A little story...

Groovissimo · January 16th, 2005, 07:15 PM

Last time I saw Dennis in a clinic, I understood that he was just fed up with being put on a spot (a bit like a clown who has to perform !).

Dennis has always wanted to play with a band, and mostly with musicians he feels comfortable with. Not being able to read, he has refused several gigs and I understand where he's coming from.

For years, Dennis has been up there, as one of the "most in demand" clinicians in the world. And as some of you said in this topic, Dennis just needs a "break" from sponsored events. He will be back, I'm sure. And he is still one of the greatest groove drummers in the history of drumming.

**Drumdawg** · January 16th, 2005, 07:57 PM

Originally posted by Groovissimo:
Last time I saw Dennis in a clinic, I understood that he was just fed up with being put on a spot (a bit like a clown who has to perform !).

Dennis has always wanted to play with a band, and mostly with musicians he feels comfortable with. Not being able to read, he has refused several gigs and I understand where he's coming from.

For years, Dennis has been up there, as one of the "most in demand" clinicians in the world. And as some of you said in this topic, Dennis just needs a "break" from sponsored events. He will be back, I'm sure. And he is still one of the greatest groove drummers in the history of drumming.

If you don't want to be put on the spot, THEN DON'T DO CLINICS!!! I know drummers and other musicians who's giving and done way more to the drumming and music community and they're not a$% holes to 10 year old kids. NO EXCUSE, EVER... If you?re doing clinics, it's a privilege and honor to be doing so. If you can't handle the "SPOT", get a new day job or a new booking agent...
Sammy J

**Groovemeister** · January 16th, 2005, 08:54 PM

As far as saying Steve Gadd is like Dennis Chambers, as far as I'm concerned, they couldn't be further apart. Musically speaking, Gadd runs rings and rings and rings around Chambers...

I have heard a million and one bass players I work with say, "Wow, I'd love to play with Gadd". Not one has ever said "I'd love to play with Dennis".

Gadd might play the same licks, but those pioneered drumming, and let's face it, he's giving the people what they want and what he feels makes music, not blind technique for the sake of it.

Anyway, Gadd is a great clinician, opening up the floor basically saying, "I'm here for YOU, what do you want me to help you with?" very unlike Chambers. Also I know Steve is still battling on with a double pedal workout. He openly talks about how his left foot sucks.

That's humbble, truthful and a darn site eaier to swallow than, "You'll never be Dennis Chambers, only I could ever play that fast"...

MP

**matricks** · January 16th, 2005, 08:55 PM

Dennis put HIMSELF on the spot...

As far as looking like a clown... yelling at 10 year old kids, THAT will make you look like a clown, no doubt about it.

Dennis hasn't improved in the last 10 years because he admits that he doesn't practice. As far as better hands, ha! Next time any of you are up here in Seattle i will give you names and numbers of a couple unknowns who have hands similar/and or better to that of Dennis.

Is Dennis a great player, yes. Have i ever been an a**hole to people, of course.
However, saying things like:

"No. Why the hell do you people shout things like that out. Listen to me, that's how you learn, not by watching me....what do you think? That you will watch me and go home and play this s**t? No, you won't be able to, you aren't Dennis Chambers are you?"

... That isn't just being an a**hole, that is being a calculated a**hole. It isn't like he just shrugged off the question, he went out of his way to humuliate someone. Guess what Dennis, you only did it to yourself.

No amount of chops can overcome someone being a jerk. No one is going to overlook you being a prick because you are a class-A drummer. You are just going to be a class-A drummer who is a prick.

Part of doing clinics is answering questions... f*cking idiot, Dennis. It is too bad the kid didn't have a dad there to give the Dennis a good railing over that.

Dennis is played out. He had his time of a minute. Why is that minute up? Because he stopped working at his craft.

He did have a fair point, in the fact that nobody else there could have done any of that......but to say that????

Well, there IS a very LONG list of drummers who could do that. Lang, Minnemann, Virgil, Weckl, Colaiuta, Covington, DiCenso, Smitty... to name some of them.
Sure these are the BIG names in the biz, but it illustrates that Dennis... people are as good or better than you, buddy. You never know who is going to show up in your audience so i hope you take a good look sometime fore you open your big mouth. The chances of that happening are so minuscule, but how i would love for that to happen with another big cat in the room to shut him up... ah, we can all dream can't we?!?! [img]wink.gif[/img]

I was talking to a big-name drummer, a while back (and this drummer will remain nameless in my story). We were talking about Tony, and the subject came up about Tony's attitude problem. He had a VERY good point. He said that the reason Tony was that way was because nobody "told him he sucked lately". I guess when everyone kisses your ass, day in and day out, you believe your own hype. You always have to put yourself in check and see your faults still, in drumming and in life. Everyone needs to hear they "suck" once in a while...

The fact of the matter is that no one has the right to talk to other people like that, especially when you put yourself in a situation such as a clinic, and then you berate those who pay your way. They did nothing to him except to admire him.

But since Dennis seems to have opened up the floodgates here, i will take a shot:

Dennis, you are a has-been who is not relevant anymore. While you were busy basking in your own glow, others picked up the torch that you dropped and carried it farther, and to places that you have never been.

You are played out and, honestly, no one cares about you anymore. Being as you are, your attitude, you will only lose more fans... however, i am glad to see that no matter what, Dennis is still his own biggest fan. It is too bad that none of us will ever see Dennis in the light that he sees himself in.

To really tell the truth, i couldn't care less about him...

[ January 16, 2005 05:02 PM: Message edited by: matricks ]

Groovissimo · January 16th, 2005, 09:00 PM

DrumDawg,

You are probably right, but, in some cases like Dennis, there is a lot more to the reasons . Most of the big-name drummers get into a rut at one point, and have to back-off clinics for a while.

But, they will be back, after a lot of reflexion, better than ever. Many drummers have had bad clinics at one point. We've all read about those with our favourites: Tony Williams, Vinnie, etc.

They are human and like in any job , have their off moments.

Others do not show their emotions in a clinic format. They know how to give a straight foeward clinic and leave their problems behind them.

So, I feel that guys like Dennis, who are the best, will be back with great performances and workshops.

**Shawn40** · January 16th, 2005, 09:03 PM

Hey Groovemeister,

I agree with you Man.
But DC is a still a great musician.
And I'm sorry to hear that he can be so jerk...

You know, for me DW is an asshole but I still continue to listen him, he gives me what I'm attending for in term of drumming/music, I don't look for hanging or talk with him...
I just take the musician.

But bashing a 10 years old kid, oh yeah no excuse !!!

**Groovemeister** · January 16th, 2005, 09:10 PM

Wow Matricks,
Tell us how you REALLY feel, don't hold back!!! [img]wink.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Man, the Buddy Rich Memorial video with Dennis was painful to watch. He looked so arrogant, chewing gum, overplaying (really, really, really drastically overplaying...) and peering over his shoulder with a smirk as if to say to the band (yes folks, the reason we're all here) "you just can't keep up with me..."

Hmmmm...

MP