Vinnie Paul Quotes

Phil is a real drummer's drummer.

I've always liked Dennis Chambers, he's real flashy.

As a drummer, I always approach things as, 'I want to play just enough to keep other drummers interested, but not enough to go over the average listener's head.'

I give 'em the hip, then I take it away.

Music deals with time and timing. It's so magical, but when you get into it, every little sound and every little space between the sounds, it's critical, so critical. And if it's not there, it not only feels wrong, but it ruins things.

Swing is extreme coordination. It's a maintaining balance, equilibrium. It's about executing very difficult rhythms with a panache and a feeling in the context of very strict time. So, everything about the swing is about some guideline and some grid and the elegant way that you negotiate your way through that grid.

I've always seen my drumming as lyrical anyway.

I play more rhythmically than I do a lot of notes.

When I speak of natural drummers I'm talking about guys that are playing with the talent God gave 'em.

But primarily, the drummer's supposed to sit back there and swing the band.

Playing well with others is important - not being too flashy, just keeping good time and of course coming up with cool beats. A good snare drum, kick drum, high hat. Just getting good at the hand feet coordination.

How can you not love a man banging on the drums? He knows how to keep a rhythm.

There's not much music I'll listen to if it doesn't have pretty heavy swing. Rhythm is so important. Punk rock would have more power and feeling if it had swing.

I like rhythmic things that butt up against each other in a cool kind of way.

To be able to play as slow as Al Jackson is almost impossible.

John Bonham was probably the most influential in terms of playing style and timing.

You need a pulse in a film. If I see a film that doesn't have rhythm, it's like listening to music that doesn't have rhythm; it doesn't really work.

I never professed to be a great drummer but I was a very heavy drummer.

Obviously, I like the drums to be heard. I think they're important.

To me, a great drummer isn't always about somebody with chops who can shred. A great drummer is someone who is part of a great band.

That's where I learned, basically, all my skills from the drumming that I do - most of my style comes straight from death metal.

Everybody's been blessed with something, and my gift is my timing. Let's face it, it's all about keeping time and having a groove.

A lot of young drummers have a tendency to really overplay. Sometimes simple is better, and the notes that aren't played between the spaces are bigger than the notes that are.

I'm a rhythm player. I need to set people up, I need to be in the flow of the game.

That's where I think a lot of these guys today are just, 'I'm the drummer, man. Check it out. Here's my lick. I just learned this new drum lick. I'm just gonna blast all over the place.' It's like, 'Man, you've got to let the song breathe.'