Backstage With the Band

[kmart]

Originally Posted by ckcondon

Bring the tools to do the job.

This, completely.

However, that goes both ways. While I find it unlikely that the OPs gig calls for a rack of numerous cowbells, it's also possible that the music does lend itself to having that gear along.

I suggest the OP have a come-to-jebus talk with their drummer and try to approach it from understanding WHY the drummer brings all that gear first, before making judgements about it being necessary, or even self/helpful, first.

[n9ne]

Also....over the years, experience has taught me that in most cases, a drummer's skill level is inversely proportionate to the size of his kit.

Whenever I see a band setup that includes a huge drum kit, I automatically think the drummer probably sucks.....and usually, he does.

By the same token, when I see a band with a bare-bones kit, I automatically think the drummer is probably a seasoned professional who can groove with just a kick and snare. And more often than not, that turns out to be the case.

[n9ne]

Also....over the years, experience has taught me that in most cases, a drummer's skill level is inversely proportionate to the size of his kit.

Whenever I see a band setup that includes a huge drum kit, I automatically think the drummer probably sucks.....and usually, he does.

By the same token, when I see a band with a bare-bones kit, I automatically think the drummer is probably a seasoned professional who can groove with just a kick and snare. And more often than not, that turns out to be the case.

[n9ne]

Also....over the years, experience has taught me that in most cases, a drummer's skill level is inversely proportionate to the size of his kit.

Whenever I see a band setup that includes a huge drum kit, I automatically think the drummer probably sucks.....and usually, he does.

By the same token, when I see a band with a bare-bones kit, I automatically think the drummer is probably a seasoned professional who can groove with just a kick and snare. And more often than not, that turns out to be the case.

[n9ne]

Also....over the years, experience has taught me that in most cases, a drummer's skill level is inversely proportionate to the size of his kit.

Whenever I see a band setup that includes a huge drum kit, I automatically think the drummer probably sucks.....and usually, he does.

By the same token, when I see a band with a bare-bones kit, I automatically think the drummer is probably a seasoned professional who can groove with just a kick and snare. And more often than not, that turns out to be the case.

[ckcondon]

BTW, we need to see pics of said kit on a small stage!
I love walking into a corner bar and seeing a full cage drumset and full Marshall stacks. You know it's gonna be hilarious.

[ckcondon]

BTW, we need to see pics of said kit on a small stage!
I love walking into a corner bar and seeing a full cage drumset and full Marshall stacks. You know it's gonna be hilarious.

[larryguitar]

Don't make it about drums, make it about space; apportion the stage into equal sections, and let him set up whatever he likes in his. If he can play a seven-tiered drum kit, more power to him.

[larryguitar]

Don't make it about drums, make it about space; apportion the stage into equal sections, and let him set up whatever he likes in his. If he can play a seven-tiered drum kit, more power to him.

[SpaceNorman]

Originally Posted by Piano Whore

SpaceNorman, I think you missed this part. You're used to using lots of stuff, would you like having to minimize your rig because the drummer insisted on setting up a jungle gym? I hate cramped stages but they're out there.

You're right - I did miss that! Cramped stages are an issue - and everybody has to suck it up to make it fit. A drummer that consumes the bulk of the stage is an issue.

My keys rig is pretty sizeable - however, when space is an issue - I can shrink my footprint by taking my rack and stage monitors vertical. When I "go vertical" my rack/monitors end up with a footprint that's not much bigger than my rack itself. I'm also more than willing to turn my keys if it will make for more practical use of stage space.

"Going vertical" isn't my favorite setup (I don't get the stereo field that I enjoy so much) - nor is playing in profile to the audience - however, it does allow me to shrink my stage footprint quite a bit. Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do to make things work.

Still, I'm a big supporter of NOT trying to dictate what gear my band mates should/should not use for their rig - and would consider intervening only if it was grossly unreasonable and/or if I felt a bandmate was "hiding behind his rig" to avoid being part of setup/teardown of the band as a whole. If you're a "big rig" sort of guy - it's on you to step up and get there early to get your stuff done - and to learn to setup/teardown quickly!

[SpaceNorman]

Originally Posted by Piano Whore

SpaceNorman, I think you missed this part. You're used to using lots of stuff, would you like having to minimize your rig because the drummer insisted on setting up a jungle gym? I hate cramped stages but they're out there.

You're right - I did miss that! Cramped stages are an issue - and everybody has to suck it up to make it fit. A drummer that consumes the bulk of the stage is an issue.

My keys rig is pretty sizeable - however, when space is an issue - I can shrink my footprint by taking my rack and stage monitors vertical. When I "go vertical" my rack/monitors end up with a footprint that's not much bigger than my rack itself. I'm also more than willing to turn my keys if it will make for more practical use of stage space.

"Going vertical" isn't my favorite setup (I don't get the stereo field that I enjoy so much) - nor is playing in profile to the audience - however, it does allow me to shrink my stage footprint quite a bit. Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do to make things work.

Still, I'm a big supporter of NOT trying to dictate what gear my band mates should/should not use for their rig - and would consider intervening only if it was grossly unreasonable and/or if I felt a bandmate was "hiding behind his rig" to avoid being part of setup/teardown of the band as a whole. If you're a "big rig" sort of guy - it's on you to step up and get there early to get your stuff done - and to learn to setup/teardown quickly!

[jeff42]

I say just talk to him. Communication is always the key. if you are playing small bars AND your music doesn't call for THE BIG ROCK SHOW, ask him if it is possible to scale down. I for one got tired of the big kit and the LONG setup in the small bar over a decade ago.

[jeff42]

I say just talk to him. Communication is always the key. if you are playing small bars AND your music doesn't call for THE BIG ROCK SHOW, ask him if it is possible to scale down. I for one got tired of the big kit and the LONG setup in the small bar over a decade ago.

[wesg]

Man, I hope nobody ever decides to tell me to leave part of my rig home. I'd probably quit. I haul a stage piano, keyboard amp, Leslie speaker, and spinet organ, and it takes up a bunch of space... especially behind me, because I stand to play piano and sit to play organ.

Of course, I work diligently to minimize my use of stage space -- for example, I built a hidden storage area into my organ to hold cords, bricks, and power bar -- but I friggin love my rig and frankly wouldn't want to play anything else...

[wesg]

Man, I hope nobody ever decides to tell me to leave part of my rig home. I'd probably quit. I haul a stage piano, keyboard amp, Leslie speaker, and spinet organ, and it takes up a bunch of space... especially behind me, because I stand to play piano and sit to play organ.

Of course, I work diligently to minimize my use of stage space -- for example, I built a hidden storage area into my organ to hold cords, bricks, and power bar -- but I friggin love my rig and frankly wouldn't want to play anything else...

[jeff42]

I switched to a roland V-drum kit over 10 years ago. Since then there have been some places I have played that I wouldn't be able to fit my entire ludwig kit and I was glad I had a vdrum. (especially in the last 2 years- I played in some TIGHT spaces)

[jeff42]

I switched to a roland V-drum kit over 10 years ago. Since then there have been some places I have played that I wouldn't be able to fit my entire ludwig kit and I was glad I had a vdrum. (especially in the last 2 years- I played in some TIGHT spaces)

[dan88z]

Originally Posted by flanc

Post this video on his FB page.

A friend of mine can jam on a DM like that. He used to bring an old Roland R9 to practice and never missed a beat.

[dan88z]

Originally Posted by flanc

Post this video on his FB page.

A friend of mine can jam on a DM like that. He used to bring an old Roland R9 to practice and never missed a beat.

[FitchFY]

Originally Posted by jeff42

I say just talk to him. Communication is always the key. if you are playing small bars AND your music doesn't call for THE BIG ROCK SHOW, ask him if it is possible to scale down.

As usual, do what Jeff says. ^^^