Garza Podcast 200 - TOSH PETERSON: Drumming for Lady Gaga, Filter, Damnage & Pearl Kit Rundown
Sep 29, 2025
Tosh Peterson, aka Tosh the Drummer, is a session/live drummer for Lady Gaga, Fall Out Boy and Filter who fronts the band DAMNAGE. He talks about starting drums at age two, blending gospel, hip-hop and heavy styles, subbing into major tours last-minute, touring with Gaga and 2.5M crowds, his DAMNAGE projects, social media strategy, and a Pearl kit and electronics rundown.
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Started Drumming With A Toddler Kit
- Tosh got his first toddler drum kit at age two and beat it to pieces before upgrading to a Gretsch Catalina Club at five.
- He learned by playing his dad's drums and destroying small kits, which jump-started his lifelong comfort with loud, physical playing.
Pocket First Then Drum Heroes
- Early on Tosh focused on hip-hop grooves (Snoop/Dr. Dre) and sampled funk feel rather than drummers, which shaped his pocket and feel.
- He cites a single Snoop-era groove as the turning point that taught him simplicity and feel beat impact.
DM'd Thomas Pridgen And Copied His Setup
- At 11 Tosh DM'd Thomas Pridgen, posted tagged videos from his dad's phone, and got noticed within three posts.
- He stood outside a show, met Thomas, and adopted unusual setup traits like 19" hi-hats and stacked crashes.