I am in complete agreement with John. I am only thankful that we do original stuff. It's simple rock'n'roll. It has a strong beat and lyrics the audience can actually hear! Having said that though,last week at practice after downing a few cold ones, I decided to have some fun at the end of a particularly fast song. Rather than ride my toms and end with a nod and a bang, I thought it might be fun to try and duplicate an old seventies drum solo of which I was quite proud. I got through but, it damned near killed me! I had to take a break. I also needed another frosty one. No more solos for some time. "What a drag it is getting older."

Brian

I agree with many of the earlier posts. Many cats today (including those who are endorsed) focus on chops and speed, but have the "groove" of a rusty bucket. Harsh statement, but I know this to be true.

I don't mean to be negative here...sometimes, I have to remind myself that we are all different, and each person (drummers in this case) has something to say. I think at the end of the day, we each have our own tastes with music and who our drum "heroes" are. I still admire the guys that can groove. I have my favorites. A good groove will never be out of style.

Cool video Kev - now I have a new band to check out!

Great thread, and glad it hasn't gotten nasty. I think I am in the minority on this one. I am 32, not too young, but with too few grey hairs to be considered "old" :). When i was in my early through mid 20's I played in a band that toured throughout the northeast - mostly in small bars, VFW halls, and the like. We usually shared each bill with 4 or 5 other bands, so I got to meet and see many drummers about my age. I was always struck by how many great young players were out there - guys that played from the heart, played with feeling - not overly technical players by any stretch. Not sure where they all have gone, although a few "made it big". Maybe its the industry for not giving a broader variety of bands a shot? I think a lot of those groovy drummers are stuck on the local stages and never get exposure to a broader audience.

anyway..just my :2Cents:.

Have a good weekend fellas!

James

i always joke that i can teach anybody what i do to make a living in a half hour or less. but then you have to practice it for 15-20 years.

what we do is often simple. how we do it takes some depth and experience.

and i'd like to add that there is a ridiculous amount of great music being made today, it's just that you're not going to hear it in the mass media. that's been co-opted and now is selling "lifestyle products." you just have to know where to look to find the good stuff. we're lucky in canada to have the cbc (fingers crossed) that plays the it. it's unbelievable what's happening in toronto alone.

adam

This may not be on topic, but a few years ago when my wife dragged me aling to see the play called Wicked in Chicago, we got to sit right above the orchestra. Even though the music was not something that would make me run out and buy the CD, I was blown away by the drummer and the fact he was reading every note, I have deep respect for drummers that can read, and do it well. he had a guy just turning the pages with the music for him, my wife was ****ed at me, because I watched the drummer the whole time rather than the show....LOL

I know what you're saying. It used to be a curse that I couldn't listen to music without just focusing primarily on the drummer. It's taken me a long time to get away from that!

Agree 100%!

i just never learn i always have and still do listen and watch drummers we were at circus a few years back and we had a seat next to orchestra and the drummer had his own plexi glass drum booth,no roof . all through the show i kept telling my wife do you see do you here she was not a happy camper either but with the low lighting it was so cool it really brought the kid out in me