Frustration with drummer.

[lat]

if you are in a tribute band then people will expect a note for note, beat for beat ,carbon copy of the song they know on the album. If you are in a cover band the vast majority of people playing regularly will use the original version of the song as a general guideline so it could be faster, slower, longer shorter etc. Make the song yours.
IME most people who are hardcore about note for note duplication of songs usually dont play out that often or have a reputation in the musical community as being difficult to work with. my two cents

bingo.

 

[jdc866]

They aren't exactly the same, for sure, but they're so simple and are pretty close. IMO, if you've got good vocals and have danceable songs that aren't on everybody else's playlist,
that's a positive. That's why I decided to give this a go. I'm tired of the same old songs that everybody else plays, and that I've played a million times.

If you're so tired of playing the same old stuff, why not try adjusting your groove? I'm a multi-instrumentalist, drums being one. The only problem I can see with any of this is if everyone is on different pages groove-wise. If everyone else is grooving with whatever the drummer is doing...it's up to you to adjust. However, if the drum part is clashing with the rest, he'll need to adjust.

Without knowing which side this leans toward, that's the best I can offer. But based on your OP, it sounds like he's not necessarily playing badly, he's just not playing your preference.

That's the fun of covering a song...you can make it your own. Unless it was agreed to play the tunes exactly like the recording, it sounds like you may need to adjust your expectation or find a different gig. (That sounds a little harsh, but it's not meant that way.)

 

[Dr_Benway]

Exactly. And how many of them are playing it correctly?

Personally... I'm not one to care about who plays it "correctly," just as long as I don't have to.

 

[Funkmabassup]

The right answer is always: fire the drummer

 

[JohnnyBottom]

The right answer is always: fire the drummer

yeah. cant solve this with tort.

 

[StayLow]

7 pages in and it still hasn't been made clear specifically what mistake(s) this drummer is making.

If someone can link or quote where it's been stated, please do.

 

[QORC]

sounds to me like the bassist is saying that he's not coming down on the bass drum in the proper places in certain songs, especially where it is enhanced by a bass note? that was my interpretation of what he said.

 

[john_g]

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. Unless you're a famous artist, most people don't care about your interpretation.

Same here. When I ask my friends who are not musicians and casual music fans about this, they always respond that they want to hear something really close to the original.

My current band does the "lets do the songs OUR WAY" thing, which pretty much translates into: "I figured it out just enough to get through it and dont want to bother learning any details so Ill call it 'doing it MY WAY' but it really means I couldnt be bothered". And if I say anything they say "people would just turn on the radio if they wanted to hear the song the original way" or "we are not a tribute band".

I believe you have to look at each song and determine what details NEED to be there and then do it. No, I dont play every song note for note exactly like the original, especially when its a boring, repetitive part. I will embellish. But I analyze each song and figure out what details have to be there. Things have gotten better over time in my band, but there was a time I thought about leaving over this issue. Im not against adding something to the songs, but only if what makes that song identifiable is already there.

 

[arbitrary]

play with the band and have some fun with it; lighten up. Honestly, playing covers note for note is the most boring stuff I've ever done musically.

 

[lat]

The right answer is always: fire the drummer

yeah. cant solve this with tort.

Give him a carrot and send him on his way... lol...

But seriously, there is a trend here, and it's not with the drummers.

 

[flojob]

My current band does the "lets do the songs OUR WAY" thing, which pretty much translates into: "I figured it out just enough to get through it and dont want to bother learning any details so Ill call it 'doing it MY WAY' but it really means I couldnt be bothered". And if I say anything they say "people would just turn on the radio if they wanted to hear the song the original way" or "we are not a tribute band".

Ain't that the truth.

 

[bumperbass]

sounds to me like the bassist is saying that he's not coming down on the bass drum in the proper places in certain songs, especially where it is enhanced by a bass note? that was my interpretation of what he said.

Bingo!

 

[bumperbass]

I don't know where I mentioned note for note, but I'm not referring to note for note. In every song, there are essential elements that are signature to the tune. I don't consider having the correct (or even close) bass drum pattern as too much to ask.
I never said I was bailing right now. I'll live with it a while and see what happens.

 

[The boa]

I’m still unclear on what the actual issue is as well. Beats per minute is not necessarily affected by changing the kick drum pattern.

 

[ArtechnikA]

Exactly. And how many of them are playing [Mustang Sally] correctly?

...and whose version is 'correct' ?
The original Mack Rice from 1965 ?
The Wilson Pickett hit from 1966 ?
Buddy Guy from 1999 ?

 

[StayLow]

Bingo!

sounds to me like the bassist is saying that he's not coming down on the bass drum in the proper places in certain songs, especially where it is enhanced by a bass note? that was my interpretation of what he said.

OK, it was said "he's all over the place".

In fact he's keeping tempo, AND playing a consistent beat (pattern) AND has the right feel for the song/style?

 

[Mike.C.]

Was this just the first practice?
Maybe he's still working on the songs. (I would prefer to be as prepared as possible from the start, but not everyone is me, in fact only I am)

You could see how the next practice goes, then bring it up. You can't expect perfection from everyone, but it's got to be close enough to keep the feel of the song.
Good luck!

This.

Give it some time and then ask to collaborate and get tight if it is still not clicking. If he blows you off and doesn't want to collaborate in order to make the band sound tighter then approach the band about it.

If everyone agrees that all musicians should be recreating the recording then the band needs to tell the drummer to comply or leave. Don't let this drag out for too long. Get everyone on the same page of expectations. Yes, a band should be fun but there is serious work involved for all.

I am in a very similar situation where I approached the drummer about syncing up our bass and kick drum on a particular part of a song. He blew me off and said not to overthink it. He also didn't want to work on a timing issue of a particular song. That tells me right there that he and I have different levels of expectations/commitments. I have separately told two of the other band members who I trust that if he does this again I am out.

 

[br1qbat]

I don't know where I mentioned note for note, but I'm not referring to note for note. In every song, there are essential elements that are signature to the tune. I don't consider having the correct (or even close) bass drum pattern as too much to ask.
I never said I was bailing right now. I'll live with it a while and see what happens.

Agreed. For example, that Johnny Laing tune, is built off the simple bass and drum pattern, a classic pocket groove. Like a lot of blues rock imo, the lead guitar is way more free to float. Change the drums/bass and it won't sound much like the song!

 

[LBS-bass]

...and whose version is 'correct' ?
The original Mack Rice from 1965 ?
The Wilson Pickett hit from 1966 ?
Buddy Guy from 1999 ?

Most people are attempting to cover the Wilson Pickett version. But my point was missed by everyone commenting on this song. My point was, nobody plays it the same, and they don't have to. Nobody cares.

 

[Dr_Benway]

Same here. When I ask my friends who are not musicians and casual music fans about this, they always respond that they want to hear something really close to the original.

My current band does the "lets do the songs OUR WAY" thing, which pretty much translates into: "I figured it out just enough to get through it and dont want to bother learning any details so Ill call it 'doing it MY WAY' but it really means I couldnt be bothered". And if I say anything they say "people would just turn on the radio if they wanted to hear the song the original way" or "we are not a tribute band".

I believe you have to look at each song and determine what details NEED to be there and then do it. No, I dont play every song note for note exactly like the original, especially when its a boring, repetitive part. I will embellish. But I analyze each song and figure out what details have to be there. Things have gotten better over time in my band, but there was a time I thought about leaving over this issue. Im not against adding something to the songs, but only if what makes that song identifiable is already there.

I'm sorry to hear your current band has that type of attitude. I am a big fan of doing it my way. There really is no other way when you play in a three piece (Guitar Bass Drums) and want to cover songs like "Head Over Heels" by Tears for Fears or "Shock the Monkey," or Good Vibrations.

I actually notate a lot of things. On something like the TFF song, I have the guitar play the piano part for the intro and the verses. That's the only way you can do it. I also change the bass part at the end of the song, because don't want the bottom to drop out.

Same with Good Vibrations. I have the guitar play the keyboard chords in the verses and the cello part on the chorus. I leave out the theremin part, and personally sing the Mike Love part until the first key change then switch to the falsetto. The other two guys are singing the good vibrations part, which covers the chordal stuff on the chorus. It's crazy but it works and the audiences love it.

We also do "Spinning Wheel" by Blood Sweat and Tears. The drummer and I sing the horn parts. The arrangements are all completely different, but the important parts of the song are always covered. Some might argue that the theremin is the most important part of the chorus on Good Vibrations, but my experience says otherwise.