452 - Brian Doherty: Drumming For They Might Be Giants, Pre-Social Media “Networking”, Cymbal Hacks for the Studio

Working Drummer

Brian Doherty is best known as a drummer for groups like They Might Be Giants, RCA Recording artists, The Silos, XTC, Freedy Johnston, and Ben Folds

In the early 90s, Brian was recruited by They Might Be Giants. For three years Brian and TMBG recorded albums, wrote songs, and relentlessly toured the world.

In 2001, Brian went back to graduate school and became a New York City school teacher as part of the New York City Teaching Fellows program. As well as teaching, he remains professionally active as a drummer recording in the studio and performing on a variety of gigs that includes Broadway shows. On Broadway, Brian has performed in productions of RENT, Hairspray, The Times They Are A Changin’, Waitress and Little Shop of Horrors.

In this episode, Brian talks about:

• Growing up close to NYC and it’s musical influence
• Early professional experiences
• Pre-social media “networking” that still works
• One gig leading to another, leading to another and so on
• Cymbal hacks for the studio
• Touring and recording with They Might Be Giants
• Transitioning to public school teaching and drumming on Broadway in New York