Where are all the drummers hiding?

Trev M

Hi all,
Just wondering where all the drummers are these days. We've been looking for a while , we have a great rehearsal studio, we can all play well and are all committed, we are looking for a "Rock" drummer who wants to help define the sound of the band we create....drummers available seem really slow in responding to mails and calls etc so Im wondering whats the story have we just been unlucky or is there a Drummer crises or what?

Someone should start a drummer network or something at this point

All the best
Trev
trev@gigsmartireland.com

My name is Mud

Hi Trev - main problems are

Drums are expensive, drums are awkward to get around without a car, its not easy to get a place to practice yourself (apartment living etc etc) so that turns alot of people off taking up the drums in the 1st place...

mr_angry

Well, I took up drumming specifically because I was sick of not being able to find a drummer anywhere nearby.

I'm in Dundalk, btw.

magpie

seem really slow in responding to mails and calls etc so Im wondering whats the story have we just been unlucky or is there a Drummer crises or what?

Drummers are just really slow.

My name is Mud

magpie wrote:

Drummers are just really slow.

Something said.....not good......wait a minute... he called me slow....

At least we arent moany guitarists or alcoholic bassists

magpie

What do you call someone who hangs out with musicians?































... a drummer!

BOOM BOOM!

D!ve^Bomb!

i can keep a beat and i play a millenium set... cool eh! i have a total of 6 hours playing time under my belt.. which is ****in great cos i dont wear a belt!!

Kelter

I'm a drummer and though I am in a band, have considered getting involved in other projects.

I'm always put off however when I read guitarests little promos about themselves.

The truth is that most drummers began playing drums to play and to preform. My own experience of most guitarests and singers is that they started to play to promote themselves and their musical tastes.

All to often I find myself sitting in practice studios, at my kit, waiting for us to play a song, getting more and more pissed off and bord as guitarists f**k about with little riffs and effects which they have learned/are trying to learn.

Why is it that guitarist feel a need to make noise every time they pick up a guitar? I think the answer is quite simple.

Guitarist started playing to promote themselves and their own musical tastes

While I would be the first to accept that a lot of guitar work is far harder than drum work, and very often guitarists put in more practice, that is no excuse for wasting my/ your drummers time.

So to finish my rant, I think the way to find a drummer is to
1. Remember why drummers became drummers.... so when you do meet up with one don't waste their time.

2. In your ad, stop talking about yourself,. I don't want to join a band that is all about you. Make it clear that while you don’t want time wasters, you are not one yourself

3. I'd suggest an ad down stairs downstairs in Music maker, on the Music maker board, on the irish drum academy board, and on gig smart.

My name is Mud

Kelter wrote:

While I would be the first to accept that a lot of guitar work is far harder than drum work

???

Thats rubbish. Only laziness or lack of practice makes drum work seem easy. Co-ordination combined with physical fitness is not easy

Dr. Loon

My name is Mud wrote:

???

Thats rubbish. Only laziness or lack of practice makes drum work seem easy. Co-ordination combined with physical fitness is not easy

I agree.

I thought it was drummers who were supposed to be alcoholics!? Or maybe that's just me!

Doctor J

Yeah, I thought we bassists were the lazy ones?

Trev M

Kelter wrote:

I'm a drummer and though I am in a band, have considered getting involved in other projects.

I'm always put off however when I read guitarests little promos about themselves.

The truth is that most drummers began playing drums to play and to preform. My own experience of most guitarests and singers is that they started to play to promote themselves and their musical tastes.

All to often I find myself sitting in practice studios, at my kit, waiting for us to play a song, getting more and more pissed off and bord as guitarists f**k about with little riffs and effects which they have learned/are trying to learn.

Why is it that guitarist feel a need to make noise every time they pick up a guitar? I think the answer is quite simple.

Guitarist started playing to promote themselves and their own musical tastes

While I would be the first to accept that a lot of guitar work is far harder than drum work, and very often guitarists put in more practice, that is no excuse for wasting my/ your drummers time.

So to finish my rant, I think the way to find a drummer is to
1. Remember why drummers became drummers.... so when you do meet up with one don't waste their time.

2. In your ad, stop talking about yourself,. I don't want to join a band that is all about you. Make it clear that while you don’t want time wasters, you are not one yourself

3. I'd suggest an ad down stairs downstairs in Music maker, on the Music maker board, on the irish drum academy board, and on gig smart.

Thanks for the feedback, Just a couple of pints you'll notice in my ad I do state we are looking for the guys to define the sound i.e have as much input.
Regarding GigSmart Im a founder and thought Id be able to find a drummer easily n and yet in all my day to day contcat with bands no luck. I have probably asked at least 60 odd musicians in the last week or so if they knew anyone.

I agree with what your sayinsg about guitarist and drummers sitting around waiting to play while the guitarist noddle away....at this point as musicians we are beyond that and a rehearsal is a rehearsal were work is done....I should probably specifiy everyone in our set up has a good bit of experience...anyway my main gripe still stand NOT ENOUGH DRUMMERS

eoin5

My name is Mud wrote:

At least we arent moany guitarists or alcoholic bassists

Hmmph, Im a bassist who doesnt drink . Ah sure I guess Duff did enough to label all of us!

annette curtain

Hey if theres anyone willing to teach me how to play the drums im all up 4 it!

Ive been looking onto it for some time now although i cant really afford the drums i'find a way!!
saw cool lightweight ones in the states recently only takes two bags to carry v cool but unfort in the 0000s

I want to share something with you: The three little sentences that will get you through life.
Number 1: Cover for me.
Number 2: Oh, good idea, Boss!
Number 3: It was like that when I got here.
Now if your up there please save me.................Supermen

Third_Echelon

My brother is a drummer with a couple of bands...

He's always looking for new stuff... if anyone wants his number pm me.

Waltons

The points about the price of a kit is definitely a large factor. I got a few months of lessons before buying a kit to see if I had any aptitude for playing. It was annoying going home and not having anything to practise on, but I really think it was the right thing to do. I know some people who have just gone out, bought kits and left them gathering dust in a room at home.
The transport is a large consideration as well, even with a car. It'd be such an annoyance to pack up your kit every week and bring it somewhere, set it up and then dismantle and bring it back when you're finished. Then you've got the fact that if you're practising in a house you're going to need very tolerant neighbours, or you're gonna have to soundproof a room (even more cash), or play really quietly.
Luckily for myself and my band we have our own practise space away from anyone who would be complaining, and extremely luckily for myself, I can leave my kit there and don't have to dismantle it...well, never unless I'm going gigging or such.

So, you have to have a lot of conditions to satisfy if you want to be a drummer, and a lot of people just wouldn't be bothered with all of it.

Baggio

Well it's fascinating to listen to all these remarks/opinions etc...one good point; there should be some sort of Drummers network..why not?..I mean we're such a rare breed! and are all fascinated about gear I'd say probably more than any other musicians , so THATS a good idea.
The last point regarding setting up , taking down, carting gear here and there,,well to be honest it's all about attitude,,My gear takes half an hour to set up and more or less the same to take down,,then I cart it to the car drive home, take it all out again and stack properly at home,,,and the same again and again!!. Now I know some folks would say hey too much hassle...but what does that say?? I believe in keeping good gear good!,,,taking the time to maintain good cymbals and drums , clean em, take care of em and avoid scratches, damage and carelessnes, I know that some folks are lazy but thats not good enough in my view,,surely if you wanna play music you should be dying to get at your gear,and excited,,if not..why bother in the first place??..if your too lazy or easily tired or half interested,,,take up knitting!!!
I almost am bursting with energy/excitement EVERY time I start setting off for a session etc....maybe Im just weired,,,but thats how music should be.
The price DOES matter, again if you buy big money DW's and the like which are great drums etc,,,you also will need good cymbals ,hardware and ,stix and heads,,,so it all adds up, and if you DON'T drive well yer in a bit of a spot. Still let's be optimistic , drumming is a special talent, it's exciting and can be very dynamic and a great way to keep fit!...so get smacking folks and don't let life stop you from doing what you should be dying to do. now that's my rant!!

ciao' amigos..Baggio...................

Shred

Kelter wrote:

The truth is that most drummers began playing drums to play and to preform. My own experience of most guitarests and singers is that they started to play to promote themselves and their musical tastes.

All to often I find myself sitting in practice studios, at my kit, waiting for us to play a song, getting more and more pissed off and bord as guitarists f**k about with little riffs and effects which they have learned/are trying to learn.

Guitarist started playing to promote themselves and their own musical tastes

I have to agree with this and it's exactly why I quit my last band even though we'd just completed a self financed album and I really loved the music. I just got fed up dealing with that kind of bullshít and decided I needed a break from music for a while. Gonna start looking around for a new band in the new year.

Trev M

Baggio - Here's what we'll do, we'll start a website, I'll get some things in motion - I get a drummer, you get a website and a network of drummers to talk shop with?

Annette Curtain - Great name , great philosophy , if you learn to play drums join the The baggio drum network.

The rest of ye, have to say there seems to be a bit of a defeatist attitude here. Stuff is hard to do no doubt, gear , dealing with personalities, transport, ego's etc.....its recognising that managing these things are as important as the music a band plays when it boils down to it.

THAT'S WHY BEING IN A BAND IS WORK.....being in a band in my view does not mean pandering to any one members ego, or sacrificing your own goals either.

My last band were together for 4 years, we worked hard to keep it tight and to compromise and improve and achieve things together. When one of the guys realised he couldnt make the committment any longer we decided to call it a day and not waste time. We're all mates we all go to gigs together and we all acknowledge how much work we did to make it as best we could and looking back we look at it as a success, we released singles, we toured, we finished and everyone had fun. The important thing here is everyone saw it as an investment of their time and energy not a constant battle between members to try and dominate.....sounds like people here have had bad experiences, maybe that could be down to the approach of people......if you feel a guitarist is all about promoting themselves why bother with them in the first place?

Anyway , back to drummers , anyone want to jam?

Trev

Dr. Loon

A drumming network is a good idea. Trev... good look in your search.

Shred

Hey Trev, I agree with most of what you say but unfortunately the guys in my last band didn't see it that way - that's why I packed it in (after persevering for 2.5 years but nothing had changed). I just figured the best thing was to take a break for now and recharge the batteries until the new year. Best of luck anyway:)

eoin5

Originally Posted by Kelter
The truth is that most drummers began playing drums to play and to preform. My own experience of most guitarests and singers is that they started to play to promote themselves and their musical tastes.

All to often I find myself sitting in practice studios, at my kit, waiting for us to play a song, getting more and more pissed off and bord as guitarists f**k about with little riffs and effects which they have learned/are trying to learn.

Guitarist started playing to promote themselves and their own musical tastes

If a guitarist is showing me a riff he/she has come up with i'd be tryin to figure out what would sound good with it (If I think its any good), listening to his/hers opinions and voicing my own, this is what musicians do, why should the drummer be any different. I would say that most guitarists start because they love music and think its cool and fun to play guitar. My 2 cents.

D!ve^Bomb!

Kelter wrote:

I'm always put off however when I read guitarests little promos about themselves.

The truth is that most drummers began playing drums to play and to preform. My own experience of most guitarests and singers is that they started to play to promote themselves and their musical tastes.

All to often I find myself sitting in practice studios, at my kit, waiting for us to play a song, getting more and more pissed off and bord as guitarists f**k about with little riffs and effects which they have learned/are trying to learn.

Why is it that guitarist feel a need to make noise every time they pick up a guitar? I think the answer is quite simple.

Guitarist started playing to promote themselves and their own musical tastes

While I would be the first to accept that a lot of guitar work is far harder than drum work, and very often guitarists put in more practice, that is no excuse for wasting my/ your drummers time.

well i can't speak for other guitarists but as far as i'm concerned thats utter bollox:)

i started playin the guitar because i LOVE the guitar!! why would guitarist put in the time and effort to learn how to play(good!) just to 'promote' themselves.. and i've been in quite a few jams where the drummers don't ****in stop drummin!! i think your generalising guitarists just a little when what you're saying applies to everyone even in the slightest.. even drummers

My name is Mud

Good luck with the drummers network anyway - I'd be interested in this big time

Kelter

This thread started with the question why are there no drummers...

I've attemped to answer those questions.

People saying that you should love what your doing, or "this is what musicians do" or it shouldn't be as I discribed, is all well and good, but in the end of the day.... there are no drummers.

I am a drummer. There is no point trying to convience me to start. I'm there already. Rather, you should ask why do others not want to start/ get involved, and figure out how to rectify that.

mr_angry

A bit of boards member space, some php, perl, and HTML, and we should be flying!

D!ve^Bomb!

a drum club:D,, where people can gather round some free kits and learn how to play for FREE.. thats the only thing i can think of.... unless they building houses with every room soundproofed??? can't see it happening any time soon:(

Dr. Loon

Kelter wrote:

Rather, you should ask why do others not want to start/ get involved, and figure out how to rectify that.

Others don't want to start because it's a bástard expensive instrument. It's big, and heavy and awkward to transport.

When I was about 12 myself and a few friends decided we'd start a band. None of us had ever played any instrument before, so we all just "bagsied" what we wanted to play. I wasn't quick off the mark and ended up with drums. That's pretty much why I'm playing today. Just lucky I had some aptitude for them, and once I got into it I loved them.

On that note, there's another point. Drummers get no glory. Not that you should be seeking glory, but when you're young (when most people start bands) that's the way you think. You want to pace around the stage like Axl Rose, or Slash. You don't want to be stuck behind this kit.

Well... that's how I thought anyway!

I don't think there is a way to rectify it... good drummers are unfortunately a rare breed.

Doctor J

Drums are a pain in the arse. I played drums in a band last year, I'll never forget the torment of walking from Voodoo to O'Connell street at 11pm with scumbags all over the place and a double kick pedal, a snare, cymbals and some stands in a 100 litre rucksack on my back.

Too many bands take their drummer for granted. I always make a point of helping whatever drummer I play with get their gear on stage and off again when the set is finished. I ****ing hated lugging parts on stage while the guitarists posed and threw shapes. Hence, I'm back playing bass, where I belong but my time behind the kit was educational.

Trev M

Appreciate everyones input its important to listen to all sides if something positive is going to be done to change things.

Clearly my motivation here is self interest (Im a guitarist afterall hahah) but the thing is there is a real shortage of drummers and generally the vibe is that its not worth being a drummer (this is a shame , id love to be able to play but just dont have what it takes)......GigSmart was an opportunity to do something and so is this if people are willing to run with it.

Anyway if you guys are serious about building up a network for drummers PM me and maybe we can work out a scope / plan to get drummers together and make the network a focus point for drummers and aspiring drummers...who knows I might even pick one up (A drummer for my band that is)

Baggio

Trev, and co,
yes good idea about a drummers network, mind you if it's gonna cost brads,,Id shake a little,,being as skint as I am,,,anyway lets see what we can do,,yes?....other remarks,,look - there a daft thing out there where guitarists/bassists SEEM antagonistic to drummers and the same thing back,,I never get involved in such daft stuff,,just thank God your all gifted in someway and make the best of it,.There's soo much music to be created and enjoyed , so more looking forward would be good. The network could have soo many interesting items on it, points of interest, gear chat, famous drummers tabs, photo's of kits, of famous drummers and the like, I see the Irish Drum Academy site up and running, and there doing their best,,,but very few folks seem to use it, maybe it's a tad dry or lacking in a bit of fire etc,,,I dunno..surely we can make things nore intereseting?..
So there ya go.....Ill get back to work a bit ,and check in later to see what you guys think, a good drumming bash would be fun, a place with a PA and a few kits set up and maybe 5/6 songs for each drummer of their choice to play along with would be great fun,.,,"can't be done"...why not?...in this country NOTHING can be done untill someone actually does it!

ciao' amigos...Baggio............

Trev M

Please read the welcome note ..........if there is enough interest we will host a seperate site

http://www.gigsmartireland.com/forum2004/forum_topics.asp?FID=46

Adios
Trev


http://www.gigsmartireland.com/forum2004/forum_topics.asp?FID=46

annette curtain

Hey all i think thats a fab idea,
i'm up for, Go drummrs!!
Yeah
We can do this ....... let us be the little drummers who can!

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