DRUM with Mike & Eddy

Welcome to Episode 211 of DRUM with Mike & Eddy! This week, we are looking back at the exact turning points that shaped our careers as professional drummers. We’re skipping the "hustle culture" buzzwords and getting straight into the reality of what it actually takes to build a life around the kit.

Here is what we get into this week:

• Grail Gear Guilt: Eddy scores a legendary pair of Joey Jordison sticks, and I break...

In this episode, we get into what it really takes to prepare to record, and why “jamming to a song” and tracking a song for an artist are two totally different worlds. Eddy shares how he practices and preps parts (often without writing anything down), why e-kits can be a secret weapon for learning technical material, and how to identify the non-negotiables in a drum part when a demo already has programmed drums.

We also talk about f...

In this episode, Eddy and I realized that without physical drum magazines sitting around our studios, we’ve totally lost touch with what the major brands, besides our endorsements, are doing. So, we decided to fix that by taking a deep dive into companies that we are not sponsored by, starting with Pearl Drums!

We answer the internet's most googled questions about the brand (Is Pearl actually good? Pearl vs. Tama?), and then—wi...

Happy Monday, EVERYONE! This week, Eddy and I are geeking out on one of our favorite topics: drum fills. But we aren’t just talking about the fastest or choppiest fills; we’re talking about the ones that involve PRO-level choices. We break down some absolute genius moments from Aaron Sterling, The RH Factor, Paramore, and Mark Guiliana to figure out exactly why those specific choices elevated the music so perfectly.

We also decided ...

Every year, Eddy and I do a Christmas episode, but this one turned into something way bigger than we expected. We ended up going deep on what we’re calling our grail gear. The sticks, cymbals, snares, and full drum kits that shaped us, inspired us, and flat-out made us fall in love with the drums in the first place. From Joey Jordison's blood-red sticks and Dave Weckl hero worship, to wild discontinued cymbals, one-of-a-kind s...

What makes the drumming community so special? In this episode, Eddy and I sit down with our good friend Kim Lee from Music Workshop in Bath, England, to talk about building communities—and why drummers seem to do it better than anyone else.

We share stories about our first music communities, from my early days printing Simon Says merch on thrift store shirts to Eddy's touring experiences and Kim's unexpected journey throug...

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In episode 205, Eddy and I chat about our experiences with private lessons, both as students and as teachers. We discuss the importance of teaching drums not as a means to showcase what students can'tt do, but rather to identify and address the barriers preventing them from achieving their drumming goals. We throw a tad bit of shade at the rare instance when t...

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In this episode, Eddy and I explore the complex relationship between effort and reward in creative endeavors and where routine fits into it all. We chat about the emotional struggles artists face when their hard work does not yield the recognition or success they expected. Basically, you'll hear us, in real time, struggle with what it's like to ...

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Creating a drum fill that connects with everyone, not just drummers, is tough. Creating a signature fill that becomes iconic for an entire generation? That’s damn near impossible.

In this week’s episode, Eddy and I break down how to think about the song first instead of worrying about what other drummers might think. We talk about musical responsibility, writing “ho...

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In this episode of DRUM with Mike & Eddy, we dive into something every drummer and musician deals with but rarely talks about: the gap between who you are on the kit when you’re alone and who you are when it really counts—on stage, in the studio, at a clinic, or even just filming content for social media.

We start with life on tour, questionable hotel ...

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We are BACK!!! I can’t believe we’ve hit 200 episodes! In this one, Eddy and I look back on the wild ride this podcast has been — the laughs, the lessons, and everything we’ve learned from the drumming community along the way. We get real about what touring actually feels like, why musical performance will always matter more than raw speed, and how to keep your aud...

The title says it all. Our break is over, and we are dedicated to getting you the weekly episodes you deserve. Thanks for all the support! It means the world. 

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A.I. wrote this... 😂

In this engaging conversation, Mike Johnston and Eddy discuss their personal experiences in music, the balance of learning and community in drum camps, and the excitement of performi...

  In this episode of DRUM with Mike & Eddy, we dive into the learning process every drummer faces: repetition, subconscious retention, and true musical freedom. “You Can’t Use It Until You Forget It” explores how muscle memory, practice routines, and long-term learning shape your drumming. Discover why mastery comes only after letting go. 

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Chapters
00:00 Int...

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In this episode, we explore the journey of becoming a drummer, discuss the transition from hobbyist to professional, the challenges faced along the way, and the realities of pursuing a music career. We then chat about our personal journeys of personal growth, branding in the music industry, and the mindset required to succeed. We emphasize the need for action and t...

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There's no denying that E-kits make up a large portion of drum kit sales every year. So, how do we really feel about them? In this episode, we discuss the nuances of electronic kits (E-kits) compared to acoustic kits. We also explore the technical aspects of E-kits, their role in songwriting, and how they provide accessibility for new drummers and those limite...