Drum History Podcast
Hosted by Drum History
A weekly deep-dive into the history of drums, featuring forensic-level explorations of gear, technique, and the influential figures who shaped the instrument.
This is a scholarly yet accessible podcast dedicated to the minutiae of drum history. Episodes are often forensic investigations into a specific piece of gear (like Steve Gadd's kits), a forgotten historical figure (like teacher Ed B. Straight), or a technical process (like creating sample packs). The host acts as a knowledgeable facilitator, bringing on world-class experts to share their deep, niche knowledge with a passionate audience.
“The podcast's commitment to 'forensic-level detail' sets it apart. While other shows cover drum history, this one is known for multi-part series and roundtable discussions that unpack topics with academic rigor, often using new photographic evidence or listener-submitted research.”
Who hosts this show
Drum History Podcast is hosted and produced by Bart van der Zee, a lifelong drummer and audio engineer. Launched in 2018, the show features interviews with expert guests like historians, authors, and legendary musicians to explore the detailed evolution of the drum set. Bart has worked as a session drummer and as an audio engineer on albums, commercials, and films, including a Grammy-nominated project.
Credentials & credits
- Host and Producer of Drum History Podcast
- Audio Engineer (Film, TV, Commercials, Audiobooks)
- ADR Recordist
- Session & Live Musician
- Grammy Nomination for Best Roots Gospel Album (as engineer)
- Studied Electronic Media at College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati
What kind of podcast
When new episodes drop
- 01
- 02A Look at the Gear of Steve Gadd (Part 2) with Paul WellsDec 17, 2025 · 2h 07m
- 03How Drum Sample Packs Are Created with Shawn Fields and Darrell ThorpNov 4, 2025 · 1h 08m
- 04A Look at the Gear of Steve Gadd (Part 1) with Paul Wells - Drum History PodcastOct 7, 2025 · 2h 10m
- 05The Best Affordable Drum Throne On the Market - Only $85!Sep 23, 2025 · 5 min
- 06Your Mind’s Ear: Dave Elitch on Sound, Gear, and Playing Without Pain - EP257Aug 12, 2025 · 48 min
- 07How To Pronounce the Tough Drum Brand Names with Eric LeidermanFeb 4, 2025 · 1h 04m
- 08Drumming Insights: A look at "Drummers on Drumming" with Ben Hilzinger - EP 255Jan 21, 2025 · 1h 03m
Notable episodes
- 01A Look at the Gear of Steve Gadd (Parts 1 & 2) with Paul Wells
A multi-part forensic deep-dive that showcases the show's meticulous research, use of new evidence, and community involvement.
- 02The Forgotten Drum Pioneer: Ed B. Straight with Glenn Kotche, Kevin Lepper, and Tim Lautzenheiser
A roundtable discussion with multiple high-profile experts to resurrect the history of a forgotten but hugely influential figure.
- 03How Drum Sample Packs Are Created with Shawn Fields and Darrell Thorp
Features a 10-time Grammy-winning engineer and demystifies a modern, highly technical aspect of drum production.
What you'll be asked on this show
Bart van der Zee's style is facilitative and inquisitive. He typically opens by warmly introducing his guests and their credentials before setting the stage for the episode's topic. He guides the conversation by asking foundational questions like "Can you explain the concept of...?" to establish context for the listener. He probes for deeper detail with specific, technical questions informed by his own audio background, such as asking about the number of tracks in a mixing session. He often elicits anecdotes about famous musicians, but his primary mode is to let the expert lead the discussion, interjecting to clarify points rather than to challenge them.
The show is primarily a long-form interview or roundtable discussion. Host Bart van der Zee is a skilled facilitator who introduces the topic and then cedes the floor to his expert guests. He uses his own audio engineering background to ask insightful technical questions and ensures complex topics remain accessible to the audience.
Questions Drum History keeps coming back to
9 cataloguedIf you're going on this show as a guest, expect some version of each of these. Each note explains when Drum History reaches for it.
origin
2- Q.01
“Can you introduce yourself and set the stage for today's topic?”
This is often his opening move to frame the episode and establish the guest's authority.
- Q.02
“Let's dive in, tell us about [the main topic of the episode].”
Used as a direct transition from introductions into the core subject matter.
process
2- Q.01
“Can you explain the basic concept of [topic] for the audience?”
He asks this early to define core technical terms and ensure listeners can follow along.
- Q.02
“What did the project look like from a technical standpoint?”
Leveraging his audio engineering background, he asks this to understand the guest's workflow and process.
personal
1- Q.01
“What's your personal background with drumming?”
This question clarifies the guest's relationship to the instrument, whether as a player, engineer, or historian.
future
1- Q.01
“Why is this historical topic relevant again today?”
He uses this to connect historical subjects to the present day, establishing their modern importance.
technique
1- Q.01
“How does [a specific technical aspect] actually work?”
This type of question seeks to clarify a granular, mechanical, or technical detail for the audience.
backstory
1- Q.01
“What was your experience with [this type of work] before this project?”
This explores the guest's professional backstory and the expertise they bring to the topic.
craft
1- Q.01
“What was it like working with [famous drummer] on their sound?”
This question is used to elicit memorable anecdotes about well-known figures in the industry.
Topics covered repeatedly
Who gets booked here
Guests are typically world-class experts with highly specific knowledge. This includes Grammy-winning producers (Darrell Thorp), renowned drummers from iconic bands (Glenn Kotche of Wilco), dedicated historians (Paul Wells), and veteran educators (Tim Lautzenheiser).
- Glenn Kotcheon The Forgotten Drum Pioneer: Ed B. Straight...
- Paul Wellson A Look at the Gear of Steve Gadd (Part 2)
- Darrell Thorpon How Drum Sample Packs Are Created...
- Dave Elitchon Your Mind’s Ear: Dave Elitch on Sound, Gear, and Playing Without Pain
- Ben Hilzingeron Drumming Insights: A look at "Drummers on Drumming"
Where to find this show
Audience & reach
Sponsors are niche, drum-specific hardware and accessory companies like Klaw Kick and GM Designs Cymbals. The angle is direct marketing to a highly targeted audience of dedicated drummers who invest in their equipment.
Subscriber and view counts are pulled live from YouTube and re-verified on a 30-day cycle. Listener estimates for the RSS feed aren't published here unless they're host-verified.
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People also ask
- What is the host's real name?
- The host's name is Bart van der Zee.
- Is the Drum History Podcast still active?
- Yes, the podcast releases new episodes weekly, typically on Tuesdays.
- What is the format of the show?
- The show is primarily long-form interviews and roundtable discussions with expert guests on specific topics related to drum history, gear, and technique.
- Where can I listen to the podcast?
- The podcast is available on YouTube and major podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts.
- How can I contact the podcast?
- The podcast's official website lists an email for contact: [email — gated].
Built from the show's public RSS feed, YouTube, the host's own websites, and the cited sources below. Computed and AI-extracted fields are labelled. Facts only — no private info, no fabrication, no transcripts republished.
Sources & how this page was built
This page is AI-assisted, grounded in the public sources cited below, and host-verifiable. We publish facts only; we do not republish transcripts. If anything here is wrong, the host can claim and correct the page above.Model: gemini-2.5-pro · high confidence
- [01]Drum History Podcast Official Websitedrumhistorypodcast.com
- [02]Bart van der Zee on Working Drummer Podcastpodcasts.apple.com
- [03]Bart Vanderzee - Audio/Film/TV Portfoliobartvanderzee.com
- [04]The 100th Episode Special - Get to Know Bartyoutube.com
- [05]Darrell Thorp Official Websitedarrellthorp.com
- [06]Glenn Kotche Official Websiteglennkotche.com
- [07]Drum History Podcast on Not So Modern Drummernotsomoderndrummer.com
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