Drummer Issues

[Anon]

Greetings All,

Been a lurker for a while, first post.

I am currently playing in a 3 piece original band, drums, guitar(me) and a bass player. We practice in a well sound proofed 500 sq ft rehearsal space. I play though an Orange CR120 with 2 Orange PPC 4x12 cabs and the bass player plays through a Fender with 2 15s. We've been jamming for about 2 months now as a new group.

Me and the bass player like to play loud. The first practice session we had our drummer asked me to turn down my amp and I was like....fuck that, you signed up to play in a band that plays loud and heavy, this was clearly mentioned in the ad the bass player had up on craigslist and no fucking way am I willing to compromise on that. The craigslist ad also had noted this band was going to be in the genre's of doom/stoner metal and the drummer was completely clueless to this genre. After some Q and A with him it turns out he a classic rock type drummer which was fine by the bass player and me. I still don't understand why he signed up for a genre he is not familiar with. I named off dozens of bands, melvins, down, eyehategod, weedeater, electric wizard etc and the drummer had no clue who they were.

I am at the point now where his drumming is bothering me a lot. He plays way too lightly, it's like his drum sticks are feathers. The bass player and my volume is high but it's not so loud we would drown out a capable drummer. His attack is weak and he is not very dynamic.

We're just playing for fun, no goals of touring except for the occasional gig here and there.

How would you guys handle this situation? Any advice is appreciated, thank you!

[echorec]

Me and the bass player like to play loud. The first practice session we had our drummer asked me to turn down my amp and I was like....

That's where I would've sent him packing. I'm a notorious prick, though, and have spent a lifetime solidifying that reputation, so I'm not sure what a more tolerant person is supposed to do here.

Is he the only drummer in your town? It doesn't seem like you have a lot of options, or you would've already gotten someone else. You're either buddying up with crusty Randy and his Boston LPs, or you can start looking for new surroundings.

I don't know how you can make him cooler however. What's that dumb cliche that athletes end every fucking interview with? Yellow is yellow....or is it red is red is red?

[D.o.S.]

I would probably turn down.

It's fucking practice.

[D.o.S.]

Also is it possible that he asked you to turn down because you're playing a solid state amp that sounds like shit at it's current volume level?

[Anon]

Also is it possible that he asked you to turn down because you're playing a solid state amp that sounds like shit at it's current volume level?

lol

[Anon]

Me and the bass player like to play loud. The first practice session we had our drummer asked me to turn down my amp and I was like....

That's where I would've sent him packing. I'm a notorious prick, though, and have spent a lifetime solidifying that reputation, so I'm not sure what a more tolerant person is supposed to do here.

Is he the only drummer in your town? It doesn't seem like you have a lot of options, or you would've already gotten someone else. You're either buddying up with crusty Randy and his Boston LPs, or you can start looking for new surroundings.

I don't know how you can make him cooler however. What's that dumb cliche that athletes end every fucking interview with? Yellow is yellow....or is it red is red is red?

Drummers who want to play the type of stuff we play is looking pretty sparse and I live in southern california.

[Chankgeez]

You got the wrong drummer, son.

Find a different one.

[D.o.S.]

Also is it possible that he asked you to turn down because you're playing a solid state amp that sounds like shit at it's current volume level?

lol

I mean I get that it's got the right tolex but the bb orange doesn't compare to the real thing brah.

[D.o.S.]

But for realsies you probs want to find a new drummer.

[Anon]

But for realsies you probs want to find a new drummer.

Agreed, but is it worth asking him to step up his game, in a nice way of course to cause as little butthurt as possible.

[D.o.S.]

I mean in all seriousness the easiest solution, by far, is to just turn down (and keep your eye out for a new drummer). I get that there's no 'doom cred' in it but let's be real here the ship sailed on doom a decade ago anyway.

[Anon]

Also is it possible that he asked you to turn down because you're playing a solid state amp that sounds like shit at it's current volume level?

lol

I mean I get that it's got the right tolex but the bb orange doesn't compare to the real thing brah.

I'm a noob man. Give me time, I'm prowling for some high wattage tube stuff now.

[Anon]

I mean in all seriousness the easiest solution, by far, is to just turn down (and keep your eye out for a new drummer). I get that there's no 'doom cred' in it but let's be real here the ship sailed on doom a decade ago anyway.

Are you fucking nuts.

[Chankgeez]

Yeah, it depends on if you wanna make it work with this drummer.

He may be interested in trying to play "Doom", but not at the volumes you wanna.

Might I suggest a new (quieter) genre: Lounge Doom?

Are you fucking nuts.

Yeah, he's nuts.

[D.o.S.]

I mean in all seriousness the easiest solution, by far, is to just turn down (and keep your eye out for a new drummer). I get that there's no 'doom cred' in it but let's be real here the ship sailed on doom a decade ago anyway.

Are you fucking nuts.

Do you intentionally avoid putting question marks at the end of sentences?

By all means, please tell me all about doom. Present your battle jacket of wrong bands.