Interviewing a new drummer

[Joe Nerve]

Something else I'd like to add...

My experience is that you can tell whether a drummer is good or not within 30 seconds. Often times even less. What becomes the big question is whether he/she is good for what you want them to do. If that means replace the previous drummer and learn your tunes, that's what I'd ask them to do. If you want them to write parts for new songs, then I'd ask them to do that too.

I really don't get the "ask them to play some covers" thing. To me that just means adding an additional audition just to see if they can and will do, what you want them to. Sucks too to get all excited about someone new, and then get disappointed when you find they aren't who you thought they were.

 

[MJ_Sotti]

what above said. we just found a guy, and I knew within 30 seconds how he ran around his kit while setting up that he had the style I like. we brought in 5, he was the first guy. one of the things, he did a really solid and relaxed "Purdue Shuffle".

Good drummers look really relaxed.

gottsay, the guys we're going to give me the final (after a vote of course) say on who I could lock with. I appreciate that. Thanks guys.

Personality wise he seems like a good fit too...

one of the covers was Kid Charlemagne ...so there's that

 

[ERicks]

Something else I'd like to add...

My experience is that you can tell whether a drummer is good or not within 30 seconds. Often times even less. What becomes the big question is whether he/she is good for what you want them to do. If that means replace the previous drummer and learn your tunes, that's what I'd ask them to do. If you want them to write parts for new songs, then I'd ask them to do that too.

I really don't get the "ask them to play some covers" thing. To me that just means adding an additional audition just to see if they can and will do, what you want them to. Sucks too to get all excited about someone new, and then get disappointed when you find they aren't who you thought they were.

Completely agree with this. I can't think of any original band I've auditioned for where I was asked to learn covers, except in the rare instance that said covers would be in the set for certain shows.