Todd Sucherman on Steve Smith's 1980 Oak Phonics at West Coast Drum Shop/Donn Bennett's Drum Vault
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- Опубліковано 18 кві 2024
- I was eleven years old when I saw Steve Smith play live for the first time. It was September 1st, 1980 at the Rosemont Horizon just outside of Chicago and it was truly a life changing event. A “big bang” for me. The kit he used on that tour was the Oak veneered Sonor Phonics and these drums were documented on the Journey “Captured” live album from that tour, as well as (with additional toms) the Journey records “Escape” and “Frontiers.” They were used on the first few Vital Information records among other releases as well. These drums have been residing with Donn Bennett stored at the West Coast Drum Shop in Bellevue, Washington. Steve, Donn and Chase Culp from West Coast allowed me to use these drums at my recent masterclass there earlier in the week. To play them was truly a thrill. All the drumming, all the music I studied that Steve played on these drums-I can’t even describe the feeling. Thanks to Steve, Donn and Chase for a unique thrill…for I was once the excited eleven year old in the 27th row getting my mind blown and now 44 years later I was able to play those same drums. Incredible!
All us older drummers are still kids and fans at heart.
You are so right bro! 😂👍
Love seeing pros geeking out like the rest of us.
My two favorite drummers… ever. Steve Smith and Todd
Sucherman.
?
Agree..two monster drummers!
That drum solo Steve Smith did on that tour was the best drum solo of all time. It was so melodic and musical. Most drummers just want to impress with speed and technique, but Steve Smith made the solo more than just an athletic event. He made the drums into a true musical instrument.
We feel lucky that you were able to have this experience in our shop! Thanks so much for another amazing masterclass 🙌🙌🙌
Todd has the heart of a rock drummer with the soul of a jazz drummer.
You perfectly embody the sentiment that we Steve Smith fans all share.
But you, Todd, have such a powerful connection to the spirit and soul that Steve Smith has bestowed upon us. To the point that it would be difficult to see another high level drummer in that seat. It makes sense that you are the one.
Thank you for sharing. I was moved.
You’re not the only one Todd, Steve changed a lot of us drummers back in the day. I was living in Denver at the time and was lucky enough to see him play in 82. He blew my mind! He and Danny Seraphine were my idols back then. I have since added you to my list. Rock on brother!!
Back then 81/82 I was lucky enough to hang out with him at his house playing-ish his Sonor drums and listening to the UK live album with T.Bozzio on drums!
"Time and Feel" thats what he told me to remember above all !!!
No way! Matt Haffner!
Great to see iconic kits like that actually being played, and properly rinsed by Todd by the way, and not just hidden away in museums or private collections.
I second that emotion. Too many times we see great instruments in glass cases just because whomever played them. Yes they have historical, and sentimental value. But at the end of the day an instrument is still an instrument!! Play them things. Let them shine, and bring inspiration to new, and experienced musicians alike.
Meh, I kind of doubt they see much action given what they are. But I agree 100%.
@@fleatactical7390 Thanks
Todd..........I had the same experience as you did 12 days earlier at the Philadelphia Spectrum on August 20th 1980. Twenty rows from the stage. I followed in Steve's footsteps studying at Berklee and studying privately with Gary Chaffee. Also, learning about Steve's partner in crime at Berklee Vinnie Colaiuta. Awesome times in the early eighties. Thanks for bringing back some incredible memories!!!
Man how cool is it to play such an Iconic drumkit! I can see why you are freaking out Todd. Man this kit sounds Amazing! I think we all have the special drummer who inspired us at a young age to sit down and learn this Amazing instrument. Awesome for sure!
I teach, buy,and sell drums for 60+years...Those Phonics are so collectible.Great drums.AND You can play them.
Wow. I think this is now my favorite thing that you have posted. What a thrill! And so endearing to watch...Love you Todd. My grouchy and cynical old heart grew two sizes when I watched this video thank you❤❤🤩💌💓🫨🥹
WOW!!!!! Steve SMith is a monster, and the footage of him with that kit is some of my favorite.
Best drummer in the world in my book. Not because of Journey, but because of everything he did after Journey. IMO the most well-rounded and solid technician of our day.
Steve's solo in "Captured" is still my favorite all time favorite
I realized ¾ of the way thru this video that I had a big goofy involuntary smile. How can ya not dig Todd and appreciate n be happy for him.
That's my reaction when watching ANYTHING Todd does.
Wow Todd! So cool. I’d probably feel that same way given the opportunity to play your kit. Love your work. Your Drumeo Rock Drumming Masterclass is an absolute game changer!
When I bought my first Pearl Export 9-piece (Flash Yellow) in 1989 I was committed to learning the Captured album stroke for stroke, including Steve's La Do Da solo. Thanks for transporting me back...
Todd, I saw you in Clearwater, FL in January you blew me away! Crash Of The Crowns is most popular on the playlist right now.
That is a dream come true for any drummer. I’m glad you were able to experience that iconic kit. Just down right COOL 😎
Todd comes out guns blazing and doing justice to this historic set. I grew up in the SF Bay Area and saw Journey in the '80s. I'm sure it was this same set... Sounds like thunder!
Imagine coming home from work and finding Todd jamming on your kit! Lolol "hey Todd, stay for dinner"
Incredible. Just Incredible.❤
this is amazing, thank you Todd
Todd "THE MACHINE" Sucherman !!!
Steve Smith has been in my top 5 faves forever 👍😎🙏🥁
I remember when Andy Penn’s Drum & Guitar City in Sacramento got Steve’s white Sonor kit from around 82-83…..it was on the floor and a few of us got to play it (around 87 I think), those kits had an aura from knowing that they had been on world tours! Cool stuff.
Todd Such-a-man. is awsome
Probably one of the only drummers around that can do that kit justice
Hell to the yes. Doing them drums justice. One of my favorite solos. Pretty unique.
Get out of town! Love that kit.
This is Really Awesome!! Thanks Todd!! Subbed.
Todd really has all the skills that make a great drummer.
LOL. AS HE SHOULD
Awesome experience! The sound and energy are there. Thanks Todd❤
SONOR for life.D🤘O
The solo on Captured sealed my fate!
That old Sonor sets from the 70s and 80s (Phonic, Signature, Lite) still put most modern drums to shame.
Interesting fun fact: the standard 4pc shell pack for the phonic series in the late 70s/early 80s was 22, 13, 14, 16 ... while most others where going 22, 12, 13, 16.
Awesome! Two of my favorite drummers. 🥁
What a great place, and I have been able to sit in that front row on several occasions over the years. Todd are they going home with you..... Hey Donn!
That live room mic captures the thunder well. I love it!
This was insanely cool to see. So happy for you - AND the rest of us (since we're able to witness it here). Such an important kit. Never saw him play it live (Escape was my first tour - and I LOVED rhose Red Sigs, too), but the sound, from Captured - a childhood favroite - and other live recordings circa 1980, is etched indelibly on my psyche.
I believe he was using a Fibreskyn 2 on the snare at that point, before returning to a regular coated Ambassador (with the black electrical tape stretched around the edge). Awesome sound!
How cool is that!! Nice one, Todd!
Ferocious...
Iconic!
Cheers from Panama.
You make it look so easy and cool.
THIS IS who the professional drummers seek out! ✔️✔️🥁
WOW! Congrats!
A legend on a legends kit
Bello/magnifico.😱😱😱😱😱😱👑🍾💓
That’s super cool! Like you, Steve treats drumming as an art. Though great, he’s even better now which he attributed to Freddy. My father, probably yours as well, was always reaching for that next plateau. I found my dad’s contract and some pamphlets from the Chez. Neat looking back.
I like your style man!
Holy sh.... the old thunder barrels.... I don´t remember when I got the "Captured" record, think it must have been ´84 or so... but I remember practicing steve´s solo on my old Ludwig kit on and on and on and on.... and in ´86 I bought a white Phonic Plus, same sizes and it was just LOUD! My god.... I think I could blame Sonor for my tinnitus, at least a part of it LOL 🤣🤣🤣🤣
It’s cool seeing Todd, a Pearl endorser, behind a Sonor kit. Those kits are hard to find and ridiculously expensive. I’m still looking for a 90s Designer.
Todd and Steve are not only great drummers but they are also great drum educators and drum ambassadors.
I think Dom Famularo would be very happy knowing that Todd and Steve are now filling in for him.
I guess I must have been under a rock last year... I didn't realize Dom had passed... too busy in other forms or music and my day job... but Dom was the GOAT when it comes to being the Drum Ambassador. The template for the perfect educator and interviewer. RIP
So frickin cool Todd
Awesome!!! 👍👍
Sucherman is the man!
Todd owns many vintage Sonor kits. Probably buy this one soon enough.
That’s rad
Todd your the man also.
Todd in Journey would be like having Smith’s finesse and Castronovo’s dynamic range…
Спасибо за урок тодд
Welcome back to Western Washington, Todd! You couldn't have picked nicer weather. Ssshh, don't tell anyone. It was rainy and 37 degrees the whole time...
Very cool Todd, Hmmmm!!! Isn't he going to notice your stick prints on his drum heads though, LOL....🤔🤪🤘🤘
Man, what an eye opener to the sound of oak drums. Any info on the snare? It looks to be different from the rest of the kit.
That snare is a Sonor medium maple SQ2
Hey Todd did The Babys open for Journey at that show ? They did in Atlanta the same year. Two fine drummers that evening with Tony Brock and Steve Smith.
No...I can't remember who did but it was absolutely not The Babys.
I talked with my cousin and he saw Journey in Ohio about 3 weeks prior to the Sept 1 Rosemont show. He remembers Joe Perry Project or maybe LeRoux as the opener. I always appreciated quality opening acts and special guests. More often than not back in the day they would become headliners, for example the first time I saw Styx in 76 they were special guest of Foghat with Mother’s Finest opening. Well worth the $6.50 I paid.
Which AAX hats are those, Todd?
Check out the old Felt Strips on the Bass Drums OMG does anyone still use them
I thought this drum kit was already sold?
He's goin' so wicked FAST the dang mics can't keep up!!
Did you buy the set?
What’s with the flanger?
👍👌
I've always wondered, were the Ambassadors or Emps?
Ambassadors.
@@toddsucherman Awesome! Can never go wrong there.
Hit like .
Your signature Cymbals And your Pearl Pedals LOL
when pearl sees that..nice drumming
Uh…I thought everyone knows that if you get to play a Steve Smith set, you MUST play Don’t Stop Believin’. Isn’t a law of nature or something? 😂 Maybe it’s just me.
Oak? I thought phonics were beech? 😮
Oak veneer on beech.
🤓
I thought he was a Pearl guy?
I am....I can't play my hero's kit that I saw him play live 44 years ago because of that?
Sounds like a trash can
You mean St Anger's kit?
Almost like you're just hearing phone audio or something
@@robertoricci3393 🤫
@@drummerdan95 I’m hearing a raw drum kit and the acoustics in that room are just bouncing sound off the walls and it sounds terrible