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I need a Gimmick

Filed Under : Music , Other

Posted By : Tubthumper | Comments : 22

....and no I don't mean like "playing well" smart arses.....


There's a drummer who plays standing up and with a rucksack on (no idea why - perhaps it has a supply of Kendal mint cake in it to replenish his energy stores when out hiking/drumming), and Neil Peart wears one of those daft South American type woven from guinea pig hair cap things so I've decided that I'm just too ordinary.

I tried drumming with a ZZ top ginger beard on but the man made fibres kept getting up my nose and since we only do 2 ZZ top songs it kind of lacked relevance (and chafed a bit) for the rest of the gig.

I tried drumming with pink squeaky hammers but they didn't resonate properly and since I'd gone to great lengths acquiring a customised Evans EQ damping towel it then seemed a bit silly to kill the cadence of my drums with squeaky hammers that weren't pitch matched.

So I want a gimmick that is suitably gimmicky and yet won't make me look like (more of) a twat. It's already an uphill struggle being a bird drummer, but that gimmick seems to be wearing off a bit (probably as I look more and more blokey the more I drum.....).

One guy plays with diving goggles on his forehead. I mean, like you'd ever find yourself submerged in water at a gig....and anyway your kit would probably float away so being able to see them properly would be the least of your problems.

What gimmicks does your band have?

Comments

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# Posted by SKP - 29/08/2011, 01:35 (GMT)

hmm - no gimmick for me either, apart from a pair of comfy converse and an 'animal' teddy hanging from the toms! always admired the 'george dores' all in one PJs though on vic n bobs shooting stars...

+'s - could fall straight into bed after a gig : -)
-'s - definitely look like a tw*t!


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# Posted by Tubthumper - 29/08/2011, 01:49 (GMT)

I have a donkey perched on my toms! I thought it was a girly thing until I saw Genesish and Alex has a whacking great blue soft toy thing in pride of place on the front of his kit.

The all in one PJ's are a novelty, admittedly, but I think I'd sooner shave my head than be seen in public in them. Also, I fear I can pick holes in your "could fall straight into bed after a gig" argument on account of all the packing down, loading cars, extra loading of cars on account of the fact the singer pisses off as soon as he's loaded his stuff up as "his work here is done" and then the long drive home getting twixt me and my bed.

Also, your cons don't count as no one can see them (even if you play vistalites before you even go there) while you're playing. Now I understand Wick's love of head wear a bit better!


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# Posted by 4most Wanted - 29/08/2011, 02:23 (GMT)

I would have thought being a girl drummer was enough. I don't know about gimmick, but I think you're pretty special as is. Hope I'm not being patronising or condescending, but I think the whole "scene" could be improved if there were more like you. And from what I can gather about the amount of respect you have earned from a lot of other muso's on here, I would have said you're doing alright as you are.

You stay as you are girl, 'cos gimmicks may only serve to detract from what you're already offering.


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# Posted by JOHNNY MEERKAT - 29/08/2011, 09:36 (GMT)

Kit the wrong way with back to audience :0)


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# Posted by The Villains - 29/08/2011, 09:58 (GMT)

Get someone to weld you a full on drum cage on rollers. Might be a bit of a pain to transport but imagine the impact in a pub when you do a drum solo and come rolling out into the crowd?!!


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# Posted by Kevo - Roadhog - 29/08/2011, 10:15 (GMT)

My gimmick is my Frank Spencer style beret. Serves a handy sweat catcher and allows me to do the occasional Benny Hill 'good evening viewers' gag! It also hides the fact that I'm slightly thin on top...........(sshhh)

Over the years I've had numerous comedy wigs plonked on my head for the entertainment of others (ie the rest of the band) which makes me glad that I'm not cursed with any of that long hair nonsense!

Sadly in 2011 female performers are expected to strip to their smalls and parade in towering heels, while the blokes remain suited and boot....not that I'm suggesting it should be vice versa, but media sexism brainwashing is rife......(another blog?)

Anyway, my suggestion: shave yer head, wear an amusing hat.....DON'T steal my act?


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# Posted by Alyerpal - 29/08/2011, 11:24 (GMT)

Oh come on Wick, Tub clearly stated she didn't want to look a t**t.........

YPCA


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# Posted by Tubthumper - 29/08/2011, 11:31 (GMT)

@ 4mostwanted - why thank you...and yes, I am "special"!

@ Skips - wouldn't my bum look big in that? Though I am tempted to set myself up right at the front (though the lads would probably claim that I do that anyway!). Anytime we ever play on a "stage" I call it my "drum riser" and make a big show about how charitable I am being by letting them share it with me.

@ The Villains - funny you should mention that as I did actually suggest this. I'm 100% with you on that one but some of our venues are a bit small to be installing roller coasters in.

@ Kevo - I'm not big on hats as I have a sticky out ear, and I wouldn't dream of stealing your act....Betty.

@ Wick - get your coat.....or at least your Granddad cardy! Me playing topless would be a health and safety hazard. For a start my baps would get trapped between bass drum head and beater - that's a whole other debate about types of drum muffling. Though I could use your headband idea to tame my sticky out ear.


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# Posted by TEX & THE HARDCORE TROUBAD... - 29/08/2011, 11:42 (GMT)

Arseless chaps, ''ya can borrow Willows''
Stetson, ropin gloves n nipple tassles, there has to be tassles ;-)
Tex Maniac


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# Posted by Tubthumper - 29/08/2011, 11:45 (GMT)

I knew I could count on you all for constructive suggestions. I can see me featuring in a Channel 5 documentary at this rate....if I don't get sectioned beforehand.

@ Tex - I would trip over nipple tassles. You need to be admitted to a clinic, for the safety of the general public.


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# Posted by Tubthumper - 29/08/2011, 12:41 (GMT)

Do people not think you've recently suffered a head injury?


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# Posted by TEX & THE HARDCORE TROUBAD... - 29/08/2011, 12:47 (GMT)

yeah, almost everybody ;-P


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# Posted by Tony- Vocalist - 29/08/2011, 13:44 (GMT)

One of my x drummers , (I use the term drummer loosely in his case,LOL) use to wear a kilt and when taking the bow with all the lads at the end of a spot would turn around tuck in willy and bend over and show his arse... It always got a cheer!
Another x drummer used to stand up when ever there was a time in a song for just a kick drum ( he would put them in for effect even if they were not in the song, usually if we were getting the crowd to sing along on a chorus... He would stand up and raise his arm in the are with his stick pointing straight up punching the air in time with the beat of the kick. He also would do the same punching the air on a big sounding four ,four beat using one arm with stick pointing up in the air again and raising and dropping his arm in time.... This action stood out quite a bit even in the back of the biggest rooms, the punters could see him over the band.. It was even more effective with a drum riser!


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# Posted by LAST GANG IN TOWN - 29/08/2011, 14:10 (GMT)

And what exactly was wrong with my suggestion ????? which you've deleted.....


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# Posted by Tubthumper - 29/08/2011, 14:10 (GMT)

You spelt it wrong.


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# Posted by LAST GANG IN TOWN - 29/08/2011, 14:15 (GMT)

No I didn't !!! Did I ???? Where's your evidence ????? GAFFER TAPE....


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# Posted by Wagontown - 29/08/2011, 14:26 (GMT)

Hi Tub ,at least a hat wouldnt drop down over yer eyes with that ear...T


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# Posted by Tubthumper - 29/08/2011, 14:35 (GMT)

That much is true indeed Terry. I could use gaffer/gaffa (but certainly not gaffe) tape to pin it back to my head but if it pinged loose I fear the seismic shock could cause a tsunami somewhere in the Indian Ocean.


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# Posted by Tony- Vocalist - 29/08/2011, 19:38 (GMT)

I have had to to use gaffa tape to dampen down many a drummers kits overtones when I worked for PA company 's.... Some Drummers just cant tune their kits..... Sits back, Ive lit the fuse........


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# Posted by Tubthumper - 29/08/2011, 19:42 (GMT)

.......you don't tune a kit........you "tension" it!

If anyone came at my kit with bog roll, gaffa tape, duvets and all that shit that you see on/in some kits I'd tell them to see if the bassist will let them to their same to their bass and amp first. Pretty sure I know the answer.......

;)


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# Posted by Bass-tard - 29/08/2011, 20:49 (GMT)

furry bra ?


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# Posted by The Cottonhouse Shakers - 29/08/2011, 23:45 (GMT)

@AYP - LOL!!

A friend of mine (a female drummer) stuck some black tape to partially cover up the letters on her 'Premier' kit leaving the letters P. M. T. on show.


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