This week's guest is Gunnar Olsen. Gunnar's been on the show a lot recently with "save it for the pod" segments. But I noticed his Big Fat Five episode is almost 4 years old, which is a shame. Recently, I went to the Hollywood Bowl with my friends Mike Robinson and Neal Daniels, both show alumni, to see Gunnar play with Puscifer on the Sessanta tour, celebrating Maynard James Keenan's 60th birthday. It was mind-blowing. Gunnar is an incredible drummer, one of the best out there. At this show, Josh Freese was playing with A Perfect Circle, but now that Josh is busy with Foo Fighters gigs, Gunnar is playing with both Puscifer and A Perfect Circle for the rest of the tour. It's unbelievable and well-deserved. Puscifer is a perfect fit for Gunnar. Apart from this tour, Gunnar has also recorded or toured with Big Data, Bruce Springsteen, Miley Cyrus, HOKO, Mother Feather, Fischerspooner, Goo Goo Dolls, and many others. He's possibly my favorite drummer, and I admire him a lot. He's a close friend, and I always try to catch his shows when we're in the same town. Although this conversation is from 4 years ago, I wanted to bring it back up because the information is still relevant. It's fascinating to hear Gunnar talk about Tim Alexander of Primus, who has been a big influence on him, and now see them hanging out on tour together, seeming like best buds. Anyway, Gunnar, I'm really proud of you, and I admire your career more than you know, even though I tell you all the time. I hope you enjoy the records that helped shape Gunnar Olsen into the drummer he is today. Cheers!

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Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!

Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

GUNNAR'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - ...And Justice For All

Artist - Metallica

Release Year - 1988

Key Track(s) - Harvester of Sorrow

Drummer - Lars Urich

Album - Reggatta De Blanc

Artist - The Police

Release Year - 1979

Key Track(s) - The Bed's Too Big Without You

Drummer - Stewart Copeland

Album - Songs for the Deaf

Artist - Queens of the Stone Age

Release Year - 2002

Key Track(s) - Song for the Dead

Drummer - Dave Grohl

Album - Dust

Artist - Ben Monder

Release Year - 2006

Key Track(s) - Dust

Drummer - Jim Black

Album - Largo

Artist - Brad Mehldau

Release Year - 2002

Key Track(s) - When It Rains

Drummer - Matt Chamberlain

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Big Fat Five: Gunnar Olsen's (Puscifer / Bruce Springsteen / Mother Feather) Top 5 Influential Records