Vintage Simmons Drums (UK) Users Group

--- 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.