Tre' Cool

[Rockter]

If he is in time, I can listen to him, if not I can't. He's in time from what I can hear. Comparisons are really not relevant. he's in that band, and they seem to like him, and he keeps time. That he doesn't play like Gadd or Bonham is not relevant, and they don't play like him, either.

We have these discussions frequently, it seems.

Does it have to be difficult to be played well? No. Is it easy to play a technically simple piece well????? It isn't.

[Beercan]

If you think Tre Cool sucks, I hate to break it to you, but you are too caught up in being a "drummer" and not a musician. For example, Dave Weckl is a drummer. Not a musician. The "music" he plays, in my opinion, just barely qualifies as music. It's a way to show people how fast he can play. Now I'm not being too harsh on Dave, because he is a, if not THE, technical master of the drums. He is the person to look to for technique.

Tre Cool is a musician. He plays music. He's not trying to show people how fast he plays, he's merely playing drums for Greenday, and he does it very very well. You see, if Tre tried to play like Dave on a Greenday track, uhhh.... that just wouldn't work. So what Tre does is make sure his drums sound GREAT (which they do, listen to Longview for an example) and play fills that sound great and complement the music perfectly. He knows his place, and he fills his role arguably better than anyone else could. I'm not a fan of recent Greenday, but Dookie is one of the albums that got me started on drums way back in the day.

Again I will reiterate, If you play things because they are hard to play, you are only a drummer (nothing wrong with that I guess, but it's not what I want to be). If you play things because they sound good and fit with the music, then you're a drummer AND a musician. That's what Tre is, and that's what I want to be (although in a completely different style).

[Beercan]

Originally Posted by lfdy

I agree.

You shouldn't judge someone simply on what he plays in a band.

If he's been playing for that long, i'd guess he has some skills too :)

Actually, I think that's exactly what you should judge people on. It's not about what you can play, it's about what you choose to play. Seriously. Think about that long and hard.

[luke-e-p]

Hmm lets think about this, basically this comes down to 'what makes a good drummer'.

I have played for 6 years and am 15 years old and can comfortable play pretty much everything on Greendays latest album. The thing is, for all you know tre cool walks off the stage and plays some latin grooves ect that would blow you away, he plays simple things on the stage because they fit - less is more?

Lets take U2's drummer Larry Mullen for example. I think he is a truly great drummer, yet he plays mindblowingly simple beats for most of his songs. Off stage i know that he could play some really amazing stuff, but he keeps it simple and it fits.

Basically what i think is that a drummer who does his job, keeps the time and plays the right stuff at the right time but in a minimalistic sense is sooooo much better for a band and more useful for anyone than a drummer who spends the whole time trying to show just how fast his, or her (god forbid) double pedal can go...

Saying that i personally do not look to tre cool for inspiration, because his name is too pretentious

[mellow]

When I think of a good drummer the first thing that comes to mind is of course their skills but what if it goes deeper than that? To me a drummer isn’t just a person, who plays drums, they are certain form of a person and drums shape them to who they are as a person. I mean lets face it, we drummers have an attitude and a style but the drummer who tops all of us in that point is none other than Tre Cool from Green Day. The man with the passion, energy and the ever inflated ego. Listening to Tre Cool playing his drum part to songs like “American Idiot” “Welcome to Paradise” and probably his most famous drum part “Jesus of suburbia” gives you a sense of what drummers are there for, to give a rock steady beat with crazy fast fills and plenty of crashing away at cymbals. But listening to Tre cool is just not enough to get the whole picture of him, you have to see the man playing his heart out for 2 hours straight and looking like he’s having the best time of his life! A lot of people know Tre cool for his absurdly funny faces when he plays live and the way he collapses over his drum set and rolls on stage at the end of concerts and also his habit for tearing up his drum kit and lighting it on fire are just some of his more memorable crazy stunts. Another thing I like about Tre is that he has stayed with the same band all his life and gives his complete attention to it. That can’t be easy for a pro drummer to do but I guess he feels the same way I do that without him Green Day would not be the same Green Day because really his personality and his style of drumming fits perfectly with the band because they couldn’t make the same great songs or live shows without him. Its like saying “oh yeah Ringo star isn’t that good the beatles could have had a way better drummer but without Ringo who knows if the Beatles would have been as popular because without that extra chemistry that Ringo added with his personality and his simple but steady rock beats the music and the band as a whole would be a lot different. So next time you hear green day on the radio or watch him on TV be sure to pay attention to the drumming. And if you think His drumming isn’t that great try and remember that who he is as a person makes up for it. LONG LIVE TRE COOL!

[ewanlaing]

as easy as it is to play, i still doubt i could have made up the intro to basket case. it's not too complicated, and not too simple.
that said, it's the best thing he's done.

[DogBreath]

Originally Posted by Class A Drummer

Finally... Tre cool could not play his way out of a box.

What a silly and pointless thing to say.

[ewanlaing]

i agree.
besides, it's fair to say "i think he is overatted".
saying he can't play is wrong. he can. or he would be fired.

[mellow]

I'm so tired of people saying that word "overatted"!! you people just live on that word when it comes to any really popular drummer.

[ewanlaing]

don't get me wrong, i love tre cool, he was my first drumming hero, but....
billie joe armstrong claims that tre is "the best rock drummer in the world." i disagree. therefore it is my opinion that he is overatted.

Originally Posted by mellow

I'm so tired of people saying that word "overatted"!! you people just live on that word when it comes to any really popular drummer.

That's because many of us feel that being "popular" has little to do with your actual talent. Since they are more popular than their actual skill, I can only really think of one adjective:

OVERRATED! -- To overestimate the merits of; rate too highly.

[brittc89]

Originally Posted by mellow

I'm so tired of people saying that word "overatted"!! you people just live on that word when it comes to any really popular drummer.

Well Tre Cool is overated. He doesnt even hold a candle to Vinnie or Weckl or Gadd or Billie Ward or any of the studio guys who dont get near as much credit as they deserve for the amazing work they do everyday. Im so tired of people claiming that just because someone is poular they are good, it doesnt work that way. There are some really great drummers in the world, better than Tre Cool, that I gurantee you or I have never heard of.

[averypoordrummer]

i like tre cools playing! he's amazing on american idiot, hearing him made me want to play the drums

[averypoordrummer]

and he's miles better than travis barker

[ewanlaing]

.............movingly swiftly on..................
before american idiot, i would have said tre cool was deserving of his fame as a really good drummer.
nowadays, he is not worthy of being the "best rock drummer ever". but i can't dislike him for gaining fame.

[brittc89]

Originally Posted by averypoordrummer

and he's miles better than travis barker

Really? I cant really see a clear winner there. Travis has some chops.

[gd_trecool1972]

I heard that Travis Barker uses this backround drums in all his songs?
Like he's Just adding to the drums in the back?
Is that True?

[ewanlaing]

ask in the barker thread

Originally Posted by ewanlaing

.............movingly swiftly on...................

i think tre cool has tried a few things that other punk drummers hadn't really at the time (but please correct me if i'm wrong). he uses snare patterns quite frequently, which is a bit unusual for punk, so i guess that makes him a bit more interesting.

[playplayplay]

For sure, his snare patterns definately adds to the punk style drumming, I think he is doing a good job at not over doing it too.

[gdlp182]

Tre Cool is one of the most popular rock drummers around today. Most kids who start drumming definetly have some experience with Greenday so they look into that drummer. Basicly everyone knows about Greenday, and with their like 8 total grammy wins and 5 or 6 hit videos they are basicly impossible to be unheard of. Most kids that start reminesence of greendays success, look into his drumming and instantly get hooked on Tre's innonative yet simple beats, thrashy cymbals hits , and fast tom work. That's how everyone gets addicted to Tre. Tre is definetly one of my favorite drummings closey behind barker and peart. He began at age 12 and basicly taught himself so you don't expect someone that was basicly self taught to know everything about rudiments, tempo, and all that stuff. Tre just likes to have fun with his drumming, I don' think he cares what people think. He makes millions of dollars a year doing something he loves I don't think he should start getting cocky and trying new things that can mess up his image and stuff.

[drummingchick6996]

Look, Tre Cool may not show off and do amazing drum fills like other pop-punk drummers do (ex. Travis Barker) and he may not seem all that amazing. But I doubt a man who has been playing drums for 21 years, recorded 9 albums, and has toured over and over again doesn't know what he's doing. I believe he's a talented drummer. Just because he doesn't show off all the time doesn't mean he doesn't have skill. And I hate how people who don't even know anything about them judge their talent. They must have talent or else they wouldn't be so popular. I think its really cool when simple songs can be so popular and inspirational.
I also went to two Green Day concerts last year, and at the one in May he did an AMAZING drum solo, he didn't do it in the one in September, but this solo was amazing. It seriously sounded like more than one person playing. Another version can also be downloaded if you search for Tre Cool's drum solo. It's very inspirational and shows his years of talent.
Playing that long, whether you try to get better or not, you've gonna get better at the drums no matter what.

Unless you "lip synch" all your shows for 10 years ;-)

Anyone can sound good on a recording (Pro Tools).

To be fair though, every time I see Green Day on TV playing live, it sounds pretty good (well at least the drums). Until the NFL season opener thing they did on tv, I never knew that they had a second guitarist that is always uncredited.

How would you like to be that guy?

[playplayplay]

Well Im not a Greenday fan but I can say this; Since just learning Tre is a self taught drummer, all respect for that guy Tre. I always thought his drumming was suitable for green day, catchy simple beats, nothing wrong with that, my son goes bananas when he hears Green Day. If anybody is aware of catchy/simple, it's Tre and kids. I really dont think you need all the fills and flash when your holding a simple catchy beat. Also, you can tell very much that Tre has been to the woodshed, which truthfully not many of us make it past there. Good job Tre!

[ewanlaing]

Originally Posted by Stu_Strib

I never knew that they had a second guitarist that is always uncredited.

How would you like to be that guy?

he is credited on the bullet in a bible dvd. all players are.
i think tre is good enough to be called a good drummer. i don't think he is exceptional, but i disagree with anyone who says he's bad. if he was bad, he would be fired.

[centralzeke]

How can you not have respect for Tre Cool? He's PERFECT for Green Day.

[PassionateAmateur]

I personally like Tre Cool because of what he means to me. I grew up listening to Green Day and his drumming, therefore, it is only natural that I take a liking to him. Furthermore, I started taking lessons and working hard at becoming a good drummer because of him. I think it's up to everyone to decide for him/herself who is a great drummer and who isn't. If they had a great effect on you, then to you they are great. It's all about personal choice. I personally like Tre Cool the most, and Lars Ulrich (Metallica) comes in second.

[Colin06]

I personally love playing his beats for 'hitchin' a ride', 'j.a.r.' and 'holiday', but he's not the best in the world.
From his generation i'd say dave grohl and joey castillo are technically better, but for outrageously punky and fast beats he beats them hands down.

[laurajoe]

I'm sorry if my opinions hurt some of you guys. But those are my true feelings and I certainly can't lie about them, "so what" if I think Tre Cool is an inspiring true drummer everyone thinks different and you don't see me getting all mad with a person that doesn't agree with me. But again I learned to forgive.
Love Peace and Chicken Grease

[AbsentDrummer]

Hi! I'm a Green Day fan and listen to the band everyday.
This is my thoughts:
Green Day play very simple music, we all know that! Still the music is very good and loved by many.
There are many good drummers around the world that play the drums - and just play. They make some cool fill inns and so on... wow…
I think Tré has come to the point that: "why make such a deal of it?"
If you listen to the music, you hear that Tré builds up his comps simple, often after the song. It sounds really good when the guys play together. And I think when you have come to that point where you play easy and make good music; it’s one way of being a perfect musician. I play a lot to Green Day's music and I know that if the comps had been too difficult I hadn't been such a Green Day-fan.
Not only is Tré a drummer, he's a very good artist too! You can’t sit there behind the drums and just play!

[Monkey_Drummer]

I am a huge fan of Green Day and Tre Cool. He's not the greatest drummer sure, but I guess people like him because he doesn't overplay and it's great fun to play to his drumming. His drumming also sounds great, such as in Jesus of Suburbia. Maybe some people don't think he's "the best" because punk rocks also not the hardest music genre. For instance Jazz is much harder than punk rock (in my opinion).

[Monkey_Drummer]

Originally Posted by Stu_Strib

Until the NFL season opener thing they did on tv, I never knew that they had a second guitarist that is always uncredited.

How would you like to be that guy?

Well yes....I kind of thought he was uncredited, but in quite alot of concerts he's introduced....Jason White...Arkansas....yeah...

[Pocketman]

I think Green Day is a great punk band. I saw them in concert on TV a few years ago and was blown away by how tight (and fast) they were. They sound great on Howard Stern's radio show a few years ago too. No noodling around....they just kicked right into it. Tre plays strong and solid. Great punk drummer.

However, I do think the American Idiot album is overated. Yes it's good and has some catchy songs. But I'll bet many critics and Grammy voters love it because it's all anti-Bush. It just seems to be the "cool" thing to do if you are in a band.

[sgt.pepper1986]

I started listening to Green Day recently, and while Tre' Cool isn't the best EVER, I couldn't help but notice how fast and solid he is. I really like him and his playing. "Holiday" and "St. Jimmy" are a couple of my particular favorites.

[dry_water]

I believe that Tre is overrated. So many drummers out there that are not appreciated enough, but need more credit. I don't know.. I mean it could be the less is more thing, but im not sure. I just dont believe he's that good. I agrre with the author of this post.

[ewanlaing]

yes, i think he is overratted, but i think he is good as well. i'm often surprised when i see them play on tv at how much better he is than i thought, from just listening to cds. their live dvd really impressed me, and although his playing wasn't really spectacular, it was still really great and worthy of praise. i think due to the bands popularity, it gets blown out of all proportion, and i'm constantly listing hundreds of drummers to people who say that tre cool is untouchable. but it's not their fault, or his i guess. it's just the way things are.

[stevefty]

I don't really think he is over rated. He is great at what he does. I really don't think there would be any better drummer for green day. Can you imagine Neil Peart in green day?!?!?!? but seriously Tre Cool is the man for simple pop-punk. The drumming on American Idiot is great and simple at the same time.

[dom]

i dont think tre' is overrated. like many have said he gives the song what it needs. when i first started playing my drum teacher had me look at some old green day charts i was amazed. this guy is so famous and he has songs where something is so simple then so complex. he does what he loves and is good at it. his speed is amazing and he makes drumming look so darn fun. he is one of the reasons i started drumming. really tre and ringo have a lot alike.

[BrynnerAgassi]

OK Tre Cool, well i can honestly say he is just another run of the mill punk drummer. I mean the guy is a good drummer for the band... But he did have a bit more speed to him in his earlier days, now as he matured and their music matured a bit, he has lost sight of the speed. WHICH IS FINE, speed does not make you a great drummer, but there is really nothing too special about Tre aside he is with Green Day and endorsed by ludwig and zildjian. Aside from that Adrian Young of No doubt was probably better and Travis Barker (even though i dont like him) he is better of a drummer.

[Darmikalus]

I like tre cool, i think hes alittle more unique than some of the other drummers in popular music today. i Loved his playing on dookie, and his drums sounded awesome, i havnt heard all f american idiot (a plus side of never listning to the radio) and i dont hear good things about that album.

as for the overrated issue, i personally never hear that uch hype about him, from drummers, or non drummers, i think hes underrated personally, as IMO he is more solid, and musical than travis barker, who gets alot of hype from non musicians and musicians.

^^^ dont rip on me for the travis stuff it is just an OPINION

[beatsMcGee]

i dont dislike Tre at all, but hes not my fav by any means, i think like alot of others said that he fits in well with Green Day and plays solid punk rock music.. i will grant him the fact that i have listened to some tracks off of the many greenday albums i have and without a doubt there are a few licks he'll throw in once in a while that will really catch my attention b/c of the speed, or how damn good they sounded... hes a good drummer, not the best, but good enough for Green Day and so whats the harm?

p.s. he does lack a little variety in his playing.. that is one the of the complaints i have against him.. alot of his stuff sounds the same track for track, and he has this one really common fill he throws down all the time.. its just a slow snare roll.. and he over uses it... but yea that's my gripe with him.. but like i said up top sometimes hes capable of good stuff.

-peace