteller based in Adelaide, South Australia.
Summary:
In this compelling interview, Di Spillane chats with beloved South Australian musician Bradley Polain. With natural charm and candid insights, Brad shares how his early jazz gigs at age 12 paved the way for decades of live performance, studio work, and mentorship. From his no-reading teaching philosophy to his love for Zeppelin-inspired hard rock, Brad reflects on the drummers who shaped him, the unlikely beginnings of Hindley Street Country Club, and why he still hasn’t released his own music—yet.
Whether you’re a drum enthusiast, a fan of live music, or just love a good story, this episode hits all the right notes.
Topics Covered:
- Childhood gigs & learning brushes the day before performance
- Growing up in a loud, musical household 🎶
- The evolution from brass bands to jazz, cover bands, and international shows
- Studio sessions and award-winning albums recorded in Los Angeles 🏆
- Musical influences from Buddy Rich to John Bonham
- Why Brad doesn’t read sheet music—and what that says about his teaching approach
- Adelaide’s thriving drummer scene & Cargo Club memories
- Hindley Street Country Club origins, live recording discipline & collaboration
- Touring across Bali, Darwin, and beyond 🌏
- Writing original music in New Orleans, but struggling to release it
- Dreams of an intimate gig at The Baked Potato (LA), with an all-star fantasy lineup
- Reflections on musical legacy, perfectionism, and the joy of harmonies
- Rapid-fire questions: from stick drops to TV shows and the best deodorant for drummers 🤘
Quote Highlights:
“Is there reading involved? I think I’m washing my hair that day.”
“You don’t always need the original track telling you what to do.”
“I just want to leave behind a few nice memories.”
“Sometimes the only way to learn jazz is Friday afternoon brush lessons before your Saturday gig.”
“All the deodorants—at the same time.”
Links & Mentions:
- Hindley Street Country Club
- Reggae On
- Jamie Jones, Craig Lauritsen, Simon Rigby, Adam Dicker
- James Muller, Damian Steelscott, Paul White
- Zildjian Cymbals, Ludwig Drums, Billy Hyde Music
- The Cargo Club, Notorious (Darwin band), The Baked Potato (LA)
- Catherine Lambert and The Hep Hounds
Call to Action:
Love this episode? Share it with fellow music fans, drummers, and anyone who loves stories that groove. Subscribe to the BAND IT ABOUT - Podcast Series, leave a comment or rating, and follow for more behind-the-scenes chats with Adelaide's finest music makers.
Music
The BAND IT ABOUT theme song was written for the BAND IT ABOUT Podcast Series by Catherine Lambert and recorded by Catherine Lambert and Michael Bryant.
'Fooled Again' written by Bradley Polain. Fooled Again features Bradley Polain (drums/vocals), James Muller (guitar), Damien Steele Scott (bass), and Paul White (keys), it's a great song that hopefully, he will release at some stage in the not too distant future!
The Hindley Street Country Club YouTube
All of the BAND IT ABOUT - Podcast Series Links can be found here: https://linktr.ee/banditaboutpodcastseries
First version had 629 Listeners making it the most popular interview for this podcast.
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