So, I created the current band about 2 and a half years ago, and the current drummer has been with us for about 2 years now. He's a decent guy, very keen and likeable. We have done almost 100 gigs as a unit, but there's just one issue with him, and I don't think I can ignore it any longer....
The guy only has one 'beat' when he drums.
We're a covers band, so we try and get the songs as close to the original as we can; the guitars, vocals and bass all sound good, but the drummer appears to never learn any of the fills, rolls or stops properly. This has been going on for a while, but I think something needs to be done about it - we tried Back in Black the other day, and he completely shafted the drums - no groove, swagger or feel to it. It had been turned into something very different!
Now, I'm not sure how to approach it with him, as he and the bassist/singer are VERY close. The bassist/singer doesn't get involved in band stuff much (which we've all come to accept) and is very laid back so probably doesn't care about the drums.
However, from speaking to the rhythm guitarist, we both feel the same. We're tempted to not say anything until next rehearsal, and just stop every time the drums aren't right, so he has to make sure he goes and learns the correct beats, fills etc.
Sure, I might sound like an a$$hole, but I just want the band to be moving up, not stuck at being as strong as the poor drums....!
Anyone else had to navigate a similar issue? Any advice?
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Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
"Cursed, cursed creator! Why did I live?"
Well, what did you expect?
You have to pick the material to suit the band within reason or change the band. You have a choice.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Play it like the band who recorded it or don't bother. We had a bass player who thought it was OK to change a song to make it 'ours' when what he really meant was he didn't have the time or inclination to study it and learn what was really needed from him. Laziness makes for a poor covers band.
There are a lot of performers locally who play acoustic and sing covers. They get well paid, play popular standards, but by god they bore the pants off me because they dumb everything down to the same level. Strum, sing . Thats it. No attempt at a different feel to the strumming, no fingerpicking, everything the same. Only pissed punters will like that sort of thing, people who go to watch a performance will give it a miss next time they come along.
Yeah, I have to agree with this. In my experience - as a player and a punter- the crowd want to hear songs they know; not a customised version of a song (generally). I mean, sure, we do our own versions of a couple of tunes (80's pop numbers rocked up), but I think every song in our own style would be potentially shooting ourselves in our collective foot, especially the venues we play.
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein