We need some good drum stories in here.
Who wants to get the ball rolling?
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We need some good drum stories in here.
Who wants to get the ball rolling?
The Ultimate Honor
My friend, John Lengel, plays drums for <A HREF=http://www.lasectaallstar.com/index1.php> La Secta </A>, a Puerto Rican rock band. He got me started on drums (with Neil Peart, of course), and we both evolved from Neil fans to Vinnie fans, and all other drummers in between.
On their original 6-song demo was a tune called "Bombon De Azucar (sugar bonbons)." Around the same time Ricky Martin's people were gathering tunes for his forthcoming album, A Medio Vivir, and took fancy to "Bombon..."
After all the politics was done, John and the lead singer find themselves in Los Angeles to do odd jobs for Ricky's album. John's credit appears at the bottom of <A HREF=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid=MISS70307290801&sql=A5do7gjqro6i w> this page </A>.
If you scroll up towards the top of <A HREF=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid=MISS70307290801&sql=A5do7gjqro6i w> the same page </A> you will see Michael Baird as one of the two drummers brought in for this album. The other drummer was none other than Vinnie Colaiuta. And wouldn't you know it, Vinnie lays the track down for John's "Bombon...".
Hence, the ultimate honor.
<marquee width="150" loop="infinite"> Link to the track coming soon... </marquee>
Ok...here goes,
Back at a NAMM show in LA, maybe around '95 there was this very young little kid playing one of the model kits. He might have been Tony Royster Jr as a eight or nine year old. This kid was soloing and a crowd drew. Most were just there for the cute little kid playing drums, but he started to do some combinations that were obviously taught to him. Then he really started to put some stuff together. For a little kid, it was crowd gathering worthy--and they loved it! There was about 35 people standing around.
All of a sudden the guy next to me yells, "Allright, right on...go for it!" It was Vinnie. As soon as he yelled (he was still with Sting at this time) the crowd shifted and some rather big name players sort of melted, like a kid around their dad, surrounding Vinnie.."Oh...hi Vinnie...how are you...would you sign my...?"
It was great.
Ptrack,
You do DC a disservice by talking so badly about it in your posts. Just because one dude sucks and talks poorly to Vinnie...fuck'em. I live here too and think it's great. Blues Alley is not the only place to check out jazz and improvisational music. In fact, Blues Alley is way too expensive for my taste. What about Twins on U st? Have you checked out HR-57 or the Chi-Cha lounge? What about Columbia Station in Adams Morgan? Blues Alley would probably be DC's equivalent of NY's Blue Note or LA's Catalina Grill (I'm assuming...) Way too fuckin' expensive. DC rules. Minor Threat and Fugazi hail from here. Dischord records started from here. Dave Chappelle grew up here. Grady Tate teaches drums at Howard U. Steve Fidyk teaches drums at U. of MD and George Mason University. We have all sorts of great players here every night of the week. You just gotta open your eyes. Don't try to front like DC ain't the shit.
PS- what the hell are you talking about saying something like "that sort of ignorance runs rampant here in DC."? Maybe you assert yourself poorly to the wrong crowd. I've never experienced that. Get out if it sucks so bad.
Yo Boyz...not on my thread [img]tongue.gif[/img]
Back to the stories...
I was in Bally's working out and afterwards entered the sauna (in a bathing suit). I was sitting on the top bench and this guy walks in. He looked familiar, but I couldn't place him.
Then, all of a sudden I was taken back to junior high school and my first drum book, Realistic Rock. Yes, Carmine Appiece sat in front of me. I told myself if I just sat there like a woose and said nothing I would kick myself later, so I said, "Carmine?"
He turned around and was the coolest guy on planet earth for those 30 mins we rapped. Ironcially, I told him I drove him ten years earlier in college when I worked for a limo service. That was also a freak meeting out of nowhere.
I have a couple of drum stories but I will just mention one due to space considerations. I heard that Vinnie was going to be playing at a Carlos Vega memorial concert so I took some vacation time off from work to go see the show. It took me 2.5 hours to drive through traffic and reach the show. It turned out that Vinnie was not there. I was feeling a little disappointed because he was not there. As I was sitting by the bar, a gentleman came by and sat down. I looked at his face and he looked very familiar. He happen to be wearing a denim jacket with a "Tom Petty and the Heart Breakers" logo on the back. I realized that I was sitting by Steve Ferrone! Even though I was awestruck, I managed to tell him that he was one of my favorite drummers. He seemed to be a very friendly and down-to-earth person.
well this isnt my story, its my dad's but i smile each time i hear it.
He was playing a gig at a hotel in London and the gig turned out to be real bad. the band was aweful and sounded poo. he couldnt wait to get off the band stand.
he got in the lift and as it stopped at the next floor, in walked......Buddy Rich! my dad was probably the biggest rich fan on the planet. he couldnt believe it! buddy said "good evening" and the lift carried on up. Buddy got out on the next floor.
to this day my Father doesnt know why he didnt say anything, the words just didnt come out. all he hopes is that buddy didnt see him playing with that shit band!!!
The scene: Blues Alley Washington DC
The show :John Pattitucci Quintet featuring Vinnie
2nd set
Is walking up to the bathroom during the set break.I noticed Vinnie was on the phone in a heated discussion.I left him alone.I went and did my business and walked to see some old man bustin Vinnie's chops up saying stuff like "Your not gonna be intimidated by Pattitucci are you?"
To my shock Vinnie did not say anything for a few seconds..He then stood in this guys face and said "I think that I've proven that I am not intimidated by ANYBODY!"...Who the heck does this old nobody think he is verbally confronting someone like that?? Ignorant Bastard!!! Anyway , old man wandered off like some arrogant jerk..I told Vinnie "That guy is full of shit!!You are the man."...He was silent ..I left him alone again and found John P and started talking to him...The band started playing.. Vinnie was TEARING it up..Everyone in the house (fellow bandmembers included) Were simply drooling at the master at work..Every song Vinnie ripped it up so hard that at times Pattitucci just broke out into joyous laughter ..That was great,considering the 1st set was very mellow and tasteful....
This old fool with no guts was not present at the end of the gig.(I guess he had to fix his pacemaker or something.)
It was the best show I have EVER seen..Sadly VC has not been to Blue's Alley since..As much as I would love to see him in a jazz club context again.I would not ever expect him to play that place again or anyother jazz club in DC for that matter...The ignorance runs wild in the Nation's Capital....And that explains why DC is not regarded as a respectable music town ..
Sadly being a DC bound musician,I later met that foolish old man and chewed him out..It costed me some gigs..But with the way things are here. I am fine with that...
So dont come to DC to play music that's my suggestion...Considering what I have seen of this community in my tenure here.It's safe to say I'll be leaving ASAP!!!
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ July 30, 2003 12:56 AM: Message edited by: ptrack ]</font>
Nikk,
I live in Adams Morgan...I've played shows with almost everyone in the DC/Va/MD scene..I've played in the Jazz,R&b,Contemporary,Blues,Reggae,and Rock cirles here.....DC is a small town...WHO DO YOU PLAY WITH???? People who play this scene regularly also agree with my view...You live in Springfield VA....Perhaps you do not see this as much as I do...DC is not the shit you would like it to be....I've been and played at all the sessions in town (Twins,HR57,on and on)...A majority of the folks have a screwed up attitude (ie they posture way too much amongst other things)..I've lived here all my life...I know what goes on...Perhaps you need to take your blinders off and check out what really happens with the political crap that pervades this town..
You think DC has got some stuff going...Buddy you could not be more wrong.....Yes I've played in the wrong circles in my time...Perhaps maybe you should try to get in the scene so you can see what I am talking about....It takes a deeper view to see this stuff..Try it and you will see...
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ July 30, 2003 03:04 PM: Message edited by: ptrack ]</font>
PS instead of watching the scene why dont you go and try to get some paying gigs on the scene and see what happens...I can also name names but that would be the wrong thing to do....
Sorry Pocket but this guy needs to get some light....Nikk if wanna contest me more then PM me..
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ July 30, 2003 04:39 PM: Message edited by: ptrack ]</font>
"Sorry Pocket but this guy needs to get some light"
Hey, don't let me be a shade. Do as you will. I do dig the stories however...fun to read after a day at work. One thing about drummers, they tell good stories.
One thing I have always loved about stories about Jeff Porcaro is he was to have this contagious laugh. His presense was greater than his drumming. He is one guy I would have LOVED to meet, so stories carry great power.
What is one man's peanut is another's banquet of peanut butter.
First of all, don't assume that I don't play gigs. The fact that I live in Springfield does not at all correlate to the notion that I'm not well-versed in DC-life and happenings. I've grown up in this area my entire life. I live 15 minutes outside of DC. The city is quite familiar to me, my friend. And please don't tell me about posturing. You think it's bad here? Check out New York or LA. (Sidenote-no offense to anyone there.) My point is this...if gigging sucks so bad here, throw us all a bone and quit. Thank you and goodnight.
This is a pretty funny story that happened 5 years ago. I should say funny to me maybe not my wife [img]tongue.gif[/img] I have been fortunate enough to attend a few PASIC conventions in the past. I was able to drag my wife to one the 98 version in Florida(I tried to disguise it as a vacation but she saw right through me!)My wife was pregnant at the time, and of course at times she would feel sick. Well we were waiting around the main performing hall(waiting to check out Steve Smith)and we happened to be fairly close to the bathroom's. We had just eaten lunch and she was not feeling so hot. She ended up having to run to the bathroom thinking she was going to get sick, so I thought hey I might as well go do my thing before the clinic. So I walk in the bathroom and start doing my thing and Terry Bozzio walks in right next to me. And I am thinking wow! one of my earlier drumming heroes, would love to chat but hey not now!(do not want to offend the man while he is doing his business) Well all of a sudden there are about six guys surrounding him asking for autographs. He was very kind and patient to all of them, even though he probably wanted a little privacy if you know what I mean [img]redface.gif[/img]
So I walk outside and I hear my wife inside(obviously not pleasant sounds when one is getting sick) and I am feeling bad for her, so I think what the heck, I shout inside to make sure she is O.K. and she say's I will make it. So I am standing close to the women's bathroom waiting for her and the sounds coming out were pretty awful to hear. Terry about this time walks out and hears my wife, and he has this troubled look on his face, and I am thinking oh how embarrassing and he looks at me and say's do you think that women in there is O.K. and I have to be honest and I say oh that is just my wife she is pregnant and is not feeling to well. He say's oh I am sorry and introduces himself to me and I am say to him Oh! I know who you are Mr. Bozzio nice to meet you and we chat abit and then my wife walks out at that time and I introduce my wife to him and he asks her if she is O.K. and gives her and I his best wishes and leaves and she turns to me Totally beat red in the face and chews me out thouroghly for embarrassing her she says why did you let him hear me like that(I am thinking the whole first floor could hear you what did you want me to do!!) I am thinking oh what the heck she is pregnant, I better just keep my trap shut and let it go.(Good thing to do at times) But what a way to meet someone you admire. Not the way I perceived it to be but oh well at least it was memorable.
Regards Digital
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yeah I heard stories about LA...but NYC I disagree..There is difference..Those two towns are music industry towns...DC is a little hick town compared to that...I've done enough work in NYC to know alot more musicians in NY who can really play and dont have some screwed up attitude....Now, the screwed up politics are everywhere but NO ONE IN DC IS EVEN GOOD ENOUGH to have that kind of attitude...LA and NYC well that's a different story entirely..... I bet I know who you are and maybe you might know who I am . But let me ask you this???WHO DO YOU PLAY WITH??? on the Adams Morgan circuit..Let me come out and see you play on your paying gig....Cos I have the feeling that you are just some college kid who doesnt know shit about what really goes on here INSIDE the scene....This is pointless...This Nikk is a representation of how delusional the music community here is.....I will leave in time..But why dont you tell me and everyone else here WHO YOU PLAY WITH????!!! Or perhaps you dont play any paying gigs with anyone.After all there alot of Freebie gigs here that anyone can do..Maybe you are just one of those drumming hobbyists...Either way whatever .....Quote:
Originally posted by Nikk:
First of all, don't assume that I don't play gigs. The fact that I live in Springfield does not at all correlate to the notion that I'm not well-versed in DC-life and happenings. I've grown up in this area my entire life. I live 15 minutes outside of DC. The city is quite familiar to me, my friend. And please don't tell me about posturing. You think it's bad here? Check out New York or LA. (Sidenote-no offense to anyone there.) My point is this...if gigging sucks so bad here, throw us all a bone and quit. Thank you and goodnight.
<font color="#a62a2a"><font size="1">[ July 30, 2003 07:14 PM: Message edited by: ptrack ]</font></font>
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ July 30, 2003 07:21 PM: Message edited by: ptrack ]</font>
PS Grady Tate does not live in DC...He may teach at Howard...But he does not live here and play here.....
no personal attacks please.
LA sucks. [img]tongue.gif[/img]
I'm sorry..Nikk if you know about Weckl and VC you must not suck... dont get me wrong there are lots of great players out here...For me it just the mindset that kills me...
THE END
PS - My apologies for any insults or backlashes to Nikk..That's just the way I feel...
I'll post an mp3 for ya soon buddy. It'll be me sitting all alone in my practice room, because god knows I never gig. Your jock tendencies belong in the weight-lifting community.
Ok, my apologies. This need not be personal. Forget all this shit. Tell ya what, I WILL let you know when you can come check me out downtown. It doesn't need to be a negative thing. We can grab a brew after the gig and talk some drums. Peace, man.
PS- lemme know when you play too
Alright i'm waiting....Nikk
If Nikk stands for Nikki Gonzalez band that you dont even need to try,I know who you are....
[QUOTE]Originally posted by ptrack:
[QB]Alright i'm waiting....Nikk
Hook me up....If Nikk stand for the Nikki Gonzalez band then I definately know who you are and you probably know who i am...
Currently this is my favorite thread. [img]graemlins/party.gif[/img]
Continuin' in the groove...
Last summer I met this guy and his very cute sister at a CAB gig w/Virgil. This guy was a college student from the Midwest and was visiting his sis here in LA.
We saw CAB and he was so blown away by Donati, then asked for a drum lesson. Virgil said Friday and they hooked up. Well, on Saturday Vinnie was playing the Jazz Bakery w/Brian Bromberg. I called this guy up and asked if he wanted to hook up...I also wanted to hear about his lesson.
He tells me the lesson went well, and that Vigil might hang with us to see Vinnie, especially if his sis was coming. So, I drive to the gig, see both he and his sis and Virigl drives up with his buddy. All of us grab a bite to eat before the show and then we sit front-row/center before Vinnie's kit.
Vinnie plays a killer set and at intermission he invites Virgil backstage and we all go. For about 30 mins I'm hangin' with Virgil and Vinnie. Both guys couldn't have been cooler! I spoke to Vince for about 20 mins, ranging from the conflict overseas, to spiritual things, and his mother not feeling well.
It was a sweet evening!
Next story: The Waiter, Italian Food, and Tony Bennet
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ August 01, 2003 12:04 AM: Message edited by: PocketPlayer ]</font>
I'm gonna to be bizzy for a while so one more to put you to sleep...
I was eating in an Italian restaurant in Burbank, CA. I was looking at the menu and the waiter said, "Are you a drummer?" A little startled I answered, "Well, yes I am."
Of course I had to ask how he knew. He said I was tapping a cool rhythym with my knife. I wasn't even aware!
He then said, "That's cool you're a drummer. My fiance's dad plays drums." How many guys tell you their girlfirend or wife's dad play drums. I had a gut feeling about where this was going.
He then said his future father-in-law was Joe Lababera from Tony Bennet fame. I ended up detailing his future father-in-law's career. This waiter thought I was a stalker. I told him it's a drum thing-we're a society in and of ourselves. We know our history, unlike some superstar baseball players who couldn't tell you who Willie Mays was.
This guy was blown away. I told him I would get him a copy of the Modern Drummer article on Joe. He was embarrased he didn't know much about his future father-in -law.
Three weeks later I gave him the article. It felt good to help him score points with his lady like that! [img]cool.gif[/img]
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ August 01, 2003 03:36 AM: Message edited by: PocketPlayer ]</font>
Last one I promise!
About 13 years ago after I moved back to CA from IN, I hooked up with my old keyboard player who was working at Disney Studios doing voice character directing. We went to Michael Eisner?s office for something, and as we waited, we met his main secretary. Turn?s out she is best friend?s with Vinnie Colaiuta?s wife. Of course, I pump her with a few questions.
All of a sudden this casual, small talk becomes more involved. This women starts to get a little intense. She starts to go off saying, ?Oh my gosh?he drives me nuts. We were out at a restaurant--my husband, friend, and Vinnie--and he wouldn?t stop playing his knives on the table. I mean we were in this really nice restaurant in LA and he was playing drums with his knives all over the table?not just on the cloth, but on the glasses too!?it was so embarrassing.?
That was classic for me!
Great story Pocket, man could you learn something or what hanging out with 2 Giants like Vinnie and Virgil [img]eek.gif[/img] very cool indeed.
Digital
I posted this story about Peter Erskine way back in the early days of House of Drumming.
I first met Peter Erskine when he was in Minneapolis in 1986.
I met this older lady and really good looking younger woman. I was there real early to get tickets and i thought it was unique that a lady of that age was attending a Jazz /Fusion concert. To break the ice I just started talking about the weather. Turns out it was keyboardist- Warren Bernhardt's mother and wife.
The next thing I know , Michael Brecker walks up to them and invites them to go to the sound check. Well, the ladies asked me if I wanted to come along. Next minute I was watching the soundcheck. After that they invited me into the dressing room.(sounds like a dream but this really happened) At that time I knew the Steps records with Steve Gadd. I knew who Erskine was but wasn't into his playing as much with STEPS AHEAD. I was very young and artless by asking Erskine if he new this young up and coming drummer named Dave Weckl . (BTW- I saw Weckl a couple of mos. earlier with Simon and Garfunkle- front row seats ). Before he could answer the bass player (who was replacing Eddie Gomez) turned around and said, " he's my best friend. We grew up together in St. Louis". Well that bass player was nonother than Tom Kennedy. I also had the nerve to asked Peter about Steve Gadd and what he was doing.
Man, I was kind of rude, but at that time Erskine's playing was a little too light for me (in Steps Ahead but NOT WEATHER REPORT ! ) and I didn't respect him because i was more into Gadd and Weckl at the time.
Erskine kind of brushed me off and said, " You should really talk to Mike Mainieri, he plays with some of the best drummers in the world."
DOHHhh!
Live and learn.
I also called Peter when he lived in NY. I wanted to know what ska was because I heard Frank Zappa would lift his hat to cue a ska groove. He told me to call Vinnie Colaiuta.
I think I was trying to call him like Weckl did but I had no business in doing so.
Ah, to be young and foolish.
I would like to take this time to apologize to Peter Erskine.
In my book, he's truly one of the most gifted all around drummers I have ever heard. Period!
Blake Lindberg
www.blakelindberg.com
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ August 06, 2003 09:51 AM: Message edited by: blake1 ]</font>