Hiring The Drummer

[tothemax]

The band I'm in now, the drummer plays to the song. There's times that it gets a little busy for me, but that's where I just lock onto the groove. Good music takes a village working together. Would I like a rock steady beat, sure, but the band is not about what I like. This drummer is a really decent percussionist, and I think he brings some of that creative flair when he is on a kit. We have a conga\percussionist that he mixes with very well and it does give us little edge on the standard rhythm section. We're playing some Steely Dan and pulling it off, so something must be working. I'm getting older with much more of a live and let live attitude.
If the end product works then like the old song say's "either lend a hand or get out of the way".

Now a drummer that can't keep a steady beat, slows down and speeds up, that's a different beast - nope - go back to the shed and practice. Too loud, too flashy, inappropriate fills and rolls, nope. You have to serve the music... If you can't feel it and find the groove, then it's probably not a good fit.

 

[mambo4]

they don't listen to what's actually happening musically and are disconnected form the rest of the musicians.

That, for me, is the fail: not listening.
Solid time should go with out sayin

 

[Astronaut]

I just got to laugh when Peart is used as the example of virtuosity. Yes, he plays lots of notes…

 

[Snarf]

Rock solid drums and bass beat flashy every time.
There was a meme somewhere about how a bass player wasted years working hard on flashy bass solos and such, only to find out later that most bands just want a solid bass/drum rhythm section.

I am the embodiment of that meme. I spent my college years chasing chops and primarily practicing soloing techniques and melodic ideas. Soon as I calmed down and locked in my time feel and learned a bunch of repertoire, I started actually working. And I took all that stupid crap I practiced during college on bass and transferred the techniques to guitar, where it stops being stupid crap and actually becomes useful.

 

[Pocket Dave]

I am the embodiment of that meme. I spent my college years chasing chops and primarily practicing soloing techniques and melodic ideas. Soon as I calmed down and locked in my time feel and learned a bunch of repertoire, I started actually working. And I took all that stupid crap I practiced during college on bass and transferred the techniques to guitar, where it stops being stupid crap and actually becomes useful.

I'm pretty much the same and I work a reasonable amount. 110 gigs last year, though could always use more gigs.

Though I stop short of calling it stupid crap. Just 'cause it's not really where my bread's buttered doesn't mean someone else, maybe even a band leader, doesn't find it of value.

Not my place to say.