Must have Awesome Stage Presence... [Archive] - DRUMMERWORLD OFFICIAL DISCUSSION FORUM

rogue_drummer

09-22-2009, 07:24 PM

jeffwj

09-22-2009, 08:25 PM

The one and only Gregg Bissonette - song starts at 1:43

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0C611xMfIQ

mrchattr

09-22-2009, 08:37 PM

Most of the ads that have that kind of stipulation are for cover bands. Cover bands are an entirely different genre than original music. In a world where there is heavy competition with other cover bands, DJs, and the original artists you cover, you need to do something to seperate yourself from the other bands out there...showmanship is one major way to do this. You are unlikely to find truly successful cover bands without a ton of stage presence...now, granted, this usually means less from the drummer than from the front people, but still, there is a lot you can do, from stick tricks, to standing up while playing, to all kinds of other stuff, that seperates you from other bands.

DrumEatDrum

09-22-2009, 08:39 PM

I've seem too many &*^%$#%^ ads claiming they want drummers and "Must Have Awesome Stage Presence".

Ok...I grew up with awesome drummers in Ian Paice, John Bohnam, Phil Ehart, Phil Collins, Neal Peart, Frank Beard, Ed Shuanessy, Anton Fig, Charlie Watts, Kieth Moon, Max Wienberg, Buddy Rich, etc.

But what exactly is "awesome stage presence" for a drummer? Is it not enough to play well and be in the pocket, so to speak. Keep the band in line and on beat.

Now we have to have a stage personna? Granted I don't twirll my sticks much, but honestly!

Does anyone else have the problem of lacking an "awesome stage presence"?

And most of those guys do have awesome stage presense.

Buddy's intense look, Fig's cymbals up in the stratosphere so he has to make a big move just to hit them, Max's big smile, and Keith Moon just being Moon, need we say more?

Neil Peart tends to be a little more subdued, but even he can had great stage presence:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QylVq8enyk

Stage Presence does not equal spinning sticks or doing tricks.
It means looking the part, like you want to be there, rather than looking like someone who's scared to be there, and is trying to hide behind the hi-hat stand.

DrumEatDrum

09-22-2009, 08:42 PM

Prior thread on this topic:

http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49202

I had a stage presense problem when I was 21. I thought I looked like I was into the music, but when I saw a video of myself, the expression on my face said "I don't want to be here" and I looked like I was trying to crawl under my snare stand. Not at all what I thought I was projecting.

So I worked on it. On stage, I thought about what my head was doing, what my facial muscles were doing.

A few months later, I saw another video of me, and it was much better. I looked like I meant to be on stage. It was a big difference.

RollingStone000

09-22-2009, 09:40 PM

Look into a fella by the name of Billy Kilson; the epitome of stage presence. Every time I watch him I want to pick up a pair of stick and start chopping away. He always looks like he's enjoying what he's doing.

dairyairman

09-22-2009, 10:10 PM

It was a big difference.

it does make a big difference. i didn't realize how big a deal stage presence is until the last band i was in started getting successful and drawing crowds. fans were telling me i needed to improve my stage presence because i looked too serious on stage. i thought i was just focusing, but they want to see someone who is animated and obviously getting into it. after i heard this again and again, i started working on my stage presence. i've even started twirling sticks! we may think stuff like that is silly and unimportant, but that's not what the audience thinks. to them stage presence and your interaction with them is just as important as the music.

Deathmetalconga

09-22-2009, 10:24 PM

we may think stuff like that is silly and unimportant, but that's not what the audience thinks. to them stage presence and your interaction with them is just as important as the music.

Very true. It contributes to the audience's enjoyment when they can believe you are a special person, different, unusual, etc. Stage presence is a big part of that. Twirling sticks is just one way to do it.

mrchattr

09-22-2009, 10:58 PM

To go further down the road you guys are taking this down, which is a great one...I always have a mic on stage, even in bands when I'm not singing. I am really witty, and will crack jokes or talk to audience members from the stage. It has made a lot of them really feel like they are connected to me.

Naigewron

09-22-2009, 11:33 PM

My $.02 and/or ranting views on the subject:

A band that doesn't move much and doesn't look like they enjoy playing are not going to see me in the audience again. It doesn't matter how tight they are and how good the music is, if they don't have stage presence I'll just stay at home and listen to the CD.

The drummer is just as important here as any other member. Make it look like you're having the time of your life, exaggerate your movements, smile, communicate with the crowd and rest of the band... Make it a visual performance as much as anything. I'm by no means an expert at this, and I often catch myself looking at my hihat or looking a bit bored. However, I know what I enjoy seeing in other bands, so I know what to strive for.

Muckster

09-22-2009, 11:42 PM

No one has more stage presence than this dude:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw3z9s99r64&feature=related

justjim

09-22-2009, 11:48 PM

No one has more stage presence than this dude:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw3z9s99r64&feature=related

anyone who says they wouldn't be tickled to do whipp-its with that guy is lying!!!!

hmm...I say email the "must have stage presence" advert and say "absolutely, I have perfect attendance record for performance nights!!!"

stage..presence....:D

rogue_drummer

09-23-2009, 12:34 AM

Wow! I stand corrected. I just got an education in stage presence.

Ok, I will definately work on that skill. Just from what I have noticed in my physical presence, I'm a pretty dull guy to watch on stage. I look as though I'm concentrating too much and am focused too much. I need to lighten up a lot and appear like I'm having the time of my life - which internally I am, I just need to show it. Thanks everybody. I greatly appreciate the wisdom and knowledge freely given!

justjim

09-23-2009, 01:52 AM

may I suggest electric nipple clamps

GRUNTERSDAD

09-23-2009, 02:25 AM

Just set your cymbals close enough and angled enough that no one can see you.

DamoSyzygy

09-23-2009, 02:42 AM

Is it not enough to play well and be in the pocket, so to speak. Keep the band in line and on beat.
Admittedly, often its not enough, especially when youre up against players who have both.

My line of thinking is that the live show is about entertainment. If someone wanted to hear perfect playing and didnt care what they were looking at, they'd probably just stay home with the CD.

If you can connect with an audience, and hold their attention, then by definition you have stage presence. If you can play perfectly while doing that, more kudos to you, but I think there is an allowance for a degree of imperfection live, if it means youre delivering a better visual performance. Of course, the band still has to sound good together and having a better visual performance may not impress those who are there to listen and critique. However, in the circles Ive been playing in over the last 20 years, the best bands have always been the ones that delivered the best night of fun for the punters, not necessarily the best players on the night.

arthurk1

09-23-2009, 03:53 AM

Most , if not all of the bands that think like that are cluless and filled with know it all jerks that you probably don't want to be in a band with anyway. No serious musician gives a hoot about that. I'm no Brad Pitt and have never once not got a gig I auditioned for, not one. Look at Paul Mcartney. Abe is a big fellow, but he can wail......enough said!

mrmike

09-23-2009, 04:59 AM

I think this is what it means.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHr4XQ9SEcg

DrumEatDrum

09-23-2009, 05:13 AM

we may think stuff like that is silly and unimportant, but that's not what the audience thinks. to them stage presence and your interaction with them is just as important as the music.

You nailed it.

Most average non-musicians don't know a double stroke roll from a hole in the wall, but they know when a good band looks like they're into the music they're playing.

MSPaintClock

09-23-2009, 05:24 AM

Stage Presence makes you look cool to non-drummers, duh how does that not make sense?

mcbike

09-23-2009, 07:09 AM

my favorite stage presence moment was during a guitar break i started twirling my sticks and a bunch of girls started screaming and the guitar player thought it was for him.

I don't twirl my sticks alot but I like to have fun, I stand up on some songs, sing along to the songs, interact with other band members. sometimes I crack and give the audience "more cowbell" not really proud of that, but drunk people LOVE that joke. ughh. every once and a while I will do a ramones style drum break and just play 4 quarter notes on the bass drum and people love stuff like that.

On my last tour I was playing an outdoor show and there were these huge bamboo trees behind the stage and one of them was leaning over towards me and in a break I grabbed it and touched the guitar player in the back with it, he had no idea. it was pretty hilarious and a little joke that me and the audience were in on.

I guess 99% of my stage presence is jokes but I also try to look respectful during ballads and passionate about what i'm playing.

Fur drummer

09-23-2009, 08:17 AM

I've seem too many &*^%$#%^ ads claiming they want drummers and "Must Have Awesome Stage Presence".

Ok...I grew up with awesome drummers in Ian Paice, John Bohnam, Phil Ehart, Phil Collins, Neal Peart, Frank Beard, Ed Shuanessy, Anton Fig, Charlie Watts, Kieth Moon, Max Wienberg, Buddy Rich, etc.

But what exactly is "awesome stage presence" for a drummer? Is it not enough to play well and be in the pocket, so to speak. Keep the band in line and on beat.

Now we have to have a stage personna? Granted I don't twirll my sticks much, but honestly!

Does anyone else have the problem of lacking an "awesome stage presence"?

Most of the time when they put that in a ad they want to see who will still show up and are trying to weed out those who are not serious about playing in a band.

Stage presence just means what most have already said. That want someone who is animated, entertaining, and different. Not some robot behind the drums. You don't have to juggle your sticks or set yourself on fire. Just be interesting to watch and not boring!

Pocket-full-of-gold

09-23-2009, 08:22 AM

Stage presence just means what most have already said. That want someone who is animated, entertaining, and different. Not some robot behind the drums. You don't have to juggle your sticks or set yourself on fire. Just be interesting to watch and not boring!

I like this!! Agreed. Good summation.

Naigewron

09-23-2009, 08:23 AM

Naigewron

09-23-2009, 08:26 AM

Here's an extreme version of stage presence:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw4_4gWJ03M&feature=related

Over the top? Yes, but you just know that all eyes in the audience will be on this guy!

Pollyanna

09-23-2009, 08:40 AM

Stage presence ... like Charlie Watts? :)

I seen a few bands where exaggerated lack of animation is entertaining in itself. More than one way to skin a cat, I guess. Our bassist has a vid of a song in last week's little gig so that will interesting feedback. I only have one vid playing on stage bit I was on keyboards and since it's not my native instrument I was a lot more focused on playing the right notes than being entertaining.

Pocket-full-of-gold

09-23-2009, 09:00 AM

Stage presence ... like Charlie Watts? :)

Ha!!! The finest example ever, of a man able to lock down a groove whilst apparantly in a coma.

Monica McCoy

09-23-2009, 09:16 AM

I saw a youtube vid of Mike Johnston talking about this and he explained it as conveying the pulse to the audience through your body language.

masonni

09-23-2009, 10:19 AM

Is it not enough to play well and be in the pocket, so to speak. Keep the band in line and on beat.

NO, it's not.
True, that that is key and should come first. But once you have that down, you need to step up the show.

This is copied from a post I just made in the "stick twirl" thread:

Music is a form of entertainment, therefore, as a musician you are an entertainer. Right?
The general public does NOT go out to a live music venue to listen to a show. If they want to listen they stay home with their ipod or cds. People go out to watch a performance.
If you fail to entertain, then you fail as a musician.

The level of showmanship should be based on the music you play.
Over-the-top rock'n out is not always appropriate at a jazz gig. But it should be expected at a rock show.

Pollyanna

09-23-2009, 11:44 AM

NO, it's not.
True, that that is key and should come first. But once you have that down, you need to step up the show.

This is copied from a post I just made in the "stick twirl" thread:

Music is a form of entertainment, therefore, as a musician you are an entertainer. Right?
The general public does NOT go out to a live music venue to listen to a show. If they want to listen they stay home with their ipod or cds. People go out to watch a performance.
If you fail to entertain, then you fail as a musician.

The level of showmanship should be based on the music you play.
Over-the-top rock'n out is not always appropriate at a jazz gig. But it should be expected at a rock show.

Agree, Nick. Live music is audio visual entertainment, not just audio. It also depends on what the players upfront are like. Charlie and Bill could chill (in a coma - lol) while Mick, Keith and Ronnie did the entertaining and they kind of formed an ironic comedy backdrop for the rockers out front. If the vocalist is entertaining or if you are a spunk you can get away with not being too exciting on stage too. So not being a dynamo on the kit doesn't necessarily make you a failure. It depends on a few things - the other musos, the genre, what the band is trying to convey ...

Personally, I like seeing bands that are really getting into it. Agree with Monica that conveying the pulse with your body is a cool way to get things going.

Dedworx

09-23-2009, 01:57 PM

Here's an extreme version of stage presence:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw4_4gWJ03M&feature=related

Over the top? Yes, but you just know that all eyes in the audience will be on this guy!

seeing a guy spin the sticks once in a particular moment i think is more entertaining as part of a performance than repeatedly doing it.

to me when watching a guy i think movement of the whole body with the groove is more interesting than almost clipping your head with your spinning arms.

i was thinking in terms of how someone like steve jordan plays. movement with the music, because of the music. its from the heart. flailing limbs seems more from the head.

DrumEatDrum

09-23-2009, 10:04 PM

Naigewron

09-23-2009, 10:45 PM

seeing a guy spin the sticks once in a particular moment i think is more entertaining as part of a performance than repeatedly doing it.

to me when watching a guy i think movement of the whole body with the groove is more interesting than almost clipping your head with your spinning arms.

i was thinking in terms of how someone like steve jordan plays. movement with the music, because of the music. its from the heart. flailing limbs seems more from the head.

I see your point, but remember that we drummers are able to appreciate the craft itself, and the skill that goes into it. The average punter will not be impressed by deep pockets or polyrhythms (at least not consciously, although they will notice it if it's missing), but they can appreciate speed, showmanship and stage presence.

Funky Crêpe

09-24-2009, 05:44 PM

brian blade does'nt really look like he enjoys it. Of course he DOES, but looking happy is'nt the biggest thing with regards to stage presence in my opinion...billy kilson, brian blade, jojo mayer, gadd, aaron spears, none of them look happy, they just really feel the music, they do elvinish groans! (well blade does!) and billy has some of the weirdest looks out of all of them!

larryace

09-24-2009, 07:25 PM

There's also the ego factor. What lead singer or guitar god want's to compete with the drummer for attention? Depends on the band. Hopefully you're with people who welcome anything anyone can bring to the table.

I've never thought much about this aspect of my playing. It's a real eye opener.

Adequate stage presence (for a drummer) can be as simple as not being in your own world, but visually connecting with the audience and bandmates, and playing WITH your bandmates, as opposed to playing just for yourself, IMO.

I generally don't like hot dog drummers, or upstaging the front people, unless you are featured on certain songs. I do like drummers who have enough technique that they can use their brainpower for more important things, like listening to the other bandmembers and reacting appropriately, being fully aware and in the moment, and actively (visually) engaged w/ the audience.