The music industry offers many career opportunities that go far beyond performing on stage: Careers spanning from songwriters and composers, production and sound engineering, music distribution and promotion, business and management, music publishing, music journalism, marketing and social media, to touring and beyond. These industry professionals are the backbone of the music world, ensuring the music we love thrives through their contributions to its creation, production and distribution.
A drummer is arguably one of the most important parts to a live show and studio session. Their job is to establish rhythm and tempo, which ensures that the rest of the band work as one cohesive unit. They set the tone of a song with the intensity at which they play and the style of how they are playing.
Tosh Peterson, better known as Tosh The Drummer, is an impeccable talent and a force to be reckoned with behind the kit through his explosive energy and masterful rhythm. The 23-year-old drummer from Orange County, California began touring at the age of 16 with renowned bassist Nik West. Since then he has made a name for himself playing and recording for some big names in music like Lady Gaga, Fall Out Boy, MGK, The Kid LAROI, Troye Sivan, jxdn, Ashton Irwin, Royal & the Serpent and more.
His love for the art of drumming began at just two years old, as he grew up watching his dad, Douglas Peterson, drum for The English Beat.
“I was inspired by my dad, who did it for a living and has played music my entire life,” Peterson states. Other influences include his favorite drummer of all time, Thomas Pridgen, as well as Chad Smith from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Dave Grohl from Nirvana and the Foo Fighters.
Through years of dedication, Peterson has been lucky enough to work with some of his favorite artists, but a few musicians he’s had the privilege to play with stand out the most.
“I’ve never worked for a bad artist to be honest,” Peterson says. “I’ve never had a bad situation where I didn’t like who I was working for. With that being said, I would say playing for MGK and now Lady Gaga have been my favorite ones.”
Working for these incredible artists has certainly been an unforgettable experience for Peterson, but one moment in particular stands out as a defining career highlight. While drumming for Royal & the Serpent as the supporting act for Fall Out Boy, Peterson stepped up in a big way when Fall Out Boy’s drummer, Andy Hurley, was unable to perform for a show and Peterson filled in on the drums.
“I had to learn their entire set in one day, which was terrifying but also super exciting,” Peterson recalls.
One day he hopes to work with the rock band Bon Jovi, best known for hits like “Livin’ On a Prayer,” “You Give Love a Bad Name” and “Wanted Dead or Alive.”
“I think that would be the greatest thing in the entire world,” he says. “They are my favorite artist of all time. I would literally do anything to get to play music for them some day.”
Depending on if he’s on tour, Peterson typically spends the majority of the day practicing and recording music. He begins the day with a drum warmup before leading into learning whatever music he needs to know. For any aspiring drummer, he says that it’s important to dedicate yourself to the craft, making sure that you are the best of the best, before rushing to get on a tour.
“Spend all the time in the world practicing drums,” he says. “Don’t worry about getting on a tour, just get as good as possible. Make sure you are overly prepared so when it does come time, no one can say no because you are so good.”
Be sure to check out Peterson’s band Damnage, who recently released their first EP DAMNAGE No. 1.
Follow Tosh Peterson: Instagram // X // Website // YouTube
Follow Damnage: Spotify // Instagram // YouTube
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