EXTENSION CHORDS
Twenty years ago, Sandy Nelson ushered in the era of rock drumming with his classic “Let There Be Drums.” A few years later, the Surfaris gave us “Wipeout,” and the die was cast. It has long since become standard practice for drummers to adamantly refuse to play “Wipeout,” but here in the ’80s there is a new plague threatening the boys in the band who pound on the skins: electronic drum machines.
Will There Be Drums?
EXTENSION CHORDS
Allen Hester
Twenty years ago, Sandy Nelson ushered in the era of rock drumming with his classic “Let There Be Drums.” A few years later, the Surfaris gave us “Wipeout,” and the die was cast. It has long since become standard practice for drummers to adamantly refuse to play “Wipeout,” but here in the ’80s there is a new plague threatening the boys in the band who pound on the skins: electronic drum machines.
In reality, it is not as bad as all that. It will be a long time before drummers are replaced by machines. More than likely, it will never happen. But the ’70s saw the introduction of various electronic drums that served as peripheral additions to the basic drum kit, and that trend is continuing. In addition, there are a number of portable, programmable drum machines that are far superior to the old “rhythm machines” of the past. What we have here are new ways to communicate, to practice, to record at home, and to work out rhythmic ideas without having to set up the full kit and bashing.