Join Drummer’s Review’s Ollie Winiberg from the sea wall in sunny Leigh-on-Sea, Essex as he chats with James Price — drummer for the internationally acclaimed band Nothing But Thieves…
I met James Price at Leigh-on-Sea train station on a warm, breezy afternoon—one of those classic British summer days where everyone’s just a bit happier to be outside. Although we’d floated in similar circles for a while, we’d never actually met. So as we set off towards the old town, I joked that it felt like the start of a slightly romantic first date. Thankfully, James has a great sense of humour and took it in stride.
Straight away, I could tell this was going to be a genuinely good hang. There’s something instantly likeable about James. Despite being the drummer in one of the UK’s biggest rock bands, there’s absolutely no ego. In fact, he still seems quietly surprised by the scale of Nothing But Thieves’ success—like he’s just chuffed to be along for the ride.
As we wandered the cobbled streets of Leigh looking for the right place to film, what struck me most was how grounded he is. No pretense, no rockstar aura—just a kind, thoughtful guy who clearly loves what he does. We eventually settled on the sea wall with the tide out behind us, and hit record.
The conversation that followed was full of insight, self-awareness, and plenty of laughs. James opened up about his relationship with the drums—how he’s never been particularly interested in sight reading or the exact depths and sizes of his kit. He’s not a gearhead, and he doesn’t pretend to be. He just plays. And that’s what makes him so refreshing. There’s a beautiful honesty in his approach—less about technicalities, more about instinct, feel, and serving the song.
We chatted about the band’s rise, their creative process, and how he adapts from the studio to the stage. He’s sharp, articulate, and clearly in love with the craft—but without ever taking himself too seriously.
Once the cameras were off, we grabbed a cold pint and parked ourselves outside a pub in the sunshine. The conversation didn’t stop—if anything, it got even better. We swapped stories, laughed about life, and agreed it had been a solid afternoon.
James Price isn’t just a drummer in a successful band—he’s the drummer in a band that’s conquered stages around the world while staying true to who they are. He’s the pulse, the calm behind the storm, and an all-round top bloke.
I walked away from our chat feeling like I’d not only filmed a great interview, but made a mate too.
00:59 – Advice for drummers
03:00 – What’s it like being in NBT?
04:21 – Turning drum lessons into life lessons
07:45 – The drumming community
10:05 – James’ kit breakdown
13:20 – The future of NBT
James Proudly Plays…
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