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