Guitar Center Sessions: Gavin Harrison - Bonnie the Cat 

Sometimes they adjust atomic clocks to Harrison, just to make sure.

I think I speak for everyone when I say we are all so relieved that Gavin was still up to come back to Porcupine Tree.

the mix engineer that did this live recording deserves a medal

Today, at a drum clinic in Moscow I asked Gavin jokingly whether he could play Bonnie The Cat. He said "No" but then sat behind his drumkit and freaking played it. Oh my god, he is so awesome.

It’s a shame this guy doesn’t get mentioned much in conversations about the GOATs. Has to be one of the most underrated drummers around today by the general music listening public.

The fact that there are so many jokes about the "dumb drummer" is totally negated by the brilliance of this guy. Gavin can articulate a story just as fluently as he can with the sticks. One of the best musicians on the planet in my opinion

I have genuinely held Bonnie the cat. I recorded at monkey puzzle studio in Suffolk (where this album was recorded) and the producer, Rupert, has a cat there called Bonnie. Shes very friendly

of all the drummers i've heard..i've always felt Gavin Harrisons drums have the sweetest tone.

Gavin 'Ghost note' Harrison.

the best thing is that this song isn't odd-metered at all. It is absolutely straight 4/4 throughout. That's his whole shtick; he doesn't want to play odd-meters to sound technical, he likes to make rhythmic illusions that basically manipulate how you hear a rhythm. he's just brilliant.

Bonnie the Cat, Gavin the Beast.

what a fucking sick drumbeat is this damn

I have to alomost laugh or cry when I watch this...the feel of this, the groove of this..the heaviness ..ungodly..sick Gavin..I can only watch and listen in awe!

Prior to him getting on stage to play this seminar, I had asked him if we can follow up with any questions. I asked him if the music came first or the drums and he answered my question like this ( full on technical, detailed explanation) what a guy. And yes that was me he was talking to, I was there during the seminar.

Just here to show love to Gavin in 2024! Long live Bonnie!

The Steve Jansen beat Gavin demonstrates (starting at 0:47) is the Japan song, "Still Life in Mobile Homes." Great to see Gavin giving recognition to great British post-punk band.

0:45 Rhythm that Gavin shows. Steve Jansen, Japan- Still Life in Mobile Homes ...for those interested :)

This groove gives me multiple eargasms

This is called conscious playing. It is a big pleasure to listen and watch an expert in action. Thanks for sharing.

I love Gavin's kit. Every single Drum and Cymbal has a purpose and an exact sound that just compliments the song perfectly.

The hi-hat triplet in the second measure of that groove is really quite extraordinary in how smooth Gavin is able to make it look and sound. Fantastic drummer.

once i heard that this song os 4/4 i quit drumming

his fucking ghost notes makes me rage quit right away

Gavin is my hero!

Look at how fast his left hand comes into play for cross-sticking on the hi-hat at 1:43. Barely even noticeable, you have to watch his wrist.

I always come back to this for the incredible playing, but also the sound of the kit. I adore his actual drum sound.🤘🏼

To have that amount of control over every aspect drumming and the music, guys a master of the the craft, I am in total awe of his playing.

4:23 Such a sick fill.

makes this shit look and sound sooooo easy!!!! so many talented drummers all over the world but there's just something guys when you hear them... they just have the "it" factor.. this dude is sure as hell one of them.!!

So fucking musical, the best groove in prog music..

The most perfect sound I've ever heard escape a drum kit. Gavin is the GOAT

Quite simply the best sounding kit I have ever heard. Right down to his home made chimes and the fact he always cuts the outer two coils off his snare unit for that sublime ghost/buzz sound of his.

Steven Wilson never went so far rhythmically than with Gavin ! You’re à genius (like Steven)

It's so cool how it's sounds complex, yet it basically is in 4/4. That's what I call creative drumming! Besides that, I freakin' love ghost notes played on drums. They add more variety and details, yet they don't make the groove sound overloaded, and they don't take away too much air for the rhythm and song to 'breathe', either.

I can't explain his playing like I can other drummers. His creativity is so unique, and he always catches me off-guard.

Wow…. I've loved Steve Jansen since hearing him in Japan and then later with David Sylvian solo work and Rain Tree Crow. Steve Jansen!!!!! More drummers should check him out. Beautiful musician.

I'd never heard of Gavin Harrison untill I saw him play with King Crimson a few years ago and found out who he is. That led me to pineapple thief and porcupine tree, two amazing bands that I hadn't discovered before. Born in '67, although I have a fairly eclectic taste in music, I grew up loving the '70s prog rock which I thought had died out in the '80s but I now see that it is alive and kicking in the 21st century. Re-vamped, upgraded and full of the spirit of live music played not only for the enjoyment of an audience but for the sheer joy of playing well put together music with other talented musicians. I can only cry "MORE MORE"🥁🎸✌️🇬🇧✊

Thanks Gavin, you are a gentleman, and a scholar.

I swear if you looked up the word “precision” in the dictionary it should just say “Gavin Harrison”. Every single aspect be it his actual drum strokes, his dynamic control or the way he tunes his kit is an execution in precision. He is of the highest caliber and as a basic drummer myself, never ceases to inspire me with how far the craft can be taken. Gavin, I tip my hat in your general direction good sir.

Thank you Gavin for not only being one of the greatest drummers that I've ever seen. But, also for playing in and adding immensely to the writing of one of the greatest bands ever in Porcupine Tree!!! Bravo sir!

Jamming with a talented drummer is something I've been lucky to do twice in my life. They bring something out.

Just stunning. His playing is beyond immaculate. I could work at this for a week and not get the basic groove. He places anything, anywhere he pleases! As for the fill at 5:23, I got nothing, except that Gavin Harrison is a master at using his cymbals as alternate drums in his fills. If you keep that in mind, you might get close to figuring that one out. I wish you luck.

i think Bonnie the cat drumline should meet Tommy the cat bassline ;)

Reopened this song just a while ago. Beautiful, magnetic. Good job

This song always struck me as so insanely well written. One of their best imo. It’s unorthodox but doesn’t feel too alien. Great pocket in it.

It has taken me about 5 hrs of straight playing today to learn this song on drums! Still trying to perfect it.

As a drummer, there is nothing I love more then creating new music with my band. Pulling beats and rifs outa thin air is the most incredible feeling. Especially when they sound killer like this. Playing something that no one has ever played before is why I play.

Love this guys drumming and tightness!! Very inspiring.

One of my favorite Porcupine Tree songs. One of the best drum videos on the internets. A well written groove is so much better than any solo, IMO. Look for interviews from Gavin, it's fascinating to hear how he thinks about drumming and music, more than any other drummer I've heard. A lot of good vids from this Guitar Center series.

My all time favorite drummer. Can not stop watchin this video.

once i heard this i was forever changed...its relentless ....gavin plays with such ease..simply blown away

Gavin Harrison...the living dream of every bassplayer :)

This kicks ass. Never heard Porcupine Tree before, but I'm excited to hear more.

When he does 7 stroke rolls, or 32nd's on the kicks between his hands, there's never anything muddled... It's freakin unreal how clean he is, no matter what subdivisions he's using.

I could listen to Gavin All Day Harrison 24/7. Dude is ridiculous.

Hands down the best Sonor kit I have ever heard.

I like this mix better then the album.

Can we just appreciate how good this kit sounds 😮

Great drummer, GREAT sounding kit.

Unbelievable! Gavin you Are the best on Szene! Right now!!!! 👍❤️🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯

I love how Gavin name dropped Japan's drummer Steve Jansen as an influence. Brilliant!!!!

He has a perfect sound, both kit and as a drummer :).

I've watched this vid hundred times over and it's always as good as the first. Love this song!

been watching these guys for awile now..man..seeing how PT evolve there songs using all aspects is so cool..thanks for sharing Gavin

killer progressive drummer....thats why hes neil peart's favorite

In case anyone's wondering, the Steve Jansen / Japan track that Gavin mentions is "Still Life In Mobile Homes", from "Tin Drum". Look it up to see what he means about the snare on 1 & 2.

Hahaha at 5:35 he's looking at the camera that says yeah bitches check this shit out. Great drummer :)

The boss the best modern drummer right now, dude has it all timing, groove, power, speed, double bass, good poly's and time sig's. His hands are like Steve Gadd or Bill Bruford and rolls like Chambers or Chamberlin really can't ask for a better drummer in this modern era mad props took Gavin.

After a year of watching this, I finally got it! Literally bouncing off the walls excited.

Such a fucking delight seeing him play, total and pure joy. See you Oct 4th, mr. Harrison.

Can’t get enough!

It’s perfect. There is no one better than Gavin Harrison.

The space between ghost an accent strokes is the most higer level that you´ll get...and the precisión here is crazy!!

its just so unusual man, and thats what i like about this band,the unorthodox style,they're just so creative man!.theyre really not famous here in our place..in our city maybe 2% of people are listening to this band including me!.i dont know,i've met a couple of dudes that heard PT but 1 person digs their music..and thats really awesome!.maybe because some people could not appreciate how genius this band is.

One of the most creative and collected drummers ever... not an exaggeration

I currently enjoy his drumming more than anybody else's. He is totally unique in his mental approach to playing drums together with the extra ordinary ability he has to transfer that mentality physically to his kit. I've been playing drums for over 40 years & I'm not easily impressed, but his drumming really blows me away.... & what an amazing drum sound, wow!

my favorite drummer to date, and i think it's pretty easy to admit he's one of the top 5 drummer's of all time

Amazing drum sound. Love it. Never listened to him before, thanks youtube!

I found Gavin Harrison's drumming on youtube by pure accident about 2 years ago when I was searching on drum videos and found "Sound of Muzak". I didn't really care for the song at the time but loved the drumming. I didn't know anything about Porcupine Tree but began listening and found this band incredible. Albums are great and recommend all which have Gavin Harrison behind the drums beginning in 2002.

Now this is the appitamy of a true percussionist, Gavin , is easily, top 10 drummers in the world today. Just incredible to watch him work

INCREDIBLE!!!!! This is the song that is played for the guy that is spying on the secret agent!

As a drummer that plays with a technical style, Gavin Harrison is one of my biggest inspirations.

I CANNOT BELIEVE I'M JUST NOW HEARING THIS IN 2019 THIS IS AS GOOD IF NOT BETTER THAN TOOL......A MASTERPIECE OF A SONG THANK U FOR POSTING THIS!!!!

Merci gavin pour toutes ses émotions, une très grandes sources d'inspiration pour moi. MERCI BEAUCOUP.

Gavin has absolutely mastered the number one rule about being a great drummer (aside from a myriad of other things) and that is to add to the band, not take away from it with nonsense. The moment u can truly do that, ur a professional. Something that cannot be said for a lot of drummers.

WOW, just wow! Drums sound incredible too!

i like how he keeps mentioning the great steve jansen as his timeless inspiration. a gentleman (with or without taking polaroids).

Seriously, im not joking around. This guy could be God

Not a drummer, but the drums on this song blow me away time and time again.

Gavin Harrison's sense of rhythm is more solid than the Pope's stance on gay rights.

Man that part grooves so hard. And his drums always sound so fantastic.

I love this song. “I know... what... will be...” so awesome!

What's the matter, guys? Scared? Well, me too...maybe it's not the usual stuff we can go for & play pronto but, this is how the art gets stretched into every possibility, like science. It has since bored me no end to listen to most music today, but then, I got asked to sub for a drummer friend on two gigs. In these instances I have to listen to these songs for a more accurate groove & write simple charts to navigate the sets. It is then I heard that there is more to the playing involved than I thought, and I got to really appreciate what many recording drummers are doing - pushing the drumming forward with taste and musicality.

Just when i think i have seen the best video on gavin, i watch another one that is better. Amazing talent.

Very Tool like. Gavin and Danny are probably 2 of the greatest heavy(rock and such) music drummers of today.

Love his drumming. His drums sound is one of the best!

one of best drummers of 90'....

Good God!!!! if i could ever sound that musical, my life would be close to complete!!

One of the most musical drummers out there!

This track definitely stood out to me on "The Incident" - great groove!