who are these drummers?

July 10, 2006 3:13 PM

Which band(s) have released a (probably recent) DVD with a long drumming duet on it?

I saw a concert DVD playing in my local Circuit City a few weeks ago. A very long and entertaining drumming duet was featured. I assume the players are either in the same band, or maybe in two bands that toured together. Based on their looks and the fashions of the other musicians on stage (a few guitarists and a bassist, I think), I'm guessing these guys are part of the current hard rock/metal scene that I'm no longer on top of (I was an anthrax/maiden kid back in the 80s). Who are these guys? The arena they played in looked big and full of fans, so I'll guess they're popular and I'm just an out of touch old fogey at 35 years old. I'm also a bass player who loves reading Modern Drummer (best music mag in my opinion), and I don't recall reading anything about this DVD. Thanks!

posted by dr. fresh to media & arts (17 answers total)

I know that there's an extended drum duet on King Crimson's DVD "Deja Vroom" (the track is "B'Boom"). But that's not a particularly recent DVD, and I'm not sure I'd describe their look as hard rock/metal.
posted by hades at 3:23 PM on July 10, 2006

definitely not KC's B'Boom (although I appreciate the answer), I have that DVD. It's also not anything by Genesis, Allman Brothers Band, or the Grateful Dead, just to short circuit any guesses of dual drummer bands that I'm familiar with. I'm not sure this mystery band would be classified as "progressive" or not, since I'm admittedly out of touch. They look like they're in their 20s-early 30s and at a recent show, which rules out Bill + Pat and Phil + Chester and the like...
posted by dr. fresh at 3:33 PM on July 10, 2006

My guess is LIARS, who recently put out a great CD/DVD release called Drum's Not Dead. Like everything they've done, it's brilliant.
posted by dobbs at 3:38 PM on July 10, 2006

Just to be clear, the release is a CD and a DVD, not dvd video on a cd.
posted by dobbs at 3:41 PM on July 10, 2006

LIARS looks close, but I don't think it's right. More info...

The drumsets for both drummers during this portion of the show were set up at the front of the stage, facing each other so the drummers were looking at each other instead of at the audience (like how the drummer from Stryper used to set up). It didn't appear like this was how the entire show went, but maybe just this section of the show. The guitar players were playing fast metal riffs that went with the drums, but the drums were definitely the feature of this part of the show. It was a big arena sized stage, so I assume this group (or groups) were on a large popular tour.
posted by dr. fresh at 3:50 PM on July 10, 2006

The drumsets for both drummers during this portion of the show were set up at the front of the stage,

Like this? (wmv)
posted by dobbs at 3:56 PM on July 10, 2006

Call the store and ask? They'd be happy to sell you a copy.
I can't help thinking about 40 Year Old Virgin and the endlessly playing Michael McDonald DVD.
posted by hydrophonic at 3:57 PM on July 10, 2006

dobbs: much bigger crowd at the show, definitely a professional shot concert, and indoors. I'm remembering some tattoos and dark clothing as well... :)

The next time I'm in that store I'll see if I can find the A/V dude who helped me, he seemed young and hip and helpful.
posted by dr. fresh at 4:04 PM on July 10, 2006

Alright, I'll let it drop but I still think I'm right. ;)

FYI, that clip I linked is just a smidgen of the DVD, which presents the whole album 3 times from 3 diff filmmakers--all venues, indoors and out, sold out shows and near-empty gigs, dark clothing, light clothing, hell, they're even wearing dresses in some of the footage. I dunno about tattoos though. Heh.

When you find out, pls let me know.
posted by dobbs at 4:09 PM on July 10, 2006

I think I remember ministry in this video having two drummers and I think they played a few extended solos. Long shot, but who knows.
posted by milarepa at 4:42 PM on July 10, 2006

Tool has released some DVDs. I'm not a fan, but, from what little I know about them, it seems like they dress like hard rock/metal musicians, and the two-drummers thing seems within the realm of possibility.
posted by box at 5:10 PM on July 10, 2006

I'm not a fan of Tool either, but their last album was released in a ltd edition set with DVD.
posted by dobbs at 5:14 PM on July 10, 2006

Well, Tool and Meshuggah toured together a few years ago and featued a pretty long and heavy percussion solo in the show. But it wasn't really a duet (think 4 people were involved). No DVD of it as well,afaik.
posted by alikins at 6:33 PM on July 10, 2006

http://www.godsmack.com/ did a drum solo duet when I saw them support Metallica a few years ago, the drummer and the singer had a kit each.

They've got a few dvds out too. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002NRRBA?v=glance
posted by chrispy108 at 7:32 PM on July 10, 2006

Were the kits monsterously big? When Dream Theater and Queensryche toured a few years ago, they did some encore stuff with both bands, including dueling drum solos.

Queensryche's got a DVD from 2004 called Art of Live that includes a "Won't Get Fooled Again" cover with both bands.
posted by GeekAnimator at 7:45 PM on July 10, 2006

Chrispy108 wins, it is indeed Godsmack. This also answers another nagging memory of mine, as I also saw the Metallica/Godsmack tour, but wasn't sure if I remembered a dual drum solo at that show or not, and there was very little chance I'd come up with Godsmack as the opening band.

I found a clip of the "drum battle" video, linked below, from their DVD "changes". Thanks everyone!

Sully Erna artist page at Yamaha Drums, includes link to drum battle video
posted by dr. fresh at 7:16 AM on July 11, 2006

Holy cow, I need, to stop, using commas, so early, in the morning.
posted by dr. fresh at 7:17 AM on July 11, 2006