Planetary Group took some time to get to know S.W. Lauden, an author, editor & drummer, whose latest book “Forbidden Beat: Perspectives on /Punk Drumming” is out now.
Planetary Group: Tell me about your upcoming book. How did you come to put it together?
S.W.: I came up with the idea for this book because I’m a drummer myself. And I’ve always thought of drummers as being the beating heart of punk rock. So I wanted to put a book together that really put a spotlight on some of my drumming heroes. I mean, when you think about the energy and the urgency of punk rock, I think a lot of that comes down to the drumming.
PG: Who are some of the punk drummers that first inspired you?
S.W.: When I first started playing, I was really inspired and influenced by drummers like Bill Stevenson from Descendents, D.H. Peligro from Dead Kennedys, D.J Bonebreak from X, Grant Hart from Hüsker Dü… It’s a really long list of influences.
PG: Let’s talk about the music that you love. Pick one album for each category below & tell us a bit about it!
- An album you grew up listening to:
S.W.: One of my favorites growing up was New Day Rising by Hüsker Dü. It’s a fantastic album, obviously featuring Grant Hart playing drums.
- An album that inspires you as an artist (I’m sure there are many, but pick one of your choosing):
S.W.: An album that inspires me as a writer and an editor would probably be Southeastern by Jason Isbell, just because the storytelling on that album is so fantastic.
- The album you currently have on repeat:
S.W.: Dilettante by Mo Troper.
- BONUS! (Author/Editor Edition): What is your favorite book about music?
S.W.: When it comes to books, there are two music books that I like to recommend to people. One of them is called “Supernatural Strategies for Making a Rock ‘n’ Roll Group” by Ian F. Svenonius. And the other one is called “Sick On You: The Disastrous Story of The Hollywood Brats, the Greatest Band You’ve Never Heard Of” by Andrew Matheson. And I love both of those music books because they made me think, and they both made me really laugh out loud.
PG: What do you want people to take away from your work?
S.W.: I’ll just remind you the next time you listen to your favorite punk rock album, or you get to see your favorite punk rock band live, pay a little extra attention to the drummer.
