Always been a Neil Peart fan, as well as Bonzo, Copeland, Moon, & the entire percussion group from Santana.
However, Jon Fishman is the most disgusting, grossest, & absolutely filthiest drummer on earth right now. He is of course not human, as all of the members of Phish are ALIENS!

And yes, the drummer is the ugly guy in the group!
Unless your Sheila E.
Check out the drummer/ singer/ guitar player from Barefoot Truth. True talent!

John Schaefer again has people on his show are ignorant of and have no respect for good music, and are often critical of Progressive Rock.

Why was Phil Collins absent from the conversation? He can play amazingly well and is the true drummer for Genesis.

Carl Palmer is one of the greatest drummers ever (FYI - Siouxie)! A true technician who helps the music, not hurts it. Glad someone mentioned Mike Portnoy. No one mentioned Bill Bruford. King Crimson has had some remarkable drummers: Mike Giles, Bruford, Andy McCullugh. G. Baker is truly over-rated. So tired of hearing about how great he is. Let's not forget the very inventive Graeme Edge, Bill Kreutzmann, Mickey Hart, Nick Mason, Simon Philips, Terence Sullivan, Richard Coughlan, Chad Wackerman, Jerry Marotta, John Densmore, Clive Bunker, Barrimore Barlow, Mick Avery, Alan White.

Will Layman's comment about taking a Motown song over any Rush song, also shows his ignorance. It's apples & oranges. Too different types of music. Rush songs are better with wild inventive drumming. I will, however, give Layman props for mentioning Chester Thompson.

Until today, I have never heard of Janet Weiss or Quasi or her other bands. What's so special about her? Her comment about the Who being terrible after Moon's death shows her ignorance, and she's never been a Who fan. Zack Starkey has done well for the Who over the last few years.

I can understand if someone hates long solos, but if people really listened to the drummer's beats, as well as the time-keeping, they might get a bit more out the song. They'll get a great performance.

I'm a drummer, I really dug the conversation. Janet Weiss represented our craft perfectly, no lack of intelligence with her for sure! I felt a little sorry for the critic for being put in a ridiculously untenable position from the get-go ... still, he did accept the gig didn't he?

Drum solos: Glad that was brought up. Why is it, unlike almost any other instrumentalist, drummers are regularly expected to solo without accompaniment?

It really is about good or bad drumming, not about silly stereotypes. For every stupid stereotype in life, there are millions of exceptions to the prejudice. I love being a drummer and wouldn’t trade my throne for any other position!

It's not everyone's cup of tea, but Brann Dailor's studio work for Mastodon is some of the most inventive and fluid drumming I've ever heard.

Interesting how words like "rhythm" and "swing" and "taste" and "instinct" haven't been mentioned in the discussion. You people need to differentiate between technical skill and artistry. And Al Jackson, Jr. rules!

In your face or in his place. A great drummer knows when to do either.

GORILLA DRUMMER!

Since no one has posted it yet...Buddy Rich vs. Animal!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erE8WTngaAY

AND here's Max Roach and his daughter Maxine with the Uptown String Quartet from a 1994 New Sounds Live concert: http://www.wnyc.org/shows/newsounds/episodes/2005/08/16

Ringo Starr is under-appreciated.

siouxie - WORD on karl palmer!!

bun e. carlos love all around!

It ALL depends on the song!!! There's a time to just keep the beat, there's a time when it calls for chops. And believe it or not, there's a time to do NOTHING. It's in the nature of most drummers to always try to add something to every song, when really, the best thing they can add is to let the song breathe without drums. It's all a matter of taste. And there's nothing wrong with showing your skills, as long as it's for the song and not self-centered. Go host a drum clinic if that's what you're in to!

It ALL depends on the song!!! There's a time to just keep the beat, there's a time when it calls for chops. And believe it or not, there's a time to do NOTHING. It's in the nature of most drummers to always try to add something to every song, when really, the best thing they can add is to let the song breathe without drums. It's all a matter of taste. And there's nothing wrong with showing your skills, as long as it's for the song and not self-centered. Go host a drum clinic if that's what you're in to!

What about Max Roach! His drumming is amazing and he's best when leading. M'Boom is all percussion and great. This jazz critic must know, but is avoiding the death of his argument!

Steve Negus from Saga!

I know this is pop music, but in jazz and improvisational music? So many busy drummers. I was at a jam last night and the drummer couldn't groove, couldn't play funk because he was throwing in fills everywhere. And I find most rhythm sections in general don't know how to lay back and let things build. Playing the blues is frustrating, because everyone is either too busy or don't move at all (and by move, it could be an accent placement, a push or pull of the beat). When I take a solo, I want to be able to dig in, get complex rhythmically and expressive in melody, but damn. No one listens.

Rats.

You are you my hero Janet Weiss.

Go to Africa. Tell me how important the drummer is. Then consider where the roots of American Pop Music are.

Oh Bernie. Try playing drums. Then try to stop talking about drums!

In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida!!! Jack Pinney --
bring on the tribal solo!

Animal stole my heart at 5 years old.... A drummer with skill and character is always my favorite part of a band.

Was that Ari Hoenig?

An amazing drummer in his own right even if he is a Neil Pert fan....

I agree with you thatgirl. This is really juvenile.

How about Meg White from The White Stripes.. She is an extremely passionate drummer.

How about Tony Williams for a jazz example? He was able to play with remarkable restraint on certain songs (So Near So Far from album 7 Steps to Heaven) almost as if he was playing a motown part, and then unleash over-the-top creative flourishes with the volume of a John Bonahm on a track such as Nefertiti. Miles Davis' bands of the 60's would have sounded way different without Tony.

I think I would rather hear this chick drum than talk.

Also, whats the difference between a drum solo and a broken vacuum cleaner?

....
....

A broken vacuum cleaner doesn't suck!

And now I'm out of drummer jokes.

LEVON HELM!!!

Props and love to Janet Weiss! Her experience and taste, and creativity have taught all of us drummers out there so much!

OK, enough with the drummers. This conversation has played itself out. John, move on please!

sorry, john, but to hear a CRITIC try to make a musician wrong about her opinion is kind of lame.

apart from that, i feel like i'm eavesdropping on a couple of highschoolers. get layman to stop talking over weiss. geez.

saying think good drumming to a true fan is not important to a band is like saying to an Italian there is no difference in quality betweem store bought pasta sauce and the home made version.

The drumming on Morrissey's made his latest album worth getting.

Lars from Metallica

Reni from the stone roses

Chamberlain from the smashing pumpkins

Two Words - Vinnie Collaiuta

What about Max Roach! His drumming is amazing, particularly when he's leading the band. Why isn't this jazz critic mentioning him? M'Boom is all percussion and my favorite album of his!

Did drummers come into existence only with rock? No comments on Buddy Rich or Gene Krupa?

michael shrieve santana
albert bouchard blue oyster cult, more cowbell

One great drummer who's arguably the greatest brain of his outfit is Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater, the prog-metal/prog-rock band. Portnoy is the 2nd-youngest inductee in the Rock Drummers Hall of Fame (he made it in at age 37) and has won the proverbial S-load of industry awards. But he also runs a record label and draws up DT's unique and unusually thoughtful setlists. Besides, how many drummers work a kit with three (count 'em!) bass drums?

The Drummer is the most important contributor to
a band. Flamboyant but not overpowering. Taking his/her place at the right time. The only type of music where you expect to hear the drummer up front all the time is in latin music, like Tito Puente. He stands out and you love every moment of it. And also some of the great Jazz drummers
who have amazing technique but don't take over.

Ches Smith is an awesome drummer on his own or with Marc Ribot, etc.

Ches Smith is an awesome drummer on his own or with Marc Ribot, etc.

What do you call someone who hangs out with musicians?
........
........
a drummer!

Two words - Vinnie Calaiuta.

Drummers, when they do their jobs correctly, direct the music from behind. They're the driving force with subtle changes in cymbal use etc. between verses and choruses. Standing out like a freak or disappearing behind the song is purely the style which should work with the music's style. Neal Peart is perfect for RUSH.

BTW, have you ever seen Neal play big band? Check it.

Why do you hate to hear a drum solo?
Because you know there's a bass solo next!

Woot!

I've always heard that drummers are closeted front men/women.

Can you answer why my drummer wants to put a military drum roll in every new song?

I've always heard that drummers are closeted front men/women.

Can you answer why my drummer wants to put a military drum roll in every new song?

I've always heard that drummers are closeted front men/women.

Can you answer why my drummer wants to put a military drum roll in every new song?

It's appropriate that the analogy to filmmaking was drawn. I work with editors and it's often said that drummers make the best editors. They're essential to storytelling and the film can be saved or ruined by its editing. It's the same for the drummer's style making the band.

This conversation is ridiculous. Please talk about something more substantive.

Drummers, when they do their jobs correctly, direct the music from behind. They're the driving force with subtle changes in cymbal use etc. between verses and choruses. Standing out like a freak or disappearing behind the song is purely the style which should work with the music's style. Neal Peart is perfect for RUSH.

BTW, have you ever seen Neal play big band? Check it.

Why do you hate to hear a drum solo?
Because you know there's a bass solo next!

Woot!

What do you call someone that hangs out with musicians?

.........

A drummer!!

Also, what did the drummer get on his IQ test?

....

Drool!

It's appropriate that the analogy to filmmaking was drawn. I work with editors and it's often said that drummers make the best editors. They're essential to storytelling and the film can be saved or ruined by its editing. It's the same for the drummer's style making the band. As for whether or not they should be flashy, as your guest said, you have to listen to the song. The original version of the "Thomas Crown Affair" would have been only half as compelling with "traditional and safe editing". Jump cuts and moving windows elevated that film to another level.

Yes! We get bored. You just want metronomes sometimes. We are players of melodic instruments, and sometimes have just as bruise-able sensitive sides to us as the singers and guitarists.

I've always heard that drummers are closeted from men/women.

Can you answer why my drummer wants to put a military drum roll in every new song?

Drummers, when they do their jobs correctly, direct the music from behind. They're the driving force with subtle changes in cymbal use etc. between verses and choruses. Standing out like a freak or disappearing behind the song is purely the style which should work with the music's style. Neal Peart is perfect for RUSH.

Why do you hate to hear a drum solo?
Because you know there's a bass solo next!

Woot!

I've always heard that drummers are closeted from men/women.

Can you answer why my drummer wants to put a military drum roll in every new song?

One great drummer who's arguably the greatest brain of his outfit is Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater, the prog-metal/prog-rock band. Portnoy is the 2nd-youngest inductee in the Rock Drummers Hall of Fame (he made it in at age 37) and has won the proverbial S-load of industry awards. But he also runs a record label and draws up DT's unique and unusually thoughtful setlists. Besides, how many drummers work a kit with three (count 'em!) bass drums?

I LOVE Janet Weiss. She was/is such an inspiration. I loved that she brought fun and a DIY sensibility to Quasi. I adore drummers and Janet is one of my very faves!

I LOVE Janet Weiss. She was/is such an inspiration. I loved that she brought fun and a DIY sensibility to Quasi. I adore drummers and Janet is one of my very faves!

A vote for Rush here.
So, our band went through 7 drummers in 5 years---they all quit amicably, but what IS up with that??? Do they just get bored? Do they not feel invested enough? It was ultimately the reason the band broke up---we were tired of constantly getting adjusted to new drummers!

It was Zack Starkey, Ringo's kid, playing drums with the WHO on the Superbowl last Monday.

It was Zack Starkey, Ringo's kid, playing drums with the WHO on the Superbowl last Monday.

I find it curious that your one guest, in trying to diss Neil Pirtt, also insulted the rhythm section of Motown, as though rhythm had nothing to do with Motown's success. The rhythm section is the foundation of every band, and without a good one your band will stink, regardless of how good the guitar player or singer is. Rhythm sections deserve our respect, especially in a drummer-challenged town like New York.

2 comments...
As a person (who played w/ Purdy)
you want a musician not a drummer...
and STEVE GADD

I find it curious that your one guest, in trying to diss Neil Pirtt, also insulted the rhythm section of Motown, as though rhythm had nothing to do with Motown's success. The rhythm section is the foundation of every band, and without a good one your band will stink, regardless of how good the guitar player or singer is. Rhythm sections deserve our respect, especially in a drummer-challenged town like New York.

The best, flashiest, accomplished drummer in big-band jazz was Buddy Rich; jazz-rock fusion: Billy Cobham. Yet the best, tasteful jazz drummer -- less flashy -- who traversed into the rock realm as easily as jazz -- was the late, great, Tony Williams.

upside down

upside down

From the classical tradition, Edgard Varese wrote some spectacular drum pieces in the 20th century.

From recent vintage, you have to mention the group So Percussion. They are some of the most deft technicians in music.

You haven't mentioned Charlie Watts! How does he fit in here for the experts?

Drummers have to act a little nuts otherwise people wouldn't know who they are. Everyone forgets about the rhythm section (placement on stage?) unless they do something over the top like play upside sown or lose an arm.

You left out Levon Helm from your show on Arkansas musicians. He is a great drummer and one of the few drummers who was also lead singer on many Band tunes.

Rock drummers should be musical not a metronome. Look how Max Wineberg ruined the E Street Band compared to Vinny Mad dog Lopez.

C'mon, if you're going to bring up Steely Dan as an example, the killer drum fills throughout the ending of 'Aja' put Steve Gadd on the map. Doesn't get more in your face than that track!

Rock drummers should be musical not a metronome. Look how Max Wineberg ruined the E Street Band compared to Vinny Mad dog Lopez.

I always liked Al Jackson of the M.G's
Ginger Baker of Cream

Bun E. Carlos, Cheap Trick, Greatest Drummer Ever!

Mo tucker I thought was good

Thank you, Jeffrey. That said, never EVER let the singer/guitarist choose how the beat should go...unless he/she is paying the drummer handsomely.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE drummers!!!

I've never met a spacey drummer. In fact, the ones I've met always seem to be the most sane ones in the band. They also have wicked awesome arms ;D

Janet, as always, is absolutely right. As the best living drummer, she knows exactly what she's talking about. Listen to the drum opening of One Beat and tell me it doesn't make that song.

NEVER never let there be a lead singer/songwriter who asks the drummer to play softer...unless you're paying us well!

Brian Epstein once told The Beatles:
John, you're the Soul of the Beatles.
George, you're the Heart of the Beatles.
Paul, you're the Brain of the Beatles.

And Ringo... you're the drummer.

Are you suggesting that lead singers and guitarists aren't over the top egoists?

The worst - Karl Palmer/ELP. In '77, I sat through practically a half hour of his solo 2 Madison Square Garden. Time for a bathroom break.

Never - NEVER let the drummer have any creative control beyond the drum kit.

What happened when the bass player locked the keys in the van?....

It took all day to get the drummer out!!
[BOOM CRASH!]

In my experience, drummers have been on the spacey spazzy side: very lovable bunch but off in another world, constantly slapping their fingers on things, saying 'huh' or 'wha' when they are snapped back to the real non-drumming-centered world.

Speaking of drummers, they get nothing but love in the relatively new magazine Tom Tom, which is a Brooklyn-based pub about lady drummers. Janet Weiss actually has been in the mag for the One Drummer/One Question feature. The mag is launching Issue 2 this Saturday in Williamsburg with a party packed with lady drummer performances! tomtommag.com

While we're shouting out to heroes and heroines, let's not forget Karen Carpenter, Cindy Blackman, Stewart Copeland and Dave Lombardo of Slayer. Drummerheart to y'all!

I'm not sure what the " Drummer " section of the Show today is, but looking at John Bonham and knowing the Who did the half-time spot yesterday I couldn't help dropping a note.
I was going to be a Drummer in Liverpool in 1962 but seeing the competition I decided to be a Road Manager instead starting with a Liverpool Band called The Mersey-beats 1963-64 Then with The Who 1965-66 Then Cream first half 1967 Then The Jimi Hendrix Experience 1967-68. I was then asked by my friend Richard Cole to work for, Led Zeppelin but Opted to work for The Beatles at Apple instead.
Just thought it might be of interest.?
P.S. I am currently working on a book about my times on the road with these and several other Bands during the 60's and 1/2 of the 70's.
Thanks for all your Great shows and your amazing knowledge of Music.
Best Wishes.
Neville Chesters.