Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree) - drumtalk [episode 10]

Porcupine Tree's Gavin Harrison took a little time before a show with O5Ric in Aschaffenburg (Dec 3rd 2013) to talk with me about progressive drumming and how drumming as an art progressed over the years, about different sources of inspiration, learning and maintain creativity.

[fabianernestopacheco]

Drumming is the architecture of a song.

[DanielVerberne]

Gavin's playing on "Anesthetize" by Porcupine Tree is pretty awesome.  Also love his playing on "What Happens Now?" and of course "Mother and Child Divided".

[persianskeptic]

Most musical drummer I know . My favorite .

[gringochucha]

Only one minute in and Gavin has already explained the essence of good drumming (in my opinion) in a way I'd never thought of before.

[toynazi]

The way he explains everything is so good!

[zaio_DarioMannu_DM-DrumCover]

"I'm very inspired by Architecture, and design... I can see a lot of similarities between architecture, general design and composing music, especially from the drummer point of view, there's a lot of similarities. You know, it's only to be functional. It's only to work as a drumbeat. But it doesn't need to be ugly."

... Oh Gavin!!! I've studied Architecture, and I'm trying to be a drummer, non a pro, but i'm trying to have some kind of skills, groove, ideas... As you have already said, there's an architect Mies van De Rohe which said the same concept: LESS IS MORE. Simple things does not mean that they are also easy. Simple things, seemingly simple, functional, essential, but things with taste, a kind style, a simple way of relating are the hardest things that a person, an architect, a musician (a drummer) might think, translate, create.
I litteraly adore your concept and way you are behind the drumkit. For me, the best conteporary drummer.

[rsmaniak]

I'm not the biggest PT fan but I have to say I love Gavin's grooves, he does a lot of very intricate patterns but in a very very subtle way IMHO. Really interesting drummer.

[manco]

Easily the most articulate drummer I've ever heard.

[charlesdominic]

Absolutely superb stuff and things I have never heard before..Thanks Gavin

[JayObrowski]

Great drumtalk!
Very nice topics and inspirational answers by Gavin.
Gaining some new perspectives and thoughts on drumming after watching your videos.

Thanks alot!

[OriginalGaucho]

Goddamnit! I love Gavin. Even more now.

[EYESPYPHOTOGRAPHY]

I met Gavin at a clinic in my area abouy two years ago and all i can say is wow

[joepeffer]

Brits are some of the smartest and most articulate people when it comes to explaining and verbally communicating a idea or profession. They have such a vast vocabulary understanding in their country that i've never had any complaints listening to their artists talk or lecture. Unless its a top 40 pop type lol

[jmetalskinz]

Just a goddamn genius. So incredibly musical.

[finaldrumer]

"I've had the same basic drum kit layout for the last twenty five years"... I laughed a little at this point.

Such a great drummer, really inspiring.

[Kingding]

When Gavin talks about "floating" over the time, I always think about a break in "cheating the polygraph" from the 2008 porcupine tree blu ray, where he does just that, incredibly beautifully. 

Gavin is a phenomenal musician and drummer.

[julianleischner]

It's kinda cliché to fall for that song but Sound of Muzak still makes me melt. I can kind of play it but all the tiny nuances and the way he grooves playing something like that is incredible to me.

[RhythmofSumit]

He is out of the world drummer. Very technical yet i can feel his playing. Fantastic drummer i have ever listened to. Gavin fuckin harrison

[kostastzolas]

Gavin Harisson is a musician, not just a drummer....
in my point of view, If you refer to GH just as a "drummer" you really underestimate him

[omair]

As pleasant to listen to as he is to watch while playing the drums