Chris Slade Quotes

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

The heart of a music is its rhythm. The heart of rhythm section music is the rhythm.

Most great records really start with the drums.

The bass should be the note of the bass drum, and then you've got the engine of the band that everything else builds on. Everything else, the guitar, the keyboards, is a colour.

An important part of being in a band is the rhythm section.

Most drummers are covered with a million drums, and everyone is like, 'What are you doing back there?'

It's as if my left heel is my bass drum and my right heel is the floor tom-tom. I can get snare out of my right toe by not putting it down on the floor hard, and, if I want cymbals, I land flat on both feet, full strength on the floor.

Probably for drums, a guy I really enjoyed watching is Simon Phillips. I've seen him play with The Who and with Pete Townshend on his own - a really great drummer.

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

There's something about rhythm and bass sections generally, how the bass and drums interact, that's basically the soul of any song.

For me, it's always easier playing with a drummer.

A band is as solid as its drummer is.

When I watch drummers, I always want to see energy. It's not about the proficiency of the musicianship; I'm just into the vibe and excitement of it. With drums, it's such a primeval thing.

And I like messing around in the engine room of music. Seeing what happens in the rhythm section area.

I consider every drummer that ever played before me an influence, in every way.

A good bassist determines the direction of any band.

Drums just always sounded like the most fun part of that good music for me.

I started out as a drummer, and now play with a back-to-basics rock band called the 'Luddites.' I'm happiest when I'm behind the kit.

I guess I've become very accustomed to playing in the 7/4, which is something we've done quite a lot.

The golden rule of drums is hands clapping and feet tapping, and when you are in and out of consciousness, you can't do that to best of your ability.

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.

I listen to Bill Stewart play the drums and when I have finished doing that, I listen to Bill Stewart.

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

It's really important for the bass and the drums to somehow blend.

And if you are playing in several meters at once, there has to be a - not a rigid - but there definitely has to be a reference to a common pulse in the band.