What do you think bout live drummer and DJ combination?

Jamie_D · Post by **Jamie_D** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 12:09 pm

Hey guys

I have played drums for over 30 yrs now...started reading and playing drums at 6....I'm now a young 37.
I am currently jamming with a DJ and love it.
I've played in many bands over the past 20 odd years....from cabaret to original rock and everything in between however this is the first time with a DJ.

The current DJ is probably out of practice as it's been a few years for him and his collection is a little old

, however I feel this is a great combination.

I have electronic drums (Roland TD8) and have over 1600 sounds and around 70 kits to choose from.

What do you think about this type of set up and who is willing to also look at jamming with me to play live sets out in Melbourne and who knows where else.

Cheers

PS : if you want to contact me please feel free to call 0411 51 72 73

ghetto kitty · Post by **ghetto kitty** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 12:10 pm

im calling you NOW.

Jamie_D · Post by **Jamie_D** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 12:44 pm

ghetto kitty wrote:im calling you NOW.

Thanks for the call GK

I found myspace link and like the music....heaps of potential.

Keep in touch and have a chat to guys....they are welcome to call me also.

Cheers

Jamie D

Shifty-Sly · Post by **Shifty-Sly** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 12:56 pm

I remember watching Blue Print play with a live drummer a couple of times

Pretty cool show

Could be interesting

Jamie_D · Post by **Jamie_D** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 1:10 pm

Shifty-Sly wrote:I remember watching Blue Print play with a live drummer a couple of times

Pretty cool show

Could be interesting

are they melb based??

NakedAge · Post by **NakedAge** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 1:17 pm

The drumber/Dj combo has been done a bit but I think if its done well it can work.

The only thing I dont like about the concept of mixing live instruments with a Dj is that sometimes if the live element becomes too big a part you end up with a whole night of 1 instrument and then every song has that 1 element, but, I think if its equalled out and not done in over kill it can be a really great experience.

Shifty-Sly · Post by **Shifty-Sly** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 1:49 pm

Jamie_D wrote:are they melb based??

I know Blue Print is dont think he is doing much music wise these days

No idea about his drummer

Like I said interesting to watch

*catalyst · Post by *catalyst » Fri Jan 02, 2009 5:23 pm

I've dj'd while a mate drum'd. Was heaps of fun, he's an excellent drummer but he uses a traditional set of drums so it can be a bit hard to practice. Electronic drums on the other hand would totally change it, and I like the idea of being able to switch kits mid-set.

What type of music are you keen on, and where are you located??

NakedAge · Post by **NakedAge** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 5:33 pm

I remember there used to be a realllllllly old dj mixer that had like, this basic basic basic drum machine in it, basically just a kick drum. I don't know how people used it. I dont even know if they could set and make loops with it. I think it was like, you press a button and it makes a UNTZ noise and that was it. I once saw a Dj and a drum MACHINE go at it, and Dj's and saxaphonists are good, as are Dj's and bongo players. I like the concept of a recorded medium and a live medium coming together

bassfreak · Post by **bassfreak** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 9:12 pm

I remember Johnny Hooves drumming with JPS (I think) at Brown Alley a few years ago before Black Sun Empire and Teebee. That was awesome.
Chek youtube for Jungle Drummmer also

eN · Post by eN » Fri Jan 02, 2009 9:19 pm

NakedAge wrote: I once saw a Dj and a drum MACHINE go at it...

Sounds kinky.

Jamie_D · Post by **Jamie_D** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 10:11 pm

Hey Catalyst

Thanks for the response.

You are correct in saying the idea of changing sounds mid-set is good. I am now quite familiar with the drum sounds and can find an good mix that works well with the music.
It also sounds awesome to put some offbeats and fills in when there is space.
I have sound wicked sounds on the TD8's - from acoustic kit to electro, percussion and some really cool sound effects.
I also have a powered speaker of 400watts which can take 3 lines in and 2 lines out.

I am quite excited at the prospect however as mentioned probably need an experienced and versatile DJ to jam with as current mate/DJ is a little rusty and has outdated vinyls.

I live in West Foostcray however travel is not really an issue. I don't have the room in current home to jam with someone. My mate has a room out back yard which is very convenient.

I am into all sorts of music...mainly groove stuff however I can play to almost anything.

If you are keen do not hesitate to contact me.

Are you currently playing out anywhere?
What music mix do you have or believe can work with a drummer?

Keep in touch

Regards

Jamie D

spin · Post by **spin** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 6:48 am

its hit n miss, as a dj the live drums usually have a delay in regards to the fold back. wich isn't fun if you like to keep it tight in the mix, also if the percussionist is un familiar with the tunes there can be issues with structure. its great if you have organised a section of a set to have a percussive element/solo, but on a whole it can become repetitive and over bearing. mpc ftw.
i much prefer working with a trombone.

but when the vibe is right and you have an understaning between perc n bass we can killem like the natty dred to whom i worship.

nic · Post by **nic** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 6:52 am

seen squarepusher with a love drummer was awsome and not too much, everything else has been a bit annoying, ruined the songs tbh.

spin · Post by **spin** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 6:59 am

nic wrote:seen squarepusher with a love drummer was awsome and not too much, everything else has been a bit annoying, ruined the songs tbh.

il play your ass like a bongo ya little bogan.

my brother is a pro djembe player and he stretches pongy goat skins in the garden... he did support snap when they toured tho...

jazz?

nic · Post by **nic** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 8:39 am

u gpsy bastard i challend your to cokeybengajenga

bust it wide open, get it on the floor, drop and give me fifty

nic · Post by **nic** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 8:40 am

http://cdn.chickipedia.com/www/images/3 ... _800x0.jpg

spin · Post by **spin** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 10:16 am

jungle drummer and dj fu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N93-r8m7rYo

spin · Post by **spin** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 10:26 am

tis guy is good toooo, kj sawka

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp5OxEzxuSg

gnat · Post by **gnat** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 11:21 am

lol nic ban

live drummer is win imo. perth's rhibosome nailed this combo if you wanna hunt down their excellent album

blueprint with live drums always a great show

nubreed also have done i'm sure

M@e311 · Post by **M@e311** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 3:52 pm

being a drummer I am all up for it. if you get the chemistry right, it is like any live act, you can destroy the place.

Always good to have other elements as well.

Post by **huge** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 4:11 pm

ac23 wrote:macc

ftw

Watch the posted video on YouTube.

J0rdz · Post by **J0rdz** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 9:51 pm

Shifty-Sly wrote:I remember watching Blue Print play with a live drummer a couple of times

Pretty cool show

Could be interesting

Loved Blueprint's shows. Altho the few times i saw him with a drummer he wasnt DJing... but fark, it worked well.
Member seeing him open the main stage at Parklife 06. Was phenomenal!

Blaxter · Post by **Blaxter** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 8:53 am

TZU were mixing up the live and sampled sounds for a while.

Feigan · Post by **Feigan** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 9:01 am

gnat wrote:lol nic ban

live drummer is win imo. perth's rhibosome nailed this combo if you wanna hunt down their excellent album

blueprint with live drums always a great show

nubreed also have done i'm sure

Twas Fractured @ Platform 1 with Dave Norris on drums I think Nat.

Blueprint does it perfectly with drummer & vocalist - Parklife set was V good.

deejaypcp · Post by **deejaypcp** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 12:33 pm

Live stuff with dj is always going to be cool or shite, both for the audience and the performer. It's a difficult thing to pull off.
When it works it can be sick when it doesn't, it's a mess. Less is always more and a kit is always going to be a weird thing in a club situation, unless it's a big enough place to alleviate sound separation issues or you're using an electronic kit.

I spent a few years playing live bass with djs in one form or another, some with a live band where a dj did cuts and samples, some in a bar where I'd improvise over down-tempo stuff and some other properly prepared and rehearsed hip hop mixes for big shows with a breaking crew to give more presence on stage.

The improv stuff was great as it was a low key affair in a little bar on a saturday arvo. A few mates would drop in and we'd get to drink and eat for free every saturday.

In the end the band out-grew the dj scratchy thing and a couple of us quit and relocated here to Melbourne. With the breakers I felt way too fake, despite or maybe because of the bright lights / big crowds etc. ie. not a dj nor a bboy.

Monitoring was a problem sometimes, however, if you rehearse with the dj you can easily work out cues and head bobs etc.

Maybe after 30 years of drumming you may not wanna go into djing but I'd highly recommend it. Spend the time you would have getting this idea tight on learning how to beat mix etc. You should find it pretty easy. or yeah. Go with an mpc / controller....

DBoy · Post by **DBoy** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 1:02 pm

Think is was Spinna at Honky Tonks... was gold, beats over beats, not too much though, and warmed into it, and peaked, and warmed out, as only part of the set. so good.

Dingo · Post by **Dingo** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 5:34 pm

Resin Dogs (dave dog vs Katch)do it well.
Can u load any sample onto ur pads? or is it just presets?

deejaypcp · Post by **deejaypcp** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 11:42 pm

^^
Never saw Katch and Dave play using an electronic kit, but they'd do it justice most likely.
Dave is an amazing drummer.

*edit
Sorry, re-read the original post. Ignore my ramble about room size.

Jamie_D · Post by **Jamie_D** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 3:24 pm

Dingo wrote:Resin Dogs (dave dog vs Katch)do it well.
Can u load any sample onto ur pads? or is it just presets?

Yep....the roland unit has this option and i can also change presets

Johnny Hooves · Post by **Johnny Hooves** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 4:21 pm

deejaypcp wrote: Maybe after 30 years of drumming you may not wanna go into djing but I'd highly recommend it. Spend the time you would have getting this idea tight on learning how to beat mix etc. You should find it pretty easy. or yeah. Go with an mpc / controller....

Mr PCP are you suggesting that an experienced drummer should take up a whole new craft instead of attempting a cool and rare pairing with a dj on the grounds of a few bad monitoring experiences and generally finding it a bit difficult?

I think drums and decks a fucking great idea and to be fair to pcp, do rehearse the shit out of it, do involve a good live engineer to help u select and arrange it, and dont book a gig in a club that doesn't have suitable production or staging.

Ill look forward to hearing you show.

Bigups!

spin · Post by **spin** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 6:29 pm

DIZZ 1 dave norris did the nu breed thing till he broke his neck... luckily its all fixed up now... crazyness. was a great show tho...

deejaypcp · Post by **deejaypcp** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 10:51 am

Johnny Hooves wrote: Mr PCP are you suggesting that an experienced drummer should take up a whole new craft instead of attempting a cool and rare pairing with a dj on the grounds of a few bad monitoring experiences and generally finding it a bit difficult?

Yes and no.
I agree it's a great idea and if and it when works people would love it, both the players and the audience.
I was just letting him know of my experiences with a similar set-up, and encouraging him to try djing as well.
He wanted our thoughts.

Blaxter · Post by **Blaxter** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 11:03 am

Melbourne needs more DJ's. lol

deejaypcp · Post by **deejaypcp** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 11:10 am

You bet, and less drummers. Drummers are a dime a dozen lolz.

SONUS · Post by **SONUS** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 11:20 am

Jamie_D wrote:
What do you think about this type of set up and who is willing to also look at jamming with me to play live sets out in Melbourne and who knows where else.

It's been done many times before so not like your doing anything new or ground breaking, good luck with it though.

same o · Post by **same o** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 11:23 am

needs more dj kazzoo combination imo tbh

Shifty-Sly · Post by **Shifty-Sly** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 11:28 am

SONUS wrote:so not like your doing anything new or ground breaking

So there

Blaxter · Post by **Blaxter** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 11:30 am

deejaypcp wrote:You bet, and less drummers. Drummers are a dime a dozen lolz.

Its bass players you need to worry about IMO. They morph into guitarists/ DJ's/ and art critics overnight. (and sometiomes dog handlers).

shepherd · Post by **shepherd** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 12:28 pm

i think the concept has the potential to be pretty messy.

unless the drummer knows the records the dj is playing as well as the dj it can become a bit of a battle.

if it's rehearsed then it kind of defeats the purpose of a dj/act that can read a rooms dynamic.

this sort of thing is big in the US right now with celebrity DJs and old rock drummers. Tommy Lee does it with a DJ, so does Travis Barker from Blink 182 (with DJ AM)

it might work with a live drummer and a scratch DJ - but it'd get pretty tired after about 5 minutes.

btw everytime I saw 2 Dogs or Katch/Dave doing a duo thing it was always a 3 deck b2b type thing. That was years ago though.

Johnny Hooves · Post by **Johnny Hooves** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 6:52 pm

SONUS wrote:
Jamie_D wrote:
What do you think about this type of set up and who is willing to also look at jamming with me to play live sets out in Melbourne and who knows where else.

It's been done many times before so not like your doing anything new or ground breaking, good luck with it though.

Nothings new anymore.

Just dont let that stop you from doing something cool, let alone trying to do it well. And quite frankly show me a club where I can go and hear djs with live drums, shit or good i dont really care as long as its 'sooooo many times' a week.

deejaypcp · Post by **deejaypcp** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 12:36 pm

^^
I'm with you Johnny, I don't think Jamie D was trying make out he's invented a new colour at all.

Oh yeah, Blaxter, bass players are all really murderers in santa disguises.

Jamie_D · Post by **Jamie_D** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 2:04 pm

[quote="deejaypcp"]^^
I'm with you Johnny, I don't think Jamie D was trying make out he's invented a new colour at all.

Yep....you're right!!

I've just done the live band thing too long and looking at a different genre. I spent a sh#t load on V-drums and want to utilize them.

I am still very keen guys so hopefully I can meet a DJ who is on the same page very soon and start jamming to create/produce a very tight group.

Cheers to everyone that has commented.

Jamie D