I dont know about you all but it seems like almost every band I've been in (even in church) the drummers are usually the most unreliable of the band. Skipping practice, not showing up for events, etc...or is that just me??lol
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Why are drummers the usual suspect for band problems?
- Thread starter Chinchano
- Start date
The instrument is irrelevant. Irresponsible and immature people come in every flavor.
Drummers are the usual suspects on a board for bassists. Bassists may be the usual suspects on a board for drummers.
The harder you are to replace, the greater the opportunities to act like an idiot and get away with it.
Guitarists are a dime a dozen. Bass players a dime apiece. Drummers go for 25¢. (But who in their right mind wants to cart around and set up half a hardware store every time they play?)
Guitarists are a dime a dozen. Bass players a dime apiece. Drummers go for 25¢. (But who in their right mind wants to cart around and set up half a hardware store every time they play?)
Well as a drummer myself, I'm not unreliable so...
You find irresponsible people playing every instrument.
You find irresponsible people playing every instrument.
jive1
Commercial User
What do you expect from someone who expresses themselves by banging on things?
Agree. And they come in all forms.
But some background: The first drummer, in what I considered my very best band, was a talented airhead. When he was on, he was very very on. When he was off...well...you know the rest. One major gig he forgot his cymbals, and then got verbally abusive with his GF about it because it was somehow "all her fault." After that we started shopping for his replacement since it was pretty obvious his substance or psychological problems were back.
His replacement, however, was flat out brilliant. Easily the best drummer I have ever worked with, and probably the most talented guy in the band. He was also as rock steady personality-wise as anybody I ever met. A real "stone-head" as opposed to the "stoned head" he replaced. This guy even made me look good. He was a bassist's dream. Held down the beat (but still left enough "air") plus did it so effectively that I could do some things I could hear but only dream of doing with the former guy. Because with drummer #1, I was too busy setting the beat and holding down the groove for the rest of the band, to be contributing much beyond the essentials.
So I agree completely it's not playing drums that makes for a flake.
But it does make a flaky drummer harder to fire then say...a flaky bassist or guitarist? First, because it's not that easy to find drummers. And second, it's not that easy to find a drummer that slots smoothly in with your band once you do.
(Then there's that other little thing...it's usually the drummer who owns the van.
)
okay im not the only one!!! my 1st "band" the drummer was a control freak, childish dude. like he would kick people out without telling anyone because they came to practice high once, or because they couldnt come to practice for a while because his mom was sick, and he did the well I give you guys a place to play so I dont have to chip in money for any PAs, gas to a gig, recording etc. so you can guess how that band ended up, he kicked everyone out but me and I just left.
then in my new band that I just got in maybe 2 weeks ago the 1st drummer didnt show up to the 1st practice, and no one could get up with him at all for the 2nd so hes out, good thing I was able to get a hold of one of my bodies that might be able to be the drummer for our 1st gig at the end of the month, a drummer that shows up to a few practices and knows the material is better then no drummer
then in my new band that I just got in maybe 2 weeks ago the 1st drummer didnt show up to the 1st practice, and no one could get up with him at all for the 2nd so hes out, good thing I was able to get a hold of one of my bodies that might be able to be the drummer for our 1st gig at the end of the month, a drummer that shows up to a few practices and knows the material is better then no drummer
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
It is just you. Although I do like the idea that banging on things takes a certain type. My brother tell me I'm really a drummer. Hmmm... Is that an insult?
I've not had any major drummer problems, but it does seem that finding a reliable drummer is the most difficult thing for a band.
It was quite a hassle for my last group. I was in a country band and finding a drummer who could play a "train" beat is needles and haystacks and hanging on to them was just as hard.
It was quite a hassle for my last group. I was in a country band and finding a drummer who could play a "train" beat is needles and haystacks and hanging on to them was just as hard.
They usually have anger issues exposed or hidden. This why they bang on stuff and are often unreliable.
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
Doggone it! I played all day Saturday, about half on drums and half on either BG or DB, and my brother still says I'm really a drummer. The erratic behavior is soon to follow.
Funny thing, though. The drummer in the band I was playing DB with was the only person who helped me pack up the PA. She's a pretty reliable person, too. It must be some kind of weird inversion out here on the left coast.
She can play a good train beat. I can do that if needed, too. It isn't that tough.
Funny thing, though. The drummer in the band I was playing DB with was the only person who helped me pack up the PA. She's a pretty reliable person, too. It must be some kind of weird inversion out here on the left coast.
She can play a good train beat. I can do that if needed, too. It isn't that tough.
It's just you! My Drummers have always been the hardest working and most dedicated members of the band. Owning and Hauling the PA system, Booking Gigs, Providing the Jam/Rehearsal space etc... My Previous Drummer Todd Jason is the best dude on the planet.
I don't know why, but I'm with the OP. I've played with great and perfectly reliable drummers, but still, if anyone was going to bail on a practice or anything, it would usually be the drummer. Let's see, actual full-band projects I've been in -
1) first band, guys just jamming really. Drummer was pretty much band founder and provided the practice space. Very solid guy.
2) after some meandering around projects that never came together, a kind of funk/rock group that never got to gigging. Drummer was not very skilled but supernice guy, and also the one who provided the practice space, perfectly reliable.
3) First gigging band. Practiced at the drummer's house. Younger guy than the rest of us, quiet and no drama. Didn't practice much outside of band rehearsal, but reliable and competent.
4) Originals group. Drummer did not provide practice space, kept his kit at it though. We went through two drummers with this group. The first one was spectacular, but he would bail on rehearsal at the last minute for reasons like his dog being scared of the thunderstorm. BL decided to sack him, brought in another guy he knew. This guy wasn't as flaky but got up very early for work so we had to stop promptly at nine, couldn't do one week a month at all, and had very little flexibility the other weeks. Probably wound up not getting any more rehearsing done than with the flaky-but-flexible guy.
5) rock-pop group. Meat-and-potatoes drummer, good guy, perfectly reliable.
6) classic rock trio. Great drummer, lots of family goings-on and money issues, often the only driver who had to get everyone to work etc. Always is up in the air if practice will happen or not.
I guess the point being, in the majority of these bands, the drummers were not unreliable. But they were more likely to be so than any other instrument. Plus, if you're missing a drummer, you feel it a lot more than if you're missing the 2nd guitarist or a keys player.
Part of it may have something to do with a personality type that's drawn to drums. I think it may also be logistics. The drummer has the most hassle to disassemble his kit, haul it to a practice space, and reassemble, then repeat the process going home. That's got to grate on a person, and I can see why they would be the quickest to feel that making the haul to band practice wasn't worth the hassle, or to make excuses. One thing I realized making the list of drummers I've been in bands with is that most of the more reliable ones also provided rehearsal space so they didn't have to do all that.
1) first band, guys just jamming really. Drummer was pretty much band founder and provided the practice space. Very solid guy.
2) after some meandering around projects that never came together, a kind of funk/rock group that never got to gigging. Drummer was not very skilled but supernice guy, and also the one who provided the practice space, perfectly reliable.
3) First gigging band. Practiced at the drummer's house. Younger guy than the rest of us, quiet and no drama. Didn't practice much outside of band rehearsal, but reliable and competent.
4) Originals group. Drummer did not provide practice space, kept his kit at it though. We went through two drummers with this group. The first one was spectacular, but he would bail on rehearsal at the last minute for reasons like his dog being scared of the thunderstorm. BL decided to sack him, brought in another guy he knew. This guy wasn't as flaky but got up very early for work so we had to stop promptly at nine, couldn't do one week a month at all, and had very little flexibility the other weeks. Probably wound up not getting any more rehearsing done than with the flaky-but-flexible guy.
5) rock-pop group. Meat-and-potatoes drummer, good guy, perfectly reliable.
6) classic rock trio. Great drummer, lots of family goings-on and money issues, often the only driver who had to get everyone to work etc. Always is up in the air if practice will happen or not.
I guess the point being, in the majority of these bands, the drummers were not unreliable. But they were more likely to be so than any other instrument. Plus, if you're missing a drummer, you feel it a lot more than if you're missing the 2nd guitarist or a keys player.
Part of it may have something to do with a personality type that's drawn to drums. I think it may also be logistics. The drummer has the most hassle to disassemble his kit, haul it to a practice space, and reassemble, then repeat the process going home. That's got to grate on a person, and I can see why they would be the quickest to feel that making the haul to band practice wasn't worth the hassle, or to make excuses. One thing I realized making the list of drummers I've been in bands with is that most of the more reliable ones also provided rehearsal space so they didn't have to do all that.
