Friday, 4 July 2008
Conduct an opinion poll among rock concertgoers on the subject of drum solos and you’ll more than likely find a range of opinions, particularly among fans of what are generally termed jam bands and there’d be a variety of answers that would be difficult to place on a positive-negative continuum. How would you classify a response that, for instance, suggests the fan looks forward to the drum solo as an ideal toilet-break or drink-replenishment opportunity? Would that be a positive (I really look forward to the drum solo) or a negative (because it gives me a chance to slip away and not miss anything much)?
Not that there were too many people going missing during the performance by Drum Tao at the Mackay Entertainment Centre on the evening of 1 July 2008.
Hughesy, of course, as a collector of unofficial recordings by jam bands has heard more than his fair share of drum solos, since any performance by the Allman Brothers Band these days features a segment referred to as “JaBuMa” (Jaimoe, Butch Trucks and Marc Quinones being the drum duo and percussionist) that may stretch past the quarter-hour mark.
As a result when ‘Er Indoors appeared asking whether I was interested in going to a concert by a Japanese drum ensemble I wasn’t likely to be put off by experiences of extended ennui while performers display their proficiency in the area of percussive paradiddles.
The rock drum solo is, after all, something that takes place on the drum riser towards the rear of the stage while the rest of the band take a breather backstage. The drummer/s more than likely had their chance for a break during the acoustic mini-set somewhere in the middle of the performance.
On the other hand, given the physical exertion involved, you’d question how it’s possible to maintain high intensity tom tom pounding for the best part of two hours while maintaining audience interest at the same time.