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Dave Abbruzzese's drumming, am I the only one?

jeffmack22sdjeffmack22sd Posts: 385
edited June 2013 in The Porch
I love all PJ's music,I'm not a musician but when I listen to those early recordings from the live shows with Dave behind the kit, just seems like he is pounding those drums like a mad man at a ferocious pace. Am I wrong to say that the drums part with Matt behind them aren't the same? Don't get me wrong, I love Matt and everything he brings to the table but listening to those songs; the early versions of Porch just seems like there is an extra beat there. There is a video of just Dave playing porch and an aerial shot and he goes wild. Also, the studio version of Hold On, has that sick drum part at the end of the song (signature Dave) and watching the recent live versions of that song played live, they always skip that part. Any musicians out there, would love to get your opinion.
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  • STAYSEASTAYSEA Posts: 3,814
    jeffmack22sd wrote:
    I love all PJ's music,I'm not a musician but when I listen to those early recordings from the live shows with Dave behind the kit, just seems like he is pounding those drums like a mad man at a ferocious pace. Am I wrong to say that the drums part with Matt behind them aren't the same? Don't get me wrong, I love Matt and everything he brings to the table but listening to those songs; the early versions of Porch just seems like there is an extra beat there. There is a video of just Dave playing porch and an aerial shot and he goes wild. Also, the studio version of Hold On, has that sick drum part at the end of the song (signature Dave) and watching the recent live versions of that song played live, they always skip that part. Any musicians out there, would love to get your opinion.


    Not alone.. you are.

    Matt is the BEE's knee's.

    Some members of PJ love Jack Iron only.

    I'm devastated when a drummer goes away. Matt is freaking awesome. Listen close... he was the influence.
    Abbruzzese must have done something super weird.

    Awe... Matt Cameron ... he's kinda super special. Seriously, I got to see Soundgarden, for the first time 2 weeks ago, and I've seen him drum for PJ. :D

    He's got it. I feel lucky to see him twice in one year. HAIL! HAIL! :wave:
    image
  • jeffmack22sdjeffmack22sd Posts: 385
    Listen, I see Matt play several times with PJ and Soundgarden. He is a great drummer, especially having to know of the both bands song catalogs. His background singing and song writing are a huge part of both bands. It wasn't a knock on him whatsoever just my observation.
  • STAYSEASTAYSEA Posts: 3,814
    jeffmack22sd wrote:
    Listen, I see Matt play several times with PJ and Soundgarden. He is a great drummer, especially having to know of the both bands song catalogs. His background singing and song writing are a huge part of both bands. It wasn't a knock on him whatsoever just my observation.

    I also witnessed Niel Pert drum for RUSH.

    It's freaky crazy. Would you ask Soundgarden to extend their tour, or Pearl Jam to announce one, finally ?

    Matt is only one human being. :cry:

    I'm torn.

    Not really. :lol::lol: :shock:

    Soundgarden was really awesome but.....

    I want Pearl Jam tour dates. :lol::lol: (It's my addiction)
    image
  • jeffmack22sdjeffmack22sd Posts: 385
    Saw Soundgarden last week in Denver. Yes, he should play with PJ already.
  • Soulfire42Soulfire42 Posts: 404
    Dave is the man. I wish they could have made it through that rocky time together. I think they'd be just fine with one another at this point. I also am amazed that Dave was the only casualty of that time period.
  • mca47mca47 Posts: 13,291
    Matt is a musician.
    Dave is a drummer.

    Give me Matt any day!!!! The guy is a true genius that is only held back by Pearl Jam.

    PJ was a different band then....as they are now.
  • jeffmack22sdjeffmack22sd Posts: 385
    It's not about who's better or worse. Dave from what I seen, used a lot more cymbals when he played. Matt is a stud. All I'm saying, just seems like more power behind some of those early versions. I've seen PJ at MSG twice and that energy was unbelievable. I also think that PJ feeds of the crowd and give back what they get ten fold
  • Spiritual_ChaosSpiritual_Chaos Posts: 30,540
    Dave made the drums a forefront instrument. He let them take up some room. Made them be heard.

    Matt does not.
    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • tenbobtenbob Posts: 66
    As Pearl Jam fans we have been blessed with some great drummers over the years.
    I love Matt and dont ever want him to leave the band, but if he decided he wanted a break to do more soundgarden for a while longer then I would Love to hear a BARRETT MARTIN Pearl Jam Album.
    That would be real special! :D
  • DamianKDamianK Posts: 192
    I loved Dave's drumming at the time but when I listen back now, I really feel that he overplays quite a lot. Too much cymbal work when it was unnecessary. He did some incredible work too, don't get me wrong but some of it makes me want to scream "leave the splashes and the china's alone!!"
  • YLed2YLed2 Posts: 5,534
    No you aren't. Absolutely love Matt and wouldn't want to trade him for anything, but sometimes I just miss Dave's sound and seeing him back there absolutely pounding the shit out of the drum kit!

    Watch this video and TRY, I mean really try, to take your eyes off of Dave. Dude would make thunder back there behind the kit.

    PJ has been blessed with great, great drummers.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgsSc9LWHv0
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  • THE LOOKTHE LOOK Posts: 324
    Lots of cymbals....love the driving force behind Dave A.
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  • ShawshankShawshank Posts: 1,018
    To me the music just seems soooo watered down and generic with Matt.
  • Indifference71Indifference71 Chicago Posts: 14,850
    YLed2 wrote:
    No you aren't. Absolutely love Matt and wouldn't want to trade him for anything, but sometimes I just miss Dave's sound and seeing him back there absolutely pounding the shit out of the drum kit!



    Yep. I love listening to Dave on the old bootlegs. Those old versions of Sonic Reducer with Dave are incredible.
  • YieldToNothingYieldToNothing Posts: 3,667
    Dave was fun at the time, but his drumming was VERY busy
    a lot of people didn't think he made any sense in the band as a person or musician
    i have a paper here that entitles me to fast track status
  • CROJAM95CROJAM95 Posts: 9,901
    What has this great and powerful Dave A done since PJ?


    Nuff said

    If he was such a great drummer he would have done a few things in the last 20 years.

    One band member gets replaced in 20+ yrs.....can you imagine if PJ was like the others selling you a watered down version of PJ :lol:


    PJ gets crucified here for the dumbest shit ever
  • PJinILPJinIL satan's bed Posts: 433
    As a drummer, I love to watch videos of Dave, he looks so fluid when he plays and the visual colors the sound in my mind. He was busy, that's for sure, but a lot of it wasn't forced to the front. Personally, I'm a fan of the splash, it's a way to add to the musicality without making a big noise. Any AIC fans here, think of No Excuses. That's a fun little rhythm, through the whole song, and it's not overpowering.

    You can say that because Matt plays other instruments well, and has a bigger writing influence that he's a broader musician, but to differentiate Dave as drummer, not a musician? I hope wasn't to be taken at face value, but more for contrasting their range of talents.

    Matt, on the other hand, I love his playing. I think he has taken the band to places they might not have gone without him. But I also think they would've done great things with other drummers as well. Though I've never seen Soundgarden live, I love their stuff too, and think Matt's style fits better there.

    In my perfect world, Dave would still be with PJ if they could all be a happy family. But Matt....I'm not sure there's a better dude for the job. The rest of the band loves him, and if the rest of the band is happy, that can only mean more music to come.

    It would be cool to see Richard Stuverud (Three Fish, RNDM) play with the band. He's awesome, and a blast to watch!
    It's amazing what you hear when you take time to listen.
  • Spiritual_ChaosSpiritual_Chaos Posts: 30,540
    CROJAM95 wrote:
    What has this great and powerful Dave A done since PJ?
    Such a tired defense.

    You think Backspacer would have sold anything if it didn't said PEARL JAM on the cover?
    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • jdesantis1983jdesantis1983 Posts: 411
    If they never got rid of Dave A, we never would have had the phenomenal drumming of Jack Irons on No Code and Yield. Also, I think Matt handles the material that pre-dates him well, and without him the band probably wouldn't have made it this long. The band has had Matt as a drummer for a majority of its existence and he helped keep them going at a time they might have folded all together. While people complain about the time between album releases/tours now, there might be nothing to complain about at all if not for him which is too often overlooked :) :thumbup: :clap:
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  • jeffmack22sdjeffmack22sd Posts: 385
    This was not a thread to says who better or to "crucify" PJ. First things first. I'm a die hard through and through. I just wanted to get other 10c members opinions on this topic. Jack Irons was great as well. As others have said, some versions of songs from those days with Dave just seemed to have a bigger force behind them that's all. I'm not a musician; just loved the way Dave played. Granted he hasn't done much in 20 years but there are several musicians who have great talents who never prospered.
  • DamianKDamianK Posts: 192
    And let's not forget that it was Dave that inspired the opening lines of Glorified G!!
    Dave was/is a very talented musician and came up with some of the riff ideas on V's if I'm not very much mistaken. He was a great drummer and he did some great work with Pearl Jam. I just don't think he was quite right! At the time I loved his playing! I did my dissertation at university on the (contrasting) drumming of Dave & Mike Portnoy of Dream Theatre. Surprisingly got a very high mark for that too! Thanks Dave!! :D
  • JonnyPistachioJonnyPistachio Florida Posts: 10,219
    Dave is pretty fucking awesome. What's most amazing to me is the diversity of styles in the drummers of PJ over the years.
    Pick up my debut novel here on amazon: Jonny Bails Floatin (in paperback) (also available on Kindle for $2.99)
  • Greatplainsman...Greatplainsman... Posts: 842
    Spiritual_Chaos wrote:
    Dave made the drums a forefront instrument. He let them take up some room. Made them be heard.

    Matt does not.
    IT'S EVOLUTION BABY!!!!!
  • veddertownveddertown Scotland Posts: 5,260
    I've enjoyed every PJ drummer but Jack Irons is my favorite by far. Dave A was a bit heavy handed with the cymbals at times for my liking. Matt made Riot Act the great album that it is but on Backspacer he seemed pretty pedestrian but then it's not PJ's most exciting album to be fair. Still kills it live but he expresses himself best with Soundgarden. To share a previous post, what has Dave A done outside PJ?
    Like a book among the many on a shelf...

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  • badbrainsbadbrains Posts: 10,255
    jdesantis1983 wrote:
    If they never got rid of Dave A, we never would have had the phenomenal drumming of Jack Irons on No Code and Yield. Also, I think Matt handles the material that pre-dates him well, and without him the band probably wouldn't have made it this long. The band has had Matt as a drummer for a majority of its existence and he helped keep them going at a time they might have folded all together. While people complain about the time between album releases/tours now, there might be nothing to complain about at all if not for him which is too often overlooked :) :thumbup: :clap:

    I must be in the minority but I think jacks drumming was so generic and predictable. I feel Matt's drumming is being held back. He could do so much more but dnt know why he holds back. As for Dave A, he'll always be my favorite drummer we had. His sound was so loud and fast yet clean. Just imagine what pearl jams sound could've been if he was still drumming.....
  • Grandmas JamGrandmas Jam Posts: 1,860
    I dont care what anyone says about the guy. He was their best fit at drummer. Now Matt Cameron is definately a better drummer (technically speaking). But I think Dave A's style fit with Pearl Jam so much better. Matt C has definately softened up their music a little bit lately
    Ryan Crooks insists upon himself
  • badbrainsbadbrains Posts: 10,255
    veddertown wrote:
    To share a previous post, what has Dave A done outside PJ?

    Probably collecting royalties..........
  • CROJAM95CROJAM95 Posts: 9,901
    Spiritual_Chaos wrote:
    CROJAM95 wrote:
    What has this great and powerful Dave A done since PJ?
    Such a tired defense.

    You think Backspacer would have sold anything if it didn't said PEARL JAM on the cover?


    After you hate the next album backspacer will be classic to you :lol: Thats how it works round here, rip the latest and greatest.

    They were all playing balls to the wall back then...you really think Dave would have kept it up in the same fashion when the rest of the guys mellowed out a bit over the years?

    Its not a defense its the truth...learn to let go. Lets talk about all the rockstars who either killed themselves on purpose or accidental OD's.....lets yell at them for dying and not releasing more music that you liked :lol:

    You guys need to step away...I guess it comes down to cup half empty r half full. Pessimist vs Optimist.


    Oh what could have been is a dumb way to live....Lets look forward.
  • 2-feign-reluctance2-feign-reluctance TigerTown, USA Posts: 23,326
    Dave was an animal. My favorite years of Pearl Jam were with him behind the kit - but that does not diminish my love for all the others that came before and after.
    www.cluthelee.com
  • CROJAM95CROJAM95 Posts: 9,901
    2-feign-reluctance wrote:
    Dave was an animal. My favorite years of Pearl Jam were with him behind the kit - but that does not diminish my love for all the others that came before and after.


    Is it really Dave or that the band was new and fresh to you? Ah the 1st time you fall in love. Ask married couples to be honest when they found their spouse' the most attractive :lol:


    Diminishing returns are the norm all over the place.

    Athletes, Musicians, Actors etc. all lose a bit over time. Why does everyone think Pearl Jam is the exception to the rule? They've done better than most...lets all rejoice about that!

    I do believe for Some Dave is their favorite and that people here are intelligent enough to like what they like. But the newness of the band back then has alot to do with it
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