Rudy,
I know how you feel, buddy.
We just have do what we have to do
and eventually, everyone else gets
shown up.
[img]cool.gif[/img]
..do you also get annoyed when, as a drummer, you have to:
count everything in, (in my case segue for a whole set), and that's fine,
BUT:
...the bass player isn't always in at the very start of a song because he's taking a sip of beer or mopping his brow,
..the guitarist can't wait for his next guitar solo which goes on too long and he's not always looking at you for the cue to move on to the next bit of the song,
..the lead singer rushes his words and makes you sound out of time,
...you always have to be at the gig before everyone else and of course leave after everyone else because of the time it takes to setup and pack down,
.. but of course, you get no extra money for that.
I guess it's the nature of the beast, and aren't entitled to more money. We're drummers, so naturally have the responsibility of keeping time, counting in, arriving earlier, and leaving later.
Sometimes I just feel plain aggravated that I don't get any more money than the others, yet feel I work harder( albeit, I enjoy it). I'd care even less if everyone else worked as hard when on stage. Don't get me wrong, these guys are good players and we all get along and they're not lazy as such. Just not always as professional as I would like. I should add though that they do help out now and then with carrying drums.
Are we entitled to more money for the extra effort we have to make or am I just a moaning drummer? Haha [img]tongue.gif[/img]
Rudy,
I know how you feel, buddy.
We just have do what we have to do
and eventually, everyone else gets
shown up.
[img]cool.gif[/img]
Not only do you not get more, in most cases you will be paid the least. (possible tie with the bassist)
Do you guys think that drummers get the respect that we deserve as musicians? Ya know the old gags...'3 musicians & a drummer' etc etc.
Even in Tony W's 1992 MD interview he mentioned that drummers are looked down upon which I found surprising, & that was 12 years ago.
I feel the band's overall performance is based around how the drummers sounds for the music.
Recently, I've been around singers who complain that the time is being pushed, and then they rush the time so much that it starts to sound like a band falling down a stair case.
Also, in an effort to "keep it down" in volume, I've been in situations where the other musicians/vocalist start to get real loud, I stay low and then "disappear" in their monitor mixes. The timing goes crazy. It's like "hmmmm.....I can't hear the drummer...oh, well, doesn't matter...hmmmm....why does the timing sound so bad...oh well" In other words they don't consider the concept of turning it down so they can hear the other instruments on stage.
Of course, I could really lay into the kit and force the others to lock in, but then you're back to the volume wars.
aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhggggggggrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhh!....
Vocalists and guitarists - the worst
rushers in the business!
[img]cool.gif[/img]
Absolutely right peter!
Andy, yes, I sometimes get told in a sound check that we need to keep it quieter. But everytime, as soon as we start playing the actual gig, everyone else, mostly due to the guitar I think, has cranked their volume up, and I'm struggling to keep up with them. Not a problem though on the gigs where I do actually get foldback, which is rare.
Rudy - 2 words: band meeting.
Sort out what you want to say, & prepare it accordingly. Choose wordings in such a way that includes yourself 'in the mix,' & doesn't set out to single anyone out or put anyone on the defensive. of course, some people's personalities will cause them to be defensive no matter how carefully & delicately you've 'put on your kid gloves.' You'll have to decide how to compose yourself & deal with that. But above all else, 'reign it in,' & don't tolerate any one losing their cool - state this up front if need be. Try to be proactive yet business-like in ways to get everypne to 'uplift'...
Forget about the extra set-up & tear down time, it's the nature of the beast [it's good that they help you; often, guys won't do this, but keep track of who does consistently, because this shows character, & often a degree of whom one can 'trust.'] But what happens on that bandstand [& often off of it AW] is everyone's responsibility.
I'll say this, loud & clear, about that 'musicians & a drummer' attitude...
...you've heard the expression 'a band is only as good as its weakest link'...It actually goes one step further...
...I've heard all these gtrsts, bassists, & occasionally keybs, in many of these pop & rock bands who're signed today, & while they may lock in with the drummer, which is integral, of course...
You can be an adequate melodic player as far as technical ability, but you'd better have good time along with the drummer, because the band sounds like scatt if the drummer is slack with the time...& so...
...This from a long-time GUITARIST friend...he says, with many of the popular bands out today, the gutarist can be a wankin' soloist, & the bass part, your basic rock groove...but that da** drummer better be 'da SCATT -
"A BAND WILL ONLY BE AS GOOD AS THE DRUMMER."
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ May 04, 2004 06:25 PM: Message edited by: FuseU1 ]</font>
I'm with U Fuse.
Damn, in some situations, it takes ALL my energy & control to hold everyone together. Some nites it's like being in a rodeo on a wild horse!
'Whoaa Mr Guitarist, Whoaahh!'
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">hahaha yeah.Originally posted by peter c:
Vocalists and guitarists - the worst
rushers in the business!
[img]cool.gif[/img]
Especially when one person are doing both at the same time [img]biggrin.gif[/img]
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