Pulling Punches by David Sylvian - Drum Cover and Transcription

"Pulling Punches" is a song by David Sylvian from his album Brilliant Trees released in 1984. The album features Steve Jansen on drums who is David Sylvian's brother. Both are founding members of the band Japan. I love Steve Jansen's approach to drumming and he has been a big influence. Check out the interesting hi-hat work here and way Steve moves the snare drum beats around. Very funky. I hope you enjoy it.
If you would like a pdf of the transcription in this video please feel free to contact me through my website
or any of these links.
www.larrycrowe.com
/ masterfuldrumming
Bio
Larry Crowe has been playing the drums for over forty years. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in music performance and composition from York University, Toronto, Canada, and in 1983 he received a grant from the Canada Council to study at the Banff School of Fine Arts. He has studied drums with Claude Ranger and Barry Elmes and South Indian percussion with Trichy Sankaran. Larry has performed in Canada, the United States, Europe, Central America, the Caribbean and throughout Asia. He has performed and recorded in many musical settings and with various artists like Grammy Award winner Patti Austin (Rhythm & Blues/Jazz), Grammy nominated Ron Korb (World/New Age), Juno Award winner Robert Michaels (Latin/Jazz), Jim McCarty (Yardbirds/Renaissance), John Hawken (Nashville Teens/Renaissance/Strawbs), Jesse Gress (Todd Rundgren/Tony Levin Band), Sharon and Bram (Children Music), Carlos Bastidas (Latin), Charlie Roby (World/Folk), Daniela Nardi (Jazz/Pop), Ray Montford (Ambient/Groove), The Beat Kings (Rhythm and Blues), Ron Davis (Jazz), The Jim Italiano Band (Roots/Rock), Random Chants (Rock), Desert Sky (Country) and The Lawn Jockies (Rock). As a composer and songwriter, Larry has produced and written music for singers and bands in the popular music field, as well as instrumental pieces for media, advertising and childrens music. He has also performed in musical theatre shows like "On The Eighth Day" and "Menopause Out Loud". Larry has been teaching drums for over twenty years in the Toronto area. Larry is the author of the drum set method books Masterful Drumming Volume One and Two and uses Yamaha Drums, Vic Firth drumsticks, brushes and mallets and Zildjian Cymbals.

[@mdmorris6193]

A brilliant cover of a drum part by one of pop/rock music's criminally underrated drummers. Jansen's work with Japan was a constant masterclass of creative drum composition, of playing the song rather than just the groove.

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hi MD Morris and thanks for checking out my video. Steve Jansen is totally underrated and I agree that his drum parts are incredibly creative and supportive. All the best. LC

[@neilhughes5645]

Steve Jansen is no doubt one of my favourite sticksmen of all time.a genius.

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Mine too! Thanks for watching !

[@jasonfarrar4737]

Steve Jansen is so underrated. You've nailed it with both your transcription and your wonderful playing.

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hey thanks Jason. It was fun putting this video together. SJ is one of my favs for sure!

[@OtaconNachos]

Wow! Amazing work, I have always wondered what it "looked" like to play this. Brilliant.

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thank you for checking out my video @OtaconNachos!

[@ouime7337]

Love Steve Jansen’s drumming - great job on a tricky tune 👍

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thanks for watching!

[@k.s.6640]

Bravo!! I love Steve Jansen drumming performance. I saw him with Yukihiro Takahashi, YMO drummer, at the live in Tokyo 1984.

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hi K. S. Thank you for taking the time to check out my video. Steve Jansen is one of my favs!! Cheers Larry

[@davidhanrahan9317]

You nailed it my man! I remember the first time I heard this, I was absolutely blown away! Steve Jansen is so underrated! This song in particular is a clinic in dynamics and groove, and you absolutely nailed every nuance! That original recording, with those low tuned drums! So musical and so funky!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hey @davidhanrahan9317, thank you for checking out my video! Steve Jansen is one of my fav drummers and is absolutely underrated. Pulling Punches was a fun tune to cover! Cheers!

[@ultimatefab]

As a big fan of mister Steve Jansen (totaly underated drummer) I really enjoyed to watch your video. You have the perfect touch to play this track beautifuly. Congratulations !

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thank you for watching, @ultimatefab.

[@dixgun]

Just wanted to let you know Steve Jansen praised this on his Twitter

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

WOW! I'm totally geeking out! Thanks for the heads up dixgun.

[@dixgun]

@@masterfuldrumming8408

[@user-fc8hd6kh2f]

you did this with perfect accuracy amazingly good job.

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thank you very much! It's a fun song to play!

[@D4v3B68]

Absolutely fantasic video, thank you. I have been a big fan of Sylvian/Jansen/Karn/Barbieri since the days of japan, and I have always thought Steve Jansens drumming was on another level to anything else out there. He has been a huge inspiration to me as a fellow drummer, but I can only dream of being as good.

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video David. I too am a huge fan of the band Japan and all their various projects. Best wishes. Larry

[@suitandtieguy]

this is fuckin great. Steve Jansen is one of the most brilliant drummers of all time and never gets this kind of attention. thank you!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hey suitandtieguy! Thanks for checking out my video, I really appreciate it. SJ is one my favs. Cheers LC

[@alanpriest5047]

Even Gavin Harrison who is one of the world's most highly rated drummers says he was inspired and influenced by Steve Jansen. That says so much for SJ.

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Gavin Harrison is incredible. I have worked through one of his books and I'm a big fan of Porcupine Tree and King Crimson. He does sight Steve Jansen as an influence and both he and SJ influenced me. Thank you for watching the video Alan!

[@FedeCorino]

Esos hermanos si que se entedian en esos días! Muy buen cover!

[@brokarisbelmico]

Great job!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thank you @brokarisbelmico!

[@ryosuke670]

Pulling Punches のドラムコピーとは！　よく叩けますね！　泣けました。いやいやいや、ドラムの楽譜に少しでもなじみがある人には、とんでもない譜割りに見えますよね。やっぱりあの兄弟は変態（良い意味）です！（デヴィッド・シルビアンとスティーブ・ジャンセン）

[@wellenstrom]

perfect

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thank you!

[@bigdrums9905]

Thanks so much for this, you've done this so well, and transcribed it beautifully - a deceptively difficult part too - like much of Jansen's work - sadly underrated, I love his playing.

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hey Thanks Big Drums! It was a fun one to put together. I love Steve's creative drum parts. Cheers! LC

[@hauntological]

Woaaaah! I somehow found this video unexpectedly while browsing and I'm so glad I did. Pulling Punches is one of my favourite tracks from Brilliant Trees. You played it superbly. Well done, man. I really enjoyed watching that.

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hey @hauntological, thank you very much for checking out my video and I'm glad you liked it! Cheers! LC

[@hauntological]

@@masterfuldrumming8408 My pleasure :)

[@pankajjoshi3189]

Mindblowing Larry.... very good music.... especially the bass guitar is really awesome.... Thanks for playing the drums :)

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thanks Pankaj. The whole album is awesome and worth checking out!

[@stevenconrady1990]

Damn! That was great!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hey Steven. Thank you.

[@user-jw4iz4ci4h]

Hey Mr！Your exact play is so fine😄

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thank you very much!

[@geoffwoodford]

Awesome. Thanks

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hi Oberon. Thank you for checking out my video!

[@caseykinnan3688]

Great job! Nailed it.

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thanks Casey!

[@j.e.albert230]

Really awesome thanks!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thanks for checking out my video!

[@kimcastelo5153]

Best drumming cover of this song on here! You nailed it ,mate! Thanks so much, now I can finally give it a try as well on my drums! So happy...

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hey Kim thanks for the kind words. It's a fun tune. Good luck.

[@SKYSAW59]

Fantastic.. Steve Jansen right up there with TGPT and Stuart Elliot!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thank you Clive!

[@zerosumgameplan]

Groovy stuff, Larry! Hope you're having a great 2023, dude!!!!!!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thanks buddy!

[@brad42948]

Firstly, all credit for even attempting anything Steve Jansen does - the guy is a genius, and it's all I can do to just appreciate his finesse, never mind play it. But that hi-hat is taking up a lot of space in the rhythm...

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hey brad42948 thanks for checking out my vid. That hi-hat is certainly taking up space but it's where it takes up space that makes it compelling. Cheers! LC

[@a-b-jackson]

Superb :-)

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thank you Andrew.

[@dixgun]

Incredible 😮💥

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thank you dixgun!

[@dixgun]

@@masterfuldrumming8408 I was curious about the blue dots in the b&w sections. are they for sound dampening or to indicate where to place the sticks or something else entirely?

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

@@dixgun Hi dixgun the blue dots are a sound dampening product called Moon Gels or a product very similar. You place them on a drum, as many as you need, close to the edge and they eliminate some of the overtones and help to focus the sound. I thought it would be a cool video idea to shoot some sections of the video in black and white and bring out the blue of the gels.

[@craig380]

Amazing work, and you've answered a question that I've never found the answer to for 38 years: I always wondered what the time signature was on this fantastic track.

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hey craig380! Thank you for watching my video. I'm a big Steve Jansen and I've always wanted to do a transcription of this cool tune! All the best. LC

[@lucgrenier6031]

Great beat love it :)

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hey Merci Luc! Cheers!

[@themattprofessor]

Very good. Got the feel as well as the part! Impressive.

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

@@themattprofessor Hi Matthew. Thanks for checking out my video and subscribing! Best wishes. Larry

[@davecorry7723]

Suuuupoib! Love me some Sylvian.

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hey thanks Dave!

[@ARGBlackCloud]

Very cool track , yep there's a bit of sycopation there !! Like Gavin Harison said , Steve Jansen just had a way of putting snare hits where you wouldn't expect them , this is obviously very funk based groove! Great playing Larry !!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Steve Jansen is such a unique player. He has always been a favourite of mine.

[@alexpot1968]

Great fan of Steve's playing, and I know it's very complicated to master, but you nailed it!! Absolutely great drumming Larry.

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hey Alex thanks so much for your kind words. Steve is a hero of mine for sure. He's such a creative drummer/musician. Cheers! LC

[@user-je6ci2sr4j]

素晴らしい‼︎最高だったよ‼︎

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

ありがとうございました! ぺちぺち犬

[@perrecy07]

Bravo!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thanks perrecy!

[@perrecy07]

@@masterfuldrumming8408 It's so great to hear the beautiful drumming of "Pulling Punches" with a concentration on the drums. What a wonderful song and what a great of you playing it!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

@@perrecy07 It was a fun video and transcription to put together. Steve Jansen is one of my favourite drummers and was a big influence on me in my younger days.

[@istvanpastor4390]

My play comes from D. Sylivens style to play music. Today lives on in drum and bass. Steve piersen translate name.

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thank you for watching @istvanpastor4390

[@djmylesmatisse]

Larry, I'd love it if you could one day tackle the Japan album version songs, Gentlemen Take Polaroids and Methods of Dance, both from the Gentlemen Take Polaroids album. Incredible drum patterns on those songs by Steve Jansen.

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hey Myles thanks for checking out my video. For sure it would great to do a Japan tune. I was messing around with "Visions Of China" at one time. My mission here is to post a variety of drummers that have influenced me over the years. Best wishes. Larry

[@irishcowboy42]

God he looks so angry doing this, it's like look at me you 'cnuts', it is absolutely a fantastic cover. That sneer towards the end is the absolute nuts!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hey irishcowboy42! Thanks for checking out my vid. Ya I've got some serious "drummer face" going' on here. Ha ha! Cheers! Larry

[@irishcowboy42]

@@masterfuldrumming8408 You are welcome Larry, fcukin masterful mate, I've seen a lot of your other clips and as i said... the nuts!!

[@Mao-max454]

Steve Jansen Drum Cover !! CooooL!!! ＼(^o^)／

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thanks Mao-Max!

[@pinoko2129]

めっちゃめちゃ最高です!!!　こんな難しいドラムワークだったんですねえ…(素人の感想)　Larryさんのお顔がずっと仁王の様で笑いました(≧▽≦)

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

どうもありがとうございます pinoko!😁

[@Bricameron]

Excellent but I think you’ve got the foot and the pull wrong on the hi-hat.

[@user-pv9zr7px3c]

ジャンセンが過小評価？日本では、幸宏さんと同格、デビッドパーマーと等しく、世界的に偉大なるドラマーです。 貴方のコピーで更にそれが判りました。

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thank you for checking out my video! It's a fun tune to play! Cheers Larry

[@rienatalentscout1923]

Awesome cover. I really loved your videos! I would love to offer you a big opportunity regarding your talents. We would like to invite you to perform on our music platform. if you are interested. we can formally send you the offer through email.

[@wimgui]

Oh wow man. Can't believe this! What a nice work you did here @LarryCrowe!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hi and thank you Guillermo. I'm a big Steve Jansen fan so it was a fun tune to work on!