Vintage Simmons Drums (UK) Users Group

Hello again,

there is of cuorse a reason why I ended up on this group. I'm
involved in writing bits and pieces in whats going to be an
interactive musicencyclopedia. I'm really supposed to write about
synths and keyboards but since electronic drums was considered to be
more in the synth department than in the drum department, I got that
bit to.
The problem is I don't know to much about this stuff. I've started to
buy some Simmons stuff to get a feel for it but I would really
appreciate some help. So... Here goes (and please remember, this is
an encyclopedia for all kinds of music and instruments. Not
specialised):

1. What electronic drums are a definitive must to mention in the
encyclopedia? (There will be samples of the different kits aswell, so
wich ones should I go for there?)

2. Can you give me names of songs (and bands) where electronic drums
are prominent. (Not drummachines, that's another story all togeather).

3. Drummers who were pioneers in using electronic drums.

I think that would give me a good base for my research. If you could
help me out I would be very greatfull.

Cheers,

Kiko

--- In Simmons_Drums@yahoogroups.com, "Kiko" <dr.k@o...> wrote:

> Hello again,
>
> there is of cuorse a reason why I ended up on this group. I'm
> involved in writing bits and pieces in whats going to be an
> interactive musicencyclopedia. I'm really supposed to write about
> synths and keyboards but since electronic drums was considered to

be

> more in the synth department than in the drum department, I got

that

> bit to.
> The problem is I don't know to much about this stuff. I've started

to

> buy some Simmons stuff to get a feel for it but I would really
> appreciate some help. So... Here goes (and please remember, this is
> an encyclopedia for all kinds of music and instruments. Not
> specialised):
>
> 1. What electronic drums are a definitive must to mention in the
> encyclopedia? (There will be samples of the different kits aswell,

so

> wich ones should I go for there?)
>

Well, the SDS-7 was the top of the line... I'd mention that and the
SDS-5 for the best examples of Simmons gear. (Maybe the SDS-1 also)

> 2. Can you give me names of songs (and bands) where electronic

drums

> are prominent. (Not drummachines, that's another story all

togeather).

>

Do you have "Surrender to the Night" or "Futureworld" by Trans Am?
You should.

> 3. Drummers who were pioneers in using electronic drums.
>
> I think that would give me a good base for my research. If you

could

> help me out I would be very greatfull.
>

As much as I hate to admit it, it's about time we got this out in the
open: we're all here because of our love for Phil Collins. I'm
kidding of course... it's really only Jesper who loves Phil. :P
Seriously, though, I think Bill Bruford had a set also.

Currently/recently, you have Sebastian from Trans Am (who is about as
good as a drummer can be) using some, and the drummer in The
Mainframe has a few pieces on his kit.

I don't really know of anyone really leading the way with electronic
drums; I got into them more for the sounds *I* could make rather than
the sounds I'd heard from someone else.

S

--- In Simmons_Drums@yahoogroups.com, "Kiko" <dr.k@o...> wrote:

> Hello again,
>
> there is of cuorse a reason why I ended up on this group. I'm
> involved in writing bits and pieces in whats going to be an
> interactive musicencyclopedia. I'm really supposed to write about
> synths and keyboards but since electronic drums was considered to

be

> more in the synth department than in the drum department, I got

that

> bit to.
> The problem is I don't know to much about this stuff. I've started

to

> buy some Simmons stuff to get a feel for it but I would really
> appreciate some help. So... Here goes (and please remember, this is
> an encyclopedia for all kinds of music and instruments. Not
> specialised):
>
> 1. What electronic drums are a definitive must to mention in the
> encyclopedia? (There will be samples of the different kits aswell,

so

> wich ones should I go for there?)
>
> 2. Can you give me names of songs (and bands) where electronic

drums

> are prominent. (Not drummachines, that's another story all

togeather).

>
> 3. Drummers who were pioneers in using electronic drums.
>
> I think that would give me a good base for my research. If you

could

> help me out I would be very greatfull.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Kiko

Hi Kiko,
some few answers ;

to your question 1 :

The main Simmons upmarket kits had been (from my point of view) ;
SDSIII & IV
SDSV & SDS8
SDS7
SDS9
SDX
The Sound was very typical from each machine because of the different
componants & options chosen ... (I love them all but for different
reasons ...)
Some other products had been very interesting too ;
SDS400, 800,SDE,TRIXER, SDS2000...

Question 2 ;

the bands from the eighties are the main SIMMONS users ;
TALK TALK, DURAN DURAN , RUSH, YES, QUEEN, KING CRIMSON, Jean Michel
JARRE etc...

Question 3 ;

If there was only one drummer to mention I would say
BILL BRUFORD
(YES / ABWH , KING CRIMSON, EARTHWORKS, KAZUMI WATANABE, DAVID TORN
etc...)
He played & recorded from the SDSV, SDS7, SDS9, SDX KITS & had been
very creative with it!
But around 1984, any drummer who wanted to work, had to & had a
SIMMONS kit !

Ok that's it for now !
Hope this helps ...
Patrice.

Hi KIKO,

Try, www.genesis-music.com Genesis have used drum machines, and
electronic drum kits during the 80's.

Genesis albums which the Simmons kit was used,

GENESIS - GENESIS 1983

GENESIS - Invisible Touch

Now then Genesis more so Phil Collins used his Simmons kit on the
Genesis 1984 and 1987 and partially during the tour of 1992.

Phil Collins used his simmons kit during his solo career, mainly on
the No Jacket required tour.

Phil Collins used the Drum machines Roland CR78 and Linn Drums on
his solo albums up until 1989. and on Genesis albums up until 1980 -
1987.

Thats as much as I should write here.


Thanks


Mark K

HI,
if it can help ,
from what I know, on the albums & live you're talking about , Phil
Collins used SDSV & SDS7 kits ...
I'm intersted to know if there was any other Simmons model...

Bye then !
Patrice.


--- In Simmons_Drums@yahoogroups.com, "Mark Kenyon" <kenyonmark@y...>
wrote:

>
>
> Hi KIKO,
>
> Try, www.genesis-music.com Genesis have used drum machines, and
> electronic drum kits during the 80's.
>
> Genesis albums which the Simmons kit was used,
>
> GENESIS - GENESIS 1983
>
> GENESIS - Invisible Touch
>
> Now then Genesis more so Phil Collins used his Simmons kit on the
> Genesis 1984 and 1987 and partially during the tour of 1992.
>
> Phil Collins used his simmons kit during his solo career, mainly on
> the No Jacket required tour.
>
> Phil Collins used the Drum machines Roland CR78 and Linn Drums on
> his solo albums up until 1989. and on Genesis albums up until 1980 -

> 1987.
>
> Thats as much as I should write here.
>
>
> Thanks
>
>
> Mark K