Anyone Else Want to (or has) Quit Because of Drummer?

Fendbassfan · #1 05-01-2011, 12:04 AM

He mics his drums and plays as loud as he can no matter how big the venue (even at practice in a 'small' bedroom made into a studio). He is a super nice guy but I can't stand him playing the same fills everytime. I've played with many drummers and we most of the time seem totally in sync with each other, but whenever throw in a series of fast fills. solo during the guitar solo, throw in a long run it throws him off. I guess it all comes down to some people just aren't cut out to be musicians. I guess 3 wasted musical months out of my life isn't too bad. I've already put together another band (but this drummer uses too much cologne. lol, I can't win.

KillerNeuron · #2 05-01-2011, 12:09 AM

Did you ever, I don't know, talk to him?

Fendbassfan · #3 05-01-2011, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KillerNeuron

Did you ever, I don't know, talk to him?

Yes. We all tell him he plays too loud. Even the nightclub employees. I tape our gigs and he is always drowning out the vocals and and we aren't quiet. I have my Amp as loud as I used to have it for big outdoor gigs and he's still drowning me out.

cassius987 · #4 05-01-2011, 12:20 AM

Been there done that. Yes, get the f*** out of there. If he's anything like my experience was he's utterly hopeless.

KillerNeuron · #5 05-01-2011, 12:20 AM

Should have just stolen his mic gear and sold it.

I've never met a drummer like that... but he sounds like a tool. Maybe I've been lucky but every drummer I have ever played with had a great sense of musicality and dynamics. Guess I should start knocking on wood....

Sartori · #6 05-01-2011, 12:22 AM

Damn, that sucks.

If you've told him and he won't listen, maybe it's time to save your time and your ears.

joeturbodiesel@ · #7 05-01-2011, 12:24 AM

We have a drummer almost like yours. We call him "Thunder Sticks" he likes it. The first time we played together, he injured my head. It felt like I had a hangover for three days. We talked to him and he got his fellings hurt a little but he toned it down and we have actually even had to tell him on one occasion to hit the snare a little harder. All in all, it is working out. Musically he is a fantastic drummer. He doesn't practice our songs very diligently but is able to pull off a near perferct performance out of his butt so other than volume he is pretty good. Good luck with your thunder sticks!

ModuMan · #8 05-01-2011, 12:48 AM

Some drummers don't realize they play a musical instrument. Sounds like you're better off in another situation.

Blake Bass · #9 05-01-2011, 12:48 AM

I just got in from playing a gig with the worst drummer I have ever played with..If he was the only drummer available I would definitely quit!!

JPaulGeddy · #10 05-01-2011, 12:51 AM

The drummer almost entirely determines whether I stay with a project or not. So yes, I would, and have.

MonkeyBass · #11 05-01-2011, 12:56 AM

Been there. It sucks. And yes, I broke up the band because of it.

Fendbassfan · #12 05-01-2011, 01:06 AM

Yeah, this is first drummer in 35 years of playing I just can't play with. I'm been in bands where the drummer was kinda a d1ch, but if they are a good drummer I can put up with it once a week for 3 hours. I was in one really good band where the drummer was great, until he got high, then he'd turn into a syncopation monster, or so he thought. We told him no more getting high during gigs.

loopee · #13 05-01-2011, 01:11 AM

unlucky enough to say I've had a few...........no meter, slows down and speeds up, trips over his sticks in a roll.....

toddLURR · #14 05-01-2011, 01:24 AM

I was asked by a local band to fill in the bass on their studio date. They were just playing covers. Their drummer called me up, and said.
"Well we are just gonna play Limelight, Bad Reputation
(Thin Lizzy), and Immigrant Song."

When we all started warming up, I found out their drummer had no idea how to play any of the songs. But he wasd sure if he followed along with my bass he'd do just fine.

And he played sloppy, trying obnoxious moves he had seen in music videos..

stanknuckle · #15 05-01-2011, 03:18 AM

I did about two weeks ago. It was a three piece jazz band. Bass, drums and sax. The drummer asked me to join and said he'd been playing for 20 years. Anyway, we rehearsed 3 tunes and asked me what do I think. I told him straight up it was terrible. Told them I would not join but gave him pointers on keeping time, less is more and Charlie parker tunes dont have a dixieland beat. He almost cried and I walked out. Sounded like he bought his last month. I cant suffer that sort of thing anymore. I may be arrogant but life is too short to put up with that.

Nedmundo · #16 05-01-2011, 06:59 AM

I would definitely bail out of a bad drummer situation. To me, a bad drummer eliminates any chance of the band's success, and largely kills the fun of playing bass. There's just no point.

About five years ago, I was just about to quit a band because of the incompetent drummer, but then he quit, so I stuck around. Our next drummer was better, and we had some success with him, but he still had serious limitations. So the rhythm guitarist, keyboardist and I sat down with the band leader, and voiced out dissatisfaction. Instead of canning the drummer, the leader dissolved the band, i.e., fired all the old guys (including me) to start from scratch.

My current band's drummer plays way too loudly IMO, but he's an excellent drummer otherwise, and a very cool guy. He and I play well together, so it's cool.

Red Rover · #17 05-01-2011, 07:08 AM

I've quit a band before because the drummer never played the same thing the same way twice. I was in the band for 1 month trying to learn their songs but locking with the drummer was pretty much impossible. He would hit that bass drum seemingly at random. It's too bad... he was a really nice guy. I liked him personality wise. Just couldn't play with him.

Osprey · #18 05-01-2011, 07:09 AM

What's worse than a drummer who plays the same pattern for each song, too loudly? A drummer who does all that and wants his wife to be the lead singer.

arginator · #19 05-01-2011, 07:16 AM

If he's the problem, why should you quit? Why not find a new drummer?

Aspidites · #20 05-01-2011, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stanknuckle

I did about two weeks ago. It was a three piece jazz band. Bass, drums and sax. The drummer asked me to join and said he'd been playing for 20 years. Anyway, we rehearsed 3 tunes and asked me what do I think. I told him straight up it was terrible. Told them I would not join but gave him pointers on keeping time, less is more and Charlie parker tunes dont have a dixieland beat. He almost cried and I walked out. Sounded like he bought his last month. I cant suffer that sort of thing anymore. I may be arrogant but life is too short to put up with that.

That is honesty not arrogance.