I have been away for awhile and tried to skim as many posts as possible and this post caught my eye. As usual, SK dropped the knowledge before me and stole my thunder. But let me add my 2.5 cents.
I was curious what was meant by "underrated". ??? ??? Underrated is defined as rating
too low. With this definition in mind, some of the names on the initial list should never have been mentioned. Brizz, Teddy Campbell and Gordon Campbell, Jeff-Lo, Joel Smith, Oscar Seaton, Lil' John, OMG...
these cats are established veterans in the industry. If you don't know about them shame on you. Their collective works speaks volumes about each of them. Underrated, by who's opinion. Any drummer worth their salt knows that these cats are "beasts" which I must mention is a term used too often on this board. Every new cat I hear about is a "beast" I'm going to start a thread called "the beasts of Ephesus" (but I digress).
Just b/c no one has started an internet campaign for a drummer does not mean that he is underrated. Most importantly, we can not forget that depending on the artist or the MD a drummer maybe be directed to play in a certain fashion. That's does not make them underrated, only obedient to direction so they can continue to get the call. What matters most, some dude with a keyboard hyping me on some website saying how
hot I am on the set or being employed even if all I am asked to do is read the music and keep a 2/4 beat. ??? ???
Plus, some drummers are given the liberty and the autonomy to do things that others are not. I will change the names in my scenario to protect the innocent. There was a major artist getting ready for a national tour and they hired an "established" drummer with an "established" style to work the tour. Next time this artist when out to tour, the "established" drummer had a scheduling conflict and was unable to go on this particular tour. The MD called a relatively newbie (to touring at least) to handle this major gig. The new drummer proceeded to handle his business in the mold of the "established" drummer but was told by the same MD to tone down his schtick. When he questioned the MD after the set for clarification the MD told him that he had wanted to tell the "established" drummer to calm down but he was mindful of his reputation and did not want to cause a conflict so he allowed him to do what he does best (which did not really take away from the gig--note: some MDs just like to be dictatorial). Point being, I may have chops like Dennis Chambers and be asked to replace him but that does not mean that I will be allowed the same liberty that Dennis would have been afforded by the MD. Without this background I would be referred to as "wack" and "booty on the set" by some guy behind the keyboard all the while I'm just following the lead of the MD. So I guess I'll live with the moniker of underrated in my $850,000 home and I wave to all of you while I'm on TV.
I understood the question that was raised, but what is truly underrated?? If I got the gig I must be doing something right?
