Guitar Center Sessions: Gavin Harrison - Bonnie the Cat

[@pankeaux]

Sometimes they adjust atomic clocks to Harrison, just to make sure.

[@unkind78]

Gene Hoglan adjusting to Gavin Harrison ? ; )

[@jswervy16]

Absurd, but true

[@selucosnicator8238]

Dang. That is so true

[@pomat22]

@@unkind78 ha that's a good one i'll give you props for that comment

[@seanhartel5362]

Just gotta say, long live the Mandelbrot set.

[@arsonne]

I think I speak for everyone when I say we are all so relieved that Gavin was still up to come back to Porcupine Tree.

[@metalqueen17]

Absa-freak'n-lutely! 👌

[@kamilbuhl8123]

@@metalqueen17 qq

[@XJoeyJordison666X]

He's very mentally strong to be able to deal with Steve Wilson for so long

[@austing.8870]

According to what they were saying, none of them ever really left lol. Aside from Colin. C/C was recorded over a period of about 10 years.

[@DeadReckoner]

Shame about Colin.

[@tiekoe]

the mix engineer that did this live recording deserves a medal

[@Coryiodine]

Forreal it sounds amazing

[@TikiHorea]

Gavin mixes his own drums live too.

[@92JinKazama]

Today, at a drum clinic in Moscow I asked Gavin jokingly whether he could play Bonnie The Cat. He said "No" but then sat behind his drumkit and freaking played it. Oh my god, he is so awesome.

[@michabula5763]

I envy you.

[@shox8451]

May be he just realized, He is in Russia!

[@TiagoMorbusSa]

@@shox8451 Russia is cringe.

[@vudaltsov]

@@TiagoMorbusSa Russia is awesome in it's own way like any other country/nation.

[@xwinglover]

The fact that there are so many jokes about the "dumb drummer" is totally negated by the brilliance of this guy. Gavin can articulate a story just as fluently as he can with the sticks. One of the best musicians on the planet in my opinion

[@temporarymomentary]

Only the greatest musicians of all time can play in Porcupine Tree and King Crimson.

[@davidpardy]

The best defence against dumb drummer jokes is to make them yourself, and then blow them away with your drumming as well ;).

[@Adiaf8oros]

How to get likes 101: Say drummers are intelligent in a drum video. Boom! Who would have thought.

[@TacticalDrummer]

xwinglover I think the drummer is usually the smartest guy in the band. They are playing multiple instruments at one time.

[@yrussq]

The best defense is to tell the dumb bassist joke))) Always works!)

[@RandomGuy12562]

of all the drummers i've heard..i've always felt Gavin Harrisons drums have the sweetest tone.

[@janterrirocks]

Yeah I am dreaming of that snare drum sound.

[@iloveNgany]

@@janterrirocks get yourself a 12 inch snare and you'll see the light!

[@rizzorizzo2311]

It’s a shame this guy doesn’t get mentioned much in conversations about the GOATs. Has to be one of the most underrated drummers around today by the general music listening public.

[@namlu9979]

Ignorance kills, dude

[@ElHeffJeff]

Underrated?

[@krashboomboing]

Underrated, by whose standards? I'd like to know your GOATS, and I hate that term....

[@l3mp3]

He is and he is considered one of the best

[@morgancross5481]

He's been on quite a few magazines covers and has achieved a pretty thorough recognition for his achievements IMO. Even more superficial stuff like being on the Letterman Show's drummer week alongside guys like Peart. Dude definitely isn't under the radar, hah.

[@Philtoid]

I have genuinely held Bonnie the cat. I recorded at monkey puzzle studio in Suffolk (where this album was recorded) and the producer, Rupert, has a cat there called Bonnie. Shes very friendly

[@wordplay799]

That's a cool story mate

[@ronniemormino6746]

I have to alomost laugh or cry when I watch this...the feel of this, the groove of this..the heaviness ..ungodly..sick Gavin..I can only watch and listen in awe!

[@Alienasa1]

Gavin 'Ghost note' Harrison.

[@MatthewStout]

Have you heard Matt Garstka? Lol

[@pankeaux]

came here from Gartskas videos

[@BlackArtBMX]

Ghost 'Gavin Harrison' Note

[@plexus]

More ghosts than a game of pac man

[@iloveNgany]

@@pankeaux matt ghostka

[@museandmuse]

Prior to him getting on stage to play this seminar, I had asked him if we can follow up with any questions. I asked him if the music came first or the drums and he answered my question like this ( full on technical, detailed explanation) what a guy. And yes that was me he was talking to, I was there during the seminar.

[@JaZzloLostInSpace]

Lucky you :)

[@museandmuse]

JaZzloLostInSpace yes you could say that :)

[@JaZzloLostInSpace]

Nano Saakyan :)

[@killaalpaca]

Lucky fucker!!

[@museandmuse]

I know dude. At the time I was just going with it but now that I think of it....I'm so grateful and appreciative.

[@Thiefofbeats]

Bonnie the Cat, Gavin the Beast.

[@MarkRiches]

the best thing is that this song isn't odd-metered at all. It is absolutely straight 4/4 throughout. That's his whole shtick; he doesn't want to play odd-meters to sound technical, he likes to make rhythmic illusions that basically manipulate how you hear a rhythm. he's just brilliant.

[@lmp9726]

Schtick isn't the right word.

[@ishaaaaannn._]

@@lmp9726 schtick also

[@Coryiodine]

​​@@lmp9726 what a necessary comment to a 10 year old comment. Sure he's gonna care about that one.

[@lmp9726]

@@Coryiodine Sorry, I was talking to the folks in this thread. You don't actually think that Gavin reads these posts anyway, do you? I think there are plenty of Fanboy sites to check out though!

[@nexdrums]

Absolute Genius

[@lewisratzker8949]

I currently enjoy his drumming more than anybody else's. He is totally unique in his mental approach to playing drums together with the extra ordinary ability he has to transfer that mentality physically to his kit. I've been playing drums for over 40 years & I'm not easily impressed, but his drumming really blows me away.... & what an amazing drum sound, wow!

[@dzre2087]

i agree, but i recently heard an even more creative (etc) drummer than Gavin who is NOW my fave! he plays in an art-noise duo from Montreal called LAZOR BLADE. kid is sloppy yet wild and aggressively CREATIVE! most drummers bore me to tears.

[@toprak3479]

A lot of people play certain instruments for their entire life but not many become virtuosos.

[@dalemaguire2866]

amazing...I've been a drummer for 30 years and am 39 years old...not a lot impresses me when it comes to drumming anymore but THIS man is Impressive!!! absolutely flawless

[@thelazyguitarist1628]

He has no equal Dale. Not yet, anyway.....

[@jasonjenkins6373]

@@thelazyguitarist1628 porcupine tree - way out of here (live in tillburg) 🥰

[@zappalniczka6306]

This is called conscious playing. It is a big pleasure to listen and watch an expert in action. Thanks for sharing.

[@AdamW69612]

I love Gavin's kit. Every single Drum and Cymbal has a purpose and an exact sound that just compliments the song perfectly.

[@joshuabush2569]

Can we just take a minute to appreciate how lovely this kit sounds!?

[@dokanyon]

what a fucking sick drumbeat is this damn

[@RushFan-2112]

The hi-hat triplet in the second measure of that groove is really quite extraordinary in how smooth Gavin is able to make it look and sound. Fantastic drummer.

[@dogmart]

The Steve Jansen beat Gavin demonstrates (starting at 0:47) is the Japan song, "Still Life in Mobile Homes." Great to see Gavin giving recognition to great British post-punk band.

[@oohkumar]

Steve Jansen was ‘the man’ when I was drumming in the early eighties. No one played the drums like that before. Such an original player. Japan were great as well.

[@gastonguz607]

Japan also was the former band of Richard Barbieri, who recommended Gavin for Porcupine Tree

[@isaacpunch9295]

I always come back to this for the incredible playing, but also the sound of the kit. I adore his actual drum sound.🤘🏼

[@janknjazovic]

0:45 Rhythm that Gavin shows. Steve Jansen, Japan- Still Life in Mobile Homes ...for those interested :)

[@sathwikshankar6372]

My dude! LEGEND!

[@simonp.plowman7416]

Thanks, I was going to ask!👍👍

[@Waverer]

This groove gives me multiple eargasms

[@carlosfc04]

once i heard that this song os 4/4 i quit drumming

[@TunnelJumper]

+felipe contreras Just count along. He's got a click track in his ears and he pretty much just dances around the click by going offbeat but coming back.

[@moresnare]

+felipe contreras Ha, no shit, right? Dammit...

[@xlxlxlxl123]

+Daniel Calderon I find it easier to count as 7/8 then 9/8.

[@mineheadX1]

I love his linear accents, great band, helluva a f'n great band.

[@moresnare]

Sounds a bit like the theme song from that show Knight Rider... Well, the first part anyway.

[@gdrums7733]

To have that amount of control over every aspect drumming and the music, guys a master of the the craft, I am in total awe of his playing.

[@Audioholics]

Gavin is my hero!

[@somerandomdudeable]

I still can't wrap around my head around this song even though I've listened to it a dozen times

[@cjm2005]

Jamming with a talented drummer is something I've been lucky to do twice in my life. They bring something out.

[@guruthemaster4516]

The most perfect sound I've ever heard escape a drum kit. Gavin is the GOAT

[@thesolo]

Look at how fast his left hand comes into play for cross-sticking on the hi-hat at 1:43. Barely even noticeable, you have to watch his wrist.

[@WybjornVR]

I only caught that the second time watching this.

[@Habbipaloosa]

Woah, amazing!

[@Nickropolis]

Try leaving your hands crossed and flick your wrist, tapping the side of the hihat on the edge not actually the top.

[@toprak3479]

I was thinking "hey, how does he produce that sound with one hand on the high hat?" I did not realise. What kind of drumming monster is this guy? He's so unrecognized and underrated... fuck.

[@somethingscantbefixed5933]

Cool

[@BigElectricBull1981]

Thank you Gavin for not only being one of the greatest drummers that I've ever seen. But, also for playing in and adding immensely to the writing of one of the greatest bands ever in Porcupine Tree!!! Bravo sir!

[@StoneAIM]

his fucking ghost notes makes me rage quit right away

[@AlbanianThrash]

CoolmanTT it's not even fair man. They're so subtle that it's difficult to even play back and imitate.

[@davidpardy]

Practice Paradiddles. Every day. All variations. Use a closed grip and focus on your dynamics - FF accents and PP ghost notes. Trust me, after 3 months of this your drumming will be totally different.

[@freegee3503]

You said it! My drum teacher had me doing closed grip paradiddles before he sat me at the drums.👍 ​@@davidpardy

[@davidpardy]

@@freegee3503 Totally forgot I ever gave this advice online. Still stand by it :)

[@K_swiggle0440]

They way he sneaks his left hand to the high hat is what blows me away!

[@VooRst90]

Love everything about this guy. Makes it look effortless.

[@Heavyperro]

Just here to show love to Gavin in 2024! Long live Bonnie!

[@wordplay799]

I'd never heard of Gavin Harrison untill I saw him play with King Crimson a few years ago and found out who he is. That led me to pineapple thief and porcupine tree, two amazing bands that I hadn't discovered before. Born in '67, although I have a fairly eclectic taste in music, I grew up loving the '70s prog rock which I thought had died out in the '80s but I now see that it is alive and kicking in the 21st century. Re-vamped, upgraded and full of the spirit of live music played not only for the enjoyment of an audience but for the sheer joy of playing well put together music with other talented musicians. I can only cry "MORE MORE"🥁🎸✌️🇬🇧✊

[@DefinitelyGerman]

It's so cool how it's sounds complex, yet it basically is in 4/4. That's what I call creative drumming! Besides that, I freakin' love ghost notes played on drums. They add more variety and details, yet they don't make the groove sound overloaded, and they don't take away too much air for the rhythm and song to 'breathe', either.

[@mord-seed]

Reopened this song just a while ago. Beautiful, magnetic. Good job

[@cobra1995xx]

makes this shit look and sound sooooo easy!!!! so many talented drummers all over the world but there's just something guys when you hear them... they just have the "it" factor.. this dude is sure as hell one of them.!!

[@kikeenriquez4436]

Man I agree with you so much. Some guys have "it" and some don't. And Mr. Harrison HAS IT

[@dr.strange.2655]

So fucking musical, the best groove in prog music..

[@bobajanfettsolo9143]

Bill bruford

[@omairsh8]

Best groove in music, period

[@TheProfessorWilliam]

Thanks Gavin, you are a gentleman, and a scholar.

[@larkydozer]

Wow…. I've loved Steve Jansen since hearing him in Japan and then later with David Sylvian solo work and Rain Tree Crow. Steve Jansen!!!!! More drummers should check him out. Beautiful musician.

[@olivierlgp]

Steven Wilson never went so far rhythmically than with Gavin ! You’re à genius (like Steven)

[@toprak3479]

The drum work on Steven's solo albums are kind of "meh", sadly.

[@mtlman906]

@@toprak3479 You thought Marco was meh?

[@toprak3479]

Mtlman90 Compared to Gavin Harrison, yes.

[@qntristan]

@@toprak3479 Listen to Insurgentes, No Twilight Within The Courts Of The Sun for exemple, Gavin's on drums

[@RandyHanley]

I can't explain his playing like I can other drummers. His creativity is so unique, and he always catches me off-guard.

[@JohnMGiambalvo]

Just stunning. His playing is beyond immaculate. I could work at this for a week and not get the basic groove. He places anything, anywhere he pleases! As for the fill at 5:23, I got nothing, except that Gavin Harrison is a master at using his cymbals as alternate drums in his fills. If you keep that in mind, you might get close to figuring that one out. I wish you luck.

[@JiBenJiBee]

One of my favorite Porcupine Tree songs. One of the best drum videos on the internets. A well written groove is so much better than any solo, IMO. Look for interviews from Gavin, it's fascinating to hear how he thinks about drumming and music, more than any other drummer I've heard. A lot of good vids from this Guitar Center series.

[@drsteve0487]

Quite simply the best sounding kit I have ever heard. Right down to his home made chimes and the fact he always cuts the outer two coils off his snare unit for that sublime ghost/buzz sound of his.

[@TacticalDrummer]

As a drummer, there is nothing I love more then creating new music with my band. Pulling beats and rifs outa thin air is the most incredible feeling. Especially when they sound killer like this. Playing something that no one has ever played before is why I play.

[@PinoBatMusicDrums15]

Gavin Harrison the genius of the drums👏👏👏👍😎

[@ronniemormino6746]

once i heard this i was forever changed...its relentless ....gavin plays with such ease..simply blown away

[@spacepunchgaming6732]

My all time favorite drummer. Can not stop watchin this video.

[@Sledge72au]

been watching these guys for awile now..man..seeing how PT evolve there songs using all aspects is so cool..thanks for sharing Gavin

[@yamahasca]

4:23 Such a sick fill.

[@tlkshowhst]

This kicks ass. Never heard Porcupine Tree before, but I'm excited to hear more.

[@arkmediagroupllc]

Love this guys drumming and tightness!! Very inspiring.

[@BrodyReyno]

This song always struck me as so insanely well written. One of their best imo. It’s unorthodox but doesn’t feel too alien. Great pocket in it.

[@ChesterRGC]

i think Bonnie the cat drumline should meet Tommy the cat bassline ;)

[@fl00d69]

well played sir - love a good Primus reference.

[@Lupine.]

The drums to Tommy are already perfect.

[@mhagnemae5202]

What about Connie the Bat?

[@guillenofficial]

I've watched this vid hundred times over and it's always as good as the first. Love this song!

[@oriondrums2]

After a year of watching this, I finally got it! Literally bouncing off the walls excited.

[@jasonthompson869]

I swear if you looked up the word “precision” in the dictionary it should just say “Gavin Harrison”. Every single aspect be it his actual drum strokes, his dynamic control or the way he tunes his kit is an execution in precision. He is of the highest caliber and as a basic drummer myself, never ceases to inspire me with how far the craft can be taken. Gavin, I tip my hat in your general direction good sir.

[@xxevilpandaxx1]

It has taken me about 5 hrs of straight playing today to learn this song on drums! Still trying to perfect it.

[@franckroustan3369]

Merci gavin pour toutes ses émotions, une très grandes sources d'inspiration pour moi. MERCI BEAUCOUP.

[@pputnam100]

Good lord, this guy is a freakin machine..!!

[@rickwiglyjr7422]

The boss the best modern drummer right now, dude has it all timing, groove, power, speed, double bass, good poly's and time sig's. His hands are like Steve Gadd or Bill Bruford and rolls like Chambers or Chamberlin really can't ask for a better drummer in this modern era mad props took Gavin.

[@ZShenlong1]

What is this sorcery lol This song is way easier to wrap you mind around if you count it odd but he says it's 4/4. Nice job mind f***ing us lol

[@cansavaryego7193]

ZShenlong1 exactly i count it as 7/8 + 9/8

[@johanphoenix8]

Can Savaryego well i would say 7/4 and 9/4 which on paper looks easier to right down as 4/4 instead of constantly changif the time signature all the time

[@MadRockDrummer18]

It IS in 4 beats but it’s almost like you’re counting on the UPbeats of the song. Very groovy feel

[@raz0rcarich99]

I initially thought it was odd until I really took some time to investigate it while walking to the gym and noticed it was weirdly compatible with 4/4.

[@khd17]

Now this is the appitamy of a true percussionist, Gavin , is easily, top 10 drummers in the world today. Just incredible to watch him work

[@Jetty-xd9yc]

Spot on timing and sweet groove. Never heard of this cat before. I am very glad I have now

[@romainnockels1364]

Unbelievable! Gavin you Are the best on Szene! Right now!!!! 👍❤️🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯

[@budda777pl]

He has a perfect sound, both kit and as a drummer :).

[@TheDave000]

Amazing drum sound. Love it. Never listened to him before, thanks youtube!

[@acehandler1530]

Drummer God - Your work on "Arriving Somewhere" is Steller, best concert ever recorded IMHO 💖 🇨🇦

[@endmok]

Love his drumming. His drums sound is one of the best!

[@plexus]

I love this song. “I know... what... will be...” so awesome!

[@mattsgarage1105]

It’s perfect. There is no one better than Gavin Harrison.

[@mattyfill11]

my favorite drummer to date, and i think it's pretty easy to admit he's one of the top 5 drummer's of all time

[@rushbum]

killer progressive drummer....thats why hes neil peart's favorite

[@Sugarsail1]

oh that's interesting, I was a huge Peart fan way back in HS, didn't know Peart was into this guy. No surprise though.

[@waqqodonkey]

where did you hear Neil comment on this?

[@Scarecrow6459]

waqqodonkey he did so in I think Drummer world magazine, basically saying he was breathe a fresh air and inspiring. I heard the quote myself in a drum notation book in which they have some selections from several different artists written out along with a little bio and schematic of their drum set at the time.

[@waqqodonkey]

Scarecrow6459 cool! they're both great drummers

[@mr_wessumz]

rushbumI mean if you get Gavin's newest Porcupine Tree transcription book, the foreword was written by Peart himself. When asked, everyone assumed it would just be a paragraph or two, some thing nice. Neil ended writing like a page and half. Beautifully written as well.

[@grimzkul]

WOW, just wow! Drums sound incredible too!

[@lateinpg]

Gavin Harrison...the living dream of every bassplayer :)

[@christiangabucci5473]

One of the most creative and collected drummers ever... not an exaggeration

[@OptimusFilmsYoutube]

Love this so much. Thank you for sharing!!! 😊🎉

[@elroyblackbean]

Great drummer, GREAT sounding kit.

[@joshuabush2569]

Can we just appreciate how good this kit sounds 😮

[@jameritch6516]

Just when i think i have seen the best video on gavin, i watch another one that is better. Amazing talent.

[@hmcdonnell23]

I found Gavin Harrison's drumming on youtube by pure accident about 2 years ago when I was searching on drum videos and found "Sound of Muzak". I didn't really care for the song at the time but loved the drumming. I didn't know anything about Porcupine Tree but began listening and found this band incredible. Albums are great and recommend all which have Gavin Harrison behind the drums beginning in 2002.

[@OSJdrums]

I like this mix better then the album.

[@OSJdrums]

Exactly

[@dduem13]

Seriously, im not joking around. This guy could be God

[@conlot]

Gavin Harrison's sense of rhythm is more solid than the Pope's stance on gay rights.

[@rhabdob3895]

Uhhhh whaa?

[@tylerjacobson8012]

Jonathan Mahoney so it’s not very solid?

[@maxcherkasskikh5960]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@siuleopouesi5794]

Not anymore buddy. The Pope gave in lol

[@jubankta1627]

I CANNOT BELIEVE I'M JUST NOW HEARING THIS IN 2019 THIS IS AS GOOD IF NOT BETTER THAN TOOL......A MASTERPIECE OF A SONG THANK U FOR POSTING THIS!!!!

[@mrsimbz7023]

Not a drummer, but the drums on this song blow me away time and time again.

[@Drummr88]

When he does 7 stroke rolls, or 32nd's on the kicks between his hands, there's never anything muddled... It's freakin unreal how clean he is, no matter what subdivisions he's using.

[@lldrum]

Man that part grooves so hard. And his drums always sound so fantastic.

[@jakeflorian3334]

this song got me into this band great drummer too love his stuff

[@silviorusso2267]

one of best drummers of 90'....

[@OwenMcKinley]

Great comment, and very true. Gavin's playing is flawless. He's got a unique blend of delicacy, musicality, and power. The dude can groove.

[@benk3999]

absolutely friggin amazing!!!

[@felkinsjoe7420]

one of the top 8 drummers out their rite now no doubt about that

[@GeckOtheGanjahead]

its just so unusual man, and thats what i like about this band,the unorthodox style,they're just so creative man!.theyre really not famous here in our place..in our city maybe 2% of people are listening to this band including me!.i dont know,i've met a couple of dudes that heard PT but 1 person digs their music..and thats really awesome!.maybe because some people could not appreciate how genius this band is.

[@dagostinoification]

I Like your style Mr.Gavin !

[@stevechesney2498]

This guy is a monster. Must see PT live before I die. Please make it happen Mr. Wilson!

[@dbull78]

Hands down the best Sonor kit I have ever heard.