Steve Smith

[insane drummer]

Ok here it is... Steve Smith is an amazing player, I totaly dig his stlye. But I don't own any albums he drums on. Anyone who knows a little more about Steve Smith recommend which albums best showcase his work. If any are funk or funky that would be great...

[Stu_Strib]

His main effort since the mid-80s has been his fusion band Vital Information.

Don't dismiss his Journey drumming though, as he implemented some very powerful and inventive drum riffs in the Arena Rock style of 70s-80s music.

I personally like Escape and Frontiers for some serious injection of high quality drumming, into a rather cliche-ridden rock band. The first time I heard the drum break/fills in the middle of Separate Ways, I knew I was gonna be a drummer (and I started that year).

He also played with Jean Luc Ponty before Journey after he graduated (Berklee?). Not funky, but still high levels of musicianship.

[MunsieMan]

Steve Smith is an amazing drummer ive gotten the privillage to see him play 5 times his high hat stick control is frickin amazing, his Sonar drum kits are top of the line his shuffles are kind of bizzare most people shuffle with there wrist down or off to the side but Steve Smith shuffles with his palm up i tried doing that once...never tried it agian lol

[Bonham to the moon]

Hes got such an amazing feel, with rock solid beats. Hes stripped down drumming to the bones and learned everything and more, I've got a video of his, man what a great drummer.

[Jason Dorn]

This man is a true master he stripped his style back to the basics and really built everything back again as bttm said. His feel and ability to play multiple styles is awesome . The video Drumset technique/ history of the US beat is an absolute must have for any drummer but may be hard to work from short of being at an imtermediate level. I really dig the odd times and grooves that he plays with Vital Information but didnt remember being as impressed with the stuff he did with Journey. That is untill I started playing myself now I have a whole new opinion of the work he did with journey theres some really solid playing there. Did you know that Steve Smith and Neil Peart studied together under Freddie Gruber? They actually practice together quite a bit.

[Drumolator]

I have many CDs with Steve Smith's awesome drumming. Here are some of the best ones:

Vital Information Come on In

Vital Information Show 'Em Where You Live

Vital Information Where We Come From

Gambale/Hamm/Smith GHS 3

Gambale/Hamm/Smith The Light Beyond

History of the U.S. Beat (DVD)

[insane drummer]

I have many CDs with Steve Smith's awesome drumming. Here are some of the best ones:

Vital Information Come on In

Vital Information Show 'Em Where You Live

Vital Information Where We Come From

Gambale/Hamm/Smith GHS 3

Gambale/Hamm/Smith The Light Beyond

History of the U.S. Beat (DVD)

Thank you my fellow Louisiana-dweller. So whereabouts in Louisiana are you?

[darkcherryfade]

Steve is a MASTER. One of my top 3 drummers (my blessed trinity of drummers, if you will).

[Stu_Strib]

And the other two being?

I'd put Steve Smith right up there , top 5 easy

Gadd
Smith
Coliauta
Weckl
Porcaro

to start...

[darkcherryfade]

Dennis Chambers and Vinnie Colaiuta would be the other 2 in my eyes.

[jamndrummer]

Has anyone on this forum studied privately with Steve Smith? If so, would you mind elaborating on the teaching method.

[MichaelK]

hello all,
I had a record a long time ago - "Focus con Proby" (Focus was a dutch 'progressive rock' band back in the early 70's)-, the drummer's name on some tracks (or most of them, can't remember) was Steve Smith. Does somebody know if this Steve Smith is the same drummer who's listed in the 'drummerworld' drummer list? Just curious, thank you.

[Dano3000]

Well according to a quote from Steve on his "Timeline" that is located on his Website (http://www.vitalinformation.com/steve/index.htm)

"I recorded my first album, 'Enigmatic Ocean,' with Ponty, Darryl Steurmer and Allan Holdsworth, guitars, and Ralphe Armstrong, bass. That same year, I recorded an album with the Dutch band Focus. I also started endorsing Sonor Drums."

So I guess the answer is yes.
Of course that was in 1977 and as you can see that was a VERY GOOD year for him.

[Bobhead]

Here are some pictures from Steve Smith clinic in 03' in Chicago. He used two kits and also jammed with Fareed Haque (gtr) and Howard Levy (harmonic) among others.

Steve is such a great player and teacher. I just wanted to share the pictures and start a thread to hear what everyone thinks about his teaching and playing.

[Stu_Strib]

OH man, those are awesome pics! I got extremely lucky and got pulled out of the crowd in 1985 to be his demostrator. So I got to play Steve Smith's drums with him telling me what to play! He was a great clinician, and I'm sure he's even better now.

[nuppy the wombat]

Great pics!

Steve Smith is unbelievable. He is VERY dynamic, and very, very tasteful, and GOD can he groove! He fills out his beats so well and makes un-even time signatures flow naturally. He uses the whole kit so well, using toms to give his rhythms more drive, combining ride and hi-hat patterns... his drumming is pure class.

I'm amazed at how few people have posted in this thread!

[Neil M]

Hi Everyone,

I had the opportunity to see the jazz fusion band Vital Information with the great Steve Smith on drums. For those of you that have bought Steve’s DVD (The History of the US Beat) know well just what an excellent drummer he is! But, to see him play live standing/sitting a few feet away is really a transformation.

I saw them at a small venue in Oshkosh WI. On March 31st while on their Midwest tour. It was a small room not that much bigger than what we as gig drummers might play.
Not only did I see him play live I also got to meet him and have a picture take with him and also Frank Gambale and Tom Coster and of course autograph CD’s. These guys were so gracious saying thank you, asking my name when signing CDs. Although jazz fusion isn’t for everybody, these four gentlemen played their buts off. Check out their new CD “Come On In” Steve does some real neat brush work on the song “A Little Something” my personal favorite on the CD.

If one day you have the opportunity to see “Vital Information” you will not be disappointed! And if you haven’t seen Steve’s DVD I would urge you to do so.
Take care,

Neil M.

[timebandit]

I seen Steve the other nite @ a clinic with his band Vital Iformation. They were PHENOMENAL!! True genius......and his guitar player Frank gambale.....a total virtouso! I was Awstruck and felt honored just to be in the same room as them. It was fantastic! Steve demonstated his hi-hat solo, as on this site..... man, unbelievable talent! He even play off his ankle! It was cool!!

[Spence]

That hi-hat thing looks so damn good. When I saw him at Ronnie Scott's I had the best seat in the house. Directly behind the kit. It was awesome.

I went over and chatted drums to him and asking him about stuff. He is a big Johnny Rabb fan. He had one thing on his mind though....MY GIRLFRIEND! He started pretty much ignoring me and started chatting her up. I guess he is one of my all time fav drummers so I won't hold it against him.

Baron Browne is the man on Bass. Not to mention Coster and Gambale. Whaaaaaaaaaar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Liquid_Drummer]

I took one 30 minute lesson from Steve Smith in 86 I think. He was giving a clinic at moms music in louisville, ky that night and was in the store just standing around. I recognized him from the Journey Videos I had seen on MTV and asked him how Journey was going. He told me he had left the band and was doing ???? (dont remember but it must have been the begining of Vital Information) I was maybe 15 at the time so I didnt know squat.He asked me to play and at that time it was 4/4 ala every breath you take and that was about it for me. He corrected my posture, told me to relax my stick grip, choke up the stick and advised that I begin working single and double stroke rolls. Showed me mama dada because I could not do a good roll back then. He was a very soft spoken (almost too soft) and friendly guy. I was in the right place at the right time and he didnt charge me a dime. The guys in the music store informed him I was the local "fly on the wall" and that they had to run me off often because I would cut school to hang out in there. He took pity on me I guess. hehe I wish I could have another go at it now that im older, wiser and can play fairly well now. I had no idea at the time that he was such a monster because all I knew from him was Journey and my av drummers at that time was Bonham and Umm (giggles) Tommy umm Lee. Did I just say Tommy Lee ?

[KR3]

I recently purchsed his DVD History of US Beats and have been watching it for a week now. I've gained much new respect for Steve's drumming. I love the fact that he is so passionate about his drumming. His DVD is very informative in regards to technique, and grooves. Well worth the money.

[LinearDrummer]

Just got the old Steve Smith DCI work on DVDs and for any fan of him one should know that there is some bonus footage that wasn't on the videos thats really cool....

Solos from Zildians Days and from Journey are on there plus some extra Vital Information performances....its worth the replacement if you haven't done so already...

Also for me the pre-Gruber version of Steve is a little easier to breakdown than he is now - kinda the same way as with early Weckl cause this virtuoso Gruber stuff leaves me in a state of confusion...

[lfdy]

I recently purchsed his DVD History of US Beats and have been watching it for a week now. I've gained much new respect for Steve's drumming. I love the fact that he is so passionate about his drumming. His DVD is very informative in regards to technique, and grooves. Well worth the money.

Yeah, i borrowed this DVD from a friend of mine, and it's great. He really shows you how you can play certain stuff (first slow, then faster)...the best part for me was his explanation on syncopation, it was great.

[Snowdogyyz]

Steve is definitely one of my all time favs. I was able to attend a masterclass/clinic and Buddy's Buddies show recently and he is a true professional. It seemed that working with some of the kids that day inspired him, because he was absolutely on fire that night during the Buddy's show. He had a standing ovation after song #1! Anyway, here is a pic of Steve and I that day during class:

[drumey]

So... Whos going?

I just bought my tickets, and cant wait!

[TitanSound]

What, where, how, when? Details please!

[drumey]

http://www.wembleydrumcentre.co.uk/index.php?fuseaction=general.news&cId=1&details=yes&nId=141

All found their^^^ Phone them up for more info!

[NUTHA JASON]

yeah!!!

2 of my favourite living drummers!

i just got my ticket too.

BENNY GREBB cooooool.

STEVE SMITH the man who taught me heelp toe (through his DVD).

i'll seeyou guys there!

j

[Stu_Strib]

Where do I get a ticket and what is the best way to get to Wembly Drum from a train from Leeds??????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stu

[NUTHA JASON]

go on their website. and check the national rail journey planner...be cool to meet you there stu.

j

[drumey]

Yay not just me going then!

Steve Smith is one of my favourite drummers aswell, i just love the way he plays with this buzz of life.

[NUTHA JASON]

yeah. thanks for the heads up man. i'll be the guy in the blue velvet jacket.
j

[drumz4eva]

STEVE SMITH......AMAZING DRUMMER

I THINK MY FAVORITE EVER!!!

and so im sitting here and thinking THIS SHOULD B LIKE A 20 PAGE THREAD

i meen i love his drumming, he isnt fluint in everthing, just how he plays and everything

my opinion one of the greatest drummers!!!

and also he grew up where i live!!!
marin!!!

[NUTHA JASON]

SUNDAY HAS COME AT LAST.
i hope i see some of you there. don't be shy.

j

[NUTHA JASON]

just got back and it was amazing.
didn't see any DW members there but if they were like me their eyes were not scanning the audience and their jaws would have been firmly on the floor.

benny went first with solos and playing along to his new CD. there is no doubt in my mind that this 26 year old is one of the truly great drummers of history already. a lot of the guys around me felt sorry for ol' steve who had to follow such a sublime performance.

they needn't have worried

steve smith showed us all why he is a living legend. his jazz history drumming lesson was superb. he played a jazz beat from the 1900's and while talking over the drums he gradually transmogified it through blues bebop rock and into modern funk including a humourous rip off of the new breed like benny.

he then did a solo that started off er um typical of steve and his old guard but gradually he got weirder and more amazing until he was doing with one bass pedal what 90% of all drummers would be proud to be able to do with two. a real class showman.

then he and benny performed an astonishing duo. they put their two snares at the front and did the jazz standard ''salty nuts'' brush solo. the showmanship and humour made the actual skill more stomachable. i was only metres away and i saw brushes doing what bits of metal have no business doing. the brushes seemed to just play themselves.

then they did a great duo on just hihats. it was crazy and funny.

then they bought on pete locket to play tabla while the two guys went onto drums. the world of tabla opened up before me and beleive it or not i saw just two drums that look like they take more skill to play than a thomas lang sized kit. pete is a genious. and the whole trio together were amazing.

after the show i wanted to meet them but the line was too long and it was getting late. besides i had a splitting headache...not from the drums mind. but from the total concentration of nearly three hours. i think my eyes were red from not blinking in case i missed anything.

no photography was allowed but i snapped off a few so here they are:

BG
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/nuthajason/11aa.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/nuthajason/?start=#imgAnch6)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/nuthajason/12aa.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/nuthajason/?start=#imgAnch5)
MASTER'S PLACE
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/nuthajason/13aa.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/nuthajason/?start=#imgAnch4)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/nuthajason/14aa.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/nuthajason/?start=#imgAnch3)
APPRENTICE RUNNING AMOK IN MASTER'S PLACE
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/nuthajason/15aa.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/nuthajason/?start=#imgAnch2)
BG, PL and SS
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/nuthajason/16aa.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/nuthajason/?start=#imgAnch1)

[TitanSound]

Man I cannot wait until DrummerLive!

I have been craving seeing Benny play and it sounds like it will be an experience not too miss!

Great report Nutha!

[DogBreath]

Great pics, Jason. Wish I could have been there!

[Wegadrummer]

yeah, great pictures.. thanks nutha..

[NUTHA JASON]

cool.

i'm trying to remember all the things i learned yesterday but you know how clinics are. too much info too fast. the main reason to go is to be piled up with inspiration. already this moring i've put in three hours concentrating just on my feet.

one of the things steve said was that if he could somehow see himself practicing he would probably think he was not a good drummer. when he practices at drumtech students look through the door window and suddenly he catches himself performing rather than practicing. which he says is bad. if you are not sounding comfortable and great when you're practicing then you are probably practicing the right thing.

j

[Chip]

Wow, they are two of my favourite drummers! I'm envious to say the least! Nutha, were you kind enough to abide the international laws of getting on other peoples kits?! I notice you don't have your own snare or cymbals (athough if I had the chance to sit on a legends kit, I'd uhhhhh... "forget" all my stuff, but somehow remember my sticks).........? Hehe, kidding.

Hehe, sitting on B. Greb's kit, eh? I imagine that would have been experience. The only thing I don't like on his kit is that inverted splash, very little attack. It's good for how he uses it, but it's too hard to tell where it starts....... Is that tape on his ride? He has amazing ride sound, from/assisted by tape?! Wow, didn't see that coming.

I'd imagine clinics would be throwing you into the deep end....... with a weight...... Especially when sometimes you would just want to watch in awe as they send their sounds your way. I would find it hard to concentrate. With all that great drumming.

I find what Steve said about practicing interesting. I much prefer to practice home alone, because I feel I can open up a bit more when I'm not annoying anyone, and no matter how much I try to think that most people don't know what makes good drumming, I still have that thought nagging at the back of my mind.

Thanks very much for the pictures and information, things like this make this site even more special. This site is great, man, you guys do a wonderful job. I hope to go to one of these clinics someday, not much happens drumwise in my little corner of the world...

Great stuff!

[NUTHA JASON]

cool.

benny does some weird stuff with that ride. he rubs the but of his stick slowly near the bell and gets a screeching violin sound then he cups his hand over the bell strikes the bell and waves his cupped hand up and down creating a perfect wah-wah sound.

onf the cool things i now recall steve doing...see how he's wearing that headset? mid solo he does a call and answer between insanely fast vocal beatboxing and then echoing it precisely with just his double bass pedal.
duggaduggadrrrrduggadrrrrduggadigdugdigdugdugadada gudadadadrrdrrrdrrrdugiddydugdigdug.
the guy puts all those fast lawnmower metal heads to shame with his speed, dynamics and creativity.

j

[neilpscuz]

Glad you enjoyed the clinics guys, Steve is truly a phenom. The first time I saw Steve was at a PASIC in Columbus, Ohio in 1993. Steves clinic was early (about 9:00 am ) and I was coming from about 45 miles away buckin the mornin rush hour traffic. I got their a couple minutes late and Steve was already playin. I stood at the back of the hall and kept hearing "man !" "wooow" "holy ****" coming from someone behind me. So at the end of the solo I turned around to see who was making the comments (which i TOTALLY agreed with) and it was Peter Erskine ! Last year at PASIC I got Steve to autograph my copy of his U.S.BEAT dvd !

[NUTHA JASON]

that's a cool annecdote because in my book peter is up there with steve in the pantheon of super drummers.

j

[NUTHA JASON]

just found some footage of steve and pete doing theire thing a couple of years ago. so it will give you an idea of the flavour...except now they are both much better and benny was involved.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWvAZ0JEJaA&search=steve%20smith

and him and benny did this hihat solo as a duo plus plus plus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WextSdDV1s&search=steve%20smith

and if you have any doubts if pete belonged on the stage with the other two drumming giants have a look here and be converted...to tabla
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gTIZXM8zTI&search=pete%20lockett

j

[neilpscuz]

Absolutely NJ ! It freaked me right out when I saw the person behind me making the comments of glee and approval was Peter Erskine. I got to recount this story to PE almost ten years later, and he said he remembers the performance to this day !

[NUTHA JASON]

actually now that i think of it i can understand PE's excitement. when i was a newby drummer all drum solos were amazing but i had no idea what i was hearing or even really seeing. even yesterday at the clinic i know that a lot of what those blokes were doing sounded like neat rumbling to me.
but to ears as old and percussively tuned as peter's he must have been able to identify or at least closely guess what steve was doing; and then as a top drummer himself, he knew exactly how hard the parts were; and then being the class of musician the peter is, he was able to see the full finesse with which steve was executing the moves...and the admiration was informed and genuine.
i think its a cool realisation i've just made: as we get better the solos we see around us become better understood and more fully appreciated by us.
i can imagine the guys at the top love meeting eachother and seeing what other guys are doing and how well they are pulling it all off. i want in on that...
j

[AvengedDrummer]

I absolutely love Benny Grebs' kit. If I was to get a new kit, It would probably be very similar to that. The montreal highlights kit of his one of the best looking/sounding kits ever IMO.

[tylernator]

wow!!! that tabla was amazing!!!

[neilpscuz]

I second that J ! Thanks for posting the pics and vid, great stuff. I belive you are correct that the reason I freaked when I realized it was PE behind me makin the comments was that he understood more of what was goin on then I, and was still duly impressed ! I'd like some of that also !

[*drummist*]

Hi guys

that was my first clinc and what a show!

just thought i would check in

adam

[stixman]

Hello! I was there aswell, in fact, jason got on bennys kit before, doubt you remember me, but what a day! I thought it was great when pete Lockett came on, i saw him last year at drummer live, and im planning on going to one of his clinics. Has anyone got there hands on Benny's album, I really liked the tracks he played at the clinic.

[NUTHA JASON]

yeah.i'm surprised they weren't for sale there. i would snagged mea couple too. i don't even know the title of the new album.
i remember you. i think we both surprised when that big fella asked us if we wanted our picture taken behind the kit. so post your pic up here already dude.

j

[stixman]

Grebfruit is the title, im about to buy one off of his site.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m39/stixman/c6494c14.jpg
Cant wait to see benny again at drummerlive, hes such an entertainer!
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m39/stixman/492ece35.jpg

[joeybeats]

Just wanted to add that I have been spending time listening to this History of US Beat DVD and it is fabulous. An amazing drummer and the DVD is a great value. Good instructional stuff with outstanding solos and extras. I like the Bonham grooves and easy to understand when you see Smith break them down. Worth the price of the DVD alone, but way much more to the two discs than that. His hand and foot technique lessons are A+. His independence stuff, or interdependence as he calls it, is mind blowing. Thought Peart had that down cold with the waltz, but now I know why Peart mentions Smith ... he is the real deal. One of the very top drummers giving you 4 1/2 hours of amazing drumming. Check it out.

[Supersteve]

My name is Steve Smith

no kidding, but I am not the famous Steve Smith.

I should buy Steve Smith sticks my techer would think it would be hilairious

You should have seen last time I went to test out some cymbals, the guy on the intercom was like "Steve Smith is here to test out some cymbals he is interested in" All the heads in the store turned.

I should sign my sticks, Ha Ha. :)

Yep he is also awesome for having the same name as me.

[Ian Ballard]

Smooooooooth. What ever band he's in, or style he plays, it's always just silky, man.

Definately tied for first in my living drummers list!

His DVD is awesome as well.

[jangus]

Yeah hes great, but its a shame hes injured. I'm gonna need him next week.

[Laurent]

I've seen Steve Smith twice, once with Vital Information and once with Buddy's Buddies. Extremely dynamic drummer. Fantastic musician overall. I met him briefly and he was not overly warm. A bit of a distant / shy type.

Of course, everyone should strongly study Vital Information and Journey. However, there are a few recordings he did that show a slightly different side of his playing that with the above two bands :

Y&T - 10
Bryan Adams - Reckless
Goodman/Smith/Levy/Burbridge - The Strangers' Hand
Neal Schon - Late Nite
Neal Schon - Beyond The Thunder
Neal Schon - Electric World (also featuring Walfredo Reyes Jr.)
Stef Burns - Swamp Tea

[h3r3tic]

Really GOOD! he can really DRUM IT :)

[Rick_Strong]

I saw Vital Information in April 2006 and Jazz legacy Sept 2006. NY

Amazing

Met Steve on both ocasions and he is a great person.

[ntime]

I bought a Journey dvd today just to listen to and watch him play. I`ve always liked his tom sound. Steve is certainly one of my favorite drummers.

[syoshii]

History of the U.S. Beat DVD is great. This is a must for all drummers!
Check out his another project Vital Tech Tones w/ Scott Henderson and Victor Wooten, too...they play John Coltrane's "Giant Steps" and it's really jaw-dropping.

I have met with Steve a couple of times, at NAMM show and a drum clinic in Tokyo, both last year. In Tokyo, a guy who was my teacher at that time and myself "kidnapped" Steve right after the clinic, and drove him to Blue Note Tokyo to talk with the booking manager, but we couldn't catch him there. I called the booking manager's cell phone and let him talk with Steve. They talked for a while, and then we took him to the restaurant where Sonor people were waiting for him.

Steve studied at Berklee first with Alan Dawson, and then Gary Chaffee. Alan left Berklee while Steve was in Berklee, so after that Steve took Gary's class at school and also had Alan's private lesson at his home. Vinnie Colaiuta was a fellow student at that time, and Steve & Vinnie often took a bus ride to NYC to hear Tony Williams or Steve Gadd. They are still good friends.

[DrumMasterDave]

Hey all, I gotta throw my 2 cents in here too! Steve Smith is Very good. Im not sure what DVD it was, But i remember seeing him play with Victor Wooten, and he blew me away. His hi hat control and stick control lis soo good. He also did a huge Section on polyrythms. Kept changing the times and such. Great guy!

[Paul Quin]

a wise sage once suggested that if you are ever nervous meeting someone, picture them in their underwear. If anyone is ever going to meet Steve Smith just watch the video of "Separate Ways" - much more embarrasing than being caught out in the open with no pants on! His drumming, however, speaks for itself and Stu is right that those old Journey parts are incredibly good. I think he really set the standard for the stadium rock bands of the 70s and 80s. A great drummer - even if he should really never stand in front of the camera and play air guitar!

Paul

[LinearDrummer]

What a shame of drummer of this magnitude with barely 2 pages of responses....

Guys need to get with the program and recognize a true drumming technician...
Please!

[michael drums]

What a shame of drummer of this magnitude with barely 2 pages of responses....

Guys need to get with the program and recognize a true drumming technician...
Please!

Hey Linear. I couldn't agree more with that. It IS a shame! I love Steve Smith. He's really advanced from a great rock drummer to, what you say, a true drumming technician. Thanks for pointing this out. Play On!

[Muckster]

Hey Linear. I couldn't agree more with that. It IS a shame! I love Steve Smith. He's really advanced from a great rock drummer to, what you say, a true drumming technician. Thanks for pointing this out. Play On!


Steve Smith has always been a Jazz drummer, rock was not his starting point. He turned down a touring gig with Freddie Hubbard in order to join Montrose. He wanted to develop some experience playing rock which led to the Journey gig.

[syoshii]

Steve Smith has always been a Jazz drummer, rock was not his starting point. He turned down a touring gig with Freddie Hubbard in order to join Montrose. He wanted to develop some experience playing rock which led to the Journey gig.

Yeah, Steve is basically a Jazz drummer. He was a Tony Williams fanatic when he was young, and according to my former teacher, who also studied w/ Alan Dawson & Gary Chaffee at Berklee and has been good friends w/ Steve (and Vinnie), all of Steve's friends at Berklee were surprised when they heard that he joined Journey because they knew Steve loved Tony Williams and jazz so much. Steve was even playing free-jazz w/ George Garzone at his early days as a professional drummer.

[LinearDrummer]

Ahhh O.K. thanks for clearing that up....So jazz was always his thang....

I actually thought he was a rock based drummer that was classically trained at Berklee and he wanted to get back to his roots after Journey and do some jazz...

[michael drums]

Ahhh O.K. thanks for clearing that up....So jazz was always his thang....

I actually thought he was a rock based drummer that was classically trained at Berklee and he wanted to get back to his roots after Journey and do some jazz...

They're ya go, Linear. Were gettin' close to a 3rd page of responses for Steve. See, all ya need is a little spark to fan the flame. Good Job. Play On!

[Skitch]

Hey Linear. I couldn't agree more with that. It IS a shame! I love Steve Smith. He's really advanced from a great rock drummer to, what you say, a true drumming technician. Thanks for pointing this out. Play On!

Steve Smith was always a great drummer. He just happened to be a drummer who was looking for a gig when Journey hired him! Steve has taken that opportuntiy and made a great life for himself. We should all be this lucky to be financially successful enough to hone our skills to level he has! Everything he did with Journey was enough, but what he has done with his skill and music puts him in a very elite group of players. He could have disappeared after Journey, but he cared enough to keep going. If you don't have it, you should check out the "Vitalive!" album. Also, because of websites like Amazon, you can now find discs like the very first Vital Information album (also recommended) available.


Mike

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


http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=drummermikemccraw

[Vlad Popescu]

Hey all, I gotta throw my 2 cents in here too! Steve Smith is Very good. Im not sure what DVD it was, But i remember seeing him play with Victor Wooten, and he blew me away. His hi hat control and stick control lis soo good. He also did a huge Section on polyrythms. Kept changing the times and such. Great guy!


On Modern Drummer Festival ?

[syoshii]

On Modern Drummer Festival ?

I guess it's this one...
http://www.amazon.com/Drummers-Collective-Anniversary-Celebration-2002/dp/B0000A381Z

[Synthetik]

I saw Jouney in the late 70's It was the first time I saw a drummer play two kick drums. Steve was using some kind of DW pedals back then and (IIRC) an early red sonor kit. I thought he was amazing then, a Berklee educated jazzman-come-rocker.

"EC34PE" was an early favorite of mine because of the way Steve supported the music through the whole thing. He added value and taste. Later on "frontiers" he had the consummate arena-rock sound.

Now he has gone full circle, and I am glad to see that he has not only been able to play the music he wants to, make a superb DVD, and elevate his playing to mastery.

Steve Smith has made his mark in two distinct genres of music.

[michael drums]

Steve Smith was always a great drummer. He just happened to be a drummer who was looking for a gig when Journey hired him! Steve has taken that opportuntiy and made a great life for himself. We should all be this lucky to be financially successful enough to hone our skills to level he has! Everything he did with Journey was enough, but what he has done with his skill and music puts him in a very elite group of players. He could have disappeared after Journey, but he cared enough to keep going. If you don't have it, you should check out the "Vitalive!" album. Also, because of websites like Amazon, you can now find discs like the very first Vital Information album (also recommended) available.


Mike

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


http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=drummermikemccraw


Oh, Ok...Thanks Skitch! Appreciate that! Play On!

[michael drums]

I saw Jouney in the late 70's It was the first time I saw a drummer play two kick drums. Steve was using some kind of DW pedals back then and (IIRC) an early red sonor kit. I thought he was amazing then, a Berklee educated jazzman-come-rocker.

"EC34PE" was an early favorite of mine because of the way Steve supported the music through the whole thing. He added value and taste. Later on "frontiers" he had the consummate arena-rock sound.

Now he has gone full circle, and I am glad to see that he has not only been able to play the music he wants to, make a superb DVD, and elevate his playing to mastery.

Steve Smith has made his mark in two distinct genres of music.

Hello Synthetik...I like your post, here. Makes alot of sense. Yes, two genres is certainly right. Thanks! Play on!

[mikeybbdrummin]

Steve is definatly an AMAZING drummer. He is becoming one of my favorites the more I see him. I am going to buy his latest DVD very soon. One thing that stick out about him, to me, is that he is very, very smooth in any transition from one thing to the next.
Absolutly one of the best drummers ever.

[LinearDrummer]

I am going to buy his latest DVD very soon.



Trust me you won't be disapointed....
One of the best DVDs I have out of my collection of 50 or so...

Its informative and inspirational....

[Michael G]

He is an awesome drummer.

A neat little tidbit, as good as he is (and he is a friggen monster comprabable with greats), he is taking lessons from the Lang now.

[TheSteve]

I really enjoy Steve Smith's playing but can we all agree that his technique and style is very unique and is unreal? I really admire his left hand for it's very different with his thumb seperated from his pointer finger. He's a joy to watch and is by far one of the best guys out there.

[secondXheartbeat]

History of the U.S. Beat is the best instructional DVD I've ever seen, and I didn't even see half of it . . . but don't worry I'm ordering it soon.

It's a shame that the Travis Barker thread is longer than this!

[Scatman]

Steve is underrated with his left hand ability
He plays those one handed rolls during his solo which is fantastic

[Skynman]

I am a big Journey fan myself! Steve has the touch when it comes to playing the right thing at the right time on drums! He plays the music like it should be played. Journey is a music group and their style in song writing reflects just that! Neil on guitar with Steve on drums is like a match made for beautiful playing in true musicianship!! I still get blown away listening to some Journey tunes!! The mark of a great drummer is to know when to hold it back and let the music speak for itself! Steve does just that with his Journey work emphasizing the rythym and the dynamic's of the song!!

[jamndrummer]

You can hear a recent interview with Steve Smith and he talks about his experience with Journey and his future plans with Journe.

Enjoy,
www.kenoshadrummers.com (click on interview by S.S.picture)

[rjvsmb]

You can hear a recent interview with Steve Smith and he talks about his experience with Journey and his future plans with Journe.

Enjoy,
www.kenoshadrummers.com (click on interview by S.S.picture)

Jamndrummer,

Thank you for that awsome interview.

Steve Smith is one of my favorite musicians. I have had the great fortune to see him play with Journey back in the early '80s and a few times more recently with Vital Information. Truly a living legend.

Thanks again.

Check this clip out. This is Vital Information playing with Bill Evans
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Rattletrap&search=Search

[Nick5]

For those of you that never had a chance to see Buddy Rich live, do yourself a favor and catch one of Steve's live performances with one of his bands. He puts chills up my spine. He is a true master behind the set of drums. He can swing a big band like no other. His left hand traditional grip is up with the all time greats.
Steve is in my top five of all time. In no order, Steve Smith, Gadd, Buddy, Harvey Mason and Cobham.
This picture was taken in the spring of 2006 in Lebanon, PA.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e297/NickP5/PICT0146.jpg

[Pocketman]

The thing about Steve I love is that he really does sound better every time I see him. Even at his level he is improving all of the time. His solos are by far the most musical and interesing that I've ever heard. Even my non-drumming friends love them!

He also keeps improving on his solos. I saw him do one on a video years ago and kept hearing the basic melody at other performances excpet that he kept adding more and more to it! The last time I heard it was through the roof!

One of the best of all time in any style...

[KLittle123]

Wow, I watched his DVD and its a must. I think it's good for both beginners and experienced players. I learned a huge amount of things that are definitly useful.

[tim1987]

Hi all,

I have been studying the section on Steve Smith's DVD entitled Developing a Strong Swing pulse. He explains that by using the 3 over 2 polyrhythm in the following exercises helped him develop his strong swing pulse.

He first starts off by playing this polyrhythm in his hands, with the 3 syncopated quarter note triplets on the snare and the 2 on the ride cymbal, while the bass drum plays quarter notes with the hi hat on 2 and 4. Then he plays it with the classic jazz ride pattern, as this polyrhythm falls naturally into it. Then you accent the 2 and 4 while playing the syncopated quarter note triplet against the swing and shuffle ride pattern.

My question is regarding the next section which he covers which is to do with Straight Eighths. He says that although they may sound unrelated, the Straight Eighth rhythm came directly out of the shuffle. I think that when he's playing the shuffle pattern in his snare part, he starts to accent the upbeats, so that you can hear the straight eights?? How do I approach this??

He then plays the polyrhythm with his feet and goes through the same exercises, of accenting the 2 and 4, with the swing and shuffle, which I can do, but it's when he switches to straight eights again then I don't understand how he does this.

After this he finishes by playing this polyrhythm in his feet and playing a variety of rhythms on top with his hands which is just ridiculous for independence- solid!!

By the way, went to NYC last week and had an unbeleiveable time, saw Stanley Clarke at the Blue Note with Lenny White and Patrice Rushen, got a picture with Joel Rosenblatt another night, and got a picture with Steve Smith who I went to see with Vital Information at the Iridium, fantastic!!

[Wavelength]

All you need to do is to gradually move the upbeats closer to the downbeats. It's very difficult to make this transition smooth.

[joeybeats]

Hi all,

I have been studying the section on Steve Smith's DVD entitled Developing a Strong Swing pulse. He explains that by using the 3 over 2 polyrhythm in the following exercises helped him develop his strong swing pulse.

He first starts off by playing this polyrhythm in his hands, with the 3 syncopated quarter note triplets on the snare and the 2 on the ride cymbal, while the bass drum plays quarter notes with the hi hat on 2 and 4. Then he plays it with the classic jazz ride pattern, as this polyrhythm falls naturally into it. Then you accent the 2 and 4 while playing the syncopated quarter note triplet against the swing and shuffle ride pattern.

My question is regarding the next section which he covers which is to do with Straight Eighths. He says that although they may sound unrelated, the Straight Eighth rhythm came directly out of the shuffle. I think that when he's playing the shuffle pattern in his snare part, he starts to accent the upbeats, so that you can hear the straight eights?? How do I approach this??

He then plays the polyrhythm with his feet and goes through the same exercises, of accenting the 2 and 4, with the swing and shuffle, which I can do, but it's when he switches to straight eights again then I don't understand how he does this.

What I did was to use the loop repeat button on the dvd and watched each measure of a section over and over and over, until the beat was filling my head. I slowed it down to 1/2 speed and had that 1/2 speed sound in my brain down cold. Then, sat at the kit and slowly worked it out, limb by limb, hit by hit, beat by beat, measure by measure, increasing speeed as I became more comfortable.

I spent a month working out that section of his disk, but found it quite satisfying when I would move forward, even if it was at the rate of half a measure a day. (Having newbie coordination, that is about the speed I was at!) I found it particularly helpful watching how he brought his right hand ride into the groove to the straight eights. I recall having a very difficult time going from the ride 2 and 4 jazz spang-a-lang to the jazz shuffle, to straight eight beat ... I couldn't get it to consistently line up correctly when I made each transition. Sometimes it would be on 1, othertimes on 2, or 3 or 4. I had no control. If you listen really closely, you will eventually be able to hear each hit line up with the rest of the limbs. Hopefully it won't take you as long as it did for me, but I found the result quite worth the effort. When I figured out that puzzle and played the section through, man, that was the first day I felt like a drummer. Of course it wasn't anything more than a monkey see - monkey do type thing, but it still felt great. I use that entire section, from the 3/2 to the straight eights, and back again as part of my jazz warm up. I love the sound of that polyrythym and feel comfortable with it finally. I like the fact that the complete groove includes a couple fills, a splash hit or two, a small tom run, rimshots, different dynamics on the snare, kick and HH, it just feels good. Hope this helps or gives you the push to find your way to success. Have fun! Joey

[Liquid_Drummer]

I am attending a Steve Smith clinic and Vital Information Show tonight at the Jazz Factory in Louisville, Ky

[dannypenalver]

One of the best drummers there is. because from kind of rocky'sh he went directly into jazz-fusion progressive kind of stuff real cool!
keep it up steve!

[Green and Mean]

If I am not wrong, Vinnie Colaiuta and Steve Smith were roomamates in Berklee... And what came out? 2 worldtop drummers, Steve is brilliant and powerful, Vinnie is .. Genius.

[scriabin]

I'm new at drumming so this might be an amateur error on my part; but those of you who own the Steve Smith Drumset Technique DVD might be able to explain this sticking:

Go to chapter selection
Go to exercises, licks, and phrases
Go to toms, flams

Right after Steve says, "Let me show you that again a little bit slower."

At the bottom of the screen it prints this: RRL RRL RRL RRL
While Steve is really playing this: r LRL r LRL r LRL r LRL

Next at the bottom it prints this: RRLR LLRL RRLR LLRL
But he's actually playing this: r LRLR r LLRL

And finally the screen prints this: RRLL RRLL RRLL RRLL
I believe Steve is using this sticking: r LRLL r LRLL

Is the sticking played as I see it and not as the DVD explains it? Or am I missing something?
This really has me confused because I'd swear there's a typographical error in the DVD (like the Jeff Queen DVD which they correct with an errata line while he's making the mix-up) ; but, as I said, I'm a rank amateur and, although I can trust my instincts, I defer to those more experienced than I.

Thankyou for your time if you can look at that DVD and correct my mistakes.

[furbeedog@gmail.com]

http://www.hudsonmusic.com/products/smith_drumsettechnique.html

just another reason why he's the best, and we're not...check out the solo clips.

[Muckster]

I have admired Steve and have followed his career since the Jean-Luc days, from Journey to now.

I finally had a chance to attend one of his clinics two weeks ago. I arrived a little over an hour early so i had a chance to watch him set up his kit and talk drums with him. It was an absolute thrill!

The clinic was excellent and he spent a great deal of time discussing his interest in Indian rythms as well as demonstrating them. He hung around after the clinic and talked more drums and signed a drumhead for me (proudly framed in my drum room).

Steve is a master musician, class act, and one hell of a nice person.

[slingerland755]

OH man, those are awesome pics! I got extremely lucky and got pulled out of the crowd in 1985 to be his demostrator. So I got to play Steve Smith's drums with him telling me what to play! He was a great clinician, and I'm sure he's even better now.


That must have been a little intimidating. I'm sure that was very memorable. Where was the clinic? I saw him at Atlanta Pro Percussion that year. Such a fluent and graceful style. A bunch of us went to the local jazz club that night and he sat in for about an hour. I offered to buy him a drink but he said no thanks...didn't touch the stuff.

[aydee]

Going to see Steve Smith and Vital Information tomorrow night at a beautiful small outdoor venue, in New Delhi.

He's already done a show here, and tore the house down. I missed that show.

Will get a chance to meet him afterwards. Will post a review soon.

[aydee]

STEVE SMITH IN DELHI- a review

14937


A cool evening, in the Garden of 5 Senses, a beautiful outdoor amphitheatre, in South New Delhi.
A crowd of 2000 was warmed up by a very very hot Indian opening act called PINK NOISE.
Imagine a very young Dennis Chambers sound-alike kid on the drums and a Scofield inspired guitarist, Alphonso Johnson sounding bass player, and a young Joni Mitchell girl singer... doing great original music..what a treat.

Their performance did justice to the stage they were about to share with Steve. At about 8.00, Steve and the gang came on.

Vital Information includes
Drums - Steve Smith
Guitars - Vinny Valentino
Bass - Baron Browne
Keyboards - Tom Coster

... and re-defined musical genius

I got an opportunity to meet the man before the gig and he is as humble, and friendly as he appears in his dvds.

I also got a chance to see him play up close ( see pic ), from practically on stage.

I had two epiphanys during the gig

1. That drumming greats know something most of us never will.

2. That there time and then there is time.Theres groove and then there is groove, ..he plays the same notes as you and me, in the same meter, what we do might be good but what he does... magical. You cannot learn that.

The band was seriously hot too, and they sounded like they enjoyed playing because the audience was highly appreciative, and lapping it all up. Baron and Steve we so locked in,it was scary, and Tom Coster was flying on the Hammond B3 patch, doing Jimmy Smith tributes.

Tom also performed his famed tune Europa, that he wrote for SANTANA on an accordion, with Steve playing the kit with his hands. Vinny Vatentino sprinking the tune with some crazy arpeggios..Beautiful.

Some of the tunes were tala oriented ( Indian rhythmic meters, grooves,e.g; in 71/2 ), which is something Steve is very inspired by after Zakir, the great Indian tabla maestro turned him on to Indian rhythm.
It was incredible to see him vocalize the notes in an indian time-signature, and comp that with playing jazzy drums.Talk of independence, not limb to limb, but body and mind.Steve ended the show with a virtuostic solo, with his patented hi-hat tricks thrown in which had the crowd howling for more.

You guys missed a good one; )

Thought I'd share my experience.

[Stevesmithfan]

Steve Smith is my biggest influence, you can see it in my drum set up.

[aydee]

Steve Smith is my biggest influence, you can see it in my drum set up.

Why am I not surprised! ; )

[Ekim]

Steve is (and has been for a while now) my favorite drummer. He can slam, groove, whatever and do it all so dang well it's sickening!

His DVDs really opened up my playing and got me playing in a more relaxed fashion. I really want to get the new Hudson Music Brushes DVD he collaborated on too.

I used to be really into really technical music. But my friend is a big Stu Hamm fan and got the "Show Me What You Can Do" with Stu, Frank Gambale and Steve Smith. It had tons of over the top stuff, but there were a lot of little things that Steve did. I just couldn't believe what I was hearing. It really opened up my EARS to the subtle things in drumming as opposed to the crazy speed and slamming stuff.

So his influence has led me to change my playing and even my goals in improving. And I think much for the better too.

His Tone Center label recordings are all very, very good. It's mostly fusion. My favorites are the "Show Me What You Can Do" and the two Vital Tech Tones CDs. Very good stuff with some really creative musicians.

[syoshii]

If I am not wrong, Vinnie Colaiuta and Steve Smith were roomamates in Berklee... And what came out? 2 worldtop drummers, Steve is brilliant and powerful, Vinnie is .. Genius.

Yes they took a ride on Greyhound and went to NY to see the VSOP concert in 1976 (that quintet was not named as VSOP yet at that time). They also often visited Village Vanguard or some other clubs in NY to see Tony Williams and Steve Gadd.

[aydee]

well, my camera malfunctioned, but a buddy sent me this pics from the gig... enjoy:
15400

15401

15402

15403

15404

[Stevesmithfan]

Thans for the PM and posting these great photos!

[Citizen Insane]

Steve Smith is easily one of my top 5 drummers, his style (and shirts) are beautiful, his History of the U.S. Beat DVD is very interesting aswell. He is definately one of the Giants in the history of drums.

My top five is:

1,Gavin Harrison
2, Stewart Copeland
3,Steve Smith
4,Jojo Mayer
5,Joe Morello

Dang I have taste! =p

[Dr_Funky]

Technically, he is a very proficient drummer, and a very good musician.

I'm glad that he's going to be tipping his hat off to the jazz greats through his new DVD Drum Legacy.

[Class A Drummer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpJh46j0cSY&feature=related this is an amazing performance of his.
I was amazed when i saw it.

[Ian Ballard]

There was this overlapped syncopated pattern he played on his '86 instructional video that I transcribed and used to be able to play. However, I lost the notes and can't find the video anywhere, even YouTube.

It was do damn cool and was a real mindbender...

DuhDuh(rest)Duh(rest)DuhDuh...etc with the foot and then you overlap the same pattern on top of it with the snare, starting with the "e" of the bar.

Crazy stuff...

Here's some vintage Steve. He just has such a distinct style.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EdC03nNUPI

[Class A Drummer]

There was this overlapped syncopated pattern he played on his '86 instructional video that I transcribed and used to be able to play. However, I lost the notes and can't find the video anywhere, even YouTube.

It was do damn cool and was a real mindbender...

DuhDuh(rest)Duh(rest)DuhDuh...etc with the foot and then you overlap the same pattern on top of it with the snare, starting with the "e" of the bar.

Crazy stuff...

Here's some vintage Steve. He just has such a distinct style.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EdC03nNUPI

Its so odd seeing him do stuff that isnt jazz fusion type stuff. Sick solo.

[Heretic]

Fine drummer.

Singularly un-gracious person. I saw him last October at the NE Drum Expo in Manchester NH. His snare was a little out of place--rather than just move it like anybody would, he demanded some poor kid come scrambling over and move it for him while he sat there. Just ridiculous.

Then he broke the head on his snare. He asked for a new one--"Be sure to get me a Jeff Ocheltree snare". Again, some poor kid scrambled out and returned with a new snare--which Steve then instructed him how to re-position, right between his legs. Too important to just put it in place himself.

After the show, we were moving some gear out and walked right by him. I politely thanked him, said I enjoyed the show. He looked at me without reply--from 5 feet away with three other people in the room. I thought it good manners to express my appreciation for his efforts, especially in such close proximity where it would have been rude to ignore him.

Good drummer--sure, very good.

I've met several others (Mike Portnoy, Vinnie Colaiuta, Scott Philips, Dave Weckl, Mike Mangini ) who are gracious and pleasant--and their obvious proficiency speaks for itself. In my professional life, I have dealt with Governors, Senators, White House staff. In that atmosphere, I've rarely come across anybody more self-important than Mr. Smith.

You always learn a lot about people when they don't know who they're speaking to. Just my own observation.

[DogBreath]

Fine drummer.

Singularly un-gracious person...

What an unfortunate interpretation of a single encounter with the man. I can think of many reasons why his actions, as you've described them, would be perfectly reasonable. I have heard him play, complimented him, seen him interact with fans and fellow drummers, and even dined with him, and in my estimation he is kind and gracious by any standard. I know that if I were in a situation where I was watched and judged for everything that I said and did as much as he is I suppose some of my actions could be misinterpreted as well. Oh well, to each his opinion.

[branflakes992]

He is an amazing drummer, I would love to have a lesson with him. His technique is smooth and flawless, his drumming always keeps me on the edge of my seat.

[Muckster]

I've met Steve several times. He was always very approachable, friendly and courteous.

[Heretic]

"I have heard him play, complimented him, seen him interact with fans and fellow drummers, and even dined with him, and in my estimation he is kind and gracious by any standard."

Well, of course he would be gracious to an Administrator of this site--he'd have something to gain, wouldn't he?

That's all I will say on this one--the man is a virtuoso, and of course he has worked very, very hard to get to that level of skill. I just noticed how he treated people--from whom he had nothing to gain, but simple good manners-- along the way at one event. Maybe he was having a bad day. It's just that the behavior was repeated several times.

Over and out.

[king fail]

Hey all!
Steve Smith, as has obviously been said in this thread many times,
A MONSTER!
with cool shirts (:

to the point, on the modern drummer '06 performance, he was playing with Vital Information right?
Does anyone know what song(s) they were performing?
cheers :D

[Jim Penebaker]

Not sure if anyone has mentioned these Steve Smith recordings:

Vital Tech Tones-- with Scott Henderson and Victor Wooten (both CDs)

Vital Information-- Vita Live

Tony Macalpine-- Edge of Insanity

and so many more but these are some of the best IMO...and the Journey stuff is all great.

[Jim Penebaker]

Oh yeah. Another kind of obscure Steve Smith recording is "Fire In the Lake" by Kit Walker. I really dig this CD.

[sssssssss]

Concerning the topic of using the right stick model for the right musical style, I suppose Steve Smith is a great opportunity to get an idea about it, because he, more than anybody else, alternated between pure jazz and pure rock. My question is if Steve used another pair of sticks for Journey than the ones he was using for jazz at the time (which - if I remember correctly - weren't the Vic Firth Steve Smith Signatures just yet, I guess they were 5As and then Dave Weckl's original red stick). It'd be an interesting fact if he actually played in Journey with the same sticks he used for jazz.
The main reason for me asking this here is because I didn't find any useful info on the topic so far and I guess it's just a good place to try to find out this kind of things.
Thanks.

[Laurent]

Fine drummer.

Singularly un-gracious person. I saw him last October at the NE Drum Expo in Manchester NH. His snare was a little out of place--rather than just move it like anybody would, he demanded some poor kid come scrambling over and move it for him while he sat there. Just ridiculous.

Then he broke the head on his snare. He asked for a new one--"Be sure to get me a Jeff Ocheltree snare". Again, some poor kid scrambled out and returned with a new snare--which Steve then instructed him how to re-position, right between his legs. Too important to just put it in place himself.

After the show, we were moving some gear out and walked right by him. I politely thanked him, said I enjoyed the show. He looked at me without reply--from 5 feet away with three other people in the room. I thought it good manners to express my appreciation for his efforts, especially in such close proximity where it would have been rude to ignore him.

Good drummer--sure, very good.

I've met several others (Mike Portnoy, Vinnie Colaiuta, Scott Philips, Dave Weckl, Mike Mangini ) who are gracious and pleasant--and their obvious proficiency speaks for itself. In my professional life, I have dealt with Governors, Senators, White House staff. In that atmosphere, I've rarely come across anybody more self-important than Mr. Smith.

You always learn a lot about people when they don't know who they're speaking to. Just my own observation.

I have met Steve Smith 3 times in small commitee and saw him at NAMM 08 as well. I must say that I can confirm the above statement. He was arrogant and not friendly at all. I love his music and I love his playing but I am not fond of the man.

I have the chance through friendships with David Garfield and Neil Stubenhaus to have met tons of great studio musicians including Vinnie Colaiuta, JR Robinson, Steve Gadd, Ndugu Chancler, Michael Bland, Oscar Seaton, Gregg Bissonnette, Russ Miller, Oscar Seaton, Chad Wackerman, Simon Phillips, Ricky Lawson, Will Kennedy, Joe Porcaro to name but a few.... all were very friendly.... I actually only met four who were really unfriendly and/or arrogant and/or pretentious: Steve Smith, Rick Marotta, Jerry Marotta and Dave Weckl.

[Ekim]

Steve Smith is out on tour with "Jazz Legacy". I spaced it and missed his show here in Indy last Saturday... I'm a little annoyed at myself.

As for SS's "arrogance" or whatever... to me he doesn't seem comfortable around strangers. I've met him three or four times and he just doesn't seem to like the meet & greet aspect of his job. He seems nervous and ill at ease. I can see how some might relate that as being arrogant.

I can relate. I don't like meeting tons of new people in a frenzied manner.

But I don't really care. So long as they're polite (and Steve has been at least that every time I met him), I don't care how they come across as people.

He owes me a good performance. That's it. That's what I paid for. Signatures and pics are just icing on the cake.

And he did give me the sticks he used at a Vital Information show. That was really cool of him.

[LinearDrummer]

But I don't really care. So long as they're polite (and Steve has been at least that every time I met him), I don't care how they come across as people.

He owes me a good performance. That's it. That's what I paid for. Signatures and pics are just icing on the cake.



I totally agree...

I can't understand people getting all upset saying "I tried to meet my favorite drummer and he was a total jerk...l will never listen to him again"

Does it suck....of course it does but thats just one piece of the puzzle...the most important pieces are their inspiration to make me practice, hear new ideas I never thought of and give a kick ass performance....

Copeland, Peart and Weckl are my biggest influences....
Every interview I see Stewart I cringe at the dumb stuff he says about jazz....Nealio is known to have a bodyguard cause he doesn't like to be approached by strangers....Been to multiple Weckl clinics.....had a good experience once as he gave me some autograph sticks.....saw him another time was cocky and looked like he didn't want anyone withn 15 feet of him.....

Just the way it is....
Enjoy their ablilities.....anything else is all gravy.....

[Muckster]

I totally agree...

I can't understand people getting all upset saying "I tried to meet my favorite drummer and he was a total jerk...l will never listen to him again"

Does it suck....of course it does but thats just one piece of the puzzle...the most important pieces are their inspiration to make me practice, hear new ideas I never thought of and give a kick ass performance....

Copeland, Peart and Weckl are my biggest influences....
Every interview I see Stewart I cringe at the dumb stuff he says about jazz....Nealio is known to have a bodyguard cause he doesn't like to be approached by strangers....Been to multiple Weckl clinics.....had a good experience once as he gave me some autograph sticks.....saw him another time was cocky and looked like he didn't want anyone withn 15 feet of him.....

Just the way it is....
Enjoy their ablilities.....anything else is all gravy.....


Well put...However any artist that is conducting clinics (especially sponsored by big companies) should realize that meeting and greeting come with the job. They are representing not only themselves but the companies they endorse. Walking up to them on the street is another story altogether.

[trkdrmr]

A friend of mine "Smoke n drums" was kind enough to send me "on the shoulders of giants" while I am deployed here. I can't want to see it! I love his "History of the us beat."
I designed my new kit to have a setup like his.

Some day, Steve Smith will be referred to as a giant who's shoulder's someone is standing on.