Phil Adams Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 I'm in a blues band of "mature" gentlemen. We are rehearsing and improving and I reckon we are sounding alright. BUT we can't seem to be able to hang on to drummers. They don't explode or anything, but just make weak excuses as to why they are unable to carry on with us. I know we aren't Cream or the Experience, or anything else for the matter. We spent 3 hours in a rehearsal room on saturday (which had to be paid for) waiting for "Kevin" to turn up for an audition, or get in touch. Tonights one hasn't confirmed so we have cancelled that. Our new but regular drummer has damaged his car and can't commit to anything this week which is why we were trying to line up a standby. Are we rubbish (well possibly) or just unlucky??? This isn't intending to be a drummer slating thread BTW, just a general enquiry from a newbe as to what to expect. Is it wrong to expect or hope for commitment. TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 Seems to be par for the course in my experience. As for your regular drummer not being able to make the rehearsal. Does not the rehearsal room supply the drum kit, and he brings his snare and cymbals ? If so could you all not arrange to collect him and his gear and give him a lift to the rehearsal ? (assuming at least one of you owns a car). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 [quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1373893860' post='2142731'] ...If so could you all not arrange to collect him and his gear and give him a lift to the rehearsal ? (assuming at least one of you owns a car). [/quote] No room, what with all them there Zimmer frames... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Adams Posted July 15, 2013 Author Share Posted July 15, 2013 [quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1373893860' post='2142731'] Seems to be par for the course in my experience. As for your regular drummer not being able to make the rehearsal. Does not the rehearsal room supply the drum kit, and he brings his snare and cymbals ? If so could you all not arrange to collect him and his gear and give him a lift to the rehearsal ? (assuming at least one of you owns a car). [/quote] I'm sure we could offer that, but then he'd have to think of another excuse!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 There has to be something about a gig that makes people want to turn up and do it. If the drummer ..or anyone else is putting obstacles in the way, then they have to leave, pdq. You have no option but to keep looking until you find the one that fits, ticks all the boxes, or even just the one that you can live with, warts and all... Maybe meet them in the pub for a chat so you can see if you have any common ground before you book rooms.. I tend to know who we want by reputation ..even if I don't know them...before I call them and then the rehearsal is hopefully, a musical connection only. I tend to know people from gigs, so you know they only have to be open about whether they can take on any more work. You don't have to worry about transport or whether they are 'play' fit... You need to keep looking... and weed out the no-hopers/time-wasters. If they aren't in a band ..or haven't been recently, that would be a big red flag to me and there would need to be a plausible reason why.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 Ha ha, as soon as I saw the title I knew the content! Drummers, says it all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 Relevant http://www.musicradar.com/news/drums/the-23-best-drummer-jokes-ever-169967 Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyquipment Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 Some are ok, some are crap It's a bit of a roulette really, just have to keep spinning the wheel until you land on a good one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 [quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1373896497' post='2142783'] Ha ha, as soon as I saw the title I knew the content! Drummers, says it all [/quote] In fairness, in my experience anyway, drummers are not the only culprits. I remember a similar type thread in a local forum here in Ireland, where the exact same accusations were being made against....believe it or not...[i]bassists ! [/i] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 Different areas, different problems - around here bass players are rarer than Rocking Horse s**t but I try and treat the bands better than the drummers in the OP. Some musicians can just act like idiots and to be fair in the past I've been stung by unreliable drummers. My main band has an amazing drummer who doesn't play for anyone else and is a great player. Threads like this remind me it's a luxury and certainly not the norm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rOB Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 Its not just drummers, it's just hard finding other musicians who are committed (to the same level as you), want to play the same music, you get on with, can rehearse and gig at the same times, live nearby and have a life (spare money, working hours, family life etc) that supports playing in a band. Keep looking or think about an alternative to a kit drummer? [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/167764-alternatives-to-drums-as-percussion-in-a-band-setting/page__st__20__p__1689440__hl__two%20piece%20band__fromsearch__1#entry1689440"]link[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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