Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Adam Gay Drums, Coach, Chicago, IL.
📍27 | Professional Drummer & Coach | Chicago |
🥁 Drummer for When The Sun Sets
🎵4M+ Streams | 1k+ Gigs | 200+ Students Taught |
💰Coaching Drummers To Build Their Brand
"I don't need to go to the gym, I have a 45-minute set tonight." 🥁 Turned on tracking for a gig and basically ran a 4-mile race sitting down. 457 calories gone! 🏃♂️🔥
Nothing beats an 80s rock groove! 🤘 Here’s a quick step-by-step tutorial on how to play the beat from "Pour Some Sugar On Me."
Play along as we build up from 70 BPM to full speed! 🥁
Tag a fellow drummer who needs to try this beat! 👇
for transcription
Changing drumheads doesn't have to take forever. 🥁
Here’s the breakdown for changing a drumhead fast using the Evans Pull Cord Drum Key:
Remove Tension Rods: Use the pull-key mechanism to quickly back out all tension rods in seconds.
Swap the Head: Lift off the rim and old head, set the new head on, and replace the rim.
Hand-Tighten: Finger-tighten each rod just until the threads catch.
Tighten in a Star Pattern: Set the key direction arrow down, then pull to tighten across opposite lugs to keep tension even and prevent crinkling.
Fine-Tune: Use the standard key end to make subtle pitch adjustments.
Flat out my favorite tool made for drummers is this pull cord drum key 😍 it makes changing a drum head dumb easy!!!
After 10 years on the road, here are 5 essential rules every gigging musician needs to know:
1. Be a good hang – Personality off-stage matters just as much as talent on-stage.
2. Practice and prepare – Know your songs inside and out before stepping onto the venue floor.
3. Know your gear – Understand how to set up, break down, and fix your setup fast under pressure.
4. Have fun! – Bring the energy. If you’re not enjoying it, your audience won't either.
5. Always have a backup plan – Things will break or go wrong eventually so be ready for it.
What’s your #1 rule for gigging? Drop it in the comments below! 👇
My favorite song to play 🫶 ”Undertow” live in Denver, Colorado at Bar 404
08/30/2026
The 30 to 60 minutes I get to spend on stage is worth every long drive and late night 🥁
Being in a touring band is not an easy thing to do. Traveling the country in a packed van of people, driving at least 5 hours everyday, eating cheap food, getting into your hotel at 3am, moving heavy gear in and out of tight spaces, being away from loved ones and missing special events at home. And after all of that then you have to put on your best performance on stage just get the people in the crowd to believe in your band enough to buy a t-shirt that just goes to gas for driving that day.
But truly that short time on stage with my brothers in When The Sun Sets is worth it all. It takes a special kind of person to commit this much but when you have belief that every small venue with a handful of people will turn into the dream venues and be able to make living off playing stages. Every bit of this is worth it 🫶 every night our mission is just to make a difference to one person and spread the conversations and community around mental health awareness. I love the amazing people we get to meet in all these cities across the country and hear stories of how our music and message has impacted lives. We love every single one of you for the support along this journey 🫶🍩
I’m also realizing this is my 1000 post on instagram since I have made this account in 2013. It’s crazy to reflect on how this account started with posting skateboarding videos and now evolved into sharing me living out my dream and just so blessed to get to experience those life and share it with all of you 🙏🏼 thank you for the support
📸 Jonathan Touhy
When The Sun Sets live at Bar 404 in Denver, Colorado 8-28-26
Always gotta be ready for your instrument to fall apart on stage 😂 playing in Lincoln, Nebraska @1867 8-27-26
08/28/2026
The start of tour has been a blast getting to show off our new lighting rig! Played in Lincoln, Nebraska last night and on our way to Colorado for the first time 🤟 excited to see the mountains of Denver 🥁 When The Sun Sets
📸 by Jonathan Touhy
Want cleaner, crisp double stroke rolls? 🥁⚡
Try this simple exercise on your practice pad! Alternating single strokes with double stroke sub-divisions is one of the quickest ways to clean up your bounce and dynamic control.
Sticking Pattern:
R L R L (Single Strokes)
R R L L R R L L (Double Strokes)
Save this drill for your next warm-up routine! 🎯
💬 Comment "DRUMS" for drum exercises and 1-on-1 coaching to level up your drumming journey!
Transcription from
Posting everyday can be stressful and overwhelming. I go through my phases of popping in and out of social media but after posting like crazy over the last year I have seen the start of how building a brand can change my life. I may just be at the start but I know the longer I keep consistent at this that life will change drastically 🙏🏼 I hope this helps my future self and any other creators in the same boat