Nobody wants to talk to the drummer. Relegated to the back of the stage, they toil away outside of the spotlight’s shine. Sure, there are a few drummers who managed break free from the background (ranging from Keith Moon to Neil Peart to Travis Barker), but for the most part they’re treated as cogs in the rock ‘n’ roll machine. (Speaking from personal experience, when I’m writing a story about a band and only the drummer is available to be interviewed, my reaction is never fist-pumping elation.)

But in the world The Trap Set, drummers are the star. Joe Wong’s weekly, L.A.-based podcast humanizes drummers by telling their seldom-heard stories. Over the course of 160+ episodes, Wong has engaged in extended chats with standout stick-masters including Phil Collins, Sheila E., Janet Weiss, Fred Armisen, and many lesser known names because—again—they’re drummers.

On Thursday, April 12, The Trap Set comes to Seattle for a free live panel discussion at KEXP, and the lineup is loaded with drummers who’ve defined the Seattle sound: Matt Cameron (Pearl Jam, Soundgarden), Jason McGerr (Death Cab for Cutie), Tendai Maraire (Shabazz Palaces), and Ruby Dunphy (Thunderpussy). If that slate doesn’t get you excited, you probably don’t like rock music. The Trap Set Live at KEXP starts at 7 p.m. on Thursday, but the free event is first come, first serve, so you’re probably going to want to show up early to snag a spot.

Update (April 11 at 5 p.m.): Bikini Kill’s Tobi Vail was scheduled to attend, but had to drop out at the last minute due to family issues.

The Trap Set Live at KEXP

Thur., April 12 at 7pm | KEXP | Free