OK, i'm partially posting this to open the floodgates for drummer jokes, but hey.

Been singing and playing drums at once for 7 years now. At first, my tempo used to go to complete shit and i'd rush whenever i sang lead, but after hundreds of shows and practices, i've got it down. Anyone else ever try it, or is the fear of looking like Don Henley (understandable!) too great?

I played a one-off show which involved me playing drums and singing at the same time. At first, it was kind of difficult. I would either speed up or slow down the songs in practice. But in no time I had the hang of it. The show went off without a hitch.

But no matter what, I think it looks silly.

Peter Prescott
Levon Helm
Ringo
Britt Walford
guy from Pertenders (Martin something)
guy from Missing Persons (Terry Bozzio)
Peter Chris (sang Beth...but not while drumming...hmmm...)






Oh, thought we were making a list of drummers that sing..

Phil collins!

Arcwelder!

Husker Du!

neither crap or not crap!

I did this too for about a year. I'm not really that great of a drummer, either, but my band was in dire circumstances after we booted our drummer. I switched from guitar to drums and had a headset because I couldn't play and lean over to a mic to save my life.

I've heard more than my fair share of "Madonna" jokes, but I didnt care.

I definetly had plenty of exercise, though. I thought I was gonna die one night playing drunk in an un-airconditioned basement in Athens one summer. It was pretty rough.

NOT CRAP!

wiggins wrote:I definetly had plenty of exercise, though. I thought I was gonna die one night playing drunk in an un-airconditioned basement in Athens one summer. It was pretty rough.

Gods, yes. With my diet of processed grease, dairy, and beer, the only explanation for my low cholesterol has to be the aerobic workout while singing and drumming.

I don't think i could ever use the headset mic, though. Too Tommy Lee.

Mayfair wrote:Peter Chris (sang Beth...but not while drumming...hmmm...)

He also sang 'Hard Luck Woman' and 'Nothing to Lose' (while drumming).

Sorry to be a stickler Mayfair, but as much as I wish I didn't like Kiss anymore, they're in my blood and I can't shake it.

Oh, and it's Criss

in a band i had, we had one song where the drummer played guitar and drums for the first minute or so. he played a riff that went with the one i started the song with, and played the kick and high hat. after he put the guitar down he drummed and sang part of the song with me. it was impressive. he's in the sub pop band rogue wave now. i do not like them very much, but it is not his fault.
the headset makes me think of Sammy Hagar. Hagar kicks ass, or so a t-shirt told me.

of course, the oldest in the book:
what's the last thing the drummer said before he got kicked out of the band?

Hey guys, let's try one of my songs.

badump pish

Scott McDonald from Arcwelder is my favorite singing drummer. I was watching him one time, not only singing, but each of his limbs was doing something different. Salut multi-tasking drummer!

I thought that this topic title read "Playing drums and signing at the same time".

This would be some feat.