the worst drummers

are there any drummers in well known bands that are pretty much incapable of doing a great job with the sticks? or would that not be possible once an act gets to a certain level?

 

Although he's the perfect fit for the band and he's got a unique groove that I love, I'd say Charlie Watts can be shockingly inept at times.

I understand the flak I'm about to receive.

 

The three that get mentioned the most on these threads are Lars Ulrich, Meg White, and Pete Best, though all have their defenders.

I think when bands reach a certain level of success, the drummer is seldom a detractor from that and often a core contributor, even if their style isn't to all tastes. Meg would be the best example of that I can think of.

 

Dave Clark

Somebody will probably bring up Dennis Wilson but I enjoy his playing despite his limitations as a drummer.

 

What exactly are you looking for? Or are you trying to start a new pillory to fill with names and cause controversy?
A bad drummer would be someone, who can't keep the timing, and those usually never get near a record contract - unless they offer another important quality to the band.

 

patrick carney of the black keys

 

If you listen to the old boots from the 90's, the guy from Neutral Milk Hotel always sounds like he's about to go off the rails. Really, really sloppy.

Having said that, I saw the reunited band a few months ago and he sounded pretty solid.

 

Mimi Parker of Low. Very minimalist and simplistic, gets old really quick.

I've only heard their first three albums, so it's possible she's fleshed out the beats a bit more on subsequent albums. Anyone know?

 

Man, you're not kidding. Every time I see him on TV his time is all over the place.

 

Probably the richest drummer in modern rock

 

The answer to this is not Moe Tucker. Her drumming fit the Velvet Underground's sound.

 

I always heard complaints about the guy from the post rock/stoner band Pelican as being bad. Not being a drummer myself, I have no idea. He sounds fine to me.

Anyone that can play drums competently is ahead of me.

/not a critic

 

Meg White.

How much more worse could she be? None more worse. Granted, Jack White is just as sloppy a guitar player, and for some reason, people like amateurish things.

 

Peter Criss (KISS) - wildly inconsistent in the 70's, unbearable in the 90's
Jamie Oldaker (Eric Clapton, Ace Frehley) - the only drummer to ever make Peter look good.

 

There are several drummers with all the chops in the world whose style of (over)playing offends my ears.

 

Do we still count Dave Grohl as a drummer? And is he "modern rock"?

 

Meg White plays on records that people buy, so she can't be that bad. She kept a beat = win. A truly bad drummer is a guy that gets replaced due to not keeping time or following a click track. Example: Tony Alba being replaced by Jack Irons for Mercutones by The Buck Pets.

 

Grant Hart of Husker Du. Granted (lol), his style of keeping time solely on the ride lent them a particularly unique bounce/swing. Plus, he was a key songwriting contributor and vocalist. In fact, the whole band had technical shortcomings, but it's a truly rare case of using it to their advantage and whole > sum of the parts.

 

Bobby Gillespie (The Jesus And Mary Chain)

 

There are drummers like Max Weinberg, where I don't like their style, but I don't consider"bad, " then there's Meg White. Plodding, the subtlety of Mariah Carey, and no sense if rhythm. She's distracting, she's so bad. Strictly there for the novelty factor.

 

Greatest post ever, intended or not

 

Bev Bevan (blame Jeff Lynne all you want) - the "refrigerator falling down the stairs" analogy captures it for me.

Mike Joyce - The Smiths

 

Only one I can think of is that 4 year old from Hanson.

 

Worst thread idea of the month.

I'm out.

 

bye!