Who here has a Drum Tech?

[fijjibo]

Im learning the art of drum/guitar teching, and I was wondering if anyone here has or is a tech.

If someone could put me in contact with someone that would be cool, other than Tommy Lee's tech, as I know hes here already - nice bloke...


Cheers,
fijjibo

[michael drums]

Not many of us, I'm sure!!

But Gavin does, DEFINITELY!!


...Play On!! ;-)

[fijjibo]

Gavin Harrison?

Ill go and check his thread....

cheers

[NUTHA JASON]

I do, her name is agi. i married her.

j

ps: she is also my roadie and barmaid





pps: ooooo... i hope she doesn't read this or i'm sleeping on the couch tonight

[latzanimal]

Been on both sides of that fence. the most important thing to remember when teching for someone else is that you are there FOR THEM. If they want things a certain way, make sure they are that way. Some guys are easy to work for, others, not so much. All you can do is grin and bear it when your getting paid for it. Remember THEY are the boss. Your biggest job is to make theirs as easy as possible and remember : it's THEIR show.

On the other side if you ever get the luxury of having your own tech, treat them as you would want to be treated. Someone will work harder for someone he respects or feels appreciated by.

I know this all sounds simple, but you'd be surprised how many people forget when things start to go to their heads!!!

good luck...

[fijjibo]

NJ - lol, barmaid AND drumtech?

wow, lucky you....

latzanimal - awesome advice, I saw an interview with Eric Disrude, Mike Portnoys drum tech, and he talks about how he has to have the drummers favourite drink, Gatorade, and refill his cup with it, and has a specific type of bubble gum that Mike likes.

Heres a question for you - when you go out on tour, does the drummer supply the workstation and stuff, or does the tech?

[latzanimal]

NJ - lol, barmaid AND drumtech?

wow, lucky you....

latzanimal - awesome advice, I saw an interview with Eric Disrude, Mike Portnoys drum tech, and he talks about how he has to have the drummers favourite drink, Gatorade, and refill his cup with it, and has a specific type of bubble gum that Mike likes.

Heres a question for you - when you go out on tour, does the drummer supply the workstation and stuff, or does the tech?

What do you mean by workstation? Electronics? Or just a general place to work? Refilling a cup is although small, an important part of the job.

[fijjibo]

What do you mean by workstation? Electronics? Or just a general place to work? Refilling a cup is although small, an important part of the job.

Workstation as in the flight case with all the spares and tools etc in it, that sits behind the drum riser.

[latzanimal]

Workstation as in the flight case with all the spares and tools etc in it, that sits behind the drum riser.

That should be supplied by the artist. But unless the stage is lined (by this, I mean wall of amps, backdrop, or something to ensure your not being seen) you may have to do work offstage and just sit as out of sight as possible. As a drummer, there are a few of my own things/tools I like to have, but it all fits in a (God forbid) fanny pack. Possible a cordless drill witha drumkey bit if doing a lot of head changes. A tech should never have to supply the parts/pieces. You may be in charge of keeping track of inventory or getting a part replaced ASAP when something breaks, but it should never come out of your own pocket unless reimbursed. Think of it this way: If you worked at McDonalds, you wouldn't be expected to bring the burgers to cook would you? Same thing.

One of the coolest tech moves I ever saw was Tommy Aldridge broke a snare. He was using the gold 'X' cage at the time. He moved the backbeat up to his highest tom while his tech switched out his snare before the 2nd chorus of the song. SMOOOOTH!

Hope this helps...

[bermuda]

A tech does more than simply set-up, tear-down, and otherwise manage existing gear. A good tech also has good ideas... they're inventive. I'm still learning tips and tricks about my drums, and I thought I had everything figured out. A good tech handles a lot more gear than an individual drummer does, and has a wealth of hands-on experience with different kits, different environments, and especially different drummers.

So if being a tech is calling your name, learn and grow and be 2 steps ahead of the players you work for.

Bermuda

[fijjibo]

latzanimal - Awesome, that one was worrying me...
thanks for all the help, its awesome when I get to speak to someone who has been there and done that, lol

negativeattitude - cool, do you think you could pm me when he arrives?

bermuda - cool, Ill bare that in mind, I love coming up with stuff that makes playing drums more comfortable, so maybe this thing will work out after all.....

[Skitch]

Been on both sides of that fence. the most important thing to remember when teching for someone else is that you are there FOR THEM. If they want things a certain way, make sure they are that way. Some guys are easy to work for, others, not so much. All you can do is grin and bear it when your getting paid for it. Remember THEY are the boss. Your biggest job is to make theirs as easy as possible and remember : it's THEIR show.

On the other side if you ever get the luxury of having your own tech, treat them as you would want to be treated. Someone will work harder for someone he respects or feels appreciated by.

I know this all sounds simple, but you'd be surprised how many people forget when things start to go to their heads!!!

good luck...

Great ---- the simple things are often the most overlooked!

John Aldridge is the tech for Bryan Hitt of REO Speedwagon - and he loves his job! I am guessing the workstation is the flight case that you would repair drums off of?

Mike

http://www.mikemccraw.com
http://www.dominoretroplate.com

http://www.youtube.com/drummermikemccraw
http://www.myspace.com/drummermikemccraw

[fijjibo]

Great ---- the simple things are often the most overlooked!

John Aldridge is the tech for Bryan Hitt of REO Speedwagon - and he loves his job! I am guessing the workstation is the flight case that you would repair drums off of?

Mike


Yeah, the workstation is a big chest that the tech stands behind and, er, works off of.
like changing heads if one one breaks.

[fijjibo]

Also, does anyone know of any good sites with info for teching?

I know of - http://www.drumsontheroad.com

and also elsteevo's website.

Any more out there?

[Drumsword]

Along with Nutha Jason.......I did have a drum tech (My wife) but am getting divorced...............I wonder if thats why??? anyway, now I have to find another g/f freind who can carry drums. LOL

[fijjibo]

Along with Nutha Jason.......I did have a drum tech (My wife) but am getting divorced...............I wonder if thats why??? anyway, now I have to find another g/f freind who can carry drums. LOL

Wow, heavy man.

Thats definatly not LOL material....

[Jaden]

I did have a drum tech (My wife) but am getting divorced...............I wonder if thats why??? anyway, now I have to find another g/f freind who can carry drums. LOL


you're my hero

[masonni]

HA! My Girlfriend would NEVER tech for me!

I have had techs before, mostly for tours and big shows, not small clubs. Currently I don't have anyone.
I used to tech once in a while for events, I did the Lewiston Jazz Festival a few times (in Lewiston, NY) I had 1 drum kit that I had to drive around between two stages all day, setting up for Jazz cats like Byron Landham. I also help teched for Keith Carlock at the Montreal Drum Fest in 2005.

[fijjibo]

Nick, thats awesome.
Must have been one hell of an experience doing Keith Carlocks stuff...