Celebrating 500 episodes, you’re right in the middle of a musician’s playground with Dave, Mike Schulte, and Skylar Hamilton. You’ll hear how Skylar picked up the sticks to ace a school audition, why guitar lessons with Dad flopped, and what it takes to manage intensity behind the kit, especially as the decades wear on. From Clem Burke’s calorie-burning groove to the strange question of why drums wear covers, you’re reminded that rhythm is equal parts sweat, curiosity, and craft. Always Be Performing, whether it’s a practice room breakthrough or chasing the perfect sound on stage.

The crew also dives into their favorite past episodes—Jan Hammer, Kenny Aronoff, and the time Dave encountered the perfect microphone in the middle of the woods. They break down the stats of 500 shows, debate cable-wrapping controversies, and swap dream guest lists ranging from Geddy Lee to Joe Jonas. It’s a candid look at what keeps Gig Gab thriving: learning from everyone, laughing at quirks, and spotlighting the passion that fuels musicians (and drummers!) alike.

• 00:00:00 Gig Gab 500 – Monday, September 22nd, 2025
  
  
  
  • September 22nd: National Family Day
  
  
  • Guest co-hosts: Mike Schulte, and Skylar Hamilton
  
  
  
  


• 00:05:00 How did Skylar come to play drums?
  
  
  
  • Dad, I need you to teach me how to play the drums so I can pass an audition for the school band
  
  
  • “I knew my dad was cool.”
  
  
  • Daddy/daughter guitar lessons were a spectacular failure, but we approached drums differently…and succeeded!
  
  
  
  


• 00:14:30 Daddy, why is there a cover on your drums?


• 00:15:41 Re-learning our intensity levels as drummers
  
  
  
  • Keeping
  
  
  • Clem Burke burned 800 calories per hour drumming
  
  
  
  


• 00:19:02 What are your favorite episodes?
  
  
  
  • Jan Hammer on Gig Gab
  
  
  • Kenny Aronoff on Gig Gab
  
  
  • Propofol Airlines on Gig Gab
  
  
  
  


• 25:00 Four Chords and The Truth Tom Petty Tribute on Gig Gab
  
  
  
  • Pork Tornadoes Viral Video with Tennesee Whiskey
  
  
  
  


• 00:31:55 SPONSOR: Square – See what Square has been up to in your neck of the woods, and then visit square.com/go/giggab


• 00:33:24 PODCAST: Takin’ a Walk with Buzz Knight explores the insights from guests about musicians, bands, and the music they create.


• 00:34:47 500 Episodes…The STATS!
  
  
  
  • 420 hours, 2 minutes, 27 seconds (through ep499)
    
    
    
    • Longest confirmed: Gig Gab 498 from September 8, 2025– “Always Be Recording…with Brad Madix” at 1:33:05
    
    
    • Shortest confirmed: Gig Gab 312 from July 12, 2021 – “The Ever Elusive “Great Sound”” at 24:42
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  


• 00:36:37 …and Dave Friesema listened to all of it!
  
  
  
  • Earthworks SV33…and then the Earthworks ETHOS
  
  
  
  


• 00:42:36 Gig Gab Controversy: WRAP YOUR CABLES LIKE FOLDING SHEETS
  
  
  
  • Lowell Cross OG Recording Studio Engineers
  
  
  
  


• 00:49:32 Interviewing people is about the interviewER, too.


• 00:53:03 What are Skylar’s favorite episodes
  
  
  
  • Chinner Winstead on Gig Gab
  
  
  • Bakithi Kumalo on Gig Gab
  
  
  
  


• 00:55:59 Dream Guest Co-Hosts
  
  
  
  • Geddy Lee
  
  
  • Alex Lifeson
  
  
  • Noel Gallagher
  
  
  • Liam Gallagher
  
  
  • Joe Jonas
  
  
  
  


• 01:04:08 Trying not to fangirl


• 01:05:55 Gig Gab 500 Outtro
  
  
  
  • Follow Mike Schulte
    
    
    
    • Confused Breakfast
    
    
    • The Pork Tornadoes
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • Contact Gig Gab!
    
    
    
    • @GigGabPodcast on Instagram
    
    
    • feedback@giggabpodcast.com
    
    
    • Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

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