Drumming News :
ShoutoutLA recently sat down with renowned drummer Nick “The Living Dead Drummer” Mason, exploring everything from his career evolution to his hard-won insights on work-life balance. Known for his theatrical stage presence and elite session skills, Mason has built a reputation as one of the most reliable and versatile drummers working today—yet, as the interview shows, the path to that success was far from automatic.
When asked how his outlook on balancing work and personal life has changed, Mason admitted that this has been a long-term struggle. “I’ve been notoriously bad at balancing work & life,” he says, explaining that his passion for drumming makes it easy to overwork. “I love what I do… I get to sit behind a drum set every day.” Still, Mason emphasizes that stepping away is essential. Discovering hobbies outside of music, he says, has improved his mental health in ways he “didn’t know [he] needed.”
Reflecting on his career, Mason describes his early years with candor and a touch of humor. Like many young musicians, he once believed that talent and a good band were enough to secure a record deal and instant success. “I was naive… I thought that if you had a good band you would become popular enough to get a record deal and all your dreams would come true.” But reality hit quickly. Supporting himself while chasing a breakthrough became nearly impossible—especially, he notes, during the economic disruptions of the early 2000s.
This realization pushed him to rethink his path and brand himself as a freelance drummer. “I’m going to have to branch out and not put all my eggs in one basket… This was the path to actually earning income from performing.” That shift—to becoming a dependable, adaptable “gun for hire”—would eventually define his career.
The interview also highlights Mason’s life beyond music. A lover of tiki bars, he notes that a perfect Los Angeles outing begins at Tonga Hut, his favorite retro watering hole. For food, he recommends Ye Olde King’s Head in Santa Monica—“Authentic English pub, with the best breakfast outside of the UK,” he insists. For daytime adventures, he swears by exploring Burbank’s Magnolia district, home to oddity shops, comic stores, and even an old-school video rental spot.
When discussing the people who deserve acknowledgement, Mason’s answer is simple and sincere: his family. “Music was encouraged in my household. No one but my neighbors and cops ever told me to ‘keep it down.’ lol”
Bio: Who Is Nick “The Living Dead Drummer” Mason?
Nick Mason is one of the most sought-after session and touring drummers working today, earning the moniker “The Living Dead Drummer” for his striking visual style and relentless high-energy performances. His credits span decades and genres, with performances alongside notable artists including Pretty Boy Floyd, Enuff Z’Nuff, Femme Fatale, Tuff, Jason Charles Miller (gODHEAD), Orianthi, Michael Grant, Street Drum Corps, FleischKreig, DK-Zero, and The Rhythm Coffin, among many others.
Mason’s work extends well beyond live performance. He appears across albums, singles, film and TV soundtracks, and feature pieces in industry publications. As a studio drummer, he records daily from his private Los Angeles workspace, The Ouija Room, which has become a go-to destination for artists seeking professional drum tracks.
A dedicated educator for over 25 years, Mason maintains a thriving teaching practice and frequently serves as a panelist for seminars on artist endorsement programs. His prominence in the industry has led to endorsement deals with Yamaha Drums, Paiste Cymbals, Ahead Drumsticks, Aquarian Drumheads, Coffin Case, Cympad, Pig Hog Cables, and Audix Microphones.
Touring nationally and internationally each year, Nick Mason continues to cement his reputation as a drummer whose versatility, professionalism, and unmistakable style make him one of the most respected figures in modern rock and session work.
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