What makes a drummer a "BEAST"

[DESQ]

I've been away for awhile but I wanted to have this discussion about drummers.  I'm trying to determine how do we classify a drummer as a BEAST.  What does a "BEAST" drummer have that the normal "house pet" drummer does not have.  What elevates them to this level.  I have seem many shed tapes on YOUTUBE, visited numerous live sessions and listened to recorded projects and I'm stunned at the number of BEASTS walking among us.  My list of drummers that are BEASTS is very, very few, but all I hear about when I talk to someone with that same wide-eyed expression is that "Dude's a BEAST!!!!"  I'm not overly critical but I'm just curious as to what makes a BEAST.  Please enlighten me. 

[glenn10]

To me personally what makes a drummer a beast, is #1 the confidence he or she has in there self. With out confidence to me your just gonna be the normal house drummer. Another characteristic that make you a beast is discipline and you timing, anybody can roll and workout the snare, but how does he or she come back into the groove. Last but not least is the ability to listen and follow the leader of the group which is usually the organist. this is what i beleive a beast on the set is!!!

[fretai03]

    

[ManOnAMission]

Ah, I've always looked forward to this opportunity...

Outside of the musician's lingo, when you think of the word(s) beast/monster, you think of a creature whose physical capabilities exceeds those of a human's. You also think of a creature whose appearance is grotesque...

So, keeping that in mind, I would consider a musician a 'beast/monster' if his/her abilities seemed to have reached the apex of human potential. Or, in more simple terms, someone whose skills/creativity are generally considered to be extreme. While whose/what considered a beast/beastly varies from person to person, if you get the feeling that said individual has 'no life' or 'need's a girlfriend/boyfriend', you were probably in the presence of a beast, lol....

Virgil Donati comes to mind. Whether they feel his playing or not, I'd imagine anyone who knows the least bit about the technical side of drumming, would agree that he has attained an unusual level of skill...

I've heard a lot of musicians in my day, but I'd personally classify very few as being "beastly"... 

[TheVeteran]

Ah, I've always looked forward to this opportunity...

Outside of the musician's lingo, when you think of the word(s) beast/monster, you think of a creature whose physical capabilities exceeds those of a human's. You also think of a creature whose appearance is grotesque...

So, keeping that in mind, I would consider a musician a 'beast/monster' if his/her abilities seemed to have reached the apex of human potential. Or, in more simple terms, someone whose skills/creativity are generally considered to be extreme. While whose/what considered a beast/beastly varies from person to person, if you get the feeling that said individual has 'no life' or 'need's a girlfriend/boyfriend', you were probably in the presence of a beast, lol....

Virgil Donati comes to mind. Whether they feel his playing or not, I'd imagine anyone who knows the least bit about the technical side of drumming, would agree that he has attained an unusual level of skill...

I've heard a lot of musicians in my day, but I'd personally classify very few as being "beastly"... 

So you find Virgil Donati to be a creature whose appearance is grotesque?

[ManOnAMission]

So you find Virgil Donati to be a creature whose appearance is grotesque?

Scratch all that, I got something that will make you die from laughter....

Prepared to be pm'd a gut-buster...

[TheVeteran]

Scratch all that, I got something that will make you die from laughter....

Prepared to be pm'd a gut-buster...

My gut is busted.   

[bigblackdrummer]

A real hairy body, big arms and huge K9's.........

Thats such a big question, its different for everyone! Skill and talent above the norm is usually whats looked at.

[buzz95]

Someone who has their own sound and has extraordinary skill.  Don't confuse own sound with influence.  It's what you do with the influence to create your own sound. 

[LilWes]

Someone who has their own sound and has extraordinary skill.  Don't confuse own sound with influence.  It's what you do with the influence to create your own sound. 

yep i agree but nevertheless somebody is still gone tell you that you sound like somebody

[buzz95]

yep i agree but nevertheless somebody is still gone tell you that you sound like somebody

Well, taken from the 'Greek' from buzz95's concordance (i.e., lemme break it down even further), another interpretation of my statement is that you don't have to sound like anyone's clone - of course, you'll hear elements of your influences, mainly because those people probably did those things way before you (not you personally, it's an understood you) have even put it down on the trap.

Again, it's what you do with the influence to create your own sound.   

[dude-on-drums]

I'm trying to determine how do we classify a drummer as a BEAST. 

First of all there is no we.  "We" dont collectively label anyone a beast.  Its personal preference.  "You" make the label for yourself.  Its all about the standards that you hold.  Your opinion.  A beast to one person may just be very good to another. 

   

my thoughts exactly.