Big Fat Five: Sterling Laws (NIKI, Natasha Bedingfield, Matt Berninger) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records

Drummers on Drumming

Welcome back to Big Fat Five—a segment of Drummers on Drumming brought to you by Big Fat Snare Drum, where I chat with my favorite drummers about the stories and records that shaped their sound. I’m your host, Ben Hilzinger, and this week’s guest is the incredible Sterling Laws.

Sterling is a fellow Pacific Northwest native now based in Los Angeles, but more importantly, he’s a Grammy-nominated drummer whose resume is as impressive as it gets. He’s worked with artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Kim Gordon, Chappell Roan, NIKI, Matt Berninger, Liz Phair, The War on Drugs, Linda Perry, Aly & AJ, Lo Moon, Dave Stewart, and many more.

Sterling is out there doing the thing and still manages to bring a unique perspective to the kit while working with such a diverse roster of artists—a quality that’s both rare and inspiring. It’s exactly why I was so excited to talk to him.

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Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

STERLING'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - Badmotorfinger

Artist - Soundgarden

Release Year - 1991

Key Track(s) - Rusty Cage, Searching With My Good Eye Closed, Jesus Christ Pose

Drummer - Matt Cameron

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Album - In Rainbows

Artist - Radiohead

Release Year - 2007

Key Track(s) - 15 Steps, Bodysnatchers, Weird Fishes, Reckoner

Drummer - Philip Selway

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Album - Future Self

Artist - The Globes

Release Year - 2011

Key Track(s) Pigeon, Stay Awake, A Stitch Couldn't Save The World

Drummer - Marcus Ourada

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Album - Boxer

Artist - The National

Release Year - 2007

Key Track(s) - Mistaken For Strangers, Brainy, Apartment Story

Drummer - Bryan Devendorf

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Album - Live From The Ryman And More

Artist - Sheryl Crow

Release Year - 2019

Key Track(s) - A Change Would Do You Good, Everything Is Broken, Maybe Angels, If It Makes You Happy

Drummer - Fred Eltringham

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