Guitar Center Sessions: Gavin Harrison - Bonnie the Cat

Drummer Gavin Harrison boasts an impressive resume. Known primarily for his playing with prog masters Porcupine Tree, Harrison has lent his astonishing skills to a diverse list of artists including Iggy Pop and Lisa Stansfield. Since 2008, he has also been a member of original prog rock group, King Krimson. In addition, Gavin Harrison's instructional books Rhythmic Designs, Rhythmic Illusions and Rhythmic Perspectives, as well as his DVDs Rhythmic Horizons and Rhythmic Visions have been hailed as essential material on complex poly-rhythms and creative drumming.

[pankeaux]

Sometimes they adjust atomic clocks to Harrison, just to make sure.

[arsonne]

I think I speak for everyone when I say we are all so relieved that Gavin was still up to come back to Porcupine Tree.

[tiekoe]

the mix engineer that did this live recording deserves a medal

[JinKazama]

Today, at a drum clinic in Moscow I asked Gavin jokingly whether he could play Bonnie The Cat. He said "No" but then sat behind his drumkit and freaking played it. Oh my god, he is so awesome.

[xwinglover]

The fact that there are so many jokes about the "dumb drummer" is totally negated by the brilliance of this guy. Gavin can articulate a story just as fluently as he can with the sticks. One of the best musicians on the planet in my opinion

[rizzorizzo]

It’s a shame this guy doesn’t get mentioned much in conversations about the GOATs. Has to be one of the most underrated drummers around today by the general music listening public.

[Philtoid]

I have genuinely held Bonnie the cat. I recorded at monkey puzzle studio in Suffolk (where this album was recorded) and the producer, Rupert, has a cat there called Bonnie. Shes very friendly

[RandomGuy]

of all the drummers i've heard..i've always felt Gavin Harrisons drums have the sweetest tone.

[Alienasa]

Gavin 'Ghost note' Harrison.

[MarkRiches]

the best thing is that this song isn't odd-metered at all. It is absolutely straight 4/4 throughout. That's his whole shtick; he doesn't want to play odd-meters to sound technical, he likes to make rhythmic illusions that basically manipulate how you hear a rhythm. he's just brilliant.

[museandmuse]

Prior to him getting on stage to play this seminar, I had asked him if we can follow up with any questions. I asked him if the music came first or the drums and he answered my question like this ( full on technical, detailed explanation) what a guy. And yes that was me he was talking to, I was there during the seminar. 

[carlosfc]

once i heard that this song os 4/4 i quit drumming

[ronniemormino]

I have to alomost laugh or cry when I watch this...the feel of this, the groove of this..the heaviness ..ungodly..sick Gavin..I can only watch and listen in awe!

[dalemaguire]

amazing...I've been a drummer for 30 years and am 39 years old...not a lot impresses me when it comes to drumming anymore but THIS man is Impressive!!! absolutely flawless

[lewisratzker]

I currently enjoy his drumming more than anybody else's. He is totally unique in his mental approach to playing drums together with the extra ordinary ability he has to transfer that mentality physically to his kit.
I've been playing drums for over 40 years & I'm not easily impressed, but his drumming really blows me away.... & what an amazing drum sound, wow!

[StoneAIM]

his fucking ghost notes makes me rage quit right away

[dokanyon]

what a fucking sick drumbeat is this damn

[zappalniczka]

This is called conscious playing. It is a big pleasure to listen and watch an expert in action. Thanks for sharing.

[dogmart]

The Steve Jansen beat Gavin demonstrates (starting at 0:47) is the Japan song, "Still Life in Mobile Homes." Great to see Gavin giving recognition to great British post-punk band.

[Waverer]

This groove gives me multiple eargasms