Members FitchFY Posted March 12, 2007 Members Share Posted March 12, 2007 My main project is a hard rock situation, but I've always prided myself on having a lot of versatility to back up calling myself "a musician." My band members are continually surprised when I throw in a few bars of straight jazz or a left hand clave pattern; basically stuff I play whenever they're not in the room. So there's a RI-based metal band called Letdown, and I'm sitting in with them at a show on St. Patty's Day. However, we're only playing one metal tune; the rest are from a side project called Sgt. Pepin's Empty Wallet Club Band. There is a distinct JOY to playing stripped down bluesy funky rock music like that! We played for three hours yesterday and it was the most fun I've ever had behind a kit. I went back to my Bonham roots and just went for feel and simplicity... it was total joy, total feel, total groove. I never touched my left bass drum pedal, I hit my china maybe three times... just fun. Sometimes, instead of complicating things, just give it a KISS! (Keep It Simple, Stupid) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members the DW Posted March 12, 2007 Members Share Posted March 12, 2007 I sometimes think that the joy comes from being able to pay more attention to everyone else around you vs. having to concentrate on getting your parts correct in more complex music. It also may be a function of age. I used to look down on 'disco' type music when I was a young 'punk', but now that decades have passed, I find that I enjoy playing those beats in the retro bands I play with. Laying the solid foundation that everyone else can build upon is just really satisfying, now that I understand! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bbderek Posted March 13, 2007 Members Share Posted March 13, 2007 I agree completely. I think new drummers today biggest downfall is looking over just playing simple stuff and groovin with it. Every new drummer i meet is always like "o look at how fast I can go and how sweet this is!" But they cant play a straight groove with a band. The biggest improvement in my playing was when I learned that less is more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Walt Disney Posted March 13, 2007 Members Share Posted March 13, 2007 Anybody else like Girls vs. Boys (the band)? Very simple drummer but executed with such groove its electric. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members naturalbluesky Posted March 13, 2007 Members Share Posted March 13, 2007 I couldn't agree more. I'm doing this thing with a friend of mine who plays piano. He was the one that got me into drums three years ago. He tries to make these insanely complicated and unrealistic beats on fruity loops and expects me to play them. I mean I have no problem listening to someone else Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Walt Disney Posted March 13, 2007 Members Share Posted March 13, 2007 Your friend's nuts.I've done some highly complicated drum programming on computer and i've heard the same thing. As if playing drums is as easy as pooting dots on a grid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 1001gear Posted March 13, 2007 Members Share Posted March 13, 2007 Ahh that sweet RnB vibe. Love it when it's got me. Trouble I have is that zone is so elusive... a lot like EDS except the prescriptions are illegal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FitchFY Posted March 14, 2007 Author Members Share Posted March 14, 2007 I'm playing with them again tomorrow... oh man, I can't wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members El Glom-o Posted March 14, 2007 Members Share Posted March 14, 2007 When coming up with drum parts for my brother's music, I often have to keep telling myself, "Doug Clifford, Doug Clifford". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mraia Posted March 14, 2007 Members Share Posted March 14, 2007 Sounds like a ton o fun, Fitch. Theres definitely a place for getting your Peart on, but man, usually a big fat Bonzo groove will do just as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members danrothmusic Posted March 15, 2007 Members Share Posted March 15, 2007 I agree completely. I think new drummers today biggest downfall is looking over just playing simple stuff and groovin with it. Every new drummer i meet is always like "o look at how fast I can go and how sweet this is!" But they cant play a straight groove with a band. The biggest improvement in my playing was when I learned that less is more. that's not really a new phenomenon--remember be-bop? But you're right; many players think that "good" and "can play a whole lot of notes" are the same thing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mammynun Posted March 15, 2007 Members Share Posted March 15, 2007 good god Fitch! yer gettin married so ya go all smarmy on us?!?!? Save ur groove 4 ur lady... gimme 128th notes! Just kidding! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members J.A.G. Posted March 15, 2007 Members Share Posted March 15, 2007 I agree completely. I think new drummers today biggest downfall is looking over just playing simple stuff and groovin with it. Every new drummer i meet is always like "o look at how fast I can go and how sweet this is!" But they cant play a straight groove with a band. The biggest improvement in my playing was when I learned that less is more. Amen! If you were here, I'd give ya a hug and buy you a beer! Absolutely Correct! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FitchFY Posted March 16, 2007 Author Members Share Posted March 16, 2007 good god Fitch! yer gettin married so ya go all smarmy on us?!?!? Save ur groove 4 ur lady... gimme 128th notes! Just kidding! Hahahahah! Niiiiiiiice! To make this matter funnier, I played with said band again last night. I pride myself on NEVER dropping sticks, and I dropped three in one song last night, playing probably a freakin' Pink Floyd tune. AND I WASN'T EVEN DRUNK!!!! (Maybe that's what the issue was...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mammynun Posted March 16, 2007 Members Share Posted March 16, 2007 Be careful with that ax, Fitch-eee hehe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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