Dave Weckl

[RUBB3R DUCKIE5]

Dave I think is a great drummer, He's not all that of a Jazz drummer though like the ride patterns he does is more of a progressive rock pattern.
I'm not a big Jazz drummer though...
He's gotta be out of my top 5 fave. Drummers he's probably my 4th.

[Ardent15]

Dave is just such an unbelievable musician. He is continually getting better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6EjHxVLHvU

[Anduin]

Dave is just such an unbelievable musician. He is continually getting better.

Absolutely! I remember a clinic he did back in the day where he said something like "I won't give you any double pedal advice, because I've only just picked one up and I don't know what to do with it." And now look at him with the double kick! Go Dave!

[jbeck]

He's selling his set... he's selling THE set!!!! Can't belive it... 3k so far... that must be a joke...
even 10k would be a good price...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=300338665747&Category=38097&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DI%26otn%3D1

[ThUmPaH]

I am definitely a fan of Weckl myself....and in his defense of any reference to sounding UNoriginal and mainstream etc.....
I think it's because he was so copied and mimicked and now he sounds like he is "vanilla" to some people, when he was so so original when he first hit the scene round 85-86 when I 1st heard him.
I never will forget the solo on Paquito D'Rivera's GDANSK. My 1st exposure to him..... I NEVER heard ANYthing like what he was doing on that track. He at the time was very unique, sure he had alot of Garibaldi and Gadd influence..... but I dont think he sounded like them at all. MANY original things in my op....as well as some killer stuff with Michele Camillo (sp?).... ONTOP of starting a trend or being the biggest reason for the sales of the 8" - 10" tom set up on the bassdrum during that timeframe...albeit (w/ the Gadd/Colaiuta styled suspended small "floortoms") the Mullet with perm...hahaha...U saw many Weckl wannabes round berklee at the time...ask anyone.

I still love going to see him play when I can, last time was years ago when he still had Brandon on sax.....The man is precision and just as graceful and dynamic as they come on a drumkit. I realize everyone has opinions and taste...thats what makes it great...to each their own....I just had to mention that to me...he was very very innovative in the earlier day til' MANY people (including myself for years...set up....style....burnt out "back to basics vhs 2x.... lol)...Just now I can see where people would say he's blah and not original or unique when you compare him to a scene he was partly responsible for culminating what it is he is being judged against....if they didnt look back previous to B4 his solo stuff and later Chick stuff and to when he changed many things when he was hitting the scene.
just my 2 cents on Mr. Weckl.
Always ONE OF MY FAVES.....STILL IS.

[jonescrusher]

He's selling his set... he's selling THE set!!!! Can't belive it... 3k so far... that must be a joke...
even 10k would be a good price...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=300338665747&Category=38097&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DI%26otn%3D1


Curious, i've heard rumours of his financial woes in the past. I can't believe he's that hard up though. Maybe he's just passing it on to someone who'll get some use out of it.

[ThUmPaH]

wow...in my haste to post..I totally missed the thread about his kit on ebay.
Man...have seen so many legendary kits on ebay....there must be a thread on here somewhere about that...I mean some not so legendary but cool...haha
I remember seeing the Greg Bissonnette "Eat'em and smile" HUGE Yamaha kit on there as well as Tommy Lee's "Theater of Pain" white Sonors and perhaps the craziest one I saw was Neil Peart's candy apple red Tama's (from MANY albums)...I remember when he unloaded them on a modern drummer contest...anyone remember that ?...think was in late 80's. He had a contest, you send in a 2 minute long drum solo...the top 3 got one of his kits....1st prize being that red Tama kit (for the record the 2nd place prize and one I would have loved) was the mahogany Tamas from Moving Pictures among others....then 3rd place won the Slingerlands from the older Rush days. Man time flies.....seems like only yesterday I was cursing and throwing drumsticks around my bedroom in disgust. Trying to capture 2 decent minutes of my playing on cassette thru a beatbox (lol) to send in. I never did, instead just got many 2 minute clips of just playing as fast as i could and just a ball of energy with NO direction. I finally chickend out realizing who I would probably be going up against,.....I was right.
I guess I wasn't such a naive kid at that point. Anyway what were we talking about? haha

sorry for the babble...slow day at work.............. ;)

[LinearDrummer]

I am definitely a fan of Weckl myself....and in his defense of any reference to sounding UNoriginal and mainstream etc.....
I think it's because he was so copied and mimicked and now he sounds like he is "vanilla" to some people, when he was so so original when he first hit the scene round 85-86 when I 1st heard him.


Personally I hear absolutely nothing "vanilla" about him but then again I'm a big time Weckl fan so what do you expect me to say.

[LinearDrummer]

Curious, i've heard rumours of his financial woes in the past.

He just built a state of the art studio at his house so I doubt that...but then again who knows.

[ThUmPaH]

Personally I hear absolutely nothing "vanilla" about him but then again I'm a big time Weckl fan so what do you expect me to say.

Neither do I brother.....far from it ..... :)


Anyone here catch the "Chick Corea at the Maintenance shop" from 85/86 ?
Was when the band toured as a trio...Chick, John P and Weckl........great stuff. Was during his 1st go round with Sabian and he was then playing the 13" Old Slingerland Snare (6 lug) ..I believe.....I have old footage from a vcr recording I made and then converted to dvd....so quality is a little sketchy.......does anyone know if that was ever released in any fashion (vcr/dvd) ?

[jonescrusher]

He just built a state of the art studio at his house so I doubt that...but then again who knows.

No, I only speculate, looks like that 9000 is in storage somewhere, so guess he's just turning it loose. Sorry Dave, if you're reading, for the speculation!

[Stoney]

Wonder what the reserve is?
My guess is he'll get around $8,000 for it.

[Stoney]

I guessed wrong. $20,000!!!! wow.

[frankbriggs]

I am not surprised 20k.. nice.

Having drum sets up to my ears here at home, has made me think about unloading the kits that are not being used much.. has no bearing on finances usually, and more on storage space.

Dave Weckl is one of the more important master drummers that have added to our collective "vocabulary". This puts him in an entirely different league with the likes of Tony, Elvin, Jack, Vinnie, Gadd, Bonham, Purdie, and many more who have developed a personal style and vocabulary that became so attractive and popular we "all" have a little bit of them in us. It is hard not to find a little of these guy's DNA in an accomplished drum set player.
How many of you have an 8" tom or 2 that you bought because Dave used one? I know I do. I am sure that 20k will by a nice new ProTools rig or muscle car:)
Check out some of Dave's new music/playalongs. I just bought one. I got a pdf, QT mov, full track and track w/o drums. 4.99 . (remember "sharing" is stealing)...great stuff as usual from DW.
Peace.

[skolapper]

Just saw The Brothers at Wanee and they are tearing it up with WSP right now. Greg is sounding great I wonder if they get into something other than Melissa. I would love to here Dave and Greg do a Midnight Rider. Among others....

[donv]

The Weckler has a new demo on Yamaha's website....He shows ninja like precision and grace as he demonstrates the sounds of the new PHX drums.....

http://www.yamaha-drums.co.uk/media/index.html

Enjoy!

Wow! What can you say.

Other then this anyway. I saw years ago what I think was his first video. VHS tape. Back then he discussed holding the stick in his left hand at the end of the stick, and I see now that he has changed his grip back towards the middle of the stick. Has he ever discussed he reasons for the change? On the tape he said he was too powerful for the grip he now uses. I haven't read everything here if I've missed it already discussed.

[trickymitch]

Dave was the first drummer I ever watched... when I was 3 my dad sat me down on my toy kit in front of the tv watching Chick Corea n I got hooked pretty much straight away.

He makes the drums sound so great... the kit he was using in that concert sounded so great though. It was an outdoor concert recorded fully off the tv in the 80s so I think it mustve been a big concert, but I can't pinpoint it. Any Weckl or Chick Corea-heads help me out?

[LinearDrummer]

Has he ever discussed he reasons for the change? On the tape he said he was too powerful for the grip he now uses. I haven't read everything here if I've missed it already discussed.

I'm a match griper so I'm gonna guess Gruber had something to do with it. And yeah its almost two different drummers old/new DW.

Both are vicious behind the kit...

[SantiBanks]

Dave was the first drummer I ever watched... when I was 3 my dad sat me down on my toy kit in front of the tv watching Chick Corea n I got hooked pretty much straight away.

He makes the drums sound so great... the kit he was using in that concert sounded so great though. It was an outdoor concert recorded fully off the tv in the 80s so I think it mustve been a big concert, but I can't pinpoint it. Any Weckl or Chick Corea-heads help me out?

There are a couple of CCEB concerts aired on tv. As far as outdoor concerts are concerned, I think that the 1991 Beneath the mask concert, filmed at Paul Mason's winery in Saratoga might be the one you mean.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUSFFFlf8UY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8CP12cyGU8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rI9fevwT2s

Otherwise, there is the live @ the sky concert from Japan in 1986
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH12eN8tCzw

Scott Henderson was just kicked out of the CCEB and Jamie Glaser played for a short time in the band before Frank Gambale took over. Im not sure what was aired as it was a japanese festival. The stuff I've seen from those concert series (as its a yearly recurring event are usually 3 or 4 songs from a performer.

[Hedon]

ive read a few comments from the first page and surprisingly there were some comments about weckl being too technical, uninteresting etc

what the hell? never realized any drummer right in his mind would have anything bad to say about weckl
he is flat out amazing, easily one of the best

[MikeM]

It's been less than an hour since I left the jazz club where Dave Weckl was playing tonight with Mike Stern. It's actually the first time I've ever seen him in person. I've been listening to him since he became ubiquitous in MD for his work with Paul Simon and Chick Corea back in the mid '80s. I bought all the Chick Corea stuff he played on and he quickly became, and remains, one of my favorite drummers.

It struck me tonight watching Weckl that he really does have an exceptional sense of time (which I already knew, but it was cool to see). I was joking before the show that I was going to count how many times 4 bars could go by without him getting all virtuoso on it. I was guessing zero, but I was very wrong. He can be a great pocket player.

Like Bonzo great.

Perhaps incongruously, I saw my other favorite "Dave" drummer 3 weeks ago (Dave Grohl), so my new fantasy is to see Dave Weckl do a project similar to Queens Of The Stone Age or Them Crooked Vultures. Or just some contemporary rock project where he could surprise everybody by stripping down to a four piece with over-sized toms and big crashes and just release his inner Bonham/Grohl while supporting the song. It's there, I saw flashes of it tonight.

Then he could join the ranks of Terry Bozzio (Missing Persons), Stanton Moore (Corrosion of Conformity, Galactic), Steve Gadd (who hasn't he gone gold with!), Steve Smith (Journey), Rod Morgenstien (Winger), and Vinnie Colaiuta (Sting, Megadeth). It's like the only thing left he hasn't done.

That would be amazing.

[Funky Crêpe]

ive read a few comments from the first page and surprisingly there were some comments about weckl being too technical, uninteresting etc

what the hell? never realized any drummer right in his mind would have anything bad to say about weckl
he is flat out amazing, easily one of the best

If you close your eyes, that question would not come up...too technical? People are just nitpicking in my opinion, no drummer can be perfect, so lets bring him down.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUzyxqOAWho&feature=related

most people have probably seen this, but the two licks he does when he comes back in after his latin jazz solo, well they are just SO perfect!

[Blue]

The debate between technique and Soul is a valid one, and the two are not mutually exclusive, however, one comment complaint of Weckl is that, while he possesses immense amounts of technique and feel, he doesn't pack a lot of "umph" when he plays. Other players, while lacking in technique, communicate a lot of energy and emotion anyway. I think Vinnie channels the highest level of technique and intensity together that I have ever heard, except for a few gospel drummers I suppose, and obviously some jazz drummers. I agree that Weckl's playing is a little empty. He's very beautiful to listen to, and his technique is 2nd to no one, but I"d rather listen to a lot of other drummers with less technique simply beacuse they communicate more to me, more emotion, more energy. It's hard to explain, but I understand people when they say this, and I agree.

[MattJ]

Weckl (and Vinnie Colauita) totally up-ended my perception of double bass-drum use in jazz. Really amazing stuff.

[Ardent15]

The Weckmeister is better than ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwYoZgbYY2A

[Funky Crêpe]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVSptp5U6S4

A lot of people talk bad about weckl's 80's drumming. I think that thus song and his AMAZING solo will change your mind!

[mel corcino]

Hey there drummers,

I have to say that I made one of my dreams truth last Nov. 21st, when I saw Dave Weckl playing live for the first time in my life.

It was the Mike Stern concert at Mechanics Hall, Worcester, MA.

I had an awesome experience. Mike's playing and compositions were amazing and beautiful. Dave Weckl drumming was superb, tasteful and inspirational. Tom Kennedy and Bob Malach were phenomenal. Awesome, awesome expirience....

It would be really nice if I can meet Dave one of these days and study drums with him...Well, let see what the future has in store for me!

Cheers,

[scorch whammin]

ive read a few comments from the first page and surprisingly there were some comments about weckl being too technical, uninteresting etc

what the hell? never realized any drummer right in his mind would have anything bad to say about weckl
he is flat out amazing, easily one of the best

Agreed!...Weckl is amazing!....easily one of the best (if not the best) out there today.....

[mel corcino]

My favorite work of his is when he backed up Michel Camilo on 1989's "On Fire" disc. He kills, and it made me want to understand that contemporary sound.

If you don't have that album, it's a must. Joel Rosenblatt and Smitty are on it, too, and it's excellent!


I agree with you in the Michel Camilo stuff...This had been one of the greatest CD in my collection. The tracks "Island Stomp" & "And Sammy Walked In" are my favorites. Dave's playing drums on those two. Also "On Fire" with Rosenblatt on drums...Great stuff...

Cheers,

[Jaegervand]

Name ONE drummer who plays more sophisticated fills than Weckl! By the way; there has never been, and will never be a drummer, or any musician, who can master all aspects of the instrument. Weckl could NEVER have mastered what, let's say Jeff Porcaro mastered, and vice versa (RIP Jeff.) Both were/are masters of the instrument, but are very different drummers.

Out of respect for Bernhard's wishes I shan't answer that, but anyways, you didn't quite get what I meant, which was - Weckl would name plenty of other drummers who have mastered all aspects of the instrument, and he would definitely tell you there are drummers who play more sophisticated fills.

[scorch whammin]

I agree with you in the Michel Camilo stuff...This had been one of the greatest CD in my collection. The tracks "Island Stomp" & "And Sammy Walked In" are my favorites. Dave's playing drums on those two. Also "On Fire" with Rosenblatt on drums...Great stuff...

Cheers,

OK..on you two guys recommendation I will buy this CD...I'm sure it will be good..honestly I don't know if I've heard anything that Weckl plays on that I don't like...

[ZildjianRock]

Reading some of the comments on this thread about Dave, I am totally blown away by those that can't see the absolute perfection and limitless licks that this monster brings to the drumming world.

Not long ago I went on a full night youtube Weckl rampage, and for hours on end searched out and watched every video of his I could find. I emerged from that venture fully believing that Weckl has exceeded all other drummer's technical capabilities in the history of the known universe.

After all, he himself said that his goal very early on was to be the greatest drummer in the world. And I believe he did it. His phrasing of licks across time is just mind boggling. Even Vinnie had met his match on the epic big three drum battle. That was just incredible.

I dare any one of you to do the same, and get a broader sense of his playing by seeing everything you can get your hands on. All things Weckl, for one night. And come away a believer. The dude is over the top good. As someone else said, maybe too good for his own good. With so much to pull from, I can't see how he could structure it all much better in a solo context. In a band context, he is so smooth it hurts.

None of us will EVER be that good. Face it. And it's ok. Because you can still love to play music and be good in your own ways. But only a jealous fool or musical incompetent would not be in total awe of Weckl's abilities and technique. He has it all, and I guess some people just can't handle it. Too bad. Too sad. For them.

[dmacc]

None of us will EVER be that good. Face it. And it's ok. Because you can still love to play music and be good in your own ways. But only a jealous fool or musical incompetent would not be in total awe of Weckl's abilities and technique. He has it all, and I guess some people just can't handle it. Too bad. Too sad. For them.

I can't agree more.

My opinion is Weckl is one of the incredible genius's of our time and it's shame people have lost their ability to admire instead of compare or feel threatened.

I suppose if we were alive in the Buddy Rich heyday, similar feelings were shared too though.

For me, Weckl, Gadd, Vinnie Colaiuta, & Steve Smith are at the top of the ladder.

That in no way takes away from the admiration and inspiration of all the other great drummers that are out there which are way too many to mention. Some of them are on this site!

Most of us could try the rest of our lives and we'd never groove like Billy Ward or Stanton Moore and so, so, so many others.

Admire and appreciate is what I say because all these people make it a great time to be alive as a drummer!

[Thaard]

Reading some of the comments on this thread about Dave, I am totally blown away by those that can't see the absolute perfection and limitless licks that this monster brings to the drumming world.

Not long ago I went on a full night youtube Weckl rampage, and for hours on end searched out and watched every video of his I could find. I emerged from that venture fully believing that Weckl has exceeded all other drummer's technical capabilities in the history of the known universe.

After all, he himself said that his goal very early on was to be the greatest drummer in the world. And I believe he did it. His phrasing of licks across time is just mind boggling. Even Vinnie had met his match on the epic big three drum battle. That was just incredible.

I dare any one of you to do the same, and get a broader sense of his playing by seeing everything you can get your hands on. All things Weckl, for one night. And come away a believer. The dude is over the top good. As someone else said, maybe too good for his own good. With so much to pull from, I can't see how he could structure it all much better in a solo context. In a band context, he is so smooth it hurts.

None of us will EVER be that good. Face it. And it's ok. Because you can still love to play music and be good in your own ways. But only a jealous fool or musical incompetent would not be in total awe of Weckl's abilities and technique. He has it all, and I guess some people just can't handle it. Too bad. Too sad. For them.
There are technically more proficient drummers out there, so saying that no one will be "better" from a technical stand-point is just not true. He is one of the greats though, but people should stop comparing who's the best and get inspired to play their OWN way instead. Borrow some licks and make them your own. That's how you evolve as a drummer. Be the best YOU. Even when I covered Weckl's magic island and access denied, I had this in mind.

[Swiss Matthias]

There are technically more proficient drummers out there, so saying that no one will be "better" from a technical stand-point is just not true. He is one of the greats though, but people should stop comparing who's the best and get inspired to play their OWN way instead. Borrow some licks and make them your own. That's how you evolve as a drummer. Be the best YOU.
Yepp! I believe it's hard to say more proficient, but surely equally proficient.

Plus there is the musical side: On the musical side Dave Weckl is only "one voice" of many. He is an awesome musician, that's for sure, but he can't cover every way of musical thinking, speaking and designing ideas or pieces of music. Noone can.

[ZildjianRock]

I'd be very curious of Vinnie's opinion of Weckl, and Weckl's opinion of Vinnie. And Gadd's opinion of them, and vice versa. Anyone know of any videos where they talk about each other? Or better yet, specific licks? Like for instance, some of the incredible stuff that went down in the epic video of the three playing at once? I'd love to hear a technical breakdown of some of the more difficult passages with explanations of how they did it, and how they think about those licks phrased over the meter.

[radeq]

hey guys, probably you would be interested, i transcribed weckl solo from album synergy, song high life


http://www.noteflight.com/scores/view/b1e0e54da820a761619365cc90cb226cc6329a72

its not 100% perfect, but id say 90% please comment and also any advices are appreciated

[Swiss Matthias]

None of us will EVER be that good. Face it. And it's ok. Because you can still love to play music and be good in your own ways. But only a jealous fool or musical incompetent would not be in total awe of Weckl's abilities and technique. He has it all, and I guess some people just can't handle it. Too bad. Too sad. For them.
Ok, with all respect, but judging from your own comments here you don't understand most
of the licks, chops etc Dave Weckl plays - and Vinnie too, for that matter - and how what
they play functions according to the pulse. So don't you agree that you're not really in the
position to tell whether or not a) Dave Weckl is the best drummer in the world, and b)
anybody will be that good?

[Yopps]

None of us will EVER be that good. Face it. And it's ok. Because you can still love to play music and be good in your own ways. But only a jealous fool or musical incompetent would not be in total awe of Weckl's abilities and technique. He has it all, and I guess some people just can't handle it. Too bad. Too sad. For them.

Sounds like a fanboy statment.

Things like good, better, best, greatest, ect is all subjective especially when you consider the enormity of the world of music, it's history and all it genres and ultimatly peoples varying tastes in it.

And from what I've read so far it seems he's only (or mosty) being praised for his advanced "technique". Technique is important but not the be all end all to musicians and musianship like it's made out to be.Things like creativity and showmanship get over overshadowed far too often by technical abilities, aswell as chemistry with the band mates, ect.

There is no "greatest" drummer in the world.

[radeq]

ok, I have another one, watch your step opening groove

http://www.noteflight.com/scores/view/a637fefcd3cb78d021b8a90155d241fac5983ace

enjoy

[Zero Mercury Drummer]

i see a couple of people have seen Weckl with Stern, and I was wondering what the music is like. I guess it's guitar-oriented fusion?

[jonescrusher]

Name ONE drummer who plays more sophisticated fills than Weckl! .


Yeah, Vinnie! Sorry couldn't resist, I understand the futility of these arguments. I've just always heard an 'in the moment' spark of genius in Vinnie's playing that Weckl has always lacked. But as you say, a drummer can only ever be a master of their own style. Chris Dave might well possess a creative ability that surpasses them both.

[LinearDrummer]

i see a couple of people have seen Weckl with Stern, and I was wondering what the music is like. I guess it's guitar-oriented fusion?

Yes guitar-oriented fusion ala Alan Holdsworth & Jeff Beck with alot of cool drum soloing.

[johncrayforth]

I actually got the chance to have a go on Weckl`s kit after a clinic once (everyone had left obviously... not gonna start playing in front of the man himself)... anyway, couldnt make it sound anything like he does! amazing!