






We are hugely excited to announce that UK session-supremo Darby Todd has been confirmed to open the main stage at The Europe Drum Show 2026 in association with British Drum Co, Zildjian, Evans Drumheads, Promark Drumsticks, Protection Racket, Porter And Davies, ACS In Ear Monitors & Roland Electronics.
With a huge list of recording and live credits, including Devin Townsend, Jordan Rudess, Martin Barre, Charlie Giffiths, Alfie Boe, The Darkness, Robin Ford, Robert Plant, Carl Verheyen, Kee Marcello and Don Airey, Darby’s playing is as intense as it is varied!
Don’t miss Darby Todd at The Europe Drum Show 2026 on Saturday 11th April at Messe Friedrichshafen. Tickets available now: HERE. Check out all of the main-stage artists: HERE. Check out more news from The Europe Drum Show: HERE
In this exclusive interview for Drummer’s Review we sit down with James Compton, the session drummer for Catfish and the Bottlemen, to uncover the real story behind the beats that power one of the UK’s most energetic live acts.
From volunteering to now performing at The UK Drum Show, James shares his journey, his love for hearing others’ stories, and how networking and community have shaped his career.
James will be appearing in the Mike Dolbear Masterclass Room at The UK Drum Show 2025 on Sunday 19th October at 3.00pm at ACC Liverpool.
Grab your tickets now: www.theukdrumshow.com
00:00 – Intro
00:25 – The Secret Sauce to the Bands Ongoing Energy
04:05 – From Volunteering at Drum Shows to Performing at The UK Drum Show
06:15 – “I Love Hearing Everyone’s Stories”
08:40 – Getting The Gig With Catfish and the Bottlemen
11:10 – Networking and the Drumming Community
16:21 – Feel vs Technicality
19:17 – Advice For Drummers
23:40 – In 100 Years Time…
James Proudly Plays…
For more interviews with some of the biggest names in drumming along with completely impartial, HD video reviews, please subscribe to Drummer’s Review on YouTube: www.youtube.com/drummersreview and click on the bell icon to be notified as soon as each new video is released.
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BIOGRAPHY:
James has become a widely in-demand drummer working live for a variety of artists.
Playing drums has taken James on tours all over the world, performing on festival mainstages, sold out theatres, arenas and stadiums as well as many primetime, late night TV and radio shows. Some of these shows include; The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Queen Elizabeth’s televised Platinum Jubilee performance, The Graham Norton Show, multiple Radio 1 live lounges and Radio 2 sessions as well as other BBC broadcasts.
James has gained the reputation for being an energetic and diverse player, bringing an electrifying energy to whichever stage he is on. This has enabled him to be placed in a profusion of musical settings. Recently in his career, James has been touring with UK pop-star Mimi Webb, alt-pop singer Baby Queen, Egyptian-American R&B singer Col3trane, singer-songwriter Sam Tompkins and is now currently the touring drummer for the UK indie-rock band Catfish & the Bottlemen.
With a mix of hard-hitting and energetic flair, James incorporates his love of rock music, jazz and hip-hop as well as his experience playing in marching bands in his early life to bring his own unique sound to every stage he plays on around the world.
We’re massively excited to announce that Ralf Gustke is to perform in the Mike Dolbear Masterclass Room at The Europe Drum Show 2026!






We recently had the pleasure of sitting down with the incredible Luigi Paraventi, a Brazilian drummer whose social media presence has exploded in recent years — and for good reason. We dive deep into his journey, from becoming a full-time drummer at just 20 years old to the philosophy that keeps him grounded in a world obsessed with metrics.
00:00 – Intro: Meet Brazilian Drum Sensation Luigi Paraventi
00:47 – Going Viral: How Social Media Changed Everything
02:20 – Becoming A Full Time Drummer at 20
04:55 – Why Authenticity Wins
06:57 – The Magic Of The Drumming Community
09:15 – Luigi’s Guilty Pleasure
12:20 – Click Track: Loyal Friend or Joy-Killing Tyrant?
Luigi Proudly Plays…
For more interviews with some of the biggest names in drumming along with completely impartial, HD video reviews, please subscribe to Drummer’s Review on YouTube: www.youtube.com/drummersreview and click on the bell icon to be notified as soon as each new video is released.
You can also follow Drummer’s Review on social media:
BIOGRAPHY:
Luigi Paraventi (born March 16, 2005 in São Paulo) is a Brazilian drummer, known for his early prominence on the music scene. Luigi started playing drums at the age of 8, encouraged by a family of musicians. Always inspired by artists from Fusion to Metal, Luigi focuses on creating a technical sound, but at the same time light and modern throughout his executions, compositions and interpretations on the instrument. In 2023, at the age of 18, he was chosen to play with guitarist Kiko Loureiro (solo / Megadeth) in shows throughout Brazil, being recognized as a great promise on the music scene. In addition, he performs as a sideman with regional and international artists, studio/recording work, and performs in drum clinics and masterclasses, showing his versatility of styles and personifying his technique.
Jason Bowld (Bullet For My Valentine, Pitchshifter, Killing Joke) joins Ollie Winiberg here on Drummer’s Review for a brutally honest chat about life behind the kit with. From adapting to different genres and ditching drum triggers to hilarious Spinal Tap moments and career-defining life lessons, Jason shares wisdom every drummer — and musician — should hear.
00:00 – Welcome To Drummers Review
01:09 – Life On The Road: Tour Life
02:10 – Playing For Different Bands: Adapting on the Fly
03:05 – “I’m Old School”: No Triggers, Just Grit
06:10 – DnB vs Metal: Which Pushes You Harder?
11:40 – Jason’s Biggest Spinal Tap Moment
17:30 – Real Talk: Legacy, Life Lessons & Advice for Drummers
Jason Proudly Plays…
For more interviews with some of the biggest names in drumming along with completely impartial, HD video reviews, please subscribe to Drummer’s Review on YouTube: www.youtube.com/drummersreview and click on the bell icon to be notified as soon as each new video is released.
You can also follow Drummer’s Review on social media:
BIOGRAPHY:
Jason Bowld is the drummer for Welsh Metal band Bullet for my Valentine – but when did it all start?
Jason started drumming at the age of 13 after becoming inspired by his school friend and progressed onto playing in local bands until 9 years later when he signed his first record deal with Geffen with London based band Stimulator.
After falling victim to corporate shenanigans which resulted in the band being dropped, Jason then joined U.K. Industrial band Pitchshifter and toured globally. Session work followed and bands and artists such as Fightstar, Pop Will Eat Itself, Killing Joke, Ginger Wildheart, Blaze Bailey, C.J. Wildheart and even Metal-loving comedian Bill Bailey have all enjoyed JB’s drumming skills live and on album.
The ability to learn songs quickly was practiced well and put to great effect when he was asked to ‘stand-in’ for Bullet For My Valentine on the eve of their first U.K. arena tour in 2010. After striking up a friendship with Bullet singer Matt Tuck, the duo co-wrote the debut album ‘Vultures’ for a brutal, Metal side-project entitled Axewound which also featured members of Cancer Bats and Rise to Remain.
In between touring Jase composes music for various music libraries covering different genres of music for TV usage.
Some of this music has evolved into ‘sync’ side projects such as Hidora – a cinematic, trip-hop outfit with multiple vocalists, co-written with long term friend Jim Davies. And Shadow Addict – an Electro-Metal project also featuring Davies, Bullet bassist Jamie Mathias and Nick Kingsley.
Jason has also contributed to software company Toontrack’s drum sample library in the release ‘Made of Metal’. The product has since proved a huge success and was recorded and mixed under the watchful eye of Bullet for my Valentine producer Carl Bown and Slipknot producer Colin Richardson.
He has also contributed to a drum sample library and loops to Drumdrops.
On the drum clinic front, Jason has great experience playing and teaching at most of the main drum festivals from Drumfest, Drummer live to Frankfurt Musicmesse and UDE.
His passion for education is further backed up by his tuition column in Rhythm magazine (R.I.P.) and contributions for the latest Rockschool syllabus of which he has written and performed tracks for.

