Drummers on records
- Thread starter Ahchv
- Start date
Having used multiple drummers applies to several artists, notably Zappa, McCartney, Steely Dan (I know I'm missing some...) and there are various reasons for it. Sometimes the drummer has other commitments and another needs to be brought in. Sometimes the drummer gets uppity and demands more money/treatment than was agreed-to. Sometimes drummers have or develop problems that weren't evident when they were hired, and they are cut loose. Sometimes 'management' wants to save money and is always on the lookout for players who'll work for less (and there are plenty of those!) Some simply become hard to get along with and last only one tour. In Zappa's case, he was just constantly looking for better players and held auditions on a regular basis.
And sometimes a drummer leaves on their own because there are more important things than playing, such as their children.
Using the artist's name on a resume/credits is completely legit, if the drummer actually worked for that artist. I don't know Aaron, but if he recorded with Swift, even just one track, he's welcome to list her. What's uncool is someone listing an artist who they might have opened for, even though they didn't actually work for that artist. They expect the reader to infer that they were hired by the artist, and that's a feather in their cap, bogus as it is.
Bermuda
And sometimes a drummer leaves on their own because there are more important things than playing, such as their children.
Using the artist's name on a resume/credits is completely legit, if the drummer actually worked for that artist. I don't know Aaron, but if he recorded with Swift, even just one track, he's welcome to list her. What's uncool is someone listing an artist who they might have opened for, even though they didn't actually work for that artist. They expect the reader to infer that they were hired by the artist, and that's a feather in their cap, bogus as it is.
Bermuda
Bo Eder
Platinum Member
If you watch the Steely Dan DVD on the making of the album Aja, Becker and Fagen were discussing how cool it would be if they could get certain players. So for them it was finding the right band for a song - how cool is that? Imagine having written a song and you wonder what it would sound like to have Wayne Shorter play sax on it, and then actually getting him to do it? As Rick Marotta said about them, they were playing musical bands. One incredible band would play one day, and the next day a whole 'other incredible band would come in.
This is probably not the case with Taylor Swift since most of her songs are kinda' homogenized, but hey, if they want ten different drummers, she's welcome to do it. Some artists I wonder if it would actually make a difference, though.
This is probably not the case with Taylor Swift since most of her songs are kinda' homogenized, but hey, if they want ten different drummers, she's welcome to do it. Some artists I wonder if it would actually make a difference, though.
No Way Jose
Silver Member
I was watching a band play and the singer introduced the band. He says the drummer used to play with so-and-so. I went home and looked it up. No mention of the drummer. Either the story was phony or he was one of the gazillion drummers that auditioned, jammed with or caught a glimpse of so-and-so.
toddbishop
Platinum Member
Say, Bermuda, are you aware of it still being a thing to have different people overdubbing toms, hihats, whatever, over somebody else's basic track? Or a programmed track? So you'd have four guys playing on the same Peter Gabriel tune or whatever.
Young jazz drummers like listing people they played with in a school master class once.
Juniper
Gold Member
He lists it in his discography, it's not worded that he's the only drummer on that record so he's not saying anything wrong.
Also, with Taylor Swift I'm sure he's got the ok to list her in his credits, she/her management are known for being very in control about what her musicians can and can't do with her name.
danondrums
Well-known member
Technically the 1st amendment gives everyone the right to say whatever they want.
And then Taylor Swift also has the right to sue if the person is lying.
As mentioned earlier, Aaron Sterling is/was "A" drummer for Taylor Swift. Not "THE" drummer.
And then Taylor Swift also has the right to sue if the person is lying.
As mentioned earlier, Aaron Sterling is/was "A" drummer for Taylor Swift. Not "THE" drummer.
oldskoolsoul
Silver Member
If you would have a own website and you would have played on a 12 million copies selling album..
Regarding telling something about your drumming career, would that be information you would skip..?
Live drums over a track, or mixing live drum parts with other parts from a track, yes.
But how overly-indulgent, expensive, and needless to have multiple drummers playing separate parts.
Bermuda
This goes on a lot with studio players,..I recall Larry London claiming Motown tracks, (don't know exactly what he played on), since most of the late 60's stuff was Uriel Jones & Pistol Allen. The most famous case is Carol Kaye claiming she played bass on a multitude of Motown hits, when in reality she played "re-records" for Supremes & Temptations TV specials.
Good discussion thanks all! Just wondering how this stuff works. In my job we sometimes get invited to “pitch” our clients... so if I have seen companies put logos of companies they have pitched (eg in this case auditioned or jammed or the like)
i just thought it was weird I couldn’t find any info on Aaron on 21 Album from Tay Swift (imma closet fan of her music)
i just thought it was weird I couldn’t find any info on Aaron on 21 Album from Tay Swift (imma closet fan of her music)
Sometimes a track needs another feel. Mick Jagger heard a track of Curt Bisquera - so he was hired for just one track on his Solo CD. Same Paul McCartney: CD drummer Ian Paice - some tracks: Dave Mattacks - a honor for them, not a disaster...lol
Aaron Sperling is a great guy with absolute cool own groove-ideas. His work with John Mayer was great. He will appear soon on drummerworld - well deserved...
Bernhard
Aaron Sperling is a great guy with absolute cool own groove-ideas. His work with John Mayer was great. He will appear soon on drummerworld - well deserved...
Bernhard
MrInsanePolack
Platinum Member
What about this:
Drummer A records the whole album but does not tour.
Drummers B, C, and D all tour on different legs, but are just hired hands.
Who gets to lay claim to being the artists drummer? All of them?
Drummer A records the whole album but does not tour.
Drummers B, C, and D all tour on different legs, but are just hired hands.
Who gets to lay claim to being the artists drummer? All of them?
felonious69
Well-known member
What about a drummer who toured with, but wasn't on any albums?
Semantics play a role here. If the drummer has ethics, they will say "I have played with..." or if it's a current relationship,"I am the drummer with..."
If the drummer wants to suggest they are more involved than they really are - even though several drummers have filled the chair for different situations - they will say "I am xxx's drummer"
The few words makes a big difference in both the implication and inference.
In my case for example, they are all correct: I am the drummer with Weird Al, I'm Weird Al's drummer (and therefore it follows that I have played with him.) But a handful of drummers have also played in some scenario behind Al, or with him sitting-in with a band, and I don't begrudge them saying that they've played with him. Anything beyond that is untrue, and I would absolutely call them on it. But I also know most of them - including Glen Sobel - and they're pros who wouldn't suggest otherwise.
Bo Eder
Platinum Member
I would think the one with most credibility would be the one who’s credited on the record. I’ve met cool drummers who also included the phrase “I’m touring with - “ when asked who they are. I think it’s cool when they make the distinction that they weren’t on the record and aren’t trying to be more than they are. Then we can have a coffee together
Rock Salad
Junior Member
I claim reference to anyone I have played at all with as long as it was a good time had by all. Like I have played with Cliff Williams! It was just a jam at a house but hell everyone had a good time and would probably do it again if it were possible.
But, I'm not trying to sell anything either, and that does change the sensitivity level doesn't it. I don't ever claim any reference to bands we have opened up for. That seems like a stretch even for me.
I see lots of interviews with the old time guys and they do the same. If they played at all with someone anywhere they claim it. But the same thing probably applies with them too, that they aren't trying to sell anything.
If I'm trying to get with a player, I just want them to hear me throw down and see if they agree that we could click.
But, I'm not trying to sell anything either, and that does change the sensitivity level doesn't it. I don't ever claim any reference to bands we have opened up for. That seems like a stretch even for me.
I see lots of interviews with the old time guys and they do the same. If they played at all with someone anywhere they claim it. But the same thing probably applies with them too, that they aren't trying to sell anything.
If I'm trying to get with a player, I just want them to hear me throw down and see if they agree that we could click.
That's still common with Nashville artists, where there are studio musicians, and touring players. But in the old days, it was much more prevelant with young bands whose drummers in particular weren't experienced enough to make radio-ready recordings. Hal Blaine did a lot of those recordings, often credited however, whiole the band's own drummer then recreated those parts on the road.
That's a correct response.
