Vinnie

**mja61** · December 3rd, 2002, 02:39 AM

Since I'm on a ranting roll tonight, I'll post my two cents about DC. I saw him in a clinic here in Chicago in May 1997, back when we were just getting word of the "Gruberization" of Smith, Peart, and Weckl. I keep a journal of notes from the clinics I attend, and here is an excerpt regarding DW. I emphasize this is not a direct quote, but just my recollection of the general idea of what DC was saying:

---------------------------
(Apparently, Dennis has recently made some unflattering comments about Dave.) First and foremost Dave Weckl is a great person, so let?s not forget that. See, when Steve Gadd plays eight bars, I feel something. But when Dave plays, I don?t feel anything. That?s why he moved to L.A. He finally figured out he couldn?t bullshit anyone in New York any more. I mean, if he?s so great, how come he never plays on anyone?s records? I?ve played on over 60 albums, 4 movie scores, and I don?t know how many jingles. You know those two videos he?s got? All you people that bought them...well, the joke?s on you. Dave has realized this, and he recently changed his whole approach to playing, and he sounds really good now.
---------------------------

So I'm not sure if that's a complement or not, but DC is apparently not DW's biggest fan, to say the least.

I also saw DC in clinic (April 2001) and waited around to meet him afterwards. He was pretty cool answering questions during the clinic, but afterwards, he was just signing without even acknowleging half the people. It was a pretty full gig, audience-wise, but he probably didn't have to sign for more than 20 minutes. I remember hearing him mutter comments under his breath like, "Man how many more people are there? I'm getting tired of this."

Okay, that's enough rants for me for one night! [img]wink.gif[/img]

**palmerlouie** · December 3rd, 2002, 09:24 AM

man...its interesting to hear those stories. True.....im sure they get tired of the signing and "how du do that" comments but thats why they r there!! i was in Manny's music store in NYC chatting to the guys in the store and they said that weckl's first wife left him and "took everything".....apparantly during that time dave was really edgy with everyone and snapping....understandabky of course.....but u never know whats going on in peoples lives.......still those Dennis comments are way out of line......because as far as actual technical drumming......dave is 10000000X better!!!! dennis does repeat the same licks!!!! but he is dennis i guess!!!

**Nikk** · December 3rd, 2002, 02:42 PM

As far as I'm concerned, the only type of celebrities that have the right to be dickheads are the Keith Richards and The Eminems of the world. It's not like Weckl and Chambers have reached the level of snortin' blow off strippers' asses! I mean, geez, give a dude a drum endorsenment and he thinks he's god. Dennis does sound like he's a giant cock. Billy Cobham has acted like a real cock too. So has Weckl. I can't imagine being that good of a player and not wanting to CONSTANTLY discuss and share with ohter drummers. On the other hand, I can imagine it would get annoying when mr "average joe" drummer asks really dumb questions over and over. But it seems like these guyshave no faith in the intelligence of the drumming community. Hey, drumming "celebrities," you're not rockstars. You're only there because you put in the same amount of work we are. This is why I find it a little dumb to ask for autographs. Like, why do I need this dude's signature, because he practiced a lot? Hell, I'll just sign a picture of myself and put THAT up in my practice room.

**palmerlouie** · December 3rd, 2002, 03:03 PM

LOL!! True, True! Although Weckl has normally been very nice and relaxed....anyway they're only stories. But i really do believe dennis is a "bit of a cock" as you so nicely put it! Especially now hes got the gig with carlos santana. i saw him on MTV on the santana/michelle branch video and he was loving it......understandably.....but now he loves himself even more! and judging from the niacin gig and his general attitude on the bandstand....he loves himself way too much. however the nutters in the audience shouting "DENNIS CHAMBERS IS GOD!!!!!" didnt really help!!

**Derek DeFields** · December 3rd, 2002, 04:10 PM

You know, it's really interesting how we all have different stories we've heard or experienced with a number of famous drummers. I've only had one first hand encounter with anyone of note; it was with Dennis a couple years ago on the Stern tour. The Crash of Doom was not out yet but he had been playing a prototype at the gig. It sounded so great I had to know what it was so I asked his tech afterwards. The tech said it was a prototype but that Dennis would want to explain.

He went and told Dennis some guy was asking about that cymbal. Dennis came out and explained that everyone was asking him about it on this tour and that it was a cymbal he was working on etc etc. He was REALLY nice and seemed into the drummer hang.

I am NOT disputing anyone's experiences with DC or anyone else. My roommate has had some bad experiences with DW where he's been so rude it's actually laughable but many others have had great stories of how cool Dave is. I guess you never know.

I will say that I don't think there's any excuse for being an asshole to a fan no matter what level you're on. If someone ever gives you a compliment, you should be a decent human being and be thankful and gracious.

**FuseU1** · December 3rd, 2002, 04:43 PM

"Here, here," Derek. I mean, every1 of us is going tp have a bad day, where stuff is really goin wrong both professionally & personally [u know: the havin' a REALLY BAD DAY/WK./YR. syndrome]; so this is something to keep in mind when approaching any of our 'heroes,' but still...I 2nd the motion. But I will say that sometimes some of these guys feel absolutely NO obligation to yours or any1 else's feel'gs, for that matter...just the nature of the [or their] beast....

Louie - I saw them [CCEBReU] twice in 1 wk. - it was absolutely, utterly amazing - didja think it'd be anyth'g but? [img]wink.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img] [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ December 03, 2002 12:45 AM: Message edited by: FuseU1 ]</font>

**FuseU1** · December 4th, 2002, 06:04 AM

Yeah, Nikk, I agree - except for maybe the Richards & MnM statement - but even THEN, it's prob. because [sorry to be so bold] MnM maybe really IS an ACTUAL, BONA-FIDE, REAL-LIFE-type Richard Cranium. But then again, he may be a real pussycat, just ventin' all his frustrations over the same B.S. that has most of us in a gut-wrench over ... God knows I have those daze...who's to say? ...but if a guy approaches someone & he comes off cool, the least one can do is diplomatically handle the situation w/out inform'g the world of their "terminally self-centered dickhead's disease" [img]wink.gif[/img] , ESP. in front of younger, more impressionable 'fans'....

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ December 04, 2002 02:10 AM: Message edited by: FuseU1 ]</font>

**Clintuplet** · December 4th, 2002, 09:56 PM

Richard Cranium-LOL
Like or not these guys must realize that you and I are paying customers and pay their bills. I don't ask for autographs very much but a handshake and a look in the eye is not too much to ask.

**jonthibault** · December 4th, 2002, 11:55 PM

Nick wrote: "It's not like Weckl and Chambers have reached the level of snortin' blow off strippers' asses!" I beg to differ. I happen to know they both regularly snort blow off strippers' asses, but Vinnie does it with more passion and with hotter strippers.