Drummer's intelligence

[Cato]

has anyone ever had any intellectual conversation with drummers?

I haven't.

it's always about their gear, fave jokes, porn, and John Bohnam.

no political topic, no science, no philosophy.

so I think most of them are kinda stupid.

how do you think of them?

discuss.....

[gbranton]

Actually, I have talked to two in the last few weeks that I thought were cool guys, Zoltan Chaney and Fred Coury.

Chaney and I were riding in a vehicle just the two of us and we talked for about twenty minutes on everything from seafood to the traffic in different parts of Florida and where we would rather live if given a choice. We did talk about gear, Iron Maiden and Van Halen a bit too.

Fred and I only talked briefly, but he seemed like a smart and funny, if less outgoing guy, but he is a big NASCAR and hockey fan.

[gbranton]

And oh yeah, Zoltan is a phenomenal drummer and showman.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VlQttjwF5gY

[jhale667]

Yeah, CATO...perhaps it's the drummers you're hanging out with...? Frankie Banali is one of the smartest dudes I know...

[gbranton]

Yeah, CATO...perhaps it's the drummers you're hanging out with...? Frankie Banali is one of the smartest dudes I know...

But what about Banali dropping a pink slip on his singer while the dude was in the hospital for brain surgery. IF it went down like I read that was a little tasteless.

[gbranton]

[jhale667]

Holy huge pictures, Batman! Hope you don't mind if I re-size that for ya...

But what about Banali dropping a pink slip on his singer while the dude was in the hospital for brain surgery. IF it went down like I read that was a little tasteless.

Haven't spoken to him lately or about it. But curious - I mean, that's major surgery -maybe it was just decided by Huff, the band and his doctors that he couldn't continue? Were they supposed to potentially wait months for him to recuperate? There were tour dates booked, were they supposed to cancel everything? It would have been a huge loss of revenue (and potential legal fees) to do that if that's what happened...

And oh yeah, Zoltan is a phenomenal drummer and showman.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VlQttjwF5gY

Geez, he's good, but kinda like Vik Foxx on meth...LOL... fitting he got the Vince gig after him. He's friends with a girl I've known since high school, who keeps threatening to introduce us every time she's in L.A. She says he's a super cool dude too.

[gbranton]

Holy huge pictures, Batman! Hope you don't mind if I re-size that for ya...

That would be great, thanks.

Haven't spoken to him lately or about it. But curious - I mean, that's major surgery -maybe it was just decided by Huff, the band and his doctors that he couldn't continue? Were they supposed to potentially wait months for him to recuperate? There were tour dates booked, were they supposed to cancel everything? It would have been a huge loss of revenue (and potential legal fees) to do that if that's what happened...

Huff is putting it out there like he got fired and got a letter while he was in the hospital fighting for his life, but I figure there are two sides to every story.

Geez, he's good, but kinda like Vik Foxx on meth...LOL... fitting he got the Vince gig after him. He's friends with a girl I've known since high school, who keeps threatening to introduce us every time she's in L.A. She says he's a super cool dude too.

He is a cool guy. I know you are joking, but he's not on anything, I spoke to him for a couple of minutes right after the show and then drove him to the airport at 7:00 AM the next morning. He said a couple of hours after the show when the excitement of playing live wears off he has to get some sleep. He says he sometimes breaks shit on his drum kit if you can imagine that.

He doesn't actually live in LA. (I know where he does live but I feel like I shouldn't say.)

[jhale667]

That would be great, thanks.

No probs!

Huff is putting it out there like he got fired and got a letter while he was in the hospital fighting for his life, but I figure there are two sides to every story.

Always is...

He is a cool guy. I know you are joking, but he's not on anything, I spoke to him for a couple of minutes right after the show and then drove him to the airport at 7:00 AM the next morning. He said a couple of hours after the show when the excitement of playing live wears off he has to get some sleep. He says he sometimes breaks shit on his drum kit if you can imagine that.

Totally was joking, my friend wouldn't hang with him if he were a tweaker...and yeah, I can't imagine how anything on his kit would get busted on a nightly basis...

[gbranton]

I can't imagine how anything on his kit would get busted on a nightly basis...

I tried to find a video of him hitting the cymbals with his stool. That was pretty cool too.

He tries not to, as it is usually a rented kit. BUT, when you are hitting the cymbals like this:

[FORD]

Huff is putting it out there like he got fired and got a letter while he was in the hospital fighting for his life, but I figure there are two sides to every story.

Maybe Newt Gingrich is managing What's Left of Quiet Riot? Sounds like something right out of his playbook. Except he only does that with his wives.

[gbranton]

Maybe Newt Gingrich is managing What's Left of Quiet Riot? Sounds like something right out of his playbook. Except he only does that with his wives.

If it were John Edwards, he would just go the Journey route and jam with a new singer without telling the old one.

[jhale667]

M'kay, let's not turn this into the bash Frankie thread, please. In other news, one of my first and longest L.A. friends, the dude who played on my 00s demo Steve Mills -is currently drumming for the BulletBoys - and yes he speaks in complete sentences.

[gbranton]

M'kay, let's not turn this into the bash Frankie thread, please. In other news, one of my first and longest L.A. friends, the dude who played on my 00s demo Steve Mills -is currently drumming for the BulletBoys - and yes he speaks in complete sentences.

Not at all meaning to bash Frankie, just joking with Ford. I know he is your friend and by the way the new singer sounds awesome.

I like the Bulletboys as well. Their debut album was pretty strong, I heard something not too long ago by them and Marq Torien's voice still sounded great. I have not seen them since the 80's.

[jhale667]

It's fucking hilarious actually, because the year their 2nd album "Freakshow" came out, it was one of those albums that was mandatory listening (particularly "THC Groove") before we'd go trolling at the Rainbow. 20 years later he ends up playing for them. Pretty And another friend, my last cover band drummer sometimes techs for Jimmy D'Anda. Small world.

I haven't seen them since he started playing with them, but the band opened for QR 2nd to last tech gig I did for them in '06, and I saw them in Ventura County a year or so ago, and Torien's voice has held up well.

[gbranton]

I think Warner Brothers thought the Bulletboys were going to be the next Van Halen, right down to Ted Templeman producing their debut.

I had heard that 10c Billionaire was a pretty good album but I haven't gotten around to checking it out.

[TJMKID]

I think Warner Brothers thought the Bulletboys were going to be the next Van Halen, right down to Ted Templeman producing their debut.

I really dug the Bullet Boys debut album --- it was a blatant VH copycat band --- but a damn good one!

[jhale667]

I think Warner Brothers thought the Bulletboys were going to be the next Van Halen, right down to Ted Templeman producing their debut.

I always heard it was Ted Templeman that thought they were his next Van Halen.

[gbranton]

I really dug the Bullet Boys debut album --- it was a blatant VH copycat band --- but a damn good one!

Damn I like that! Now I'm gonna have to listen to that tomorrow.

[gbranton]

I always heard it was Ted Templeman that thought they were his next Van Halen.

That wouldn't surprise me, they were presented in the same way.....they even recorded a cover song to use as a single, the KILLER version of For the Love of Money.

[jhale667]

That wouldn't surprise me, they were presented in the same way.....they even recorded a cover song to use as a single, the KILLER version of For the Love of Money.

That version abso-fucking-lutely rocks, yes...

[gbranton]

That version abso-fucking-lutely rocks, yes...

One of the BEST covers of the era, along with Little Ceasar's "Chain of Fools", WASP's "I Don't Need No Doctor" and "The Real Me", White Lion's "Radar Love" and Faster Pussycat's "You're So Vain".

[TJMKID]

.....they even recorded a cover song to use as a single, the KILLER version of For the Love of Money.

Bullet Boys always did a 5-star job with covers --

[gbranton]

In the interest of general awesomeness, I decided to post it a few up.

[BigBadBrian]

has anyone ever had any intellectual conversation with drummers?

I haven't.

it's always about their gear, fave jokes, porn, and John Bohnam.

no political topic, no science, no philosophy.

so I think most of them are kinda stupid.

how do you think of them?

discuss.....

Just two words in reply to that: Neil Peart. Ever hear an interview of him? Self taught and well read. A voracious reader on whatever appeals to him. Not a stupid man.

[chefcraig]

Just two words in reply to that: Neil Peart. Ever hear an interview of him? Self taught and well read. A voracious reader on whatever appeals to him. Not a stupid man.

Not only that, he's a man that lost his daughter and wife within the space of one year, went on a soul searching course of discovery, lived through it and managed to create a highly moving account of his ordeal in the book Ghost Rider. Highly recommended.

Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road

[jhale667]

Just two words in reply to that: Neil Peart. Ever hear an interview of him? Self taught and well read. A voracious reader on whatever appeals to him. Not a stupid man.

Let's not also forget he's written the lyrics to pretty much every song in Rush's what, 40-year career?

[lesfunk]

Some drummers are smart some are dumb. Over the years I have run into just as many if not more dumb guitarists.

[jhale667]

Some drummers are smart some are dumb. Over the years I have run into just as many if not more dumb guitarists.

There's a moderately famous one I won't name that is basically illiterate, poor guy. Can't imagine how difficult his life has been (and IS) every time he puts the guitar down.

And yeah, one guy I played with in the 90s dropped out of school in like the 7th grade or some sh*t, good drummer, nice guy, but was basically dumb as a box of rocks by default. Fortunately, he eventually went back and got his G.E.D.

[lesfunk]

Exhibit A

[Diamondjimi]

Drummers are a different breed of "musician". I think there can be relevance in regards to Rock drummers in this thread. But I've yet to meet a "dumb" Jazz drummer.... (just a personal observation)

I've found the "dumbest" drummers I've dealt with are the one's who don't follow or take instruction well... Some have been down right crybaby's.. lol

[jhale667]

As for the crybaby type... I love the "I don't PLAY TO A CLICK" guys - yeah, because you CAN'T.

[Dave's Bitch]

Bullet Boys always did a 5-star job with covers --

The music was tight but i did not really care for the vocals

[Diamondjimi]

As for the crybaby type... I love the "I don't PLAY TO A CLICK" guys - yeah, because you CAN'T.

Yup. Fail and fired. Buh-bye!

[LoungeMachine]

There's a moderately famous one I won't name that is basically illiterate, poor guy. Can't imagine how difficult his life has been (and IS) every time he puts the guitar down.

.

I think I know who you're talking about (C.H.)





Our own Kwame is fairly intelligent and only seems to drool on occasions.

[Nitro Express]

Just two words in reply to that: Neil Peart. Ever hear an interview of him? Self taught and well read. A voracious reader on whatever appeals to him. Not a stupid man.

It makes you wonder how many more are out there who didn't get break. Niel could have continued selling International Harvester farm implements for the rest of his life. I had to go into the John Deer dealer to get some parts the other day and I looked at the guy behind the counter and thought, man, that could be Niel Peart.

[gbranton]

I think I know who you're talking about (C.H.)

I don't think it's Chris Hager, who played in Rough Cutt, Mickey Ratt and with Stephen Pearcy. I thought he was into psychology and life coaching. That's about the only C.H. I can think of in the LA scene.

[LoungeMachine]

I don't think it's Chris Hager, who played in Rough Cutt, Mickey Ratt and with Stephen Pearcy. I thought he was into psychology and life coaching. That's about the only C.H. I can think of in the LA scene.

Not who I'm talking about....

[gbranton]

Not who I'm talking about....

That would be a hell of a concept, an illiterate life coach. When a guy who can't read and write is coaching YOU, then your life officially sucks.

[jhale667]

I don't think it's Chris Hager, who played in Rough Cutt, Mickey Ratt and with Stephen Pearcy. I thought he was into psychology and life coaching. That's about the only C.H. I can think of in the LA scene.

Not him, no. Not naming who it is.

Chris is cool as shit and so is Amir, Paul, Matt and Dave, btw. Matt's got a pretty kickass studio in his converted garage. I got to tech their only reunion gig at the Viper Room in '02. One of my fondest tech memories was getting to work on their guitars. I had a picture of Amir's "Navy" Charvel on my wall as a kid, FFS - and I got to set it up and play it.

Bantonelli and I ran into Dave Alford at the VH show, it was good to see him! She can confirm he too speaks in complete sentences...