Dave Abbruzzese Statement on The Drummer Situation

mace1229 said:

pjl44 said:

mace1229 said:

pjl44 said:

mace1229 said:

pjl44 said:

I truly believe we had reached a point where each of the five core members was essential and am fairly pessimistic about the future. Still plenty of paths for good and very good but....

I don’t get why anyone would say this. Their best work was before Matt. If you erase 10-yield, almost none of us would be here in the fan club. He was/is a great drummer, but they can make great music without him too.

You think Matt is the main variable here?

No, the opposite. You were pessimistic about Matt leaving and what it means. I’m saying their best albums and well known for live performances was before Matt anyway. Why would you think they can’t continue to be a great band without him?

You're missing my point

Wasn’t your point that each member was essential (meaning irreplaceable)? I don’t know what else you’d mean by “essential.”
I’m saying, without any disrespect to Matt, their best music was before he came. They can definitely do without him again. Although, it was great to have him while he was there.

It's fine. I think we're probably splitting hairs.

mace1229 said:

pjl44 said:

mace1229 said:

pjl44 said:

I truly believe we had reached a point where each of the five core members was essential and am fairly pessimistic about the future. Still plenty of paths for good and very good but....

I don’t get why anyone would say this. Their best work was before Matt. If you erase 10-yield, almost none of us would be here in the fan club. He was/is a great drummer, but they can make great music without him too.

You think Matt is the main variable here?

No, the opposite. You were pessimistic about Matt leaving and what it means. I’m saying their best albums and well known for live performances was before Matt anyway. Why would you think they can’t continue to be a great band without him?

I was focusing on the albums and completely missed the part about live performances. I cannot possibly disagree more. I've been seeing them consistently since 96. The peak started in 2003 and you can debate where that ends. 

Loved Dave A back in the day.  Wish I saw the band with him once, but I couldn't make it to a PJ show until '96.  Happy to see Irons play with the guys.  
I'd be lying if I said I don't love the way Vs sounds with Dave A behind the kit.  That said, I want PJ to do whats right for them so they can keep playing as long as they like or they are able.  

i would love to see Josh Freese with them. This idea has really grown on me over the last week.  He's dynamic, with punk roots.  He can slow it down if need be (see Perfect Circle), while still sounding different.  He can obviously switch between bands and sounds.  I think he could handle the PJ catalogue, and he can handle big tours.  

Just wondering if the guys even know him, or if he gels with them.  I've only heard nice things about the guy... 

Merkin Baller said:

JG242853 said:

Loved Dave A back in the day.  Wish I saw the band with him once, but I couldn't make it to a PJ show until '96.  Happy to see Irons play with the guys.  
I'd be lying if I said I don't love the way Vs sounds with Dave A behind the kit.  That said, I want PJ to do whats right for them so they can keep playing as long as they like or they are able.  

i would love to see Josh Freese with them. This idea has really grown on me over the last week.  He's dynamic, with punk roots.  He can slow it down if need be (see Perfect Circle), while still sounding different.  He can obviously switch between bands and sounds.  I think he could handle the PJ catalogue, and he can handle big tours.  

Just wondering if the guys even know him, or if he gels with them.  I've only heard nice things about the guy... 

Idk if there was a formal audition, but I recall reading somewhere once that Freese practiced w/ the guys or was at least floated as an option after the band parted ways with Dave A back in '94... so yes, AFAIK, they are at least familiar with each other. 

I'm about as big a fan of Josh Freese as anyone I know, but I don't know that he would be the best fit for PJ or their style. I'm sure he can play anything in their catalog, I'm just not sure that he would be the best option for what they do. 

No doubt it would change the band's sound a little, but that's what each drummer did.  It's a new era. Love the idea of Barret Martin as well.  No idea if that's a match for the guys.  I'm just going to be open to whatever they choose to do.  

The more I read everybody's comments on here, the more I realize that the guys most likely have a plan.  They wouldn't announce Matt's departure the way they did it without a plan... And maybe a shortlist of drummers.  

TahoeJeff said:

Merkin Baller said:

JG242853 said:

Loved Dave A back in the day.  Wish I saw the band with him once, but I couldn't make it to a PJ show until '96.  Happy to see Irons play with the guys.  
I'd be lying if I said I don't love the way Vs sounds with Dave A behind the kit.  That said, I want PJ to do whats right for them so they can keep playing as long as they like or they are able.  

i would love to see Josh Freese with them. This idea has really grown on me over the last week.  He's dynamic, with punk roots.  He can slow it down if need be (see Perfect Circle), while still sounding different.  He can obviously switch between bands and sounds.  I think he could handle the PJ catalogue, and he can handle big tours.  

Just wondering if the guys even know him, or if he gels with them.  I've only heard nice things about the guy... 

Idk if there was a formal audition, but I recall reading somewhere once that Freese practiced w/ the guys or was at least floated as an option after the band parted ways with Dave A back in '94... so yes, AFAIK, they are at least familiar with each other. 

I'm about as big a fan of Josh Freese as anyone I know, but I don't know that he would be the best fit for PJ or their style. I'm sure he can play anything in their catalog, I'm just not sure that he would be the best option for what they do. 

I think Josh Freese is super versatile. I have no doubt he could handle it. I'm sure they are aware of him. It's my understanding that the last time PJ played Scotland, that The Vandals were the opener. I've seen him drum with The Vandals, The Replacements, A Perfect Circle, Devo...and I'm probably forgetting something. Regardless, one of my favorite drummers ever.

Totally forgot Devo! lol I saw him with them too. At Ohana as well... 

You have to be in some state of denial to reduce his place in the band’s legacy to "the fifth drummer"

pjl44 said:

You have to be in some state of denial to reduce his place in the band’s legacy to "the fifth drummer"

Yeah he’s been in the set for 75% of the bands existence now, 9 times as long as Dave A or Jack. Yes they can move on with someone else but this is still a huge deal.

Go Beavers said:

Dave’s at it again today on fb. 

Not sure what he means by the latest accusation of “being erased.”

Go Beavers said:

Dave’s at it again today on fb. 

It's sad to see this.  There is a part of me that would love to see him back with them, and then he self-sabotages like this.  It would seem he made his plea to re-join the band on FB a week or so ago.  He didn't get a call from the band right away apparently, and now there's this passive aggressive response to that.  I loved his drumming with them, and I'm sure the band did too.  But no one who plays in a band wants to be in a band with any more difficult personalities unless absolutely necessary.  These guys can play with whoever they want.  One thing is for certain, their next drummer will be awesome and someone they gel well with musically and personality-wise.