"Not mentioning Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater while talking about drummers is a huge huge sin. The man is a technical marvel, and great instructor."

I wasn't that huge of a Portnoy fan until I saw the Transatlantic DVD a friend let me borrow. I also have a Dream Theatre DVD, but I like the Transatlantic better (they do a very faithful Beatles medley that kills me). Portnoy doesn't overplay- he's very much an integral part of the whole. I also hate the singer in DT. Bleagh.

I can now look at other Portnoy performances with a different eye.

Have you seen the Transatlantic DVD? It includes members of Spock's Beard, Marillion and Flower Kings.

fp

He might enjoy Dave Lombardo's work(slayer). Especially from Seasons in the Abyss. Just about a perfect drum performance on a heavy metal album.

both Clyde Stubblefield and Jabo Starks played and toured with the godfather, though i'm reasonably sure they never really played together. James liked particular drummers for particular songs. Either way, yes, they are both towering pillars in the drumming world. Probably the two most sampled musicians in history, too.

...boy are his arms tired.

There is nothing wrong with Rush! You longtime Obnerites listen to plenty of vocalists that out-annoy Geddy any day. And anyone who will listen to Led Zeppelin and doesn't mind the vocals but won't listen to Rush because of the vocals is a hypocrite/bandwagon-jumper. Geddy's no worse than Plant, and since about 1980 Geddy stopped singing in the higher registers. I think he's got a great voice, in fact, when not listening to the early material.

And YEAH, I AM a die-hard Rush fan! What's it to ya?

Regardless, as a drummer, the man needs to hear Peart. Give him one of his solos, they're incredible and, most importantly, musical. Peart's one of the few rock drummers whose soloing is really interesting.

Also check out some King Crimson from the 73-74 period, especially live stuff (USA has some choice material, as do the many official bootlegs.) Bill Bruford is, hands down, the best rock drummer ever. So good that he is now a respected jazz drummer.

Beat me to it.

"Regardless, as a drummer, the man needs to hear Peart. Give him one of his solos, they're incredible and, most importantly, musical. Peart's one of the few rock drummers whose soloing is really interesting."

I've been playing drums for 30+ years, and as much as I used to like Rush (when will they get someone who can hear to mix their albums???), Peart's solos bore the hell out of me. All technique, no taste. Rolls, rolls, rolls. Ok ok, enough rolls already!

Love his playing in the songs, usually, but his solos? Bleagh. Borrrrring.

All MO, of course.

fp

Dude, Rush is some seriously geeky shit. Seriously.

This thread is geeky enough. What this kid ought to be listening to is Ringo and Moon and Bonham and Bonfanti and Copeland and shit where there's actual songwriting and drummers who are playing for the song but still playing cool ass shit.

Tool's geeky enough, geekier even than Rush. Drumming has come a long way since Peart joined Rush. In a geek off, Carey would take Peart.

Regardless, you can like Rush all you want. The kid's probably already heard it by now if he's been geeking for 9 years.

But see, you're coming at it from a different angle than most people out there. You're a drummer, you're listening for certain things that the "average listener" is not going to. I love drums, probably my favorite instrument, but I don't play - I just listen. When I hear a solo like, say, Mike Portnoy does with Dream Theater, I am bored to tears. THAT is just technique - how fast, how many, etc. Nothing truly musical in the sense that the average listener is going to tune in to. But a drummer is probably getting tons of tasty licks and examples of perfect . . . whatevers . . . to examine. But me, as a listener? Boring. Boring boring boring . . . boring. Not to mention tastelessly show-offy. What Peart's been doing lately is really entertaining - he solos, but he's doing it to accompany some jazz stuff he's gotten into. He's obviously no jazz drummer, but it's pretty fun to listen to him dive into the genre (and it comes off better than his work with the Burning for Buddy projects did, where he sounded hopelessly stiff against all those superior jazz drummers. Jazz drummers are pretty much going to blow away anyone else out there, and they don't need no stinkin' solo to do it, either! But still, I gotta defend my boy Neil. As a rock drummer, the guy's still got it, and I love it.

But yeah, I agree on the mixing - please, please, on the next album let some outside source mix?

Yeah, but I'm seriously geeky, so it's okay. It balances out in the end.

Neil Peart - Rush - listen to "Subdivisions" for a small taste of his mastery;
Damon Che - Don Caballero - as noted above, one of math rock's finest;
Art Blakey - jazzy, jazz-type jazz drummer that can teach you a thing or two about finesse and time-keeping;
John Bonham - Led Zeppelin - I am stating the obvious, but this man was genius, and my favorite drummer of all time;
John Stanier - formerly with Helmet, now with Mike Patton's, Tomahawk, as well as with Battles (!); he is technically proficient and plays for the benefit of the song;
Buddy Rich and Max Roach - drummers for the big time;
Travis Barker - this cat needs to play music that is a bit more challenging, because he has some chops.

Girls play drums too, you know:

Janet Weiss - Sleater-Kinney - Yes. Oh my, yes.

Danny Heifetz? (Mr. Bungle)

Yeah, Travis Barker is pretty badass.

i saw Madeski Martin and Wood close for Ween, and i was really impressed by their drummer. He was very creative, never wanky and show offy. Everything he did was subdued and in the best interest of the song.

i'm not sure if he's the guy, but bernard purdie was one of james brown's drummers, and came up with some of his most fantastic breaks (cold sweat, sex machine, etc.) he also did the theme from shaft and a boatload of classic soul tracks.

there was some really fantastic 70s studio drummers, and i'm surprised nobody's mentioned steve gadd. he's recorded for everyone and their mom, but some of his most famous work is on steely dan's aja and some paul simon (the drum part on 50 ways to leave your lover is friggin sick)
another 70s studio guy to check out is harvey mason, did some classic drum work for bob james, grover washington jr., and herbie hancock (headhunters!)

He already has this book.

some great bands with great drummers:

Blonde Redhead.
Broadcast
Trans Am

also check out Deerhoof

My brother is a bigger fan than I am, I am sure he has it, so I will check it out through him. Thanks for the tip.

I agree what you said about James LaBrie of DT. Too much of a wanker singer for me, so I listen past him to the music on their discs. All of them are so talented its scary.

Dear god. What a geek.

Awesome!

jon fishman is an incredible drummer.

commence flaming.

Naw, he is though. The guy that is touring with the Fiery Furnaces right now is possibly the sickest drummer I've seen in person, and I really mean that.

Get him Deerhoof - Apple. Tell him he's making those sounds with just a bass drum with a tambourine tied to it, a snare, and a ride.

Or get Chris Dodge - East West Blast Test, though if he doesn't like Hella that might be an attempt in vein.

Start with Slayer, and I recommend keeping him away from Mars Volta. Start with At the Drive-In. Or Phantomas or Mr. Bungle.

Better yet, get him Sleater-Kinney's The Woods just to show he's being outdrummed by a girl.