drumming secrets

Every morning when I walk the dogs in the forest, next door to where I live, many things go through my mind. Most of those thoughts are about actions that I have to take or creative things....but today I had some funny moments and laughter when I thought of the "blooper reel" of my career....

Understand this: "On the Record" as you might have noticed I like to present myself as a professional musician, whose reputation is all about being in time, in controll and prepared for any tour, live concert or studio gig!

"Off the Record" I suppose, I am just a guy like anybody else, making mistakes and hoping to learn from it. Some of these stories I would like to share with you, because it is a good laugh and probably everyone could recognize these situations and moments....

Don't get me wrong here; as a professsional musician I am aiming for the best quality of course, but isn't it great to let go that ego and enjoy the fun of being stupid once in a while?

Ok, maybe you'll recognize this story....... As a drummer I tried to make a living by taking on board ANY gig, no matter what style of music or what occasion. Back then (when I was 20, so this must have been 25 years ago now!) I started a serious drumschool where I taught 6 days a week on a regular base! On top of that I went out to get as many gigs as I could on every evening from Thursday till Sunday . To speak the truth, I think I was running around like mad, totally not knowing where I was heading for, ha,ha,ha,....

Anyway, this one gig came in, nothing special, just a short phonecall from a singer that I knew, and before I knew it, the agenda was filled again.

From experience of working on many jobs that I have done as a drummer (but also as a process operator in a chemical factory or as a line producer at film sets) I have learned a serious rule: Watch out for routine!

Once you get into a routine, there will be moments when you have to be aware of making mistakes! I remember I was sitting on a terras enjoying my Rum & Coke (no worrries; I am talking about the drink mix here, mind you!), and I postponed my 'drum gear load in time' as much as possible! I had the experience of being in time, because that is exactly what we train our selves for as a drummer, to 'control' time, isn't it? I had it all figured out; the set was packed and checked the night before, I had a routemap printed out for the gig's address, and I knew exactly that I had to drive for 2 hrs to get there, 5 minutes to unload the kit, 20 minutes to put it up and 5 minutes to change shirts.....so I was officially allowed to hang about for another 15 minutes and enjoy my drink!

Once my internal alarm went off (You got to go now!! You got to go now!! repeat 5 times!!), I realized I was a bit late, 5 minutes to be exact, BUT.......still under control....I paid for the drink and then I went to my rehearsal room to pick up the gear. Once I did all that, I was on my way shortly to head for the gig.....

Music was playing on my casette radio, I remember it was Phill Collins' Brand X project that made my trip a pleasant and interesting ride and I had still 30 minutes to travel. Suddenly little demons started to whisper in my ear, trying to annoy me...."Hey, Juanito! Pssst.....Are you sure yo didn't forget something??.....sticks, cymbals....or anything? I guess not, cause you are so f*cking professional....you are the man!!!"

Directly after those thoughts I pulled over my car (an old Peugot 505 station wagon) and threw open the booth and checked my cases....bass drum, snare, toms, cymbals....hey look; there's my stickbag, and the hardware case,.....and.....and....??? Where is my rack?

- you have to know that in those days I was a serious Pearl endorser using the rack that Jeff Pocaro invented for Pearl. Jeff was awesome and so was his rack! I had the 2nd generation of racks back then, I believe it was a DR-2. I loved the hardware of Pearl; easy gear and small when you pack it. And the rack? Great, because I used clamps to hold all my 3 toms and all cymbals of my set up -

This time: no rack....so guess what? No toms and cymbals then! And I was about to play with an eighties rock band at a motor club party some where in "Nomads-Land"...... Driving back to pick it up at my place was no option; I had to build up at the gig in 20 minutes...my brain gave me a hard time! Questions like "Ooohh God, what shall I do, what shall I do??" went through my thoughts with a non-stop speed and I worked hard not to panic! Then suddenly, (thank God for confidence) my inner voice helped me out saying: "don't worry....you can still play drums. You'll manage, don't worry and move on to be in time for the gig". So I moved on to the gig.

During that ride I convinced myself that it wouldn't matter that much and that the band should be happy that I showed up at least! Looking back at this situation, I think it's amazing what your ego is capable of in situations like these. I remember at some point I told myself it was actually kind of cool to show up with half a drum set! Isn't that something?

Anyway, when I arrived at the gig, I pulled out the gear and started to improvise what to use and what not. I managed to set up a kit in the following configuration: kick, snare, floortom, hihat stand with a AX -25 adaptor holding a cymbal top for a crash ride cymbal ...... The place was packed when I did a little soundcheck and I could tell from some audience's faces that they thought something wasn't really complete in their idea of a Rock band's backline. During my soundcheck the band members weren't on stage at all, so they didn't know anything about my decreased set up.....

Imagine this: 5 minutes before showtime the band gathered backstage to do the group hug, we made the band yell and we all went to rock the house.....once on stage the singer always turned his back to the audience, facing me to wait for the big intro and me counting him in. You should've seen his face! 1st he looked like he was in he mood to kick some ass, then he frowed his eyebrows and looked at my minimized kit.... and then in the middle of the intro tape, just before I needed to count him in he asked me:....."What is....where are your toms for the big break in the intro, man??!!"

And I quickly replied with a big lot of confidence, just before counting in: "Toms??!....Oh, shoot!! Haven't you heard about it?.....This is the new approach man: old school, dy hard Rock, you singers are so ingnorant, Allright? Here we go: 1, 2, 3, 4,....." and off we went.  

Never ever did I have to work so hard as during this gig: Every fill I had to come up with ideas to make it sound like the original tracks on the record, which isn't an easy task on a set with one floortom and one cymbal!!

However, I managed to pull myself and the band through that gig, but it wasn't a pleasant ride to look back to! Every time I had to fight the angry looks, of the singer, guitarist and the promoter. Also did I have to deal with the laughing faces of the crowd on the front rows, not to mention all the remarks after the concert: "Hey man, are you tight on the budget tonight?" or "Ok, that's half your wages for tonight then!" or "Next time bring a cowbell only!!" or "Loved you tom fills buddy, they left a lot of space for me to fill in, ha,ha,ha,!"

So today, I triple check my gear EVERY TIME before I go on the road using a check list. In this way I have the feeling that at least I have learned something of this experience! So look out for routine!

Please, do come back for more "Off the Record" stories later on......

Juan