Lifestyle

The Making Of Goat Skin Drums

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Drums are a vital part of junkanoo. Meet the man responsible for most of the booming bass you hear coming down Bay.

Published

3 years ago

December 22, 2022

Jean Joseph

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – When it comes to making music drums are a vital part of junkanoo. Meet the man responsible for most of the booming bass you hear coming down Bay.

Though small in stature, Felix Brent “Spider” McPhee handcrafts most of the bass drums that a and ‘B’ category groups proudly carry over their shoulders.

A builder for most of his life, Spider has always used his hands, so building drums was an easy progression.

Spider is a member of Colours Junkanoo Group, but started in junkanoo over 30 years ago as a member of The Music Makers.

He then joined the Roots, where his passion first developed, and began his quest to be the Bahamas’ best drum maker.

So said, so done: today, Spider is a member of the Junkanoo Hall of Fame, and his thunderous drums are highly sought-after year-round.

His special touch and meticulous work make his drums stand out packing a punch.

Drums can cost upwards of $150 dollars, and business is thriving – he is always working to fill orders from around the country.

Despite the hectic schedule, he still wants to reach back to pass the craft on to the younger generation to ensure it lives on.