In this lovely episode of Offbeat with Paul Hose, Paul sits down with long-term friend and mentor, Pete Gamber, for a warm, honest and music-filled conversation.

The pair reflect on their shared love of music, the magic of the NAMM Show in California, and the experiences that have shaped their journeys both on and off the stage. Throughout the episode, it’s clear just how highly Paul regards Pete — not only as a superb musician, but as a trusted mentor whose guidance and friendship have meant a great deal over the years.

Pete also shares his story of making the move to California, life on the legendary Route 66, and the passion that continues to drive his commitment to music education. His enthusiasm for helping others grow through music shines throughout this episode.

A heartfelt chat, full of stories, friendship and inspiration.

Connect with Pete on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petegamber/

In this episode of Offbeat with Paul Hose, Paul reconnects with Florida-based drummer John Favicchia for a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation about life in music.

John shares his journey from growing up in New York City to building a career as a professional drummer, offering insight into the realities of the music industry and the mindset required to sustain a long-term career. The discussion explores not only the practicalities of working as a musician, but also the philosophy that underpins John’s approach—resilience, adaptability and staying true to your musical identity.

The conversation is rich with shared history, as Paul and John reflect on their time together across the UK, New York and Los Angeles. They swap stories about influential teachers, formative experiences, and the environments that shaped them both as players and educators.

This episode is as much about friendship and shared experience as it is about drumming—an honest and engaging look at what it means to build a life in music across continents and cultures.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

1. John’s early life and musical beginnings in New York City
2. Building and sustaining a career as a professional drummer
3. Navigating the realities of the modern music industry
4. The influence of great teachers and mentors
5. Reflections on time spent in the UK, New York and Los Angeles
6. The importance of mindset, identity and longevity in music

Explore John’s work:

1. https://linktr.ee/Johnfav?utm_source=linktree_profile_share
2. https://johnfavicchia.com/band-projects

In this episode of Offbeat with Paul Hose, Paul sits down with the exceptional Rob Hirons — drummer, educator, manager and teacher at Music Learning Collective Marseille, and a long-standing friend.

Rob is a drummer of depth and feel, known not only for his groove but for his commitment to teaching and community-building. The conversation moves effortlessly between drums, life, relocation and the realities of building a sustainable creative career.

1. Rob’s early musical roots growing up in Yorkshire
2. Discovering the drums and developing his sound
3. The leap from the UK to Marseille in the south of France
4. Adapting to a new culture and music scene
5. The discipline behind great drumming — feel, time and musicality
6. Leading and teaching at MLC Marseille
7. Balancing performance, management and mentorship

There is plenty of drum talk — tone, groove, technique and the lifelong pursuit of pocket — but at its heart, this is a conversation about courage, friendship and creative evolution.

Rob’s journey from Yorkshire to Marseille reflects what many musicians quietly navigate: risk, reinvention and resilience. Moving countries for music is never just about geography — it’s about identity, opportunity and community.

Listeners will hear not just the story of a drummer, but of a creative professional who has built something meaningful in a new environment while staying true to his roots.

1. 🌐 Website: https://www.robhirons.com/
2. ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RobHirons
3. 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robhirons/?hl=en

Available on all major podcast platforms.

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