Fans Of The Ventures

General Category => Drums and Drummers => Topic started by: wstagner on February 25, 2012, 05:21:48 pm

Title: I think LEON could use a kit like this 1
Post by: wstagner on February 25, 2012, 05:21:48 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uV9WlgC5oWo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uV9WlgC5oWo)
Title: Re: I think LEON could use a kit like this 1
Post by: JonnieMicro on March 12, 2012, 12:43:18 am
Okay, I'll bite, get this topic moving. Didn't Leon say he can't play a double bass drum like his dad, and keeps things SIMPLE !!! But I have never seen a video of him playing the 12 minute long Caravan complete with bass string tricks. I'd like to, but don't even know if he does that. Sorta have to to in order to keep the tradition moving, eh?  It's been really rewarding watching him grow from uncertainty (Oh Lord, forgot the CD's title with the new Leon short intro to Five-O) shortly after his dad's death to the confidence in his own style I see on fairly recent videos. He's not imitating his dad, he's playing his own style, That's why the INK interview is so good . . . look at all the influences he lists! NONETHELESS, he plays like his father's son. Jus' a lil' jazzier n' lighter, I think.
Title: Re: I think LEON could use a kit like this 1
Post by: tabalt11 on March 12, 2012, 10:19:21 am
Double checked with Leon while at the TAMPA SHOWS to confirm he
uses a double bass drum pedal to achieve those thunderous buildups
his dad achieved in Caravan.   No pedal underneath the floor tom tom yet
tho.   His kit also has two large crash cymbals now.   

Also when Leon attended our annual Ventures Fan Jam last October, one of the
questions posed was- "Are there things on the drums your dad did that you can't do?"   
Basically his answer centered 'round the fact DAD'S LEFT HAND (traditional grip) was so
superior to his.   But his solos in Wipe Out & Caravan certainly suggest otherwise. 
Title: Re: I think LEON could use a kit like this 1
Post by: JonnieMicro on March 12, 2012, 12:01:14 pm
I couldn't agree more with you. Late last night I began digging through U-Tube for that Wipeout recording (and didn't see it yet but had a heck of an in-home concert.) It's interesting--I've read Leon quoted about that grip, recollect Krupa had a strange grip as well. AND ... early on, Mel used only one bass drum and had a far smaller kit. Then came a point in time when suddenly his kit was larger and there were two foot pedal drums. I didn't pay close attention to the videos (I was TRYING to work) but would guess the change came in the late '60's when he departed the group. I can't tell from the videos on You Tube but guarantee from their concerts (as all we fanatics know ) he certainly used both bass drums not just for a tone differential but keeping a different time on each. Later near the NASA 25th Anniversary album it seemed electronic drum pads appeared. The man, certainly had rhythm.
Title: Re: I think LEON could use a kit like this 1
Post by: tabalt11 on March 12, 2012, 02:53:37 pm
Never cared for the synth drum sounds or the electronic pads.  That pinging sound drove me crazy.