Uploaded January 2008 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
Ok, well after much delay, here is my attempt at this massive Chester Thompson groove.
First off -- apologies for the sound quality. I am in a new house, with a new drum room, and this is my first recording in it. The new room has very 'live' acoustics, and I have yet to sort this out. So the bass drum is muffled and boomy, the hi-hat in the quiet bits is extremely loud, and generally, the mix is not very good. I hope this does not detract too much for you!
I guess most of you have seen my cover of the studio version of this. I think that was one of my best covers on here, and many of you seem to agree. Unfortunately, this has made making a cover of the live version something of a nightmare! I thought I knew how to drum to this, but in fact, the more I tried to get it to sound just like Chester, the more frustrated I got! I personally don't think this cover is anything like as good as the studio cover, although I guess that is for you lot to decide really.
Anyway, Chester sets up a beautiful groove right from the off. Holding the hi-hat slightly open makes this cover harder; and then when he does those incredible fills during the whole intro section and first verse, he still manages to keep the groove going. If you notice, he actually carries on playing on the ride, during the fills, and this is what keeps the whole thing flowing along. For me, I found some of the intro and first verse fills really weird -- he was hitting toms in a place my brain just did not want to go! They did not seem to be in an 'expected' sequence. I don't really know how to explain it. And then to try and keep a ride cymbal hit or two going throughout the fill -- well, that's just too much!!
I love the way the hi-hat (and china) moves from quarter notes to 'ands', this really makes the song take off, but of course keeps you on your toes trying to maintain a groove, whilst pulling off super-fast and massive fills.
Brilliant drumming by Chester, and deceptively difficult to cover, in my view. Especially, especially, the two quiet bits - they are much more complex and subtle then you initially realise. I have really struggled with the whole thing, and I am not at all ashamed to admit it!
Sorry about the jump at 5'46 -- I think the electricity in the garden room hiccupped or something.
I will try and get the acoustics sorted for the next video. I guess I need more carpets, curtains, a dozen wall tapestries, drapes, pictures, a sofa, a bed, cushions, a king size duvet poking out the bass drum, egg boxes stuck to my head........:-)
I am thinking perhaps I should use the plastic bass beater instead of the felt - this should get more of a 'thack' then a 'boom'. Also I think the music needs to be quieter too, which is certainly a first for me!
As an aside, I hope you like the new garden room, aptly re-named 'the drum room'. A lot more light then the previous gaff. Leaks sound out the plastic roof like a bitch though - the neighbours will love me when they are sun-bathing in their gardens come summer.
On a final note - pre-empting the inevitable 'which is best/harder, studio or live?' - my answer is BOTH are great and difficult for different reasons. Two different drummers. Two different feels. For me, I found the live one harder to get spot on. But that's just me. It don't mean Chester is better than Phil, so please don't go there!!!!
Ok, well after much delay, here is my attempt at this massive Chester Thompson groove.
First off -- apologies for the sound quality. I am in a new house, with a new drum room, and this is my first recording in it. The new room has very 'live' acoustics, and I have yet to sort this out. So the bass drum is muffled and boomy, the hi-hat in the quiet bits is extremely loud, and generally, the mix is not very good. I hope this does not detract too much for you!
I guess most of you have seen my cover of the studio version of this. I think that was one of my best covers on here, and many of you seem to agree. Unfortunately, this has made making a cover of the live version something of a nightmare! I thought I knew how to drum to this, but in fact, the more I tried to get it to sound just like Chester, the more frustrated I got! I personally don't think this cover is anything like as good as the studio cover, although I guess that is for you lot to decide really.
Anyway, Chester sets up a beautiful groove right from the off. Holding the hi-hat slightly open makes this cover harder; and then when he does those incredible fills during the whole intro section and first verse, he still manages to keep the groove going. If you notice, he actually carries on playing on the ride, during the fills, and this is what keeps the whole thing flowing along. For me, I found some of the intro and first verse fills really weird -- he was hitting toms in a place my brain just did not want to go! They did not seem to be in an 'expected' sequence. I don't really know how to explain it. And then to try and keep a ride cymbal hit or two going throughout the fill -- well, that's just too much!!
I love the way the hi-hat (and china) moves from quarter notes to 'ands', this really makes the song take off, but of course keeps you on your toes trying to maintain a groove, whilst pulling off super-fast and massive fills.
Brilliant drumming by Chester, and deceptively difficult to cover, in my view. Especially, especially, the two quiet bits - they are much more complex and subtle then you initially realise. I have really struggled with the whole thing, and I am not at all ashamed to admit it!
Sorry about the jump at 5'46 -- I think the electricity in the garden room hiccupped or something.
I will try and get the acoustics sorted for the next video. I guess I need more carpets, curtains, a dozen wall tapestries, drapes, pictures, a sofa, a bed, cushions, a king size duvet poking out the bass drum, egg boxes stuck to my head........:-)
I am thinking perhaps I should use the plastic bass beater instead of the felt - this should get more of a 'thack' then a 'boom'. Also I think the music needs to be quieter too, which is certainly a first for me!
As an aside, I hope you like the new garden room, aptly re-named 'the drum room'. A lot more light then the previous gaff. Leaks sound out the plastic roof like a bitch though - the neighbours will love me when they are sun-bathing in their gardens come summer.
On a final note - pre-empting the inevitable 'which is best/harder, studio or live?' - my answer is BOTH are great and difficult for different reasons. Two different drummers. Two different feels. For me, I found the live one harder to get spot on. But that's just me. It don't mean Chester is better than Phil, so please don't go there!!!!
