Drummer issues Two weeks before gig

[southpaw723]

Ok so our usual drummer just told us he'd be out of town for a show June 3. We've been practicing with one drummer who's not that great, he has trouble keeping time. However we'd be able to practice with him a lot before the show. There's another drummer who is better but only the one guitarist has played with him before. Since he lives out of town we'd only be able to practice with him twice. Not sure who to go with with such little time.

 

[southpaw723]

4-30
This is some stuff with drummer A for reference. I don't have any recordings of drummer B.

 

[buldog5151bass]

If drummer #1 can't even keep good time, I'd go with door #2.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Ok so our usual drummer just told us he'd be out of town for a show June 3. We've been practicing with one drummer who's not that great, he has trouble keeping time. However we'd be able to practice with him a lot before the show. There's another drummer who is better but only the one guitarist has played with him before. Since he lives out of town we'd only be able to practice with him twice. Not sure who to go with with such little time.

This borders on being an "irreparable defect" in my experience. IOW, you can practice with him ad nauseum but he still won't be able to keep time. You'd be better off with a seasoned competent sub who can step-up to the plate with a minimum of prep.

Riis

 

[Stumbo]

Originals or covers?

Set up a click track for the timerless drummer.

Or, send recordings/song list to second drummer so he can learn it on his own.

 

[bwildt]

"Set up a click track for the timerless drummer."
This is a recipe for disaster. It's been my experience that playing to a click is an acquired skill. If a drummer can't keep time, a click-track will not keep him on tempo. It will merely show just how bad his wandering is.

 

[southpaw723]

Originals or covers?

Set up a click track for the timerless drummer.

Or, send recordings/song list to second drummer so he can learn it on his own.

Pretty much a 50/50 mix

 

[buldog5151bass]

Pretty much a 50/50 mix

Play with drummer #2, get him/her recordings so they know their parts, and as long as beginnings and endings are tight, the rest will take care of itself.

 

[dragon68]

I am truly shocked that nobody has said, “Fire the drummer!” You’ve got 3 of them to choose from.

Just kidding. I hope it works out.

 

[MrLenny1]

hire the one that freelances the most.
I hired a guy 2 days before the gig he he aced it.

 

[hrodbert696]

I agree about door #2. Especially if you're playing covers and they're reasonably well-known, a good drummer will be able to jump in and carry you through them. A bad drummer who can't keep time will train wreck you no matter how many practices you have.

 

[Oddly]

Does the guitarist who's played with drummer 2 actually recommend him?
If so, and you trust his judgement, then go with him.

Nice playing on that 4-30 track, by the way.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

4-30
This is some stuff with drummer A for reference. I don't have any recordings of drummer B.

The guitarist, imho, sticks out more than the drummer.

 

[southpaw723]

The guitarist, imho, sticks out more than the drummer.

The lead or rhythm?

 

[G On Bass]

IME, drummers that can not keep time do not suddenly become able to keep time. Regardless of how many rehearsals. My vote is drummer #2, making sure everyone, including that drummer, knows the list cold before those 2 rehearsals.

 

[MattZilla]

Aww, I feel bad for the dude who bought a drumset and convinced some people to call him a drummer despite never having bought or practiced with a metronome. Now he's getting fired from a gig for which he's not even a little prepared.

 

[bass71]

Ok so our usual drummer just told us he'd be out of town for a show June 3. We've been practicing with one drummer who's not that great, he has trouble keeping time. However we'd be able to practice with him a lot before the show. There's another drummer who is better but only the one guitarist has played with him before. Since he lives out of town we'd only be able to practice with him twice. Not sure who to go with with such little time.

Sorry to sound dum....so this is the guy that cant keep time?....sounds reasonable to me. Compared to our guy he's a pro. Our's places his index fingers on top of the sticks, yep, and spends most of the time rolling around the kit....but, he's a really top bloke, funny and an all round nice guy. Be careful what you wish for.

 

[klejst]

DRUM MACHINE!

 

[Alfonso Alba]

4-30
This is some stuff with drummer A for reference. I don't have any recordings of drummer B.

I'm a drummer and I've been told to have good timing. I'm listening to these recording and while the guy does lag a bit sometimes, it's definitely NOT a train wreck here. However, in all of these demos, the music is relatively slow and the drummer is pretty much staying in the pocket, only adding sporadic simple fills (that's when his timing wobbles the most). It's not clear if this guy can play faster stuff or if he can do more complex fills. If your music is not too fast and doesn't require complex drum arrangements, then this guy would do an ok job.

That said, Drummer B could be much more professional and do a fine job with just one or two rehearsals.