Brian "brain" Mantia

[Anchein Vouivra]

The first time I've heard this drummer it was on the Primus Antipop album and I really hated his style. First of all I tought he was the one bringing some kind of Neo-metal atmosphere in the band, was doing many mistakes, or lacked of originality for a band like Primus..., actually I realised that I was simply a total Tim Alexander Freak (i'm still even a bigger freak).
But now listening to other records of that drummer I think he's pretty good. I really like what he's done on El Stew's No Hesitation, he plays cool hip-hop original electro beats, or his playing and sound on Primus Shake Hands with Beef is so fat and groovy.......................he's not very technical and is not at all a fluid smooth drummer but this guy really has the groove added with a Stewart Copeland High-Hat feel. I just dislike his few solo's i've heard, I personnaly tought it was a total incoherent unmusical mess.
I'de like to know what ya all think of him ?!?!?!

[LiquidSoul546]

You took the words out of my mouth haha.. That's exactly how I feel about brain too. His video on drummerworld is really sweet though. Especially the guy running around the set haha.
peace

[NouveauCliche]

I'm on the same wavelength...I think Herb was about a million times better in Primus, but Brain seem to have a really steady and versatile groove. I've never actually heard him solo, but what I've seen of his playing with Primus, Bucket Head, and the short lived New G&R seemed pretty solid.

[fkleiner]

oh yeahhhh i love this guy! the brown album, imo, has some of the greatest drum treatments, they just sound so huge! i always enjoyed him a lot more than tim alexander, but i can't say brain is better, i actually don't really care. i thought his drum solo on the live new year's performance of "tommy the cat" (off rhinoplasty) was badass, with that cowbell groove he had goin on. lotsa skill there. i also don't really think he was that sloppy either, he just has some off tempo ideas goin on, i really dig it. i'm really glad he was brought up in here, definitely deserves mention!

[onemat]

See Brain solo on the PDP website...

http://pacificdrums.com/pdp/movies/index.htm

[Tony Rockyhorror]

I always thought Brain was a good mid-way hero. Like he'll never be a God but if your just starting to get into serious drums he's a good guide to have.

[thrashed]

brain is a legend! I really like his style and feel

his dvd is a bit strange lol ;) but it has attitude and the go go beat is amazing!!

I would recommened him to anybody!

Thrashed

[PinkFreud]

he's amazingly versatile. not only does/did he drum for primus, gnr, buckethead, praxis, etc.. but he also drums for tom waits. on everday s***. he has a manhole cover as a cymbal. how wacked out is that?

[hateplow]

The first time I've heard this drummer it was on the Primus Antipop album and I really hated his style. First of all I tought he was the one bringing some kind of Neo-metal atmosphere in the band, was doing many mistakes, or lacked of originality for a band like Primus..., actually I realised that I was simply a total Tim Alexander Freak (i'm still even a bigger freak).
But now listening to other records of that drummer I think he's pretty good. I really like what he's done on El Stew's No Hesitation, he plays cool hip-hop original electro beats, or his playing and sound on Primus Shake Hands with Beef is so fat and groovy.......................he's not very technical and is not at all a fluid smooth drummer but this guy really has the groove added with a Stewart Copeland High-Hat feel. I just dislike his few solo's i've heard, I personnaly tought it was a total incoherent unmusical mess.
I'de like to know what ya all think of him ?!?!?!
I'm a big herb fan, too. I think I wanted to dislike Brain at first, just because I was pissed that herb was out of the band.
He has grown on me, though. He some some great handspeed, and great groove. He just lacks the double-bass integration that herb has, taking the hard edge off.

[Anchein Vouivra]

I'm a big herb fan, too. I think I wanted to dislike Brain at first, just because I was pissed that herb was out of the band.
He has grown on me, though. He some some great handspeed, and great groove. He just lacks the double-bass integration that herb has, taking the hard edge off.

It's really a feeling I hate, everytime I play and i'm trying to be a bit in a Herb style I find myself sounding more like Brain..........still far from him but closer than Herb!!! No one can imitate the almighty Alexander. Brain's has a much "logical" and natural/instinctive playing.
I've learned to appreciate Brain's style but with other records than Primus (except "shake hands with beef", that one really got me).

[cdawg_2010]

i onl have seen his videos on here, but i think hes a great rock drummer and i like his usage of his single pedal, to get fast 16th note triplets

[KLittle123]

I have to disagree with some of you, I think that Brain is to good for Primus. Primus is musically one of the worst bands I've heard. Their music is nothing but a big sloppy mess, guitar and bass that is, drummer isn't that bad. But musically they sound like crap I think. Lets just slap a bass without a certain feel and thats music somehow? Tim is good though, I also think he's too good for primus.

[theduke86]

KLittle- Wow man, that's pretty hardcore, man. Primus isn't everyone's cup of tea- certainly not mine all the time, but Les Claypool is a solid, solid bass player with good chops. Great groove too- his time is slightly behind the beat and I really like it. It gives the music a really nice pocket. I liked the band with Tim a little better- he's ahead/in the middle of the beat most of the time from what I can remember. This combined with Les made a cool feel- the guitar and bass would lay back while Tim would do his thing and it was great. Brian's a little more of a deeper pocket type player, I feel that some of the edge was taken away by his behind the beat phrasing. He's a really good drummer nonetheless though, solid as hell. I'd love to solo over one of his grooves- really tight and funky and behind the beat.
As for you, KLittle, I feel that statement should be qualified a little more, Primus isn't a "bad" band at all. In fact, every player that's ever been in that band has been quite good, so post some specific examples of what you think is so bad?

[franklinj]

I have to disagree with some of you, I think that Brain is to good for Primus. Primus is musically one of the worst bands I've heard. Their music is nothing but a big sloppy mess, guitar and bass that is, drummer isn't that bad. But musically they sound like crap I think. Lets just slap a bass without a certain feel and thats music somehow? Tim is good though, I also think he's too good for primus.

WHAT? How are they musically horrible? Man, you are way off base to say this and not give any examples.

[relyc]

To be honest, I wasn't really a huge fan of Herb and thought that Brain was a much better fit in Primus. Why? Well, because I felt that when Herb was in the band it was just everyone soloing at the same time. Like three drunk guys just picked up instruments, found a stage and started creating a ruckus together. I think Brain drove the band much, much better and gave Claypool a really deep groove to work with (Larry Lalonde is off in his own little world and there's nothing anyone can do for that guy ;D )

cheers. (apologies to the Herb fans)

[KLittle123]

I'm sorry, but I just don't like them. It's alright for you to like them, but my brother listens to them 24/7. I'll be sitting in bed at like 1 in the morning and hear his music above me and it'll be Primus. But I just think that the guitar and bass are somewhat hectic and it kinda bothers me a bit. I guess they're just not my cup of tea or type of music.

[Spence]

I have always liked Primus. Claypool is a good bass player and Brain is a good drummer. His playing on the records is very good.

Anyway, during the latter part of last year I went to the Wembley Drum Exhibition to see some lovely drummers such as Jojo Mayer, John Blackwell, The Amazing Gregg Bissonette and.... Brain. I used to be heavily into Brain's playing and really liked Primus back in the day, so I was pretty excited to see what he has got to offer when flying solo.

I don't think I have ever said a bad word about a pro drummer in my life BUT he played really bad. His 'solo' was so so bad. He actually apologised after by saying it was "retardation". He knew it was bad and everyone in the crowd did. I have just lost repect for the man. I thought he was better than me, but after seeing this I seriously think I could have played most his solo with one hand.

I know everyone has their off days. I think he just lacked any sort of prep, which sucks as you really shouldn't act like that. John Blackwell's daughter had recently died and he put on a proper show. So I see know good reason for his behaviour. It flat out sucked.

Anyone else seen him play solo's etc live recently? Good or bad?

[Anchein Vouivra]

I've got recently Claypool's latest Dvd with some live clips of most of his side projects! Brain shows some real amazing grooves on clips from Bucket of Bernie Brain! Oh if you have the opportunity to pay attention to Jay Lane (Primus former drummer) on video, the guy is a monster, awesome high-hat work and such a solide groove ! Actually when Tim left Primus, the drummer that was suppose to remplace him was Jay Lane. Pity!! I'm shure it would have been far better !

Spence, I think Brain must have been Hang-over !! :)

[Anchein Vouivra]

Here's a pretty cool video of Primus perfoming Tommy the Cat, with a surprise in the middle section by playing The Awakening (from Les Claypool and The Holy Mackerel), then you have a little solo by Brain...................which makes me think a bit of Travis barker, but still better !!!
During The Awakening Brain does hold up pretty well !!!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7041114751512860175&q=primus&pl=true

[GNRFAN]

He isn't the right man for Guns N' Roses thats for sure. His playing is sometimes quite sloppy in the old GNR songs as well, adding new fills to old songs that dont't really work. He also does not play You Could Be Mine correctly, at least he could learn it properly! His playing on new songs however is fine.

I haven't seen him in Primus or anything like that, I just don't think he is the right drummer for GN'R.

GNRFAN

[pearl_floyd]

I heard that Brain has done a solo with breadsticks before

[Mr. Pasquini]

Hey guys, check this video out, it's Tommy The Cat, but Brian is using a very strange drumset, and there is a short solo by Brian in there too...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOYL_2Ub_KI&mode=related&search=

[chopsy]

does anybody own his instructional DVD?

[BrynnerAgassi]

I dont his DVD, and honestly I dont know if I would.
The first time I hear Brian, I thought to myself he is an average drummer, no style though. Maybe I have not heard too much of his stuff, but from what I have heard im not that big of a fan...
Actually I saw a clip on YouTube, it was Brain playing with Guns'N'Roses... It was Welcome to the jungle, and I swear on a stack of bibles, either the whole band was high/drunk, or Brain just had picked up the sticks for the first time...
If you go to Youtube and type in his name and guns n roses, it should bring it up.
I dont like ever knocking other drummers, but with Brian I just have not seen anything original from the guy...

PS.... I like Tim in Primus over Brian!

[jonescrusher]

I dont his DVD, and honestly I dont know if I would.
The first time I hear Brian, I thought to myself he is an average drummer, no style though. Maybe I have not heard too much of his stuff, but from what I have heard im not that big of a fan...
Actually I saw a clip on YouTube, it was Brain playing with Guns'N'Roses... It was Welcome to the jungle, and I swear on a stack of bibles, either the whole band was high/drunk, or Brain just had picked up the sticks for the first time...
If you go to Youtube and type in his name and guns n roses, it should bring it up.
I dont like ever knocking other drummers, but with Brian I just have not seen anything original from the guy...

PS.... I like Tim in Primus over Brian!

Dude, check out his work with Primus, the guy really has one of the most distinctive styles on that stuff; a beautiful wide open pocket and very original cymbal choking ideas. It's all about groove over chops with Brian.
That said, i agree that Herb will always be the Primus drummer. One of the true greats.

[chopsy]

wide open pocket is a very good way to describe his strength. The Brown Album by Primus is my favorite he plays on. They recorded it at Rancho Relaxo and it has a very unique drum sound. I don't think anything was close miked and the dynamics are awesome.

I can definitely see how he wouldn't work that well in G'nR though.

Also worth checking out is Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains. It's Les on bass, brain on drums, buckethead on guitar (was also in the G'nR reformation) and Bernie Worrell on keyboards.

Hell, I'll pick up that Brain's Lessons dvd and get back to you guys on how it is. If anything, it will be good for a laugh.

[slingerland755]

Every now and then I have to play "Duchess and the Proverbial Mind Spread" (and just laugh). What a great tune. The drum track kills me. Check it out