The Funky Drummer is this week’s guest on one of our favorite podcasts.
The Trap Set, a podcast hosted by former Parts & Labor drummer Joe Wong, has had a great first year, producing deep-diving but accessible interviews with drummers ranging from Slayer’s Dave Lombardo to Beyoncé drummer Venzella Joy to veteran country/early rock ‘n’ roll drummer WS Holland (Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, etc.). This week, The Trap Set has a great half-hour interview with Clyde Stubblefield, covering his early years in Tennessee and Georgia, his time crafting revolutionary funk rhythms with (and being financially screwed over by) James Brown, and his current life and musical activities in Madison, including his love of Mayor Paul Soglin.
I’d recommend giving it a listen and subscribing to The Trap Set generally. While the podcast consists of a drummer interviewing dozens of other drummers, it’s not something you have to be a musician to appreciate—Wong is a personable, patient interviewer and focuses on telling each drummer’s personal story and offering a little perspective on their place in music history.
Next week, the podcast will have an interview with Jabo Starks, Stubblefield’s longtime friend and fellow drummer in James Brown’s band. Wong also recently talked with William Kuehn of Madison-formed and recently reunited band Rainer Maria.
Stubblefield’s next Madison show is at his regular Funky Mondays gig, on February 22 at the High Noon Saloon.
