steve michaud

Got to either www.davidhines.com or
www.stevehuntjazz.com
Nebula is the cd and Michaud is the bomb, he went to Berklee the same time as both Todd Sucherman and Pat McDonald (charlie daniels band) this guy is scary and the most scary part.....is not worried about being a player, word has it he's into being a pastor back east and a family man to his boys and wife.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ April 29, 2005 03:59 PM: Message edited by: Randy Walker ]</font>

I forgot to mention this:

" here's what Todd told me about him in an email.........that Steve was astounding when I met him in '87 at Berklee. He went 1 year and so did I, but he studied with Chaffee for 4 years through high school. His ideas were advanced, uniquely his own, and Chaffee himself told me Steve was cut from the same cloth as Vinnie. If you check out that David Hines album along with the few cuts he's on "Blown Fuse" it's simple to come to the conclusion that he's clearly one of the most gifted drummers of our time. He's a relatively undiscovered gem----a pastor from Nashua, New Hampshire."

Steve Michaud is one scary dude. I could'nt agree with you more Randy, I'm so glad that you started a thread on him. I've been trying to find stuff on this guy but there's no info on him; no website, no talk about him, nothing. You would think that this guy would be everywhere. Definitely my favorite "local" and beyond drummer.

I saw him play with Steve Hunt in a recital hall at Berklee around 1999 or so and that performance is just burned into my memory. They opened with Proto-Cosmos, and with much, much respect to Tony, Husband and Wackerman I got to say that that is the best version I've ever heard of that tune. From the very first note, you knew this guy was going to get into some shit. Everything was there-phrasing, time feel, chops for days, etc., this guys got it all. Plays mostly matched grip on a Cherry Yamaha Recording Custom. I also saw him double drum with Dave Dicenso and the John Finn group as well. That was pretty scary as well. [img]eek.gif[/img]

The Blown Fuse CD is great and I'm going to check out that Hines cd. Thanks for the heads up.

this David Hines cd is just sick, steve's playing is simply amazing,,,,,,,,,,,,if you guys have not checked this out yet, you're missing out. he is without a doubt one of the most talented and unique drummers to come along since vinnie.

I'm just waiting on the tax money, Randy. [img]wink.gif[/img] Thanks for recommendation. I heard the clips on AI and liked it enough to put it on my list.

[img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img] You won't be disappointed.

I have to say there is a disappointment for me that more guys here at HOD have not checked Steve's playing out on this cd and the Blown Fuse cd. I really expected to see a flood gate of posts.
When i see a number of posts for a guy like Hass, whom is nowhere close to the facilitys on the kit as Michaud, it amazes me. We can talk about Vinnie, Weckl, Harrison even Peart, but a talent comes along that can really turn your head around and it gets no attention.

I read this thread for the first time ten minutes ago, and ordered the CD. That enough attention for you?

Oh yeah!

Thanks Randy. This is some serious _ _ _ _ !

Steve Hunt's CD has all the tracks. Go there, people.

Very clean player. Serious chops. No doubt. Enjoyed that. Thanks! Reminded me of "Secrets" with Vinnie.

For this genre, the songs all start sounding the same to me, but that doesn't take anything away from the players. (I literally will fall asleep to this music). I'm at work right now, so I better stop!

Nice project!

On the soft side for my personal taste but the guitar playing and the keyboard playing are both topnotch!! The bass sound on No loop has a Seinfeld edge to it. Nevertheless cool ideas on these clips!
Definately worth some time checking out, thanks.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ April 29, 2005 11:23 AM: Message edited by: Jeppe Morgenthaler ]</font>

Now that's more like it guys! That's what HOD is supposed to be about, discovering and talking about new players and music. [img]wink.gif[/img]

I swear to god Randy, i want to go with you on this since you made such a big stink on the other thread. I do.
I'm listening to Toe Nail right now. Drummer's like this are a dime a dozen in NYC and LA. None of them work. There's section in Toe Nail where it goes into 7. Everytime the drum groove is tentative and falls out of the pocket. And I don't hear chops and good use of them. It sounds like a really great 80s fusion drummer to me. I also don't see why you have to say Hass doesn't chops like that. Of course he does. Even JR does. Come on man. And I'm not saying Steve M isn't great. He is. But you mentioned him and Vinnie in same sentence. It's no where near the same. Anyhow, that's what I think. I'd rather listen Alan Holdsworth with Vinnie. I mean that's what they're going for.

I actually heard thing's about Steve awhile back on other forum's. Checked out some clips yeah a GREAT!! player. Some of the music I dug some I did not but who cares the guy is Killer drummer that is what we need to focus on with player's. We can shut ourselves off to someone's greatness because of our narrow mind's or our dislike for a certain style of music without focusing on the Player and what he is actually laying down.

So Thank's Randy, and yes some of these guy's need more exposure, like Dave Discenso and a few other's in the past. Dave D. and Steve M. slay me more than Hass anyday.

Dig

I liked it. But I agree with SDK on putting someone else down to prove a point. You have issues with that. You're forcing me not to like Steve Michaud because you have put down someone else to make him out to be great. He's great. Hass has nothing to with it. And I'm sure both Steve's would love each others playing. You're kinda evil Randy. What's up with that?
P.S Dave Dicenso took "jazz" lessons with Hass when Hass was still a Berklee student.
I'll stay true to the thread. Steve Michaud is a great drummer thanks.

You think JR has chops? no way. Not even close.
But I'm not going to get into a slam fest here....
As to my being evil, i don't remember being vulgar about Hass and his playing, what i said was Hass has nothing on Michaud.
Especially when there were so many posts toughting this guy, if you like him great and if he has his own message board where you guys can sing his praises that's kewl too.
Do any of us want you to not post at HOD? no
but a consoldation of post can be done and I'm not the first one to mention this here.

SDK,

I disagree about your interpretation of "Toenail".

The section in 7 is spot on.

Dude, motive is everything. And for you to say that, when the two were never linked before had motive behind it. You know what you did and why, and you got the result you expected. And because you're a moderator you can get away with it.
I would never go into a Steve M thread and say anything about HASS out of the blue. You even said it again in that thread. Leave Hass alone man. You know he's a monster, so is Steve M. Different types. JR to me is one the worlds best drummers. So we all have different requirements. I love music, not chops.

to say you or someone else would not go into another thread and hijack it is an untrue statement, maybe you yourself have not done it, but others on HOD have, it has indeed been done many a time.

I'm done with the flame wars, if it continues threads will be locked. I have apologized and take credit for what I did.

I just wanted to get one more post in before it gets locked....

There seems to be a double standard here...

Let's just draw the line at childish behavior, wherever the source...

yeah I listened to it again, and it still sounds tentative to me. I guess some people's "spot on" is different than others. When he began changing up the groove the time lagged and pushed in quite a few bars. He also doesn't hit his back beat as a rim shot which makes it thin to my ears, although with the EQing and compression, it doesn't sound bad. Over all I dug it, but if I'm going to put something on in this 80s style of fusion, I'll put on Secrets, and listen to the master. The same goes for when I'll put on Miles Davis 60s group and not Wallace Roney. That's just me. I like the originators and not the copiers. But there's no doubt about it, Steve Michaud is a killer player.
I agree about the double standard. At least Randy is good enough to admit he lost it for a minute. I think Para won't be back for a while. He might go bitch about Randy on HASS' board. HA!
Thanks for the intro to Steve Michaud.

Well, the CD arrived in the post yesterday, and I played it through once in the car on the way to work this morning. I thought I'd post a first impression.

It's ... ok.

The musicianship is, of course, first class and the production is just fine. My first impression, however, is that the music and the playing has had all the edges and corners sanded beautifully smooth and flat. I had to wait until tracks 7 and 8 for any hint of "edge" at all to appear. There's an early track where Michaud seems to start a little implied metric modulation, and my ears pricked up ... but it's over after a couple of bars. There were places which simply begged for a Dennis-style rip around the kit, or where I wondered how our esteemed host would have played it with Altered, where a little tension had built that needed a release ... but it never came.

It's good, and I'm glad I bought it. But I doubt at the moment that it'll be up there with the CDs that fight for space in my car changer every single week. If I change my mind, I'll let you know.

Yeah, I saw the post on Hass's forum. Interesting. Juvenile.

I guess we've hit a new low.

I just ordered the CD. Listening to some of the clips, I know that I will really like it.

Yea, checked out Steve Hunt 'Brown Fuse', very cool.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ May 05, 2005 12:25 PM: Message edited by: Avi_drums ]</font>

Hello all,

This is my first post. I wanted to thank you for taking the time for checking out the clips on Steve Hunt's site and/or the CD itself. The responses were both encouraging and humbling. I consider it the ultimate compliment to be compared to Vinnie (thanks a lot Randy [and others]!) On the other side of the spectrum, I appreciate the honesty of SDK, who said that drummers like me were a dime a dozen in NY or LA. Such a jarring contrast in assessments really underlines the great subjectivity present in the world of drumming. At any rate, whether you enjoyed the clips or not, I wanted to thank everyone who listened and responded (both positively and negatively) for taking the time to do so. It is my hope that I would be able to apply all these comments to myself in a positive way, that I might grow by them as a player.

Thank you,

Steve Michaud

Steve Michaud

Welcome to the board Steve, and don't be a stranger!

"I appreciate the honesty of SDK, who said that drummers like me were a dime a dozen in NY or LA. Such a jarring contrast in assessments really underlines the great subjectivity present in the world of drumming. At any rate, whether you enjoyed the clips or not, I wanted to thank everyone who listened and responded (both positively and negatively) for taking the time to do so. It is my hope that I would be able to apply all these comments to myself in a positive way, that I might grow by them as a player."


I think we could all learn a whole lot from the class, courtesy, and humility shown in that post. You're a great player, and best of luck in your musical endeavors, Mr. Michaud. However from the sounds of things, you've been blessed in so many other ways that you've won no matter what happens.

Steve, welcome bro! great post BTW

Hey Steve,
Thanks for visiting and posting. Your response was handled with class and great aplomb. Much appreciated! Thanks to Todd Sucherman and Randy for hipping us to Steve Michaud.
CB

Hi Mr Michaud,

Your drumming is incredible !!!
And thanks to Randy for letting know about Steve.

I hope that I could hear more about you very soon.
Until then take care.

Rodge.

Hi Mr Michaud,
Just received my copy of the Nebula cd !
Congratulations, great drumming ! [img]smile.gif[/img]

Peace,

Christian

I just got my copy of Nebula. After only one listen I love Steve's drumming. The songs are good, and I have a feeling that once I am more familiar with the record, they're going to grow on me even more. Highly recommended. [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img]

Quote:

---

Originally posted by moosetication:
...I doubt at the moment that it'll be up there with the CDs that fight for space in my car changer every single week. If I change my mind, I'll let you know.

---

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Um. It's still in the car, a week later. I guess I was wrong, then... [img]redface.gif[/img]

Hello All,

Thank you so much for the responses and kind words. They were very encouraging to me. For those of you who are following this thread and might be interested in hearing some other things, I'll make mention of another recording called "Blown Fuse," on which I played three tracks. To give a brief lay of the land: (1)The tune "Croaker" begins with a one-minute open solo. (2) The song "Mr. Crum" has some "outside" playing in it (particularly behind the guitar solo). (3) The tune "Panic Attack" is a very fast song in which I use a 4 over 3 swing ostinato in the right hand with four/four backbeat in the left hand with ghost strokes and kick drum to fill in. There's more information on this recording here:

http://cdbaby.com/cd/pickford

I'm currently preparing to record Steve Hunt's next solo release. This CD has a lot of crazy tunes on it.

If you have any questions and/or comments on any of these recordings, I'd be happy to answer them. It would be the least I could do for your time and kindness.

It's been great to listen to other music and share my own music through this forum. Much thanks to Steve Holmes for this opportunity. Music was meant to be shared, not only on the bandstand, but abroad through the musical community like this.

Thanks Again!

Steve Michaud

(BTY--My last name is pronounced MEE-show) :0)

And none of those three cuts are sampled on CDBaby. Rats. I'll just have to buy the thing anyway...

[img]biggrin.gif[/img]

What a classy intelligent guy. It goes to show you that one's personality comes through in their playing...

Thanks for sharing Michaud!

Hello All,

I forgot to mention one thing regarding the new Steve Hunt recording [BTW--For those of you who are unfamiliar with Steve Hunt, he was Holdsworth's keyboardist for many years; he played on "Secrets," "Wardenclyffe Tower," "Hardhat Area," and "Then." He wrote the tune "Joshua" after his son--currently a drum student of mine!] It is interesting that no_bells mentioned the tune "Proto-Cosmos" in an earlier post, for I suggested this tune to Steve for the new recording. His only reservation is that Allan Holdsworth might not want to do it because he has already recorded it several times. If you want to help me to "petition" this in a friendly way, you can contact Steve Hunt through his web site :0) www.stevehuntjazz.com
Another brief update for anyone interested: There will also be a "Blown Fuse II" to be recorded. Word also has it that David Hines has a whole batch of new tunes. I also recorded a track for a jazz guitarist just this past week. The tune is a very fast Latin tune with a twenty-four bar drum solo. Hopefully that will be out soon as well.
As always, I'm thankful for the expressed interest in my more recent musical activities. It has also been extremely edifying to hear updates on other players. Hope to hear from some of you soon.

Steve Michaud

thanks for the update Steve!

Hello HoD friends,

I am currently teaching in New Hampshire (about 50 minutes north of Boston). Although I have a VERY limited capacity to take on new students, a slot or two just opened up in my teaching schedule. If any of you drummers on the East Coast are looking for some lessons, I would love to take you on. My email address is:

[email protected]

Cordially,

Steve Michaud

Hey Michaud,

Listen man, you're obviously a master of the drums in many ways.

I didn't mean any disprespect, although I did notice some tentative spots in that 7 groove, it wasn't anything that I haven't noticed in other big name players. In fact, it took me a while to try and find something about the tracks I didn't like. The dated approach and occasional tentative feel is all I found, and that itself is going under the microscope.

The reason I came across that way, as childish as it was, is because Mr. Randy Walker walked into another thread about another master, and dissed him, using your name to do so. It wasn't cool, so I returned a harsh response. Sorry, the cause of my thread was Randy, and the entire board is my witness.
I'm sorry that you were the drummer Randy chose to mention is "better" than someone who's at the up and coming forfront of the entire music scene, not just fusion.

You, my friend are an amazing drummer, and your work is a pleasure to listen to. I'm sorry I used you as a retaliation.
I hope you can accept my apology.