IMO another keys player (a la the Allmans after Duane passed) or even a horn player would also work well as a sixth
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I think we should get a second bongo player to compete with andy
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Iāve had that same thought but lately Iāve wondered about making Farag have a little more responsibility by playing drums more. I know he does beats and loops, so why not expand the rhythm section a little more.
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RIPPIN!
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I play aux perc (since middle school). Farag was my first favorite, taught me to listen first, play second. He is extremely talented. But damn, I get frustrated by him (or lack thereof)ā¦ the beats he makes are so rudimentary from what Iāve heard. And Iāve seen him play kit during a Brendan and Jake show, he is not a natural on kit lol. Point being, Iām just not sure he can / wants to do any more than the little he be doin. Could be wrong tho! Itās probably my most recurring dream that I get to play on stage with themā¦ I live a sad life.
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Hire Josh redman
What is Jamie Shields up to?
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While I think thereās a nearly zero percent chance this happens, it would 100% be the best possible permanent addition the band could make.
I just think they should fire Stasik
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Iām team 5 piece
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I would love to read some more of your analysis on Faragās playing. Iāve listened to thousands of hours of UM and seen over 300 shows and I couldnāt tell you if Farag is crushing it or crashing out at any given time
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I like his part in 2x2
Lol yea I used to spend at least 1/3 of my shows when I was seeing them a lot taking some dose and almost solely following him. I used to call him the silent assassin (I was in high school and certainly a loser). I think his patience is incredible - most percussionists you see (in smaller bands) are obnoxious as fuck. He had more of a presence pre Kris, and Iāve noticed some more presence post Kris. During Kris, I donāt think there was much more room for more, but I have def been so frustrated with opportunities / pockets he just doesnāt go for.
There used to be (maybe still is) a video on YouTube where he explains that while drums follow bass, percussion follows melody. The goal is to know your band mates well enough that you can play along their solos and accentuate what theyāre doing, and for the full band add new sounds that sell transitions and differentiate sections. I think he does a really good job of that in certain songs, outlining some prog sections etc etc. But yea, sometimes I just want him to be an unhinged fool like Jason hann. Iād say Jeff Lerner from tribe the late chuck from lotus are the goats
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Iām not sure if you were being facetious asking my opinion lol but idk Iāve literally been at shows where Farag starts out playing more prevalently and someone nearby will scream his name (when weāre within earshot) and I swear he either clams up or intentionally shuts down because of it. so yea I think calling it crashing out is pretty accurate. I donāt really understand it. Regardless heās the biggest chiller in the band
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As much as I love the dual guitar sound, theyāve been souding great recently
I could also imagine that if thereād been enough tension with Kris and Jake to fire long time members like that, they might be hesitant to make another lineup change if the dynamic with the band is in a better place than it had been in recent year
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I was being sincere and I really appreciate your commentary! Iāve always wanted to know more about Faragās playing from the perspective of someone who understands what heās doing. I feel like on any given night he could either be having his best show ever or just be totally phoning it in and I wouldnāt know the difference. Do you have any examples of jams where he either did something exceptionally interesting or failed to take a good opportunity? Also what did you mean about him not being a natural on kit? Iām tempted to listen to some of his fall '23 performances this weekend
Wow Andy really didnāt play much set in '23 (hard to tell, the notes on nugs arenāt perfect). Also I didnt realize how many other drummers they had besides Trucks/Greenfield/Atkind
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sorry long weekend and Iāve been regaining my gumption:
My recall sucks and havenāt kept track of specifics, Iāll def be keeping an eye out tho - would be a fun playlist to compile Andyās bustouts. Listening back some, Iād sum it up by saying his phrasing is unparalleled, he assumes part of the melody almost fully and I think thatās what throws ppl off and leaves us (me) frustrated when he doesnāt take chances to get more rhythmic / go off soloing (whereas chuck morris / Jeffree Lerner do both really well). His presence definitely fluctuates, and he does seem sometimes more invested in his other activities lolā¦ Iāve also heard someone say bb makes him stay quiet lol, but my impression is heās getting called back up to forefront w the 5piece. idk Iād be interested in other opinions as well. Iāve gone around in circles about this for years.
in the meantime hereās a vid of my good buddy (currently plays drums w delvon Lamar organ trio) having Andy on his lil drum / interview YouTube channel recently!
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Brendan Bayliss Forever
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