About

MEET THE DRUM DOG

TUTORS

Where Serious Drummers Come to Grow

These are the drummers behind Drum Dog - the groove makers, pocket players and seasoned pros who bring their real-world experience straight to your practice room. From global tours to underground gems, every tutor here knows what it means to put the hours in and deliver when it counts. No fluff, no filler, just top-tier insight from players who live and breathe this stuff. Whether you're chasing speed, control, creativity or confidence, you're in good hands.

Nick Hartland

Nick Hartland is one of our own - rock-solid, creative and ruthlessly practical. After co-founding the band Undertryyke in 2008, he built a reputation on tight grooves, musical feel and no-nonsense teaching. Whether he's breaking down stick control, advanced groove phrasing or unlocking real-world musicality, Nick has a knack for cutting through the fluff. His lessons are sharp, direct and built to help serious players move forward fast. If you’re tired of surface-level tutorials, Nick’s your guy - part coach, part motivator, all drummer.

Ralph Rolle (Nile Rodgers & Chic)

Ralph Rolle has been in the groove business for over 30 years. From his early days drumming in the Bronx to holding down the beat for Nile Rodgers & Chic for nearly two decades, Ralph brings feel, fire and finesse to every gig. He’s played with legends like Sting, Bono, Biggie Smalls, Mary J. Blige, D’Angelo and John Legend - always with the same infectious energy and killer pocket. On top of that, he’s a teacher, a motivator and one of the most genuinely joyful drummers you’ll ever meet. His Drum Dog sessions are packed with gold, from feel-based playing to building longevity in your craft.

Bernard Purdie

Bernard “Pretty” Purdie is one of the most recorded drummers in history and the groove behind some of the greatest music ever made. Known for his rock-solid time, unmatched feel and that iconic “Purdie Shuffle,” his work shaped the sound of R&B, soul, funk and beyond. He’s played with Aretha Franklin, Steely Dan, James Brown, Miles Davis, B.B. King and countless more. If you’ve ever listened to a song and thought “that groove feels incredible,” chances are Bernard had something to do with it. His approach is pure wisdom, and his Drum Dog masterclass is an unmissable deep dive into what it really means to groove.

Steve White (Paul Weller, The Style Council)

Steve White joined The Style Council at just 17 and spent over 25 years as Paul Weller’s right-hand man behind the kit. He’s played on chart-topping albums, backed bands like Oasis and The Who and graced some of the biggest stages in the world - including Live Aid and Live 8. Steve’s playing is tight, punchy and endlessly musical, blending the precision of a pro with the soul of a fan. He brings that same clarity to his teaching, offering practical, hard-won advice that cuts through the noise. His sessions at Drum Dog are about honesty, inspiration and helping you find your voice on the kit.

Robert Brian (Goldfrapp, Siouxsie Sioux)

Robert Brian is a seasoned UK session drummer with a wild range of credits and an even sharper musical mind. He’s toured with Siouxsie Sioux, appeared on Goldfrapp records and worked with artists like Peter Gabriel, Loreena McKennitt, Miles Kane and Simple Minds. His style is crisp, expressive and always in service of the music. On stage or in studio, Robert brings a thoughtful, dynamic approach that fits any genre - and in the Drum Dog studio, he unpacks it all. Expect top-tier insight from a player who knows how to handle the pressure, deliver the goods and keep evolving.

Chris ‘Woody’ Wood (Bastille)

Chris “Woody” Wood is the pulse of Bastille, the chart-topping band known for big hooks, cinematic sound and rhythmic drive. Since their breakout album Bad Blood, Woody has brought power and precision to some of the biggest stages on the planet. His drumming blends tight studio execution with serious live energy; never overplayed, always in control. What sets Woody apart is his attention to space and texture. His Drum Dog sessions peel back the curtain on how to balance creative flair with rock-solid time. A must-watch for players aiming to make their drumming serve the music.

Ayo Salawu (Kokoroko)

Ayo Salawu is one of the freshest, most exciting drummers in the UK scene today. A child prodigy turned full-on groove machine, he’s now the rhythmic anchor of Kokoroko - the Afrobeat-jazz fusion band lighting up stages across the world. Ayo’s drumming blends rich African rhythms with modern jazz finesse and deep funk sensibilities. His playing is slick, expressive and always musical. Whether he’s holding down a hypnotic highlife groove or flipping meters mid-solo, Ayo’s control and creativity stand out. His Drum Dog lessons are a treasure trove of feel, technique and genre-blending artistry.

Still Stuck Behind the Kit?

If your doubles are sloppy, your grooves feel rigid, or your ghost notes get lost in the mix — it’s not your fault. You’ve been trying to fix the wrong things.

🎧 Ralph Rolle (drummer for Nile Rodgers & Chic) reveals the exact lessons most drummers skip… but every pro nails.

In just 8 crystal-clear videos, Ralph cuts through the fluff and gives you the breakthroughs YouTube never could.