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Sub Pop 20: Fleet Foxes just held a drum-off
Submitted by imaginary stella on July 13, 2008.
Coming to you live from Marymoor Park, where the Fleet Foxes' J Tillman just instigated a drum-off. I am not effing kidding you. See, the fest is well-organized and highly time-sensitive. As one band concludes, the next is ready to roll on the adjacent stage. But this also means that while one band is wrapping, the other band's crew is running soundchecks.
This happened once already, as Helio Sequence's trippy vibes played out while some ass clown was having a conversation with his pal, on the mic one stage over.
The Fleet Foxes embraced it the best, however. During their serene, tranquil set, The Fluid's drum crew (perhaps the actual drummer -- I couldn't see) began wailing on the kit. Not to be outdone, J Tillman picked up his sticks between songs. "It's on, mother fucker." And he progressed into the first of two drum solos. The Fluid's drum tech answered, and Tillman blew him out of the water with his next fill -- though he stopped himself short halfway through. Shaking his head: "I told myself this would never happen..."
Only at SP20.
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Cory Banks said on July 13, 2008:
That is wicked. Cannot wait to hear how the Foxes' set went.
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gregoogly said on July 14, 2008:
Such audio-dacity! it really was poor form to be doing such loud checks next door, in the middle of a lilty Robin-emote. It happened a couple of times ... those old punks. Still nice to see JT's real chops!! I dont miss Nick nearly as much ...
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The Slow Hound said on July 15, 2008:
Tillman's a great drummer, no doubt. And what better way to waste some time than a drum-off. I don't think JT gets to do a lot of fancy drumwork with the foxes.
However good he is, it's still a shame that Robin and his merry men kicked out the previous drummer, Nick. The grass wept that doomsday.
It never pays to be the drummer that leads the march, only the one that stoops the girl at the end (I heard that JT was dating Robin's sis?).
In this case, seeing FF sans Nick was a little bittersweet, but hey, the world is red-in-tooth-&-claw, Darwinian right? Foxes eat hens, and humans hunt foxes. Actually, in truth, foxes sometimes eat their own.
Tillman's like Friar Tuck in this case, I guess.
I still got love for em all though. It'll just take me a period of mourning, I guess.
great set, Robin from the poor to the rich now, ironically.
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gregoogly said on July 15, 2008:
Crap I promised I wouldn't get misty. ... and Nick told me at Neumos he was pickling up the Bodhran ... *sniffle* the BODRHAN!!
Yes the rumors are obviously true, there's that family connection. Josh is a warm, upstanding feller of course, and I was proud of his taking a stand. Somehow I dont see Nick yelling "motherfucker" at anyone! lol
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jonathan Brisbane said on July 18, 2008:
Low rent disposing of drummer Nick. He was a huge part of this band until he was dropped like Robin's bad habit.
To be fair to Robin, he probably has some bad habits needing dropped.
I'm saddened, but the show must go on, I guess.
Plus, it's really none of my business exactly.
Tillman surely brings some excitement to the band and Seattle 'coolness'.
Hopefully not his dour songs though.
I forgive you Robin-P!
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Old Skool said on August 2, 2008:
Josh can definately play drums. Check out him and his brother Zack of Siberian on a few Saxon Shore releases as well as Josh doing some drums for one of the Demon Hunter recordings.
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Reviews
imaginary dana said on July 13, 2008:
That. Is. Awesome.
I love the breaking news from SP20 on TIG. It's almost like I'm there. Almost (wipes tear of sadness from corner of eye).