#346 Mike Robinson- Drummer, Podcaster, Food Connoisseur, and More!
This week’s guest is Mike Robinson. Mike is a Los Angeles Based drummer with years of touring and recording experience. He has performed live and/or on record with K.Flay, Del Water Gap, JOSEPH, Blame My Youth, morgxn, The Chain Gang of 1974 and many more. He also host’s the podcast and instagram page, Food on Tour.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Mark Reilly! Mark is a student of Mr. Nick Attanasio, is a three-time Northeastern States Drum Corps Association snare drum champion, winning three consecutive titles between the years of 1994-1996. In 2003 Mark joined “The Old Guard” Fife and Drum Corps where he has served as the corps’ percussion arranger and currently serves as the snare drum section leader.
Early on in his career with the Old Guard Mark forged a relationship with Mr. Erik Julliard, producer of the Berlin and Basel Tattoos as well as the director of the Top Secret Drum Corps. Mark became a performing member of the Top Secret Drum Corps in 2005 for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo’s Salute to Australia and later arranged for the group until 2010. His arrangements can be heard on recordings from the Edinburgh Military Tattoo (2006, 2009, 2010), South African International Tattoo (2008) and the Russian Military Tattoo (2011).
Mark is an active clinician and music educator. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Northwestern State University of Louisiana and is currently enrolled in the Master’s of Music Education program through Boston University while still serving on active duty.
In 2012 he had the distinct honor of presenting along side percussion all stars Michael Burritt, Jeff Prosperie and Pat Petrillo during the Drummer’s Heritage Event sponsored by Robin Engleman at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC). Mark has also presented clinics or performed during multiple PASIC’s to include those held in 2007, 2008 (as a part of Dominick Cuccia’s Not-so-Traditional Players), and 2010.
In addition to PAS sponsored events Mark has also presented at several prominent schools throughout the United States including Boston Conservatory, the University of Iowa, Marshall University, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Southern Mississippi. Mark's international performances and clinics have brought him to Canada, France, Switzerland, Holland, Germany, and Australia. Mark’s most recent clinic tour brought him to Europe once again, where he presented a series of clinics and instructed Pasveerkorps based in Leeuwarden, Holland and the Trommelgorp West Nederland (TWN) from Leiden as both groups prepared for the 2013 World Music Contest held in Kerkrade, Holland.
Mark has multiple articles published detailing research and development within the art of rudimental drumming for Les Tambours de 89 and Percussive Notes. His newest project, Cross Fade Percussion Duo with famed European Percussionist Peter Vulperhorst, is a percussion group that blends various forms of rudimental drumming with muli-percussion arrangements.
Mark also serves as a member of the PASIC Marching Percussion Committee and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Company of Fifers and Drummers, a lifetime member of the National Association of Rudimental Drummers (NARD), and the United Stated Association of Rudimental Drummers (USARD). He still aids as a consultant to the Top Secret Drum Corps and is endorsed by Mapex Drums, Majestic Percussion, Offworld Percussion, Loyal Drums, Büchler Trommelbau, and Innovative Percussion.
Happy Birthday to Darren Hazlett! Darren is currently the Battery Percussion Director and Arranger for the West Chester University Incomparable Golden Ram Marching Band. He is a former arranger and educator of the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps. As a performer, he spent 7 years with the Crossmen (1992-1998) and was a cast member of the Broadway show Blast! (1999-2002). He is a marching percussion clinician for Vivace Production and is also a member of the Vic Firth Education team. Darren resides is southeastern Pa. with his family and works as a middle school band director.
Happy Birthday to Tiki Pasillas! Tiki is multi-talented. He is a drummer, multi-percussionist, and vocalist, who has been performing professionally in Los Angeles for the past 16 years. Born in Oakland California on August 17, 1968, commonly known as 'Tiki'. The nickname was bestowed on him during childhood by his older cousin Jesus (aka Pipo) because pronouncing Ricardo or Ricky was rather difficult for Pipo. The nickname stuck and Ricardo has been called 'Tiki' ever since.
Tiki's parents, Jose Luis and Rosa Maria had four other children: George, Edward, Carlos, and Rosa Angelica. The Pasillas parents insisted that their family learn a musical instrument. With their encouragement, the four siblings formed a band called Los Hermanos Pasillas. George played his Fender Jaguar electric guitar and was the band's MC, Eddie played his Buscher alto sax and did vocals, Carlos played drums, and Rosa was the lead singer and organ player. They were a busy young professional band, playing mostly Mexican weddings and parties.
Some of the parties got the best of Carlos the drummer, who according to legend fell asleep behind his Marine Pearl Ludwig drum kit during a function. Tiki came along about 10 years after Rosa and would later teach himself how to play drums on that same set of drums. His brother still owns that drum kit. Through out their musical career Tiki started to accompany them. His mother says that Tiki's tummy would move with the music when he was an infant.
As he continued to tag along with his older siblings, Tiki's natural talent began to bloom. While the band played a Cumbia, Tiki kept time on the high hat, a pretty amazing feat considering he was no taller than the high hat itself. As soon as the song lost his interest, Tiki would return to being a typical energetic kid. This could happen at the end of the song, the middle of the song, or shortly after the song began. Collecting plastic champagne corks that looked liked miniature chef hats for each finger, sliding across the dance floor on his knees, and of course inventing adventures around the dance hall with his cousins and friends were more important at that moment but the musical seed had already been planted.
The first instruments that Ricardo "Tiki" Pasillas studied were the piano and the guitar. His mother arranged for Tiki to study with Mr. Juan Silva the same gentleman who had taught Tiki's brothers and sister to play. Mr. Silva is clearly remembered by the family Pasillas for his cigarette ashes falling in between the black and whites of the Fender Rhodes electric piano. Though he endeavored to play these instruments, Tiki's natural strength was in his drumming abilities. At the age of 7 the family Pasillas moved to a suburb near San Jose.
Tiki's interest in drums started to take hold. Mickey Laure was the leader of a Cumbia band. Though they were a Mexican band, they were very tropical. Tiki was most impressed by Mickey's awesome timbal solo. It left a lasting impression on young Tiki and long before he had heard of Tito Puente. Sonora Santanera, another Mexican band, played strickly tropical music from guajira-cha to mambos with an occasional meregue. The songs, the trumpets, and above all, the sounds of the percussion captured his attention.
Concert band, Jazz Ensemble, Marching band, Jazz Choir, Symphonic Band and Theater Arts all shaped Tiki's early music education. At age 11 the Latin Percussion driven San Jose Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps gave him a strong foundation in discipline. Says Tiki: "Bob Calcauphin was an original snare drummer from the Troopers, an excellent drum and bugle corp out of Wyoming. He was a hard-ass. He said that he would break my arm one time because of a wise crack I had said while he was yelling at the corps. Later on in high school he instructed the drum line for a spell. I learned alot from him and credit him for kickin' my ass in learning how to get straight to the point and play well and hard. High school marching band was a breeze because of the corp foundation."
Ricardo "Tiki" Pasillas became quite the acclaimed musician, having won numerous awards and trophies through out his high school years including a Berklee College of Music summer scholarship. Tiki played a couple of local college bands. Barely getting his feet wet out of high school, he started Freelancing with a top 40 band and occasionally with bass player Curtis Olson through whom he played with Rosie Gains, Andy Narell, and Bradford Marsalis. Olsen's drummer, Billy "Shoes" Johnson would always be there to give Tiki and occasional tip or lesson without knowing that he was giving it.
After playing semi-professionally in the Bay Area, Ricardo "Tiki" Pasillas moved to Hollywood to attend Musician's Institute. While there he was the recipient of the Latin Stylist Award. Tiki joined a top 40 band called Paper Doll. He played drums and sang with this group five nights a week. Says Tiki "I learned how to use my diaphragm because I had to play drums and belt out the lead vocals at the same time". He dedicated the rest of the year to finishing at MI. Upon finishing, Tiki started to teach there. Word of mouth took its rounds and gave him work. "When Lambada came out it gave me quite a bit of work Ha Ha, but it's true." Tiki started playing in the Brazilian community with fresh new talent from Brazil such as Katia Moraes who asked Tiki to help her in putting together a new band called The Rio Thing. They were a smokin' little Samba band that dissipated just in time for Tiki to make himself available to the Latin bands of Los Angeles. Son Mayor, a group fronted by the brothers Ortiz, was Tiki's first solid salsa band experience. With Alfred Ortiz close to him, they both learned a variety from each other for years to come. Working for a variety of employers, including Susie Hansen one of the hardest working band leaders, started Tiki's upward spiral into the music scene with musicians such as Buddy Rich's bassist Curtis Olsen, Alex Acuña, Justo Almario, and Abraham LaBoriel just to name a few.
Tiki is a well-respected musician with world-wide recognition, and is a frequent studio contributor to records, films, jingles and voice-overs. He along with his lovely wife Maria and their children are great contributors to the Los Angeles music scene.
Gig Alerts
The Zildjian Cymbals 400th anniversary concert is happening in Boston on September 20th. Featuring several great players and inducting others into the Zildjian Hall of Fame.
You can get tickets by CLICKING HERE.
Fyre Festival 2 is happening and tickets are already selling out at $499 each for next March 2024.
Beach Road Festival Weekend is happening this weekend Aug 25th-27th on Martha’s Vineyard. Friend of the show, J.J. Johnson will be performing with Gary Clark Jr.
The Evolution Festival is happening this weekend in St. Louis, MO from Aug 26th-27th.
Educational Spotlight
The educational spotlight this week is that Duolingo’s has plans to integrate music into its offerings. It would follow the launch of Duolingo Math, which is aimed at strengthening mathematics skills. A job posting for a ‘Learning Scientist for Music’ offered, “come join us to help build a new Duolingo music app that promotes learning and is fun to use!” -Article
Iconic Recording
The iconic recording was chosen by Mike and it is “Muzzle” by Smashing Pumpkins from the album, ‘Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness’
Music News
U.S. Passport Holders Visiting Europe Next Year Will Need A Special Travel Authorization called ETIAS. - Article
After reports surfaced that Lizzo was out of the running for consideration this year, speculation has run amok over who will perform for the 2024 show. Sheeran says he believes the event is ‘too American’ for him to pull off. -Article
The Recording Academy opens up Grammy U membership to anyone between the ages of 18-29 seeking a music career, negating the college enrollment requirement.
In an expansive change for its Grammy U membership, The Recording Academy has removed the college enrollment requirement and opened membership to anyone aged 18-29 pursuing a music career. Launched in 2006, Grammy U is an avenue for college students seeking music careers to achieve their dreams. -Article
Mike Robinson Interview
The song leading into the interview is “Gasoline” by Heavenward from the album ‘Pyrophonics’.
Damon and Mike met through friend of the show Chris Berry.
Mike started the Food on Tour podcast which also became an instagram page.
Shout-out to Marcos Torres.
During covid times, Mike had a kid! Here are some countries that have paternity leave.
Mike is from Akron, OH and went to school with LeBron James.
Mike talks about how he got drums and who introduced him to music.
Mike at a young age played with the Beatles Tribute Band, “Hard Days Night”
Damon and Mike talk record collections and influences.
Mike got the Bush album ‘16 Stone’ really early on.
Mike talks about how important playing along to records was in his playing growing up.
Shout-out to Gavin Rossdale.
Mike studied with Mark Gonder in college.
Mike attended Kent State University for Marketing. The university Damon was trying to remember was Kansas State University.
Damon and Mike both dislike eggs.
Damon explains his vegetable classification. Mike doesn’t like tomatoes for the most part.
Mike explains his food classification list.
Damon tries to remember Zagat Restaurant list.
Damon mentions Tom Papa’s show baked.
Damon and Mike talk about the Eventric app called Master Tour.
Damon and Mike talk about Au Cheval and The Publican.
Mike names his favorite burger: Pie ‘N Burger, favorite Mexican: Sonora Town (honorable mention to Charlie’s taco truck for Birria tacos), and favorite donuts: Donut Friend. Honorable mention to: Colorado Donuts in Eagle Rock.
Mike mentions the Donut King Documentary. The nationality of a lot of donut owners in L.A. is Cambodian.
Mike’s recommendation’s for pizza are: Sally’s, and Colony then Modern.
Damon’s pizza order is: Pepe’s, then Sally’s then Modern, then Bar.
Damon brings up Louis’ Lunch.
Chicago food feels like home for Mike.
Mike’s fav deep dish in Chicago is Pequod’s, Damon mentions Lou Malnati’s.
For Italian beef sandwiches, Mike recommends: Portillo’s first and Al’s after that.
Damon mentions the Strip House and their 24 layer chocolate cake.
Mike talks about his show day meal situation.
Mike LOVES tiki bars. Don’t put pineapple juice in your mai tai.
Mike enjoys’ Jeni’s ice cream, but shout-out to Strickland’s Frozen Custard. Mike likes the Black Cherry Custard and shouts-out the Black Cherry Chip by Van Leeuwen. Mike mentions the mac and cheese flavor.
Mike chooses the iconic recording.
Mike and Damon talk iconic drum fills. Mike talks about JR Robinson.
Mike talks about “Be My Baby” by the Ronnettes. Damon mentions friend of the show, Shawn Pelton.
Mike records from home, so if anyone need’s drum tracks, hit him up!
Damon and Mike talk home recording.
Shout-out to Brody Simpson and Ash Soan.
Shout-out to Joel Rosenblatt and his quote, “How well you eat on the road is directly related to how good your gig is”
Mike can’t eat (Milford Connecticut’s own) Subway anymore.
Mike uses Paiste Cymbals. Shout-out to Dan Bailey.
You can follow Mike on Facebook, and Instagram, as well as the Food On Tour Instagram page.
The song leading out of the interview is "Need Ur Luv" (Charli XCX cover) performed by Alex Winston
