Pseudo-Drummers

[B-squared]

I have noticed a disturbing new trend watching Palladia (a VH1 HD music channel). There are a few bands now that have what I will call a "pseudo-drummer" playing alongside a real drummer. I use the term "pseudo-drummer" because it is immediately obvious that these guys have no idea how to play drums.

I saw one band where the drummer was doing his job (and obviously a little P.O.'ed) while the pseudo-drummer next to him was trying to play loud eighth notes with timpani sticks on his snare drum and was obviously having trouble with the tempo. Then the camera caught a shot of one of the timpani sticks breaking and the head of the stick flying away. Immediately, the sound of the band improved immensely while the pseudo drummer was searching for a replacement.

This isn't an isolated case. I saw another band where one of the guitar players would occasionally step aside to pound either a concert snare or a 22x16 (approx.) bass mounted on a concert bass drum stand. When I say pound, I mean the guy was playing from his elbows and whacking out some off-tempo half notes.

Is this a trend? Am I the only one disturbed by it? I am old (51), so maybe I just am behind the times.

[topgun2021]

Some bands can pull it off.

Modest Mouse and Arcade Fire come to mind, as they have multiple drum set players.

I guess it depends on the scenario. I wouldn't call a hand drummer or an auxiliary player a pseudo-percussionist. I would call someone who has a different main instrument a pseudo-percussionist though.

Here is an instance where it works well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zkjlx3kibC4

[B-squared]

Great points. I should have mentioned in my original post that the use of two drummers would not fall into the category I describe as "pseudo-drumming/percussion". That's been done reasonably well by many bands (Doobie Brothers, Allman Brothers, et. al.).

I think the ability to "pull it off" delineates the fine line between what constitutes an additional percussion part and what is just posing. What I saw on Palladia was posing - and bad posing at that.

[topgun2021]

I have Palladia, Do you remember what you were watching? (I would assume a festival)

[B-squared]

I think it was one of the Lollapalooza festivals in Chicago. Maybe 2007????


I've got to find it now. The guy with the broken timpani stick is priceless.

[Bertram]

I'd like to see the clip. I rreally do.

damn!!! i have no idea what you're talking about!!! when i want a dual drummer fix, i turn on the stuff from your generation: allman bros and grateful dead!!!

[harryconway]

Godsmack pulls off the dual drummer thang pretty good ... http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...47399204992690

They even give a little tip-of-the-hat to Rush and Led Zeppelin.

[Doorman]

I Flippin' LOVE that Godsmack drum duel/solo!!!

[Hercules]

Originally Posted by harryconway

Godsmack pulls off the dual drummer thang pretty good ... http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...47399204992690

They even give a little tip-of-the-hat to Rush and Led Zeppelin.

Yeah - very entertaining!