Nicko's drumming technique

nuno_c

nuno_c

A hollow universe in space
Unlike many metal drummers, Nicko uses only one bass drum. Nick is, in general, more groovy than many metal drummers. Many metal drummers seem to focus A LOT on technical stuff for the sake of it rather than serving the song. Nicko seems to focus more on serving the song, although he does get technical.

My question is... When comparing Nicko stricktly to other metal drummers, what do you think of his ability? God-like? Above average? Ordinary?
 
Nicko is one of the must unique players on the planet. He has an incredibly fluid style, improvises a lot of his playing, and uses lots of jazzy syncopations and grooves. On top of that, his foot speed is legendary (Wicker Man chorus, etc.).
 
Lego said:
Nicko is one of the must unique players on the planet. He has an incredibly fluid style, improvises a lot of his playing, and uses lots of jazzy syncopations and grooves. On top of that, his foot speed is legendary (Wicker Man chorus, etc.).
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And even on Satellite 15 and Brighter than a thousand suns!

I actually created this topic because yesterday i heard some metal guy saying how Nicko's drumming is "not at all hard" and that he is not technical enough.... What the hell does that mean anyway?:facepalm:
 
nuno_c said:
And even on Satellite 15 and Brighter than a thousand suns!

I actually created this topic because yesterday i heard some metal guy saying how Nicko's drumming is "not at all hard" and that he is not technical enough.... What the hell does that mean anyway?:facepalm:
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Nicko has amazing bass pedal technique...... but Satellite 15 is drum machine ;)
 
Interesting. Where did you hear that? I really like such drum-related talk. I do remember an interview (I forgot the source, maybe it was the fanzine) where Nicko expressed his dislike for the double bass drum pedal. He'd never do it again.
 
I never understood the anti-double bass drum thing. Maybe some drummers here could help me with this. I remember him saying that it's "un-drummerish", what does that mean? Double bass drum pedals just seem like a useful tool, it'd be physically impossible to play as fast as some do with double bass with only one foot right?
 
What I think is that he had a hard time doing it*. I am not good in it myself. It would take a lot of training for some people.

Personally I find it difficult to hit a snare with my left hand and hit a bass drum with my right foot at the same time (when it's one of a 16th beat e.g.)

edit:
* and that, for him, the result didn't balance out vs the trouble with recording it.
 
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Forostar said:
Interesting. Where did you hear that? I really like such drum-related talk. I do remember an interview (I forgot the source, maybe it was the fanzine) where Nicko expressed his dislike for the double bass drum pedal. He'd never do it again.
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For the life of me I cannot remember. It may even have been a video interview, but Nicko was saying how pro tools were required to 'even up' the sound.
 
I happen to be pretty fast with double kick drums... but I do play more modern-style metal. I can understand how some drummers use it as a crutch, a constant pummeling that takes the place of any real groove. In that sense, it can be pretty un-drummerish if over/mis-used.
 
^ hard to tell. Clive was aggressive as hell and of course he did the first 3 albums, the first 2 which are aggressive albums
 
I do hear the difference. But at the same time i find it a bit hard to explain, maybe that's why i wanted someone to put into words lol

I guess Nicko is a bit groovier and jazzy at the same time. In a way Clive seems to fit more within the NWOBHM musical field.

Also... That right foot!
 
Clive was a very solid, tight drummer and the better fast drummer. I'd say his hi-hat work was better than Nicko's or at least he could play a fast pattern more steady. Compare Hallowed and Wrathchild. Clive did that stuff with one hand! Nicko hits his hi-has twice as slow (not sixteenths notes).

Clive's work in Genghis Khan, but also Phantom and Transylvania (well: all Di'Anno era stuff but these examples are among the ones that stand out) is amazing.

Nicko has always approached most material of this era in his own manner, but that's also because it was a necessity. I think he was never able to play Clive's way. That said, Clive could probably not play the difficult stuff as in e.g. Sea of Madness or LOTLDR, or fast bass drum work that we know from various songs in the catalogue.

So when we purely focus on elements of the kit: I'd say Nicko is the ride cymbal and foot specialist, and Clive the hi-hat.

But when you judge them overal, there's more to say of course. This is what Maiden guys said about Clive, also comparing with Nicko:

Bruce Dickinson considered him to be "...the best drummer the band ever had. That's not taking anything away from Nicko. Technically, Nicko's probably a far more competent drummer than Clive. It's just that Clive had this incredible feel, and you can't learn that, and I regret that he wasn't given more time to try and sort himself out." Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith also praised his drumming ability. "Clive was a great drummer, an Ian Paice-type drummer, steady and solid with a nice feel to everything."
 
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Forostar said:
Clive was a very solid, tight drummer and the better fast drummer. I'd say his hi-hat work was better than Nicko's or at least he could play a fast pattern more steady. Compare Hallowed and Wrathchild. Nicko hits his hi-has twice as slow (not sixteenths notes).

Clive's work in Genghis Khan, but also Phantom and Transylvania (well: all Di'Anno era stuff but these examples are among the ones that stand out) is amazing.

Nicko approached most material of this era in his own manner, but that's also because I think he is not able to play Clive's way. That said, Clive could probably not play the difficult stuff as in e.g. Sea of Madness or LOTLDR, or fast bass drum work that we know from various songs in the catalogue.

So when we purely focus on elements of the kit: I'd say Nicko is the ride cymbal and foot specialist, and Clive the hi-hat.

But when you judge them overal, there's more to say of course. This is what Maiden guys said about Clive, also comparing with Nicko:

Bruce Dickinson considered him to be "...the best drummer the band ever had. That's not taking anything away from Nicko. Technically, Nicko's probably a far more competent drummer than Clive. It's just that Clive had this incredible feel, and you can't learn that, and I regret that he wasn't given more time to try and sort himself out." Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith also praised his drumming ability. "Clive was a great drummer, an Ian Paice-type drummer, steady and solid with a nice feel to everything."
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Cool comment(s)!

The thing is... Would Clive be able to play Nicko's era stuff?
 
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