chris_b Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 With only one exception, who was/is a total dick, in the same 35 years as the OP I've played with very good drummers who have been very normal people. The good thing for me is I don't play with beginners, guys who have little experience or anyone playing as a hobby. All the guys I know have been around the block, know what to do and how to do it and most are making a living out of playing drums. The rule is that you work on recommendation and anyone who doesn't match up doesn't get asked. On the other hand I've know far more flaky guitarists and singers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilp Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 What stands out for me is how few flaky bass players there are!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 We've had 8 drummers over the last 4 years, and plenty of deps and temps. The worrying aspect is that two of them looked a bit like The Yorkshire Ripper. The last one could have been his brother. New drummer doesn't appear to resemble any serial killers so far, so that's a plus point in my book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost_Bass Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 All my drummers (except one but he wasn't really a drummer, had no drum kit and is now the lead singer in a band) were true gentlemen both as musicians and as band mates. They were allways on time for gigs/rehearsalls, organized, helped with PA and great guys to have around for a talk or a drink. Now, if we were talking about keyboard players.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mep Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 Most drummers I have worked with have been fine. Only 1 stands out as a tool but that was very short lived. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 We have 2 drummers, one is "our" drummer and the other one steps in when our guy is too busy playing with the other 3 bands he plays with They are both really good but there are subtle differences in the way they play, as is to be expected. But I have played with my fair share of nutters over the years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerstodge Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 Yup all lunatics, one of my old drummers from years ago wore leather trousers for gigs so he could take a piss mid gig and it would run out the bottom like a downpipe ... Yuk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 I'll never get that picture out of my head!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivansc Posted June 30, 2016 Share Posted June 30, 2016 In real life, our drummer recently retired from a career as a senior manager at a large construction company. On gigs he has turned up without: Sticks, cymbals (that one cost him £100 fine for speeding going home to get them) shoes, TROUSERS (twice) among other things. He has phoned us on his mobile saying he cant find a gig he has played several times before - as we watched his car drive past us outside the venue. Even though he had the address AND satnav. The list goes on. BUT he is a lovely chap and a great drummer.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solo4652 Posted June 30, 2016 Share Posted June 30, 2016 I do feel for drummers at rehearsals when, as usual, most of the people there haven't learned their parts. Guitarist and keys player (and to a lesser extent, bassist) have endless conversations about chords, diminished 7ths and such like. The inevitable result is a seriously fed-up drummer (and singer) who then mentally goes AWOL. Same thing happens regarding the same song and same chords the following week. Quite often, I'm not surprised that the drummer decides they can't be bothered any more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1467217407' post='3082036'] With only one exception, who was/is a total dick, in the same 35 years as the OP I've played with very good drummers who have been very normal people. The good thing for me is I don't play with beginners, guys who have little experience or anyone playing as a hobby. All the guys I know have been around the block, know what to do and how to do it and most are making a living out of playing drums. The rule is that you work on recommendation and anyone who doesn't match up doesn't get asked. On the other hand I've know far more flaky guitarists and singers! [/quote] I like this post. Blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 (edited) Must've been lucky: in nearly 50 years of playing live, I've only really played with a few different drummers, but they were all normal and very reliable. All the other drummers never turned up for the gig... Edited July 1, 2016 by BassTractor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue Posted July 3, 2016 Share Posted July 3, 2016 Depends on the band and other circumstances. I contend that if you can't pay someone, how reliable do you expect them to be? Blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trueno Posted July 3, 2016 Share Posted July 3, 2016 Think I must have played with dozens of drummers (including deps) over the years. Some have been extremely professional and very good musicians. My view is that every band has one flake in it... which is why I don't gig any more. Not always the drummer, I've known flakey singers, keyboardists (shudder), bass players and trumpeters (from my sax playing days). I was just going to say I can't actually remember any flakey guitarists, but I've just remembered one... "My wife says I've got to be home by 9 to look after the kids..." I was outta that band the next day. And... nearly all of the drummers I've known have been called Mick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted July 3, 2016 Share Posted July 3, 2016 [quote name='blue' timestamp='1467508789' post='3084219'] Depends on the band and other circumstances. I contend that if you can't pay someone, how reliable do you expect them to be? Blue [/quote] It'd be nice to think that if everyone in the band is a hobbyist rather than doing it for a living, they would all show a similar level of interest and enthusiasm. With that comes a simple ability to turn up on time and actually be able to play. Otherwise, what's the point? Mind you, I was forgetting that money is the only thing that matters. Silly me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted July 3, 2016 Share Posted July 3, 2016 [quote name='Trueno' timestamp='1467535153' post='3084261'] And... nearly all of the drummers I've known have been called Mick. [/quote] I was in a band with a drummer called Mick. He was a builder and used to turn up to rehearsals with his kit (no cases!)on the back of his lorry along with the wheelbarrow, cement mixer and all the other building gear. Nice guy, and a good builder! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scalpy Posted July 3, 2016 Share Posted July 3, 2016 One guy I play with turned up to a session at AIR, set up and thought....hmmm, something's wrong. Forgotten his snare drums. All 4 he usually takes to a session. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 (edited) [quote name='Rich' timestamp='1467536372' post='3084271'] It'd be nice to think that if everyone in the band is a hobbyist rather than doing it for a living, they would all show a similar level of interest and enthusiasm. With that comes a simple ability to turn up on time and actually be able to play. Otherwise, what's the point? Mind you, I was forgetting that money is the only thing that matters. Silly me. [/quote] Yes, unfortunately recruiting the guy that can play and show up, well usually there's a cost with those guys. Sorry guys, I'm just not around guys not interested in being paid for their service. When I have discussions with my gigging contemporaries, venues or clubs always comes up and what follows is "What's the pay?" We will also discuss other bass players in terms like; Oh Bill he"ll take any gig if you throw $100.00 bucks at him " Or yeah Steve got that gig with the band that had the casino gigs, he made 12k last year from gigs" All this is the fun and interesting part of this bar band level sub-culture. And keep in mind and contrary to many of you fun and music is still at the foundation of my culture. Would you guys agree this is truely a cultural difference? BTW, we're playing The world famous Summerfest in Milwaukee tomorrow on The Johnson Controls World Sound Stage.wish me luck.😔 Blue Edited July 5, 2016 by blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 Have a great gig Blue - hope you don't get rotten sound just because you aren't "headlining" MBA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartelby Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 An old band I was in once had a drummer who would appear on stage, 1-2 minutes after the rest of us, to his own intro tape. He'd also turn up for rehearsals 1-2 days late or book rehearsals with 2 hours notice and not actually show up. The annoying thing was he was a great drummer and a really nice bloke... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steviebee74 Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 (edited) My brother is a drummer and he is so laid back, he's practically lying down. Having said that, I once worked with one who "could not eat bread while he was outside"! [font=Calibri][size=3][color=#000000]Apparently, it stemmed from “a bad experience with a seagull” when he was a young lad![/color][/size][/font] Edited July 5, 2016 by steviebee74 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 [quote name='blue' timestamp='1467693441' post='3085359'] Yes, unfortunately recruiting the guy that can play and show up, well usually there's a cost with those guys. [/quote]So what's the suggestion here? Hobby players are incapable of playing and/or showing up? [quote] When I have discussions with my gigging contemporaries, venues or clubs always comes up and what follows is "What's the pay?" We will also discuss other bass players in terms like; Oh Bill he"ll take any gig if you throw $100.00 bucks at him " Or yeah Steve got that gig with the band that had the casino gigs, he made 12k last year from gigs"[/quote] Well given that you're doing this for a living, that's not entirely surprising. [quote]Would you guys agree this is truely a cultural difference?[/quote]No. I would agree that it's the difference between doing it for a living, and doing it as a hobby. [quote]BTW, we're playing The world famous Summerfest in Milwaukee tomorrow on The Johnson Controls World Sound Stage.wish me luck.😔[/quote]Good luck. Hope the pay is good. Oh, and have fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartelby Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 (edited) [quote name='blue' timestamp='1467693441' post='3085359'] BTW, we're playing The world famous Summerfest in Milwaukee tomorrow [/quote] Never heard of it... Just googled it. Edited July 5, 2016 by bartelby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lou24d53 Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 In my experience, guitarists are far worse... I've maybe just been lucky that the majority of drummers I've played with have been reliable, decent at keeping time and dare I say...of sound mind... However, my experience with guitarists on the other hand................ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stylon Pilson Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 My experience is that all of the drummers I've played with have been perfectly sane individuals. Obviously there's been a fair range of ability, but they've all been perfectly pleasant human beings. S.P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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