Playing Rock without a drummer?

[Coeball]

I am in a band that has a gig comming up but our drummer has just quit. We do not have enough time to find a new one and teach him/her our set. So I pose the question, is it possible to play rock music without a drummer and still sound good?

[Jazz Ad]

It may sound good but it won't be rock.
Rock is defined by drums, a bass and a guitar.
You can achieve it through other ways but it's far from obvious.
If you do an acoustic set for example, you shall be fine.

[SBassman]

Who says it's too late to get another drummer?

How involved are the arrangements. A good drummer used
to subbing should be able to jump in and get the job done with little advance notice.

[BlackLake]

I would get a drum machine, and start programming it right away. Sure, it may seem a little cheesy, but not as much as no drummer at all.

Or, like mentioned before, turn it into an acoustic act.

[Lazylion]

I played a no-drummer gig last night with my originals band. The majority of our tunes are rock. The club doesn't allow drums due to volume concerns. After seeing and hearing the room, I had to agree. It's basically a concrete box, a good room for 2 guys w/acoustic guitars, not great for a full electric band. We did have our percussion guy, congas, bongos & handheld stuff, but he doesn't really enforce the groove, he's more of an embellishment. Our timing was pretty sloppy, and I missed having a drummer. Our rockitude was definitely impaired.

[nsmar4211]

If you have no timing together without your drummer......you have no timing!

We played as a drumerless trio for quite a while...... it can be done. Getting paid is a PITA though-it's easier to find work for two or four than for three.

If you've already booked the gig, either find a replacement or do it acoustic..... grab a bongo player if you have to. It might turn out to be a good thing in the end .

[Parabolic Box]

Reminds me of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvk--gt5iYo @ 2:17.

[Coeball]

Thank you for all of your responses

Originally Posted by Parabolic Box

Reminds me of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvk--gt5iYo @ 2:17.

Yeah it might work.