Let There Be Drums! is a new drumming documentary that will be released on October 28. The title feels like part command, part exaltation, and part biblical oratory—all of which are appropriate considering that Taylor Hawkins gives one of his last known interviews in the film. In short, it’s looking like a must-see.
The documentary also features Jason Bonham, Ringo Starr, Stewart Copeland, Chad Smith, Stephen Perkins, Adrian Young, and Tré Cool. And that is very cool indeed.
If you are feeling brave, you can catch the film in select theaters (I’m still a Covid coward, so no goddamn way), and it will also be available on Apple TV and Amazon Prime. I’m not sure, though, if it can be rented or if it is purchase-only at this time. Snag an actual physical DVD, you luddite, on November 1.
And, no, we don’t mean his drug-addled life is like a horror movie. The former Guns N’ Roses drummer actually has a role in an “action/horror/sci-fi comedy” film called Dahmer vs. Gacy. In it, serial killers Jeffrey Dahmer and John Wayne Gacy go mano a mano to see who is the craziest crazy in the land. Adler’s character is apparently one of the victims.
Awesome. And though it prob won’t make as much money as The Rocker, it might just be more (unintentionally) hilarious.
We’ve been anxiously twiddling our sticks since May to see Rainn Wilson play a has-been drummer in The Rocker. Mercifully, the movie finally opens next week nationwide, but a few bastards way luckier than us have already seen it. Links to some sneak-peek ramblings are below. Consensus seems to be generally positive, as is absolutely fitting for a movie that includes drumming and the comedy genius of Dwight K. Schrute, er, Rainn Wilson.
And some other stuff in this interview about The Rocker, but it’s really only the drums that matter, of course. He says:
How tough was it to learn drumming? I took drum lessons with this guy named Stuart Johnson who’s been in a lot of bands and we got to work for a couple of weeks before I went up to Toronto and really, he was just playing me like Zeppelin and White Stripes and a lot of real basic drum beats. So we worked on a lot of basic drumming, but then he also really coached me on the specifics of heavy metal drumming which is a whole art form to itself.
Cool. Almost cool enough that we can overlook the misspelling of Neil Peart’s name:
Yeah, we went to see Rush. There weren’t any really metal bands playing at the time when we were shooting in Toronto. We certainly didn’t have time. We were shooting 6 days a week, but we went to play with Rush and got to hang out with Neil Pierce and got to actually play his drum set. That was a pretty rare privilege.
This time, though, he’ll be off camera and (probably) dressed. Lee’s going to narrate a documentary, Dear Jack, about Andrew McMahon’s battle with cancer. McMahon is the vocalist/pianist for the band Something Corporate and his solo project Jack’s Mannequin. He was diagnosed with leukemia in 2005. Check out a preview of the movie here.
Music: For all us sorry slubs who can’t make it out to the really hip live gigs, here’s the next best thing: a three-CD set from bass monster Christian McBride. Primarily known for outstanding acoustic noodling, McBride plugs in and gets positively badass on this funk-filled effort recorded over two nights in New York. Stand-out tracks include the first disc’s powerhouse opener, “Technicolor Nightmare,” and the second disc’s lick-laden closer, “Mwandishi Outcome Jam.” The eclectic third CD includes guest spots from turntablist DJ Logic and beatbox master Scratch, and if you’re wondering about that funny feeling in your pants, blame it on the sexy rhythms of Soulive guitarist Eric Krasno.
Drumming: Haven’t heard Terreon “Tank” Gully thunder his way around a kit? Then count Tonic as your fast ticket out of drumming limbo. Hold on tight though: The big fella’s hands have speed to spare.
The Straight Poop: More than three hours of licks and grooves you’ll probably never be able to play. Here’s a tissue.
Music: We haven’t figured out yet what musicians are being fed Down Under, but we could use a little of it stateside. Yes, you’ve heard all these old-fashioned, catchy rock sounds before (listen first off to the sing-along chorus of “O Yeah”), and there’s a reason why: They’re damn great. Do not fear, though, because Fashion does offer more than first tickles the ear. The balladish tune “Anymore” is one of those nuanced, textured songs that, strangely, seem just perfect for either kissing or wrist slitting: Somewhere in the tension between hormone and heartbreak fine rock tunes are made.
Drumming: Stickman Nick Jonsson is solid, sharp, and skilled, but his sound is loose and open, with an appealingly sloppy-cool vibe. Spin “Love Comes In” for one of his typical 2-and-4 grooves that’s subtly spiced with controlled, barking hi-hats.
The Straight Poop: Are kangaroo comparisons still cool? Let’s hope so, because these Australian rockers are without a doubt … hoppin’.
Music: Fattening up scrawny, funk-starved booties for about a dozen years now, Chicago-based combo Liquid Soul returns as an eight-piece band with a jamming disc that doesn’t disappoint. This new bunch of funky electro-swing tunes is all about hot horns and crazy guitars and…
Drumming: …lots and lots of drums. Tony “Kick Drum” Taylor occupies the throne for most of the album, and once you’ve heard his fancy footwork on “Peanut Head,” you’ll appreciate the nickname. On every tune, Taylor manages to accomplish that most difficult of fine fusion tricks—getting in lots of licks but leaving plenty of space for the groove to grow on you. See what we mean by digging into the deep pocket of “Sex God.” Fun drum fact: Matt Walker, who survived a stint with Smashing Pumpkins, fills in on the rocking final track, “Kong.”
The Straight Poop: You knew this one was coming but still didn’t duck: One-Two Punch is a knockout.
It doesn’t matter if you’re more emo or more screamo: run out and grab this two-disc documentary on the rise of the modern punk movement. Featuring over three hours of performance clips and backstage chatter with neo heavies such as Thursday, Taking Back Sunday, Matchbook Romance, Midtown, and From Autumn to Ashes (as well as interview footage with Fall Out Boy, Something Corporate, and Jimmy Eat World), Bastards puts you right in the middle of the scene—from basement shows in New Jersey to front-row arena gigs around the country. The filmed performances are so up-close, personal, and energetic you’ll feel like part of the band. And best of all, there’s plenty of great drumming to dig on (fast-forward to Underoath’s Aaron Gillespie whacking his ride so hard that the boom stand collapses and Eugene’s drummer making mush of his kit). Viewer beware: After three hours of this stuff, you’ll be wringing sweat from your shorts.
