HOLY HASS VIDEOS!!!!

[Paraflam]

wow, did you know HASS at Berklee. I always wonder what guys sounded like in school.
I agree with Bells. I also agree with the others. I don't really hear melody in Vinnie's approach. I don't think trading is what the others meant when they mentioned form. A drummer rarely releates to the form when he's trading. He does choose his sound as well, so you can't if he had a different sound then he would swing. He comes out of Tony. But Tony's feel could swing a band. In my opinion, I don't feel that from Vinnie's touch or feel when he's playing jazz. He also doesn't have any of the jazz language. Tony had the language of all the jazz drummers before him. Just listen to 7 Steps. I hear Max's phrasing in that one. Vinnie never plays like that. He plays thinking in groupings. I think he's the greatest though. I just wouldn't pick up a jazz recording with him on it. Fusion. Yes. Everything else. yes.

[SeattleDrumKing]

robstix, did you happen to check out those gigs on the 17th?

[Flarobstix]

Yes I did. Sorry I have been with the family and playing music myself.

I saw three shows with HASS playing drums. On the 17th I followed him and bassist Richard Hamond around like a stalker. haha
Both Hass and Hamond were playing behind Sylvia Tosun and then Marcus Wolf. Two amazing shows. What was amazing is watching Hass run from gig to gig, hardly knowing the music they're playing, just working off little cheat sheet type charts, and making the music really happen.
On Sylvia Tosun's gig it was world music rock. But the venue was tiny. A little bar. I never seen a full band in such a small place. Hass was the essence of the phrase, "play to the room". He played the house kit, an old slingerland, 20" 12"14". He had Sabian HHX's. I have never heard anyone play so soft, while keeping the whole band in line. His grooves were great. All 4 bar grooves that he played to click. He was in command, and you were able hear every word the singer sang. There was one tune where the band went into a medium fast 5/8 groove. He killed it.

2 hours later at The Bitter End on the Marcus gig, the material was rocking, yet very progressive and fusion like. Marcus Wolf sings and plays guitar. Hass had his Yamahas. They sounded amazing. I have a new refound love for Yamahas. The Absolute Maples sound just beautiful. They played this one drum and bass tune that Hass slaughtered. And get this....he told me after the show, that Keith Carlock kicks his ass on it. I guess Keith is on the CD Hass learned it from. They also played a tune in seven and six where Hass played quite a few Vinnie esque fills. Again Hass told me Danziger is on the original recording. While watching the gig, I also saw a few notable players hangin out, like Dan Rieser, Shawn Pelton and Anton Fig. It was a fun night.
The third gig was almost a week later. But I'll tell you about that another time. I'm tired.
Peace out,
Rob

[Paraflam]

Great review man, thanks! I wish I lived in New York.
It's amazing how much Hass works, and the variety of styles he pulls off.

[SeattleDrumKing]

Does he play to a click during the whole song, or just to find the tempo to count off? Why would someone use it the whole song if they're not playing to tracks?

[Flarobstix]

When I saw him he had his Tama rhythm watch on the whole time. I think it helps keep the music more consistant. The sick thing is that on some tunes, he didn't use the in ears. I saw the light on the click box and his groove was right on. He wasn't looking at it, nor could he hear it. That's what amazes me.

[SeattleDrumKing]

I'm going to have to try that.
I suppose that taked the pressure off. Now the band can't blame the drummer when they're not locking up! TEEHEE!!

[Flarobstix]

I find that singers especially don't have a great feel for time. Live they always want things faster than rehearsal. The click eliminates the blame on the drummer. You settle on a tempo and mark it, and that's that.

[Paraflam]

Well don't most studio drummers play with a click on those types of gigs? I know Vinnie did with Faith Hill.
Something else to consider.
No matter what the style, Steve's sound is ALWAYS great.
Something drummers don't always think about.
A consitant drum sound.