Countdown to the 2012 Bullshit Battle of the Ad Bands: 8 – Drummers take centre-stage

Continuing our countdown to the 2012 Bullshit Battle of the Ad Bands with some songs that could / might / probably wont be performed.

Q. What do you call someone who hangs around musicians?

A. A drummer.

Oh it’s an oldie but a goodie, albeit disparaging of drummers’ status as real musicians. Well they’re not really, are they?

But drummers have been iconic members of some of the biggest bands in rock history – John Bonham and Led Zep; Keith Moon and The Who; Charlie Watts and The Rolling Stones. Charlie Moore and Bree and the Cheese.

So this week’s countdown number is one where the drums are front-and-centre driving the song: Message of Love by The Pretenders.

Chrissie Hynde delivers her trademark plaintive-cool vocal and James Honeyman-Scott’s single chord on the Rickenbacker is the song’s obvious hook, but it’s all about Martin Chambers’ drums. They’re not especially flashy but primal and tough. Just what we want from a bullshit band.

So for Spinni, James, Charlie and all the other ‘shy ones’ who sit at the back, this one’s for you. Step into the spotlight!

(Speaking of drummers, when are we going to see that noted skin-beater from way back, Al Taylor, on the Irish Club stage? He’s got a purpose-built bunker at his house so he can pound away without disturbing family and neighbours. That’s pretty serious. Come on Al, time to expose your talent to the masses!)

7 bands have now signed up for the 2012 Battle: 303Lowe, Gatecrasher, Marketforce, Brainestorm, Meerkats, Painted Dog Research and The Brand Agency. That’s as many as we can accommodate so band nominations are now closed.

The 2012 Bullshit Battle of the Ad Bands will be held at the Irish Club in Subiaco on Friday, August 3. Ticket sales TBA.

Next week: A drummer who might just be a real musician too.