Tom Russell's next rummage turns up an interview with Scott "Flip" Phillips, drummer with Alter Bridge.

The interview focuses first and foremost on drumming and life on the road. Phillips talks about the craft and the role of the drummer, with discussion ranging from Neil Peart and John Bonham to Ted McKenna of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a name that causes some surprise in the room. McKenna's influence and Scotland's place in rock history become part of the broader conversation.

Phillips also recalls how Scotland was one of the first places to properly take to Alter Bridge, including an early show at The Garage in Glasgow with Scottish support band Logan. His Scottish pronunciation gets some scrutiny: Edinburgh handled well, Garage less so.

The episode covers the band's then-new material and how Alter Bridge rotate songs in the live set, including Wouldn't You Rather, Walking on the Sky, and Godspeed. Phillips talks about how songs land with audiences, and how fan reactions are often different from what bands expect. There is also a practical discussion of how bands make money, including the realities of meet-and-greets.

Tom, Andy and Scott reflect on how Phillips comes across as an open, generous interviewee, and Tom raises the question of how a band like Alter Bridge might have fared in the faster production cycles of the 1960s and 70s. Phillips responds by contrasting that era with today's process, where recording is technically easier but involves more layers and takes longer. He notes that the band's early work, including Blackbird (2007), was largely created with everyone in the room together.

Artwork and presentation also come up. Phillips explains why Alter Bridge want album covers to stand on their own, sometimes ending up as tattoos or merchandise. Whisky makes another appearance, with Phillips admitting that while he is more of a vodka drinker, he does enjoy the occasional dram, name-checking Crown Royal and Bulleit, while conceding limited knowledge of Scottish whisky (ie the real stuff).

The episode also touches on one of the band's landmark performances, Live at the Royal Albert Hall, recorded with a 52-piece orchestra and released as Live at the Royal Albert Hall featuring The Parallax Orchestra.

A wide-ranging interview that moves from technique and songwriting to touring, audiences, and the practical realities of being in a modern rock band.