Terry Bozzio

[Sticksman]

Chances are that you've heard of Terry Bozzio, and if you haven't, then all you should really know is that he thinks and plays his drums like their his own orchestra ~ melodically.

At first, I was thrown off, because, as we all know, it's all about the groove, but as I listened to more of his work and saw his video here, I became more and more impressed. So now, melodic drumming takes up some of my time as an interesting approach to the drums. He drummed for Frank Zappa, Steve Vai, among other bands, and is now a solo artist.

http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Terry_Bozzio.html

[Bozzio-v-portnoy]

bozzio is amazing. Truly an inspiration. Everyone should check him out! I gained a lot just from watching his video's. Well worth a look!

[Jason Dorn]

This man is incredible he once played the musical score for a ballet not the rhythm the music. I find that his melodic playing while amazing is a bit of an aquired taste if you would like to hear more conventional drumming from him check out his work with Zappa or Bozzio Levin Stevens great stuff.

[jamsjr44]

Also checkout his work with Jeff Beck.

I still like Bozzio but I think he has become a little abstract for my personal taste...

[C_H]

didnt he have that all black kit? was it mapex? whatever it was i want it now :P

[Seras]

he is for many, not a drummer but an orchestra...then again for others he is a sleeping monster because we dont see a lot from him lately.

i think that he is a monster of a drummer and even though for most of us, the SS Terry Bozzio II is too much, he plays it with such musicality and color that i love it. of course after five minutes i would get bored to listen to him...if it was behind that kit i would try hitting everything in front of me....lol

so what do you guys think about Terry and his kit?

[Opus]

I had the pleasure of seeing Terry, with Mike Patton in Fantomas, at this years Roskilde. Terry is rocksteady, a bit crazy, and very musical to watch. In fact, he had the musical parts written down on notes(even the melodic notes for his tuned timbales etc) And if you havent heard Fantomas...... its pretty out there, in arrangements and speed. So he impressed bigtime

[K!lly]

to see more vids and pictures from him: www.terrybozzio.com
so nice.. and now, his drum kit is bigger (toms x 2): he want to plays the "chromatics" (half tone by half tone)

[Stu_Strib]

I'd like to see him on a standard kit. What he has there is very unique, but its so far detached from 'drumset' I can't know what to think of it. Perhaps its the world's largest, most expensive Marimba?

[FunkMasterFletch]

If you just look at this kit and how he plays on his monster kit, you must realize the just amazing amount of skill you MUST have to play anything like Terry does. With the type of music and the type of set up he has, no one will ever be close to as good he is.....its just amazing

[Scottylawton]

His kit is a work of art, chromatic scale and diotonic scale on each side, and if you look at all the remotes he has to hihats and other bass drum pedals amazing,All credit to him his roadies and DW

[CJdrumfan]

I have seen Terry in clinic twice, own one of his videos, have Bozzio/Levin/Stevens and Jeff Beck's Guitar Shop cd, and have always been seriously impressed by his chops, commitment, and INTENSITY! Anyone who has the Zappa credentials has the goods. Have you seen his duets with fellow Zappa alum Chad Wackerman? Talk about inspirational! And that kit is huge, but melodic! If I ever make enough disposable income to afford it, you bet I'd fill my spare room with DW drums! Bozzio raises the bar every time he grabs a pair of sticks.

[PearlDrummer014]

i think that this guy is the most unique drummer. he is so well cordinated its insane. check out his vidieos on www.vicfirth.com

[Ian Ballard]

Terry is a nut and I love him!

I saw him with Jeff Beck, in clinic and remember him from seeing Baby Snakes at a very ealry age.

He's brought the drumset and it's players to an entirely new level.

[Stevis]

Terry is one of my favorites....I know some people don't like him because of his huge set, but I've seen him play and he always seems to incorporate all of it when he's playing and in a very cool way too...

[HardRockDrummer]

terry bozzio, what a great drummer.
he is the frank zappa of drums. not afraid to do things nobody has done before.
not that anybody will be rich enough to copy his setup...
but why has he got cymbals in places where he can't even reach?

[HardRockDrummer]

this is a hilarious song by Frank Zappa, feature TB on drums and vocals acting as 'the devil'.
very funky. hope you like it.

[DogBreath]

I remember that song from when I was a little kid, but I didn't know that was Bozzio as the devil. After hearing this one now I realize that the version I heard as a kid was an edited version of the same performance. Zappa calls him "Bozzio" at one point, and TB refers to his girlfriend as "Dale," two big clues.

[finnhiggins]

this is a hilarious song by Frank Zappa, feature TB on drums and vocals acting as 'the devil'.
very funky. hope you like it.

If you want to go one better, there's always "Punky's Whips" which is a much more involved song about Terry's obsession with a glam rock guitarist. Contains the cracker of a line "His hair is so pretty / I want to bite his neck / I've heard a rumour / He's more fluid than Jeff Beck".

The arrangement is better too, T&B is more of a comedy sketch.

[misteranderson]

All too often, drummers who are extremely techinically accomplished just blaze away with nothing musical to say, but Terry Bozzio manages to employ his considerable ability in the service of *music,* not drumming as an "extreme sport."

When TB was touring with Jeff Beck a couple years ago, Jeff and the keyboard player would drop out completely during the tune "Scatterbrain" and let Terry take over, playing the riff on his toms while keeping the groove going underneath. Incredible!

If you're familiar with that song, then you know it's hard enough for most drummers to just play the groove alone. But to play the melody as well...wow.

--Dave A.

[giffage]

Hi all,
new to this forum, 45 year old player from the UK. Playing for 30 years.
Had the great fortune to attend a Bozz clinic in Birmingham, England a few weeks ago.
I am still trying to find the words that can even come close to describing it!
It truly opened my eyes to a new world of drumming. I've since bought "Solo Drum Music vol 1,2 and 3" and "Chamber Works"
Just makes me smile to think of it! I loved Bozz from Zappa, UK etc. but this man is something so special, it's like a door has opened to a whole new era of drumming.
If I ever hear any guitarist, keyboard player etc. come out with some cheap drummer joke again I will simply produce "solo drum music" and watch their smug face turn to one of confused wonder, and how I will laugh!!!!!

Mapex user, DW dreamer!!

[mr.carr]

if you like bozzio, listen to the robbie robertson album: some where down the crazy river
its manu catche and bozzio drumming............

[mlehnertz]

...in a semi-profile which emphasized the pootched out succulence off his insolent, pouting rictus, the sight of which drove the helpless drummer mad with desire!

Take it away Don Pardo...

If you want to go one better, there's always "Punky's Whips" which is a much more involved song about Terry's obsession with a glam rock guitarist. Contains the cracker of a line "His hair is so pretty / I want to bite his neck / I've heard a rumour / He's more fluid than Jeff Beck".

The arrangement is better too, T&B is more of a comedy sketch.

[CartersChops]

a little bit of an odd guy, ill have to admit. extremely creative however, his approach to drumming is very innovative. in listening to him i noticed he makes good use of his pedals as the backbone of his melodic solos with very intricate patterns. as for his kit, he obviously has the skills to get up to a level where dw will make you such a monster (i highly doubt he paid a cent for it)

[PinkFreud]

If you want to go one better, there's always "Punky's Whips" which is a much more involved song about Terry's obsession with a glam rock guitarist. Contains the cracker of a line "His hair is so pretty / I want to bite his neck / I've heard a rumour / He's more fluid than Jeff Beck".

The arrangement is better too, T&B is more of a comedy sketch.
i actually read that the story was a bout bozzio's "relationship" with an older zappa groupie who was into, er, "odd" insertions and the like. i could always be wrong though.

[lapa]

didnt he have that all black kit? was it mapex? whatever it was i want it now :P

You mean the kit he used in some instructional video? it sounds like someone is throwing basketballs against a wall.

http://www.home.no/t0k/bozzioshitkit.mp3

And what's up with those sloppy singlestrokes with his feets?

[NouveauCliche]

Hey guys!

Found this cool video of Terry Bozzion pre-molodic kit tearing it up at a zappa concert! Great stuff!

http://www.youtube.com/?v=k1bqCsczyUQ

Enjoy!

[YAHAHA]

You mean the kit he used in some instructional video? it sounds like someone is throwing basketballs against a wall.
That was the Remo kit that was triggered and the sound was extremely edited. If you heard the set played acoustically, without the triggers, it sounded even worse!

You have to remember that Terry was one of the main drivers of electronic drums when they first came out! I think the two best things about Terry's time on the electronic set were that:
1.) it forced him to perfect his meter because you can hear every little mistake on an electronic kit
2.) he learned so much about sound... how to HEAR it and how to CHANGE it.
And what's up with those sloppy singlestrokes with his feets?
Um... have you ever heard of flams or drag notes? Do an online search for Terry's "rudiments from hell."

I've been a fan of his for some time and have seen his drum clinic. Zappa's "Live in NY" is my all time favorite album!
Terry's drumset is no longer a drumset, it is a percussion section. It looks massive but just think of it as combining all the different instruments in a percussion section into something playable by one person. Replace the bells/xylophone/marimba with pre-tuned concert toms and there you go! Just like a piano player doesn't use all the keys for every song, Terry doesn't use all the instruments on every song either. He has taken what most people think of as "drumming" and taken it past "percussion." His ideas aren't wholely unique but there are very few drummers with his amount of exposure doing the same thing.

He is a very good technical player with very good 4-way independance and an awesome knack for using the mathematical approach for breaking apart/layering drum parts/music. I have always enjoyed listening to his rhythmic approach to songs; not just the typical 2 & 4 stuff.

Kudos to Bozzio for doing as much as he has for the drumming world. I hope to see him again soon!

[Colombian-Drummer]

i think that every single drummer have something to l.............everything to learn from bozzio just listening 10 sec of any song..........he is the master, the lord of the drums and if someone say that other drummer can beat him..............i really want to know the guy

[Ashbash]

what genre is the black page?

[finnhiggins]

what genre is the black page?

I'd assert that it is something resembling progressive rock.

[TOMANO]

Terry Bozzio is in a class all by himself. His innovative approach to the drumset as tonal instrument is inspired, for sure. His chops and technical wizardry never outshadow the musical essence of any piece he plays on. Check out The Brecker Brothers' "Heavy Metal Be-Bop" album for a fine example of a young, developing post-Zappa Bozzio. His work with Levin & Stevens is incredible, too. If you want to hear Terry in a real "out" situation, dig out his Polytown album with David Torn & Mick Karn. No doubt, Terry is a unique & passionate artist.

TOMANO

[tallassfreak89]

does he really need that many drums? i mean come on, enough is enough.

[Southpaw]

It does look like overkill at first glance, but my understanding is that the kit is tuned to a chromatic scale on the left side (the piccolo toms) and a diatonic scale on the right (regular toms). Likewise, the cymbals are arranged tonally, along with the percussion stuff (not sure if those are crotales or what...)

I accept any drummer's right to have as big or as small a kit as they want/can afford. It IS a shame to see a drummer with a massive array of drums and cymbals that don't get used... but hey, if being surrounded by a bunch of superfluous hardware fulfills some need for them, more power to 'em.

Bozzio, from my understanding at least, makes use of every drum, cymbal and widget.

[DogBreath]

Here's a shot of Terry Bozzio's "smaller" kit last week at NAMM before the show, and two shots of the same kit the next night at a different show:

[garydrums]

I was fortunate to catch Terry Bozzio performing in Singapore with Indian percussionist Ustad Zakir Hussain and Giovanni Hidalgo 2 weeks ago

The whole gig lasted for about 4 hours and at the end of it, everybody is still asking for more. The jam towards the last part was excellent, started trading 4s and 2s and 1s, 1/2 and 1/4..:)

Terry rocks!!!

[averypoordrummer]

the videos iv seen of him on the vic firth website were mightily impressive.
how much would a kit that size AND made by dw cost??? probably about as much as my house!

[Drummer Karl]

Yes he is really great and...well, crazy. but he is a big king for musical playing, his coordition is wonderful!! He is amazing!

[AvengedDrummer]

Hey guys!

Found this cool video of Terry Bozzion pre-molodic kit tearing it up at a zappa concert! Great stuff!

http://www.youtube.com/?v=k1bqCsczyUQ

Enjoy!
Just reading through this thread again.... that video is AMAZING he decimated the living hell out of that drumset!!! i was speechless for the first 30 sec.

[DruManiac19]

Terry is currently in bombay,India studying Indian rhythms.
Steve Smith was here last year, studying with the same Indian percussionist.
i got to sit in for a class, yesterday.
Terry was superb.

[hookedup]

I just picked up the Bozzio/Wackerman "Solos & Duets" DVD and I gotta ask...

How does Bozzio mount his ride? It's just floating somewhere over on his right slightly behind him. Is it just connected to bungee cords or something?

[da cheese walks]

Terry Bozzio is a master!!The great thing about teh man is hes a real,godhonest percussionist....yknow i used to think the term "percussionist" was nothing more than a drummer with a large ego...but i now realise that term is used for guys like Bozzio!!I mean its amazing the stuff he comes up with!

Every last thing he has done is totally awe inspiring!I absolutley love Zappa and all his work with Bozzio was beautiful!sheer bliss!

His drumkit is rockin too!!!

[Bonhamfan]

http://members.home.nl/wipr/bozzio03.JPG

Bozzio's kit, of course. But look at that thing, it would take me a year to play every last possible drum, cymbal, and sound. Insane to say the least. Wonder how much it costs? haha.

[Class A Drummer]

It is truly insane. he has like 40 drums. He has such a different style because of its intense size. I love all the toms on the left. Piccolo toms?

[da cheese walks]

ok my point was already made!!haha...read southpaws comment above!

[mikei]

I really do not get this guy and his style. I feel the same way about Virgil Denati. I do not get the drum to music connection.

I saw Terry in the reunion with missing persons about 6 years ago. He was impressive then. His solo stuff is pretty boring to me. But one man's garbage is another man's treasure. He is definitely super talented.

Tommy Lee, although not nearly as talented, has much more groove.

It is like comparing Eric Clapton to Yngwie Malmsteen. Many more people would rather listen to Eric Clapton jam than Yngwie. However, Yngwie has more talent technically in just his pinky than Eric has in his whole body.

[da cheese walks]

its alll opinion obviously...

but i find that Terry Bozzio has some of the best grooves around...i mean hes so groovy!youve probably bin lookin at all his solos and his crazy fill things which are class...??but i mean listen to any Zappa record he played on and youll hear so much groove its unreal!

Bozzio is nothing short of a master...he,like the odd rare drummer,takes the instrument that is a drumkit and makes it a MUSICAL instrument....his kit sings when he plays....i mean the diatonics?the piccolos?it takes skill,and groove to play them without sounding tacky...which he does magnificintly!

[Class A Drummer]

http://members.home.nl/wipr/bozzio03.JPG

Bozzio's kit, of course. But look at that thing, it would take me a year to play every last possible drum, cymbal, and sound. Insane to say the least. Wonder how much it costs? haha.
Actually its not. I think Portnoy's is the biggest (takes up the most space). Compare ur pic to this video. http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/mikeportnoymd.html

*edit- i may be wrong though.

[Ulrich87]

Dudes and dudettes! Take a look at Bozzios amazing drumkit in action! (http://drummerworld.com/Videos/bozziowackerman3.html)

BTW: Has anyone ever seen Bozzio smile, after his Frank Zappa days?

[neilpscuz]

I was fortunate enough to see Mr. Bozzio on the Gtr Shop tour, (probably the greatest double bill ever,Jeff Beck,Stevie Ray Vaughan). Incredible !!! About 5 yrs ago lucked out and saw him at PASIC in Nashville, w/Zappa alumni Chad Wackerman. They played the Black page as a duet !! Frank was smiling down on them,fer sure fer sure. Check out Bozzio and Sheehan, for some great TB grooves ! Also check Missing Persons - U.S. Drag for a crazy groove. Oh yeah, got TB to autograph Becks Gtr Shop when i was in Nashville, a prized possesion now !:o)

[shuffle]

He folks

That song just popped in Itune while I'm at work, and I thought I'd post a small sample.

What an incredibly exciting drum track. Recorded when he was ... 23 years old.

[Ufipman!]

He folks

That song just popped in Itune while I'm at work, and I thought I'd post a small sample.

What an incredibly exciting drum track. Recorded when he was ... 23 years old.

That's not Terry... I believe it's Ralph Humphrey or possibly Chester Thompson on drums... right? That album was before Terry's time with Frank.

[jazzgregg]

What is Wackerman doing on those clips? His drumistic drumming is getting in the way of Terry's Terryness all over the place. What a shame, good thing it looks like Terry is trying to ignore him.

On the other hand, for a guy with that many drums, Terry certainly isn't exploring all the tonal possibilities he has in front of him, but maybe that's because Chad is just wailing fusion licks all over it and it would be lost. Sometimes Terry is just too esoteric for his own good, I think.

Lastly, why do Terry's bass drums sound so unmusical and thumpy? I would've thought they would be nice, clean notes, no?

G

[shuffle]

Ooooh you're right, it is not Bozzio...I've owned this record for what ... 25 years, and I don't know, why, but I allways tought it was him on that record... Sorry about that.

I've just looked up the credits here http://www.amarokprog.net/albums_5691.html (hope they are reliable...) and the drummers on apostrophe are jim gordon, john guerin, aynsley dunbar and ralph humphrey...

[palmeris]

Has anyone caught the Zappa does Zappa tour? If so hows was TB? Did he have the monster kit? I bet he and SV stole the show

[KalashnikoV]

I'd really like to play some of my mallet exercises on his kit. ;)


I think the concept of playing melodic pieces on a drumset (no matter what the size) is a pretty cool concept, and I really like what I've seen of him, it's good stuff(I wish I could play it). But then again, the guy could just use some tympani. :|

[druid]

I will be seeing TB in abou ta week with Zappa plays Zappa...lookin gforward to it I have not seen him in awhile. So far I've seen him in the following situations

1984 Missing Persons R&R tour
1986 Clinic at PASIC
1989 Jeff Beck
1994 Jeff Beck

This should be great. I've met him a couple times and he was always a nice person to talk with. And believe me that is impressive when you are a younger apsiring player....rather than dealing with someone who thinks they are a big shot.

[Ian Ballard]

What is Wackerman doing on those clips? His drumistic drumming is getting in the way of Terry's Terryness all over the place. What a shame, good thing it looks like Terry is trying to ignore him.

On the other hand, for a guy with that many drums, Terry certainly isn't exploring all the tonal possibilities he has in front of him, but maybe that's because Chad is just wailing fusion licks all over it and it would be lost. Sometimes Terry is just too esoteric for his own good, I think.

Lastly, why do Terry's bass drums sound so unmusical and thumpy? I would've thought they would be nice, clean notes, no?

G

I don't know what you're talking about. If you can't hear the interplay and call and response going on there, I don't know what to tell you.

I thought that was stellar stuff and my opinion has triple-plated titanium armor, anti-anything missiles and a large loudspeaker that wails Mariah Carey high-notes at volume-level 11!
;)

[Stitch Kaboodle]

http://www.home.no/t0k/bozzioshitkit.mp3



How did that get by the censors?

[jazzgregg]

I don't know what you're talking about. If you can't hear the interplay and call and response going on there, I don't know what to tell you.

I thought that was stellar stuff and my opinion has triple-plated titanium armor, anti-anything missiles and a large loudspeaker that wails Mariah Carey high-notes at volume-level 11!
;)
It appears all that armour is covering your ears, Ian.=)

Interplay is what Mastelotto and Bruford did, Fredy Studer and Pierre Favre, Muir and Bruford, Keltner and Ringo, Ibarra and Charles, Stubblefield and Starks, not this. I'm suprised that it isn't more obvious, don't let your admiration for these people colour your perception....

G

[Ian Ballard]

It appears all that armour is covering your ears, Ian.=)

Interplay is what Mastelotto and Bruford did, Fredy Studer and Pierre Favre, Muir and Bruford, Keltner and Ringo, Ibarra and Charles, Stubblefield and Starks, not this. I'm suprised that it isn't more obvious, don't let your admiration for these people colour your perception....

G

Ahhhh, ok. I concede. Your opinion is pure concrete and you are so much more knowledgable about well... everything... than little 'ol me.

[jazzgregg]

Ahhhh, ok. I concede. Your opinion is pure concrete and you are so much more knowledgable about well... everything... than little 'ol me.

Have you been talking to Dr. Powerstroke? Don't start that man, it's just a difference of opinion! No conceding, just that you don't need to tell me anything because I can't hear it, I hear it just fine, know what I'm saying?=)

G

[Ian Ballard]

Have you been talking to Dr. Powerstroke? Don't start that man, it's just a difference of opinion! No conceding, just that you don't need to tell me anything because I can't hear it, I hear it just fine, know what I'm saying?=)

G

Darrrrrn, I forgot to put the little smiley guy after my post.

[dawg]

funny thing about bozzio...for me, i had his video mostly double bass drums, he's a great player,but i didn't care for the video that much. but the videos of him playing live "u.s. drag" w/ missing persons and with jeff beck,the records with zappa, i really dig. he comes across as a real down to earth guy...killer drummer.

[tonedef]

Chances are that you've heard of Terry Bozzio, and if you haven't, then all you should really know is that he thinks and plays his drums like their his own orchestra ~ melodically.

At first, I was thrown off, because, as we all know, it's all about the groove, but as I listened to more of his work and saw his video here, I became more and more impressed. So now, melodic drumming takes up some of my time as an interesting approach to the drums. He drummed for Frank Zappa, Steve Vai, among other bands, and is now a solo artist.

http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Terry_Bozzio.htmlBozzio is for sure one of the best , not many drummers can sell out a whole staduim for a single drum show.

[NUTHA JASON]

here's a great little time lapse of him and his army of techs setting up the kit with voice over. really enjoyable.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwR3YADQ2Gs&mode=related&search=
j

[palmeris]

Anyone get to see the Zappa does Zappa tour yet? If so, feed back, set list etc.

[druid]

I saw Terry Bozzio with ZpZ in Canton Ohio...I wrote a breif review on the ZPZ site....TB's playing was great the entire band was really amazing. Joe Travers also played very well. I had a pass to try to meet TB afterward but was not able to spreak with him which was a bummer ....but the show was very good...and he used his larger kit on this leg of the tour.

http://www.zappa.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=44

[druid]

I have included some pics from the Canton show....enjoy!!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40949587@N00/?saved=1

[palmeris]

Thanks so much for sharing!!!!!!

[palmeris]

Well Finally got to see the Zappa plays Zappa show on Sunday in Boca Raton. Great 31/2 hour show, hearing some great music that is being kept alive and well by the family trust.

Terry seemed to be having a bad night. His monster kit was set up to the side corner of the satge. He had some type of pedal problem and was crawling around on the floor trying to fix it for sevreal minutes, before the drum tech came out and tried to help. The set was not mic very well, the sound was very weak compared to the bands mix. Many of his isntruments could'nt be heard while he was striking them. It got a little better wehn he did his drum solo and wasnt being overpowered by the rest of the bands mix, but even that the bottom ened was very weak.

Would have liked to hear more of him and Steve Vie, but in all was please with the concert.

[druid]

I think it would be great if they made this leg of the tour into a DVD show to purchase. I am curious to see if they do anything with that.

Also I was happy to see this show since I worked on the Black Page for my own Senior recital in College years ago. I even sent a tape of my version for review to the now defenct Rhythm magazine.

[drumroll888]

If you want to go one better, there's always "Punky's Whips" which is a much more involved song about Terry's obsession with a glam rock guitarist. Contains the cracker of a line "His hair is so pretty / I want to bite his neck / I've heard a rumour / He's more fluid than Jeff Beck".

The arrangement is better too, T&B is more of a comedy sketch.

That song is HILARIOUS. Great musical theater, and not only does Bozzio play some complex parts in the song, he also sings while he plays, and gets into his character also. Good stuff.

Someone compared Tommy Lee to Bozzio here. I understand the reasoning behind it (I think Lee is a great rock drummer, despite his loathsome personality), but Bozzio can lay it down (no pun intended) with any rock drummer out there. Not all of his Zappa stuff was complex, and the Beck stuff was pure throb. I don't think Lee has the intellect to handle Zappa type stuff.

I saw Bozzio on the first Jeff Beck tour, and he moved like a boxer behind his kit, and was solid.

[druid]

yeah I think you could only compare Terry Bozzio with Tommy Lee on a very surface level....maybe the visual aspect of their playing.....but Bozzio is far and away a bette rmusicain than Tommy Lee and has the intellect and musical back round to run cirlces around Lee...not knocking Lee but we are really talking two different players here....I think people have gotten the wrong idea about Bozzio since he used to be so showy with his playing but there is alot going on there musically as well.

[vadrum]

yeah I think you could only compare Terry Bozzio with Tommy Lee on a very surface level....maybe the visual aspect of their playing.....but Bozzio is far and away a bette rmusicain than Tommy Lee and has the intellect and musical back round to run cirlces around Lee...not knocking Lee but we are really talking two different players here....I think people have gotten the wrong idea about Bozzio since he used to be so showy with his playing but there is alot going on there musically as well.

much respect to tommy lee, but mr bozzio is really on a different level. ive got a lot of respect for terry, hes a fantastic musician and the work that hes done, from missing persons to zappa to the brecker brothers, is always top notch.

[DWfan20005]

Terry Bozzio and Neil Peart are probably the best drummers walking on this earth (imo).
You know you're good when your drumming is just as powerful as a Symphony Orchestra.
His drum kit is just as big as a Symphony Orchestra also.

[dawg]

yeah,i think bozzio is on a totally different level than lee. chops and creativity.

[dwlover]

both over rated imo, just the easy choice (as best drummer)

[DWfan20005]

both over rated imo, just the easy choice (as best drummer)

Lee's overated but Bozzio, I don't many drummers in the media that can conjur up a storm Peart or Bozzio can while playing drums. Anyways I hope this video of Bozzio will change ur mind.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xir6EVkzDws

[Green and Mean]

Lee and Bozzio? Bozzio is musician, Lee is show and attitude man. And Bozzio also- POWER BABY! Awesome drummer !

[caprisun3484]

Terry Bozzio and Neil Peart are probably the best drummers walking on this earth (imo).
You know you're good when your drumming is just as powerful as a Symphony Orchestra.
His drum kit is just as big as a Symphony Orchestra also.

does anyone think that Bozzio wouldn't be as good or impressive without such a big kit

[CarterB_Junkie]

You guys are talking non sense, the guy could answer to Zappa's crazy rthytmic ideas in his twenties ...

[dawg]

of course bozzio could play on a small set...even on just a snare drum. zappa was the miles davis of rock...and just like davis he had a gift for picking up and coming drummers that ended up being hall-of-fame drummers. terry is a great solo composer for drums. as far as his skill with a pop band,check out missing person's "u.s. drag" done live on youtube.just great.

[caprisun3484]

but still the thing that most people remember about him is his kit size way more than his playing. But that is a good comparison between Miles and Zappa.

[druid]

Does anyone know what TB is working on next now that he has left Korn....?

[tooldrums1000]

You dont need a big kit to sound good look at John Bonham he only uses 5 drums he sound way better than terry bozzio. terry bozzio is so overrated.

[druid]

You dont need a big kit to sound good look at John Bonham he only uses 5 drums he sound way better than terry bozzio. terry bozzio is so overrated.

In Bozzio's case I would completely disagree...what he is doing is playing meoldies, harmonies and musical structures just as any 'melodic instrument musician' would...it is not there to just play roundhouse fills like Alex Van Halen or something...Bozzio's playing is something altogether different. If you don't like his stuff that is one thing ....but I think lumping him in somehow with guys who show off with large kits just for the sake of it...is just a bit unfair if you are not familiar with his playing and soloing concepts...just my .02 cents

[negativeattitude]

You dont need a big kit to sound good look at John Bonham he only uses 5 drums he sound way better than terry bozzio. terry bozzio is so overrated.

Overrated? I've never been a big fan of Bozzio, but decided to go see him when he came to Richmond for a clinic. I sat just a few feet away from his kit and now I understand all the hype, ......he's good! REAL good! The man is a machine.

[druid]

Overrated? I've never been a big fan of Bozzio, but decided to go see him when he came to Richmond for a clinic. I sat just a few feet away from his kit and now I understand all the hype, ......he's good! REAL good! The man is a machine.

If anything I find it funny to see someone referrence Bonham...then say how "overrated" Bozzio is... I mean I love Bonham...but he could easily fall into the overrated category...easily as could the entire band Led Zeppelin...so I would be careful tossing around words like overrated ( not you) .....

[spyder]

Bozzio is up there with the greats of all time. I don't even think that can be argued lol

[bago]

I took this pic of terrys kit at a clinic in radlett uk. wondered what u chaps and chappetts thought about it. i couldnt get over it. jesus

[Class A Drummer]

Intense. I see a few spots where he could add a few more durms heh.

[bago]

Intense. I see a few spots where he could add a few more durms heh.

yeh i think he has a bit of space between top of toms and bottom of cymbals, then he wouldnt see the crowd at all ffs ......... lmbo

[maddrummr]

everytime i see his set i just go wow!

i dont know if i would love or hate being the guy setting his drums up.

[volume_3]

I dunno about setting it up, i'd love to sound check the kit!

A tad bit of "over-kill" comes to mind though

[bago]

I took this pic of terrys kit at a clinic in radlett uk. wondered what u chaps and chappetts thought about it. i couldnt get over it. jesus

He played this kit like you would a steel drum you can see the notes scribbled on the heads

[TheGroceryman]

What are the two little cymbals to the right and left of his snare? Are they splashes?

[DrumsAreMyLife]

WOW! That must be some sort of world record for biggest waste of money. I guess if you got it you might as well use it thought heh?

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

If you watch Bozzio playing it, I suggest that you wouldn't consider it either 'overkill' or a 'waste of money'. Whilst his playing is not something that I can completely appreciate, I can understand that he's really trying to do something unique, and if the tools of his expression require a kit of that magnitude, then he should feel free to use it. I have no doubts that DW have gained a lot of exposure from his esoteric set up and it's probably more than paid back in revenue gained; making it economically viable for the companies involved.

[latzanimal]

He's missing one of these:

[DrumsAreMyLife]

HaH! Nice one...I am sure he would kick ass on that to.

[BrokenGlass]

it's impressive, but my experience with him and from others is that he is a giant jerk.

[CBPEAVEY]

What are the two little cymbals to the right and left of his snare? Are they splashes?

He's got a 6" hi hat on his left and a 8" hat on his right.

[fusssion]

What people forget, is he is not using this kit as everyone else "thinks" about how a drumset is used .....

He uses it for complete compositions of songs,...meaning, a song of only drums....that set isn't really set up for ....slapping down a funky back-beat! :)

[Deathmetalconga]

Dang, somebody told me Bozzio played a four piece and I was lied to.

[Shinx]

Haha, I love his kit. I'd never dream of trying to do what he does, but he is impressive. Watch the duet of him and Chad Wackerman on the Drummerworld main site. Ridiculously awesome and impressive. From two Zappa drummers, it's to be expected, but still awesome

[onemat]

I took this pic of terrys kit at a clinic in radlett uk. wondered what u chaps and chappetts thought about it. i couldnt get over it. jesus

I'd rather see him play a four-piece. I'd hate to be his drum tech.

[drumminjohn]

I would like to know what this thing is (circled in red, arrows pointing to it).. It looks to me like 2 roto toms put together on a stand??? What is it?

[DreamTheater4life]

i always thought terry's set was stupid. he doesnt even have any crashes.

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

i always thought terry's set was stupid. he doesnt even have any crashes.

But it's not played like a normal set, negating the need for conventional cymbals.

I've always thought Mike Portnoy's set was rather stupid, but I don't lark on about it in 'Mike Portnoy' threads.

[rockinrider]

Terry's set is a bit like this truck:

http://www.bigfoot4x4.com/images/bf8champ_400.jpg

Not what I'd drive around town, but it suits what these guys want to do with it.

[bonehead1971]

I would like to know what this thing is (circled in red, arrows pointing to it).. It looks to me like 2 roto toms put together on a stand??? What is it?

Remo Spoxe

http://images.google.ca/images?sourceid=navclient-menuext&ie=UTF-8&q=Remo%20Spoxe&oe=UTF-8&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi

[youenjoy00myself]

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u39/youenjoy00myself/attachment.php.jpg

AHA! The man's a cheater! He has his chromatic toms marked with pitches! You, Mr. Bozzio, fail, for you are no more talented than a child playing a beginner's set of orchestral bells.



Well, I would probably do the same thing with chromatic toms. I know that if I ever had the privilege to sit down at the kit all I would do is play Aqualung and other random guitar riffs/songs on the toms.

[maddrummr]

But really do you think Terry has enough time to actually look at the notes hes playing?

[Shinx]

I count 21 toms there. If you want to remember the pitch of everything and play it as well as he does, go ahead and try. I'm sure by now, he could even do without them. They are probably there for the techs. His chinas are basically his crashes, to the guy who said he has no crashes

[Bill Lumbergh]

Not quite the same setup, but this gives you a feel for how his playing style may gravitate more toward this sort of melodic setup:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xir6EVkzDws

[youenjoy00myself]

I count 21 toms there. If you want to remember the pitch of everything and play it as well as he does, go ahead and try. I'm sure by now, he could even do without them. They are probably there for the techs. His chinas are basically his crashes, to the guy who said he has no crashes

Sorry, it was a joke, I couldn't imagine playing a kit like that. I just wouldn't know what to do with all the chinas/toms.

As a side note, I think satin chrome hardware looks ugly.

[kellycurrie]

I would like to know what this thing is (circled in red, arrows pointing to it).. It looks to me like 2 roto toms put together on a stand??? What is it?

Not sure, check the Vic Firth website for Bozzio videos - you can see it in action there - sounds pretty cool.

Crazy how the toms are arranged, not only are there almost 2 full octaves but there are many triads closely grouped together.

I'd love to play that beast some day..

[TopCat]

Exciting stuff....20000000000000000000

[druid]

Those of you who are saying Bozzio’s kit is “overkill” probably have not spent much time watching or listening to the material he plays. His view of the drum set is pretty much without a doubt completely different than what most drummers are. For one he plays drum compositions much like someone would play the piano. Hence…the Chromatic toms on his left …and the diatonic toms on his right. Also each of his bass drums are tuned to specific pitches as well. This allows him to lay down ostinato patterns utilizing both rhythm and melody…literally…like bass lines with melodic playing over top of that. Unlike a lot of players who simply have piles of gear up there hitting something every once in a long while for effect…Bozzio plays using all the rules that apply to any melodic instrument…so it would be like telling a piano player to get rid of half of his keyboard in essence. I know peoples first reaction is to think of some guy playing roundhouse fills and long descending rolls like in a ‘prog rock’ sense…but really his music is a little different and more unique than that. Granted it is a different approach to the drums…but I feel it is about more than just showing off how many drums you can have…and his “thing “ is unique and not immediately accessible…but worth checking out.

[nickg]

i saw a bozzio clinic about 12 years ago. though his setup is bigger now, it was still huge even back then.

all in all, after hearing about his frikkin' "ostinatos" all frikkin' night i found his clinic full of "zzzzzzzzzs". great player, boring clinic.

[jim314]

So - we have many close minded people out there who throw around insults at Terry Bozzio?? What's up? You are missing the point. . . he is an artist who has something to say. For all the critical drummers on this post. Here is where you all need to go. . .

You need to go play thousands of professional performances and clinics worldwide with the top musicians in the world and gain endorsements from top manufacturers. And then, and only then have you even began to earn the right to say anything at all about Terry!!

Take a look at what you guys are saying. . . oh ya - I forgot you don't care!! So is the mentality today - what is that producing?? Nothing productive is my guess. . .

Rip on this..............

[thefeckcampaign]

an individual indeed and i'm glad someone is out there pushing the envelope. i saw him do a clinic once, that was plenty for me. i LOVE his playing with Missing Persons.

[DogBreath]

it's impressive, but my experience with him and from others is that he is a giant jerk.
That's really too bad. He may not come across as a type of guy that you'd like to have a drink and watch a game with (Bermuda, Dom Famularo, and Joel Rosenblatt immediately come to mind), but I found him to be extremely polite and professional, especially considering the circumstances.

I could have gotten in touch with his publicist and scheduled an interview, but instead I approached as just another fan during a break at a show. He had just finished the first half of a gig thirty seconds before and was walking towards the back door to take a much-needed breather. I asked him if maybe at some point that night he could take a moment for a quick chat, and he said, "Sure. How about right now."

He's been a highly successful musician for 35 years, and I'm sure he's had to endure this type of interaction thousands of times. I've been a fan of his music since I was a kid. This event cemented my admiration of him.

Back on subject, I have a huge amount of respect for drummers who have mastered the small kit but it's no secret that I love big kits and the musical and percussive opportunities that are unique to them. Terry's message is not the same as the message of small kit masters, and there's no reason that his mode of communication should be the same as theirs.

[NUTHA JASON]

great video of terry singing and drummer with zappa

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=gSUHGcVda0g

WARNING: adult lyrics

j

[druid]

That's really too bad. He may not come across as a type of guy that you'd like to have a drink and watch a game with (Bermuda, Dom Famularo, and Joel Rosenblatt immediately come to mind), but I found him to be extremely polite and professional, especially considering the circumstances.

I could have gotten in touch with his publicist and scheduled an interview, but instead I approached as just another fan during a break at a show. He had just finished the first half of a gig thirty seconds before and was walking towards the back door to take a much-needed breather. I asked him if maybe at some point that night he could take a moment for a quick chat, and he said, "Sure. How about right now."

He's been a highly successful musician for 35 years, and I'm sure he's had to endure this type of interaction thousands of times. I've been a fan of his music since I was a kid. This event cemented my admiration of him.

Back on subject, I have a huge amount of respect for drummers who have mastered the small kit but it's no secret that I love big kits and the musical and percussive opportunities that are unique to them. Terry's message is not the same as the message of small kit masters, and there's no reason that his mode of communication should be the same as theirs.

The first time I met Terry Bozzio was at a PASIC convention in 1986 or so. I had written an “ask a Pro” question to Modern Drummer and figured if I had a chance to talk with him I’d let him know I sent it in. He had a great clinic this was when he was just starting to do this after Missing Persons breakup. After the clinic I went up to talk to him and asked if he would be willing to sign and autograph on the “Ask a Pro” section. He asked “are you the guy who sent this in? “ to which I said “yes”. He replied “thanks man! “ and shook my hand and signed it. I also got to talk with him about project ideas he was having at the time. He had been thinking about doing a Solo Album and he told me about various people he wanted on the album Adrian Belew, Patrick O’hearn were a couple he mentioned.

The second time I met him was after a Jeff Beck show on the Guitar Shop tour. A Friend and I were hired as ‘temp security’ for the show. Afterwards we snuck down a stairwell to see if there was anyone there to talk to or meet. When we got to the backstage area the Real security saw us…and so did Bozzio ..I had a Drum magazine with an article in my hand and when he saw that the guy was going to have us removed he “called off the dogs” and came over to talk with us for awhile. Again really friendly or cordial. He signed some stuff again. We also talked with Stevie Ray….it was a double header show.

I tried unsuccessfully to try to talk with him at a recent ZpZ show last November but he had family visiting him. No luck this time… I figured I would say something about winning the contest and thank him talks drums etc etc…the stage manager people were kind of rude about things…

Anyway I guess my point is in the times I actually did get a chance to talk with him and not stage handlers….he has been pretty cool.

I suppose anyone can have bad days though and not want to talk. I met Buddy a couple times and he was …let’s just say a little rough and dismissive at the time.

[DogBreath]

Anyway I guess my point is in the times I actually did get a chance to talk with him and not stage handlers….he has been pretty cool.

I suppose anyone can have bad days though and not want to talk. I met Buddy a couple times and he was …let’s just say a little rough and dismissive at the time.
Great post, thanks. And seriously, if we use Buddy as the "Gold Standard" of a warm and fuzzy guy then pretty much every other drummer is cool to his fans by comparison. Some guys are just not interested in being nice to fans, but of the many pro drummers that I've met most are nice guys who occasionally have bad days, just like the rest of us. I judge them first and foremost by their drumming, and Terry is a flat out phenomenon behind the kit, and he also happens to be a pretty cool dude.

[druid]

Great post, thanks. And seriously, if we use Buddy as the "Gold Standard" of a warm and fuzzy guy then pretty much every other drummer is cool to his fans by comparison. Some guys are just not interested in being nice to fans, but of the many pro drummers that I've met most are nice guys who occasionally have bad days, just like the rest of us. I judge them first and foremost by their drumming, and Terry is a flat out phenomenon behind the kit, and he also happens to be a pretty cool dude.

Agreed many other players I have met have been really cool as well. Vinnie was busy but still took time for a autograph and was cool. Gregg Bissonette was really nice. Art Blakey was a cool guy...Louie Bellson was a realy nice guy who spent time talking with me. Billy Cobham...the same. I guess if Bozzio were such a jerk as some say I doubt he would have called off security on us ...he would have let them throw us out that time.

[intooder]

I guess there is doubt in many people's minds about his ability on a standard kit. I say, how does it matter? He's definitely innovative and impressive on his kit (however massive), for which reason alone I'd rather keep him on our side than give him up to the xylophone or piano team.

[slingerland755]

I have had the good fortune to see TB play with Missing Person's twice. Once on the Spring Session M tour (Phew!) and then the Rhyme & Reason tour in 1984. They played at Six Flags where we were the house band, so I got to help load in and sit behind his electric "tube" kit. Tiny little pads all over the place, but you could most of his body through the custome design. I noticed and pointed out a tiny set list posted in one of the tubes and remarked to my bass player that I would surely screw up the set if mine was that small. Well, a few bars in the second or third tune, Missing Persons had to stop and Terry apologized to the crowd for starting the wrong song.

I also got to see him in clinic with Sonny Emory. That was one for the books. They had a little drum battle and once Sonny started with the stick tricks, Terry said "uncle"( I highly doubt it, but he's a true gentleman).

[Derek]

I saw Bozzio play live in Long Beach in 1979. He was in the band U.K. ( he replaced Bruford in that band ). U.K. was the opening act for Jethro Tull , and in my opinion blew them off the stage.

Terry was playing his Remo kit ; roto toms over a Slingerland bass drum. Man, he was amazing ! ( and Brufords are no small shoes for anyone to fill )

I've been a fan of Bozzio ever since.

[slingerland755]

"Time to Kill" (live version) was the time I heard Terry play with UK. Just like you said...I was hooked! What a groove.

[slingerland755]

I saw Bozzio play live in Long Beach in 1979. He was in the band U.K. ( he replaced Bruford in that band ). U.K. was the opening act for Jethro Tull , and in my opinion blew them off the stage.

Terry was playing his Remo kit ; roto toms over a Slingerland bass drum. Man, he was amazing ! ( and Brufords are no small shoes for anyone to fill )

I've been a fan of Bozzio ever since.

Welcome to our little community. I think you'll like it here.

[Derek]

Thanks Slingerland755. I think I'll like it here , too. By the way , speaking of his performance with U>K> - how did you like his playing on " In the Dead of Night " ?

I didn't want the song to end.

[BrynnerAgassi]

Terry's playing is not like a normal drummers playing. From his setup to his style, nothing is, he is a mad man behind the kit, and does it well!
His playing has influenced a lot of people, and his work on Korn definitly shows a side to his playing that everyone who think he "cant" be a normal drummer, can.
He plays the songs great and gives the songs a lot of feel. I wish Korn would take him on tour with them.

[slingerland755]

Thanks Slingerland755. I think I'll like it here , too. By the way , speaking of his performance with U>K> - how did you like his playing on " In the Dead of Night " ?

I didn't want the song to end.


Hey Derek,
I almost used that tune as an example. Awesome! It's amazing to think how good he was back then. I have that record (which is now warped), so I need to get a copy somewhere.

[slingerland755]

Forgive me if this has been posted, but I thought Bozzio fans will appreciate this semi- new video on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqLss96wP8I&mode=related&search=

[Beginer]

His kit is in a higher level.. Its like guitar, violin, keybords or other music instrument.. It has a continuity between every each sound it can make.. That why like his kit Bozzio himself, even if I'm not a fan of big kits.. You know, its just how he's using it.. I thonk He's one of the best..

[jeo]

Terry Bozzio is amazing i'm a huge Zappa fan and all of his drummers have been amazing from vinnie to chad wackerman to aynsley dunbar to chester thompson but Bozzio is definitely one of the most recognisable Zappa players. Just watch Baby Snakes and it's absolutely mind blowing. I think it's great how he's gone from that to doing so many different projects and it takes a lot of guts do play solo drum shows it's great to see someone be totally innovative throughout his whole career (from home made electric kits to monster pitch tuned kits)