Frustration with drummer.

[40Hz]

Then you guys need to have a conversation (without getting emotional) about whether the intent is to play the songs the same as recorded or not.

Basically they need to define what the band means by “a cover.”

I think cover in the traditional sense of performing somebody else’s song.

The OP’s definition seems to border more on what I’d call a semi-tribute version. Which is to say note-for-note off the recording.

Why you wouldn’t be better off just hiring a DJ for the latter is a mystery to me. But that’s me I guess.

 

[nnnnnn]

My experience has been the exact opposite. When people go to see a cover band, they want to hear the songs as close to the original as possible.

In my experience people don't go to see covers bands. Tribute bands yes, but not covers bands. People like to have a live band at a bar or at corporate events or wedding receptions or whatever, wherever some background music or dancing is desirable, and covers bands are perfect for that sort of thing, but people are not there to see the specific band, any competent band would do, and as long as the songs are close enough to be clearly recognisable and have a danceable beat people are happy.

 

[bumperbass]

No, I don't want glorified karaoke. If we're not going to do the cover at least closely, then someone has to be the conductor and determine how we're going to arrange it and play it.
I've been at this game for a long time. Drummers are scarce around here, which is why I've gone with the flow for so long.
But if you want to play Come Together, then don't play the drum part to Louie Louie.

 

[QORC]

just my opinion of many years (decades) playing. I've never seen anyone improve dramatically in the short-term. It's a lost cause. for me it's either accept what they are, or walk. talking to people seems to only cause conflict and rarely results in dramatic improvement. just my opinion based on my experience, friend.

 

[rtav]

I had a similar thing happen a couple of years ago.

I got invited to join a Genesis tribute band that was forming. Very cool! Get the song list for first rehearsals and a nice 2 month window to learn everything (including bass pedal work lol). Note for note on everything.

I’m ready. I am on Fire the night of the audition... so excited! The other musicians are nice and everyone is setting up.

The drummer arrived, sets up and asks, “What do you all want to do first?”

Someone says, “Squonk.”

Drummer takes his iPhone out and puts his earbuds in. I’m thinking “There’s an app for IEM??? WTH?”

A few minutes go by where I’m wondering what’s going on. Drummer takes his earbuds out, “That’s the first time I’ve heard that one. Ok! 1, 2, 3, 4...”

I left soon after.

 

[40Hz]

In my experience people don't go to see covers bands

And venues don’t seem to be too interested in paying them either.

 

[BurtMacklinFBI]

Then you guys need to have a conversation (without getting emotional) about whether the intent is to play the songs the same as recorded or not.

I see this sort of response a lot in this thread, and I find it a little weird. Strictly speaking this conversation may need to happen (or the OP may just need to find a new band), but I’m really put off by the idea that this drummer not even trying to play his parts correctly is in some way an equally valid and appropriate musical decision to learning and playing the song like everyone else is normally expected to. That is weird to me, I don’t think very many musicians would normally have that attitude toward another instrument. Not within the context of a rock and roll cover band, anyway.

 

[RobTheRiot]

No, I don't want glorified karaoke. If we're not going to do the cover at least closely, then someone has to be the conductor and determine how we're going to arrange it and play it.
I've been at this game for a long time. Drummers are scarce around here, which is why I've gone with the flow for so long.
But if you want to play Come Together, then don't play the drum part to Louie Louie.

I think, as has been said, you just need to communicate.

If it’s a democratic situation and doesn’t have a leader, you should be free to say something like:
“hey, what direction do we all want to take this?
I’m realizing the bass lines I learned from the recording aren’t quite meshing when we play it. Should we listen to the song, then do it again closer to the original, or are we going to do our own interpretation? I prefer we.... but let’s at least make sure we’re on the same page”.

Good luck!
It sounds like you like the players & their skills, so do what you can to make it work.
Nothing destroys a good thing quicker than a lack of openness & communication, and following that, a lack of flexibility & adaptability based on the opinions of the whole.

Hope it works out for you!

 

[MrLenny1]

Good Luck.

 

[InhumanResource]

I see this sort of response a lot in this thread, and I find it a little weird. Strictly speaking this conversation may need to happen (or the OP may just need to find a new band), but I’m really put off by the idea that this drummer not even trying to play his parts correctly is in some way an equally valid and appropriate musical decision to learning and playing the song like everyone else is normally expected to. That is weird to me, I don’t think very many musicians would normally have that attitude toward another instrument. Not within the context of a rock and roll cover band, anyway.

I agree, however other people may not. This conversation addresses individual sensibilities and allows the group to collectively level set expectations.

Setting expectations is everything. If after this conversation someone deviates, the group can say "we agreed xyz" and a decision can be made on what to do next, either by individuals or the whole group (ask someone to change or leave, reassess expectations, quit, etc).

 

[InhumanResource]

Basically they need to define what the band means by “a cover.”

I think cover in the traditional sense of performing somebody else’s song.

The OP’s definition seems to border more on what I’d call a semi-tribute version. Which is to say note-for-note off the recording.

Why you wouldn’t be better off just hiring a DJ for the latter is a mystery to me. But that’s me I guess.

Well, typically cover bands that play decent gigs play for people who want to hear what they know. So the tunes better be accurate.

If you want to showcase creativity/artistry that's fine, but that is something different from a cover band and arguably an entirely different business.

 

[denhou1974]

OK. So, some friends of mine going back to the 60's-70's wanted to try to assemble a new band.

The good:
1. Awesome female singer who also knows harmony parts, is actually sane, and can really draw in bodies that wiggle.
2. Scorching, tasteful guitar player who doesn't play too loud, sings great, and can harmonize instantly.
3. Decent keyboard player who can sing some harmony.
4. Great songlist.

The bad:

We agree on 4 tunes to go over. I really dissected all the bass parts and got my $hit together. I was psyched.
The drummer had a good reputation around here.
So, at practice, all my work goes out the window simply because the drummer did not bother to play
the bass drum parts correctly.
I don't understand this at all. The same thing has happened in the last 3 bands I've been in.
The FIRST thing I do is listen to the bass drum when I learn my parts. Even I know the bass drum parts.
This one thing is a total show-stopper.
Any ideas on how to handle this? Since his bass drum parts are incorrect, his timing is way off concerning BPM.
What would you do? If this isn't fixed, I can't play with this lineup.
I simply refuse to play in a band with bass drum parts incomplete/missing/sloppy. I just can't deal with it.

How would you guys approach this? I am so irritated, I don't think I could be anything but blunt about it.
It doesn't seem like anybody else noticed, but I haven't spoken with anybody yet.
All I know is, I play the parts correctly with the BPM ingrained in my head.

The fact here is ... the drummer didn't learn the songs.

Record your practices. I can't count how many times this simple thing has helped to point out mistakes. When you playback you can say "right here is the part I'm talking about", etc.

Talk to him privately first and explain that you noticed the drum pattern that you learned was different on the studio recording. Now getting the fills and nuances too? You might be asking for too much so take baby steps. Maybe you can sit together and listen to the drum parts and play along with the bass. Show him why you think it's important.

As for tempo - I'm spoiled in that my bands play to a metronome/click. 4 BPM is a big difference but it probably doesn't matter for the type of music you guys are doing.

 

[easyj]

I’m shocked. This is so atypical for a drummer.

 

[3Liter]

This is a rare TB pile-on on the Bassist. Usually it is the drummer that takes the beating.

 

[retslock]

A drummer who hasn't got the time to commit.

So many drummers, so little time!
This is pretty common in my experience. Many drummers seem to think it’s all about the hands. In all the years I’ve been playing there have been few who know the significance of a good bass drum part well played. To me, that’s where the groove is. So many many players work so hard on clever fills and ignore proper bass drum parts.

 

[bumperbass]

The fact here is ... the drummer didn't learn the songs.

Record your practices. I can't count how many times this simple thing has helped to point out mistakes. When you playback you can say "right here is the part I'm talking about", etc.

Talk to him privately first and explain that you noticed the drum pattern that you learned was different on the studio recording. Now getting the fills and nuances too? You might be asking for too much so take baby steps. Maybe you can sit together and listen to the drum parts and play along with the bass. Show him why you think it's important.

As for tempo - I'm spoiled in that my bands play to a metronome/click. 4 BPM is a big difference but it probably doesn't matter for the type of music you guys are doing.

This may be crossing the border of "here's how the drum part goes". I don't care about the nuances. The band picks songs based on feel, rhythm, danceability, etc., so you at least want to get close. I would welcome different fills. All I want is a bass drum that's close enough to preserve the feel.

 

[denhou1974]

Good Luck OP![/QUOTE]

In my experience people don't go to see covers bands. Tribute bands yes, but not covers bands. People like to have a live band at a bar or at corporate events or wedding receptions or whatever, wherever some background music or dancing is desirable, and covers bands are perfect for that sort of thing, but people are not there to see the specific band, any competent band would do, and as long as the songs are close enough to be clearly recognisable and have a danceable beat people are happy.

Really? What town do you live in? There are several popular cover bands in Houston that have followers. Most of either stick closely to the studio version or they do their own version but not in between.

 

[denhou1974]

This may be crossing the border of "here's how the drum part goes". I don't care about the nuances. The band picks songs based on feel, rhythm, danceability, etc., so you at least want to get close. I would welcome different fills. All I want is a bass drum that's close enough to preserve the feel.

I get it. The song has a definite bassline and a drum pattern and that's what you want to play. Me too.

I just read that this was your first practice but I would nip it in the bud fairly quickly if the rest of the band learned their parts already.

 

[BurtMacklinFBI]

This is a rare TB pile-on on the Bassist. Usually it is the drummer that takes the beating.

It’s a weird week on TB, this isn’t the first really unintuitive thread here lately. It’s very odd and I hope the trend is short-lived.

 

[jeff62]

Wait... this sounds familiar. Let me do a search on unhappiness with drummers. I could swear I’ve seen this before.