Should I Stop Exposing ‘Fake’ Drummers?

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[@drummusician]

I love this lol it definitely matters.

[@mpk6664]

Hi, Matt. 🙂

[@eugenijusdolgovas9278]

And You have Kristina Rybelchenko, who is not in a band and just puts an original track over her playing and nobody has ever heard her actually drumming. She has 3+ million followers over social media now.

[@zombiesateourchannel]

You are doing this in a respectful way. Keep the not-or-natty coming.

[@cHr22o7]

Craig, this Video speaks to my heart, really. I am a somewhat depressed 30 years old guy and i play drums for 15 years. Not professionally but for fun. For enjoyment. The fun ends in the internet. Where one can (most of the time) only see the "perfect" playthroughs of whatever song. There are rarely outtakes, or people that show how they struggle with learning stuff and how they finaly achieve what they try to learn. I am mixing the songs for my own band i have with my friends and i only realised how stupid easy it is to quantize everthing nowadays. Write a makro, have a decent CPU in your Computer and bam. Perfect take. And it seems that EVERYONE does it, atleast in metal. I sucks. Because it puts alot of unwanted and stupid soul-destroying pressure on every human being that wants to play an instrument. We are humans. We do mistakes. We are incorrect in our timing, we play wrong dynamics, we play wrong notes. But no one hears it and that lets you make false belives in "in-human" machines, people that are bigger then others ect. I once saw Simon Philipps live doing a drum clinig near my town. And i was confused. Because he played good (obviously) but not perfect. Wall of text i apologie, here are my final thoughts: do whatever feels right to you. Calling out specific persons can ruin their day. Will it destroy them? I don`t know. But it may help others to understand that not everything has to be perfect and not everything IS perfect.

[@TwoandaHater]

Agree- it is good to keep doing this series, and acknowledge that it is OK to quantize & replace just be honest about it.

[@dyyznataz2847]

I'm 35. I grew up with Nile, hate etetnal, suffocation, origin, etc. The whole point of extreme metal was to push the envelope of human-instrument ability; then at some point, perfection and trickery via technology became more important, because all the younger bands were trying to out-do the bands that inspired them to start playing. Now you have Rings of Saturn type bands, which are influencing a whole new generation of kids, who think that everything is real, and a 127 midi rim shot blast is possible at 300 bpm. Part of the badass-ity, at least for me and people my age, was when bands like origin and hate eternal and akercocke, etc were on the verge of almost losing it on the record, but the "slop" in my opinion only adds to the extremity/intensity. With everything prefect and quantized and inhumanly tight, the entire point of extreme metal is lost, and the bands may as well just make electronic music, with no pretense of being able to actually perform it...which I wouldn't be bothered by, I love electronic music too. It's kind of like how with movie editing, anyone can be a famous actor if they have 100 takes, and a good editor to splice it up and make it work. But could that same person deliver a great performance on stage in a play with only one chance to get it right? Seems like metal now is a bunch of good "screen actors", and the true great "live actors" are few and far between. Edit: I also have to add that, if bands these days would slow down their songs a bit and focus more on quality songwriting and performance and memorability, instead of sheer 300+ bpm audio-cock-measuring contests, the whole genre would be more interesting. I'd rather re-listen to Allagoch or Akercocke than any band that's come out in the last 10 years.

[@suckzzzor]

this one. i came back to drumming after 10 years break thanks to Craig videos, that’s one thing. but the second is this type of videos are getting people aware that something is wrong with the perfection. we should strive for it, but not get discouraged when we cannot be like this daily, because failure is part of process. like Craig mentioned on twitch yesterday, that we see him play better/worse on streams and we love him for this. and that’s how it should be.

[@hannesdrumss]

@@dyyznataz2847 "audio-cock-measuring contest" lmao

[@Anaximander29A]

Couldn't agree more. But I have to add that some extremly good drummers don't do that (Eloy Casagrande, Matt Garstka, Sebastian Lanser etc...).

[@nathandrums0]

Nah, I enjoy watching people get called out for making themselves out to be something they’re not lol.

[@RobKumar]

I don’t see it as a callout, more just that people should be able to stand behind their “skill”. I think it’s a great series that honestly show things about music that most people don’t see.

[@MrE1981]

That's a good term "stand behind your skill"

[@t3hgir]

as a self taught drummer who has never used samples,triggers or quantizing (mostly because lack of experience/contacts) Craig's videos and other natty drummers in prog metal made me realize why I was struggling with certain fills and double bass shit. I literally had no idea it was snapped to the grid and sample replaced...

[@FranklyiDrum]

Ding ding ding. Excellent take here 👍🏼

[@djentisnotagenre_]

even if it is a callout, what’s wrong with that? if you’re being untruthful about your musical abilities then you should most certainly be called out. especially when people put you on a pedestal and claim that you’re a god or some shit. its not fair to the people who legitimately put in the work and are honest.

[@KoarTCN]

Never stop. Fuck em. You can either play it or you can't. It's not much more difficult than that.

[@Infrarojoo]

Nah, this is great. There’s too much “fake” footage out there. And people should be aware of this, not all we see here in YT is “real”. There’s tons of production behind some videos.

[@hannesdrumss]

Your natty-or-not breakdowns have taught me so much about recording and playing and they have changed my perspective on drum recordings. They have also made me appreciate natty drummers like you, Luke Holland, Matt Garstka etc. even more for not faking their stuff or quantising it. I‘d say continue putting out the analyses.

[@1984blk]

I think as long you aren’t going after people (regardless of their age/ability etc…) with venom, I think you should keep going. People need to know what real drumming sounds and looks like. The body image analogy you used is perfect

[@braepil]

My biggest gripe with modern social media drummers are people faking they can play. Or they zoom over the kit and turn everything down. Keep calling out the Not Natty. Edit: Your comparison to photoshop/filters is absolutely spot on.

[@EmbarrassedComposer]

Please keep doing Natty or Not. People should be called out IF they aren't being transparent about these things.

[@alexbaker7609]

Don’t stop man. Go harder on these people. You made an accurate comparison to the fitness industry. All the people in their teens and earlier 20s who don’t fully understand the fitness industry look at people who are jacked as fuck, and think that’s a realistic physique to achieve in a matter of months. Call more people out. It’s hilarious and it’s also a good way of making us feel better and more comfortable with where we are at in our drumming journey.

[@billyslade9259]

Don't stop Craig, this had to be called out for the community and stopping everyone feeling like shit (which makes people quit given they think I'll never reach that fuck it) you need to do guitar ones next as there no better for it! Not a hater, just live in the real world.

[@everytimeidad]

I think you do it in a way that’s not directly shitting on the person. You’re always all “look he’s obviously good but” so I think it’s fine. I’d say keep doing them!

[@hannesdrumss]

Also, please do "the big ones". Your work is important, it‘s important to shed light on this topic. Learning about quantisation has made me commit even harder to playing cleanly.

[@spiritspouse2028]

I think what you’re doing is great. It could absolutely lead to a more real/true culture, faking cause it’s what everyone does is awful and leads to even more faking. Make it real.

[@nsrankin]

I first noticed a similar situation waaaay back when covers first started coming around, and the kid who shortly replaced Danny in Asking Alexandria was posting covers. He would pre-record his guitars and vocals, which is fine, especially if you make mention that you've done so. But he highly doctored all of his stuff, and if you tried to call him out, he just deleted all the negative comments.

[@davidrosso1619]

Drummer here for 35 years. I say continue to call out fakeness when represented as authentic. For the sole reason of drummers around the world that have woodshed their whole lives and worked on their craft/passion/job/ect. They put the work in. I hire people, I too have been ‘deceived’ on resumes and then the job starts and the person is a fraud. That’s what these people are. Frauds. So you are doing gods work detective Renlord.

[@MathiasManser]

Good point and question! Definitely a dilemma which talks to things as “autotune” as well with singing performances as singers nowadays can’t seem to keep pitch. I never used any of these tools myself and believe it to be a fraud as well... Anyway good luck with that!

[@magthecodec]

Your point was exactly made when you said you knew of people who were hired off of their Instagram videos and promptly fired. It's an epidemic not just in the music industry but everywhere for putting something unnatural forward, allowing others to always assume this is what the norm is. Keep doing you, the videos are great and it needs to be pointed out by another musician what is and what isn't real.

[@Anaximander29A]

Also some of the big ones and good ones editing their drum stuff on youtube. Of course there is a difference between minor changes and completely faking it, but it's still kinda sad imo. Even Eugene Ryabchenko admitted that he sometimes polishes up his work a bit, so he don't need to play like a hundred takes to get it perfect. I admire him as a drummer, I mean you can watch him live with several super sick bands and he absolutely kills, but I would love to see all these guys play more real in their videos, too.

[@isiahfletcher2859]

Keep 'em coming, man! In a way, this is like a sort of fact-checker. We all need to be weary of our sources and cognizant not to spread false information. Over-quantization is false info, and we need to push back against it

[@Luvenhart]

Definitely not!

[@JayKayProductions]

OK - so here is my take on it. First off - I like the series but not for the call out rather for the humor and the way you do it (I am not following you on Twich since I am not using it). However I fully understand and mostly agree with your thought behind it. I myself do view most of it as 'entertainment' and only mind it when it's really ridiculously edited (Infant A.). I think there is a grey area somewhere in between where I do not mind 'fixing' the audio to a normal degree (e.g. one of your kicks is off and the rest is fine). The same for guitars, if it's within what you can play and convenient due to time constraint or whatnot sure. Full disclosure I have a bunch of guitar covers on my channel where I play along. All songs are songs I can play - however they are pre-recorded because I wanted to use multiple angles bla bla bla. The point is - I am not claiming it's me one-taking it and furthermore I will not add as you mentioned a disclaimer into the description that it's NOT a live playthrough because I as most of musician suffer from the impostersyndrome myself. Coming back to if you should keep doing this or not - I think first it's up to you - but maybe most importantly since the internet is just a shit show ask your self if you want to be the 'hater' or not. I think you can do much more with commentary where you call it out if it's to necessary but not base your whole KZbin channel on that type of content. In short - this should be a Craig Reynolds music channel (mostly drum focused) and not a call out channel. I enjoy both but I know you offer much more than being the call out guy. I look forward to any content and you are still to top the video where you don't say anything for 10 minutes :D

[@VoodooChaos]

speak the truth as you always do, that's why you're needed. I learned that about drums by watching your commentary on it

[@ins1demanwhitaker527]

I think as drummers. We can usually know when something is edited. Drumming is not a sport. I love to hear when an amazing drummer is slightly out. Not to shit on them. Just because I want to hear them, their personality.

[@vukjovanovicofficial]

There's too many drummers with quantized drum playthroughs, it's not even funny anymore. I've been recording some of my sessions with a single mic in my room, it sounded like shit but at least I had an honest perspective of what I need to improve, whether it being my foot techniques, hand coordination, switching up between BPM in the middle of a song and keeping the right tempo, that's when I first heard how badly i needed to practice more and then some more. Then you hear someone playing a song you practiced for months so good that you can literally hear every snare shot is spot on with the metronome, yeah, there are people with that amount of precision, but rarely would it be so precise that you can actually align the metronome clicks perfectly with the accents of the kick drum and the snare, there isn't even a millisecond of delay on a single shot through the entire playthrough. It made me somewhat sad i was not that precise, making me overly commit to practicing my precision, yeah it helped me get more precise but also helped me realize that it actually isn't real. You need to keep doing this, do not stop, expose those assholes for what they really are. Thanks for the videos Craig, you're doing Gods work. Edit: Obviously not talking about the greats such as Matt Garstka, Mike Portnoy, Simon Phillips, Jeff Porcaro etc. You know which ones I'm talking about.

[@Drummerman02]

Continue what you do Reynlord, let them suck it up. Your work is necessary

[@LarryLooseman]

I record drums on an electric kit and make sure I tell everyone " The drums are quantised and i've made all the ghost notes the same velocity. I've pretty much just programmed the drums with my body"

[@deadsoulxiii]

Honesty is key!

[@joeparkinson1237]

You make excellent points! If those people don’t get called out, players who don’t edit their vids get seen as “lesser” drummers, to the general (rather gullible) viewer, and that’s dangerous for the community as a whole. I’m 17, and I spent my early teenage years watching those videos, and believing that I was garbage because my double bass wasn’t perfectly on the grid. It was only in the last year that I realised the truth, and I have to say, I’m now way more confident about my ability, and it’s lead to be actually getting much better in that time. Time to expose the fakes!

[@notrlvnt]

It’s like a DJ using the Sync button and people saying the DJ is great at mixing or even the DJ thinking he is great. No, either you know or you still don’t know and need to improve. So yeah, keep doing your thing.

[@krisxmelderis]

go hard, don't stop

[@pseudodidact3956]

I used to judge myself hard for not playing like a quantized robot. I’d slow down my double bass recordings and get upset cause it didn’t sound perfectly in time, but the Natty or Not videos showed me that’s normal and that the people I was trying to play like had a little help from the juice. Thanks for giving me some drum confidence, fruity Simon Cowell.

[@vapebomb27]

My 2 cents from someone that is not a drummer is to continue. I've learned so much from your content and laughed harder than ever in my life, but I think it should be called out. Ive spotted a few fakes on tiktok because of what you have taught us. And these people get praised to the max and you can just tell that it is fake. You are just keeping people in check. Keep on doing you. Its a great series and a necessity at this point. I think it should be called out on all instruments as well, not just drums. False perception doesn't do anyone any good. And if people don't like it, fuck 'em.

[@joshuaariza9679]

I've always enjoyed the Natty or Not stuff from you. Always comes off as gumshoe sleuthing and not hating whatsoever.

[@ghettostreamlabs5724]

There is something to be said for a drummer that posts vids that are just the phone/camera audio. I tend to learn more from watching those than a "heavily" produced version.

[@tomfromstray5776]

Expose them

[@sirbiggithbrian]

Keep it up Greg. The natty or not name is great also.

[@mikeblue6629]

Keep it real and say what you hear from the videos, your years experience and knowledge have got you to this point and you didn't take a short cuts like the two guys you mentioned in this vid and got fired.. lying is one of the worst things and i'm sure they're nice guys but they got to practice more if they can't play it properly. And i just found out you were in Viatrophy, I saw you in Hull with Trigger The Bloodshed.. you were laying these chops down before is became cool, well fucking done my man 😁

[@ScrewNickk]

As toms final tweet said, Craig! Steady on!

[@MrCopacetic23]

I wonder who the instagram drummers were...

[@fabianolmedo2225]

Maybe Devin Attard who was announced to fill in for the devil wears prada and then after the first practice, they took another. Just a wild guess🤷🏻‍♂️ might be wrong

[@kaiul2967]

Call them out! I play the drums but I dont call myself a drummer. Big difference imo! Honestly dislike these mediocre drummers getting all this acclaim. Social media is an ocean of fake bs where anyone can pose as a so called professional. But like you mentioned, when the realness happens they will get left behind.

[@8020drummer]

no, don't stop

[@rossmacintosh9420]

I think keep going, good for upcoming drummers to know the reality of playing. Don’t think it shits on anyone’s playing or skill level, but might save someone thinking they are never “as perfect” as what they watching/hearing.

[@emilrostad9720]

Keep going!

[@7tomi8]

We need you on the drum community Craig.

[@despisedotboi]

Naty or not is a breath of fresh air. If a drummer can prove to play what it's writing(like Alex or Chris) then excellent, you shut me up and I take it. But if you write something and you can't even come close to it, you should be held accountable. Especially if your targeting against a more young impressionable demographic. Keep it coming man

[@bastiangoelz]

fuck that its rational critic. I dont see any problems with that. So many drummers are working hard an some are not would be unfaire if they get same credit.

[@bl00ber99]

its funny to see you get exasperated, so no, please dont stop

[@komradenikolai]

Keep Exposing Fake Nattys. Hell. If you want a few of my videos of Quad Bass to analyze, hit me up.

[@petescrimshaw2126]

I chatted to Craig last year because I was using samples my videos. I didn't even need to because I was capable of playing and recording. I thought samples sounded bigger and better than my E-kit, and then with using those samples came a little quantising to tidy bits up, rather than just tracking it again. It can create so many lazy habits. So I'm glad I messaged him about it because it got me straight out of that habit and back to what I was doing before I discovered using plugins outside of demoing.

[@olilock987]

It's great that you do do this for the drummers who doubt themselves. It helps them out loads. It makes them feel they can play or they can get there. It also proves to them that some drummers who have made aren't what they are cracked to be. I'm not saying they can't play though

[@ItsDrewsif]

Craig! Love what you’re doing. Please name and shame some guitarists. It’s absolutely out of control, and I need more views on my channel.

[@blake.r3602]

Keep it up bro! Love the content and the general public will have a higher knowledge of drumming as well as advocacy to be stronger musicians in a more "natural" sense.

[@CJMdrummer666]

Keep em coming bruv

[@HKRocks]

I think the videos are great tbh, enjoy looking at your analysis. The only thing I would suggest maybe is a rebrand of the channel name into something that stands out etc. You should call your channel "The Surgical Drummer" or something because you dissect videos and determine whether they are real or not.

[@thomasswoodward]

Keep doing it dude. In this flashy, superficial, instagram pseudo reality we live in, you're doing the work of the gods.

[@mattywoo3649]

Hellz no! Put that shit on blast!!

[@louisd.]

Keep it up. If anything the edited/quantised videos is setting an unrealistic expectation of drummers for those outside of the drumming world.

[@jermbot1986]

I really like the series, i say keep it going.

[@brianolsson8002]

You’ve got more than 27k subscribers here on YT for a reason. Can you look yourself in the mirror if you don’t stay true to yourself in fear of what people think? I respect you whatever you do and have the outmost respect for your contribution to the drumming community. Do what you feel. Be you. That’s what brought you here.

[@JacobWrightDrums]

Dont stop. Ever. Pls expose them. It might make them stop and will make them a better drummer. They may hate you but in 5 to 10 years they will probably thank you for it

[@MrEverydaynormalguy]

dont fucking leave it mate!

[@MrYouknowwhat]

Continue! Fuck it!

[@1dudecrush]

Do whatever the fuck you want, I like that you keep it real and are entertaining. And by keeping it real I mean you’ll talk the behind the scenes stuff that normal people can’t know since we don’t know Nolly and all these other drummers in the scene who have met or shared a stage with the guys in question. Instagram and KZbin have begun causing drummer dysmorphia. I think you should keep calling mf’ers out.

[@thrashinwebster]

I’m all honesty Craig I think u should definitely keep doing it’ especially with the videos that people are putting out that are clearly edited to the point that it gives people the impression that they will never be able to be that good’ which is really fucked’ u can still put out some footage that that holds up in all areas that inspires people and amps people up to play without quantizing it and using triggers etc to make it sound like every hit is perfect’ it’s kind of gross in my opinion’ the only place that that kind of carry has is when u are recording an album and it needs to be clean’ but for a play through etc just bloody play it natty and show people that u are naturally good and that u have the ability to hit with the same amount of force “most” of the time without the help of triggers etc’ sorry to go on for so long but this really is an important topic to be discussing’ also thanks for everything u do Craig’ big love from New Zealand’ and all the best for 2022 🤘🥁🤘

[@ehoc42]

no. Pretty much every "impressive" music related thing I see on tiktok is faked, and the general public should understand that.

[@IraSiegel]

Yes, please continue.

[@juksteri]

Keep doing it. Maybe some day ppl will put in the video description, that it is edited if it is.

[@BaerndXP]

That finally convinced me to git 'subscribe'. Your reasons. I feel that "I'll never gonna be as good as...". Another question: What about simply cutting? Playing 10 takes, slicing them and taking the best out of all your slices? Natty or not?

[@reynlord666]

Half natty. Would much rather watch that personally, that’s how a lot of albums are made

[@chaosinception7982]

You are doing the lords work. Keeping calling them out. You do it respectfully.

[@mrgherkin4901]

100% keep going!

[@nthnhbsn1909]

Keep doing your thing brother. You're providing a service to the drum community.

[@DavidBriganti421]

You are a truth in the drum community, if not the one it wants, at the very least the one it deserves. Keep blasting. P.s. Disclosure is top 5 metal drum compositions of all time for me.

[@CharlieViking95]

As someone who has drumming content where the audio is somewhat sampled and quantized to achieve "studio quality", I understand the intention behind wanting that, the problem is when the performance can't be replicated in a live setting whatsoever, giving the viewer the impression that the drummer in question is inhumanly good. The anecdote you brought up about drummers getting fired is a *huge* problem. Can you imagine how much time and energy that the other band members wasted hiring and rehearsing with those drummers? If it's younger drummers, they deserve constructive criticism to help them avoid putting themselves in situations like that. Just my two cents, though!

[@danthemanmillan]

I think its totally okay as ling as youre respectful. My drum covers aren't perfect by any means but I don't mind because I try to show people that drumming isn't always about being exactly on the grid. It's about having fun.

[@adanpena5439]

Time to come for McGuire 💯

[@toivo.u]

Continue!

[@JAMBI..]

BROOO I swear to God it's insane how NOBODY calls these people out. All these covers for the most part are always filtered through triggers and softwares. It's like using a filter on a photo. Bro interview that Spaniard dude and let's see a walkthrough on how he uploads his videos.

[@KvltKrist]

I view what you do as an educational experience rather than pissing in someone's cereal. Always be yourself and keep educating us on those who need to educate themselves!

[@spudzlightbeer]

keep 'em coming. i can say personally that they've significantly increased my engagement with your brand(s).

[@worhed3722]

keep doing them

[@rv_drums]

No! Make them pay!!

[@jasonn668]

Absolutely 100% support the natty or not series. I see certain drummers I know get so much clout and praise when I see right through the bullshit, and I don’t think that’s morally acceptable. All of my drum videos/covers that I put on Instagram and KZbin are recorded through my EAD10, and even though they aren’t 100% perfect at least I know I did it without cheating and editing.

[@The_Magic_Goes_Poof]

I think its a reasonable assumption that performance the art, is different from performance the action.

[@kevinkuypers]

Keep on doing it. The music industry is fake enough already, it doesnt't need more fake shit in the drumming community - escpecially in the world of metal that is supposed to be trve :D

[@jof860]

do it i want to know if the drummers i think about are natty or nah

[@intherapy1]

Personally I like the insight. It’s a tough world to be a musician these days, the standard (or perception of standard), is so unreachable. I remember buying dream theatre DVDs and Hudson music titles where the level was unreal but supportive as they shared their teachings and ideas. I think a channel that at least clues you in to what these people do is bill it a bad thing. Most of the drummers you have reacted to have come out and confirmed or discussed what you pointed out. It makes the community healthier. Your humour is your humour and if people can’t see the irony and and sarcasm behind it then they’ll probably not realise what you are doing is elevating the scene to make sure everyone has a realistic idea of what they need to achieve.

[@baterizmo]

You go harder and "realer", mate 🍻

[@jfsb9531]

I enjoy these 'Natty or Not' videos. Winds me up when people talk about how good a certain deathcore drummer is (Lorna Shore/Infant Annihilator), and then I hear it and it sounds triggered to fuck and lacks actual skill. Keep them coming Craig!!

[@25stealthshooter]

Except Lorna shore plays live all the damn time and Austin is a workhorse. Yes he uses triggers but he plays tight live

[@mikeraye2012]

Get em!

[@Hansipp]

Don't stop, go harder.

[@SaltyDogPerformance]

The same type of “dysmorphia” in the body building world happens in the drum world. Only the BEST chops get posted online. I would rather see dudes fuck up occasionally because that’s how shit really is. Organic non GMO drumming is the only way.

[@ultrawolflord8495]

Definitely don’t stop, also you should have sweet potato fries on the podcast!

[@frankieforbesdrums]

Nah man, I don’t think it’s a bad thing. I think you’re right. Never saw it as bashing or calling people out. Like you, seeing those videos just made me wanna be tighter and more authentic rather than setting unrealistic expectations.

[@nickpov3y]

Keep going

[@KOOLEE88]

Dead on man

[@Sundaydrumday]

Man I will be pissed if you stop, we have to hold the line Craig, for all natties! WE HAVE TO HOLD THE LINE!!!

[@MartinBellamyMBDrums]

I think it’s good, nobody else is calling people out. And it’s crazy how many people are fooled by fancy editing, a billion camera angles, perfect samples yadda yadda. It’s shit for the ones who actually put the effort in to be natty. But yeah, call em’ out, the more people who know, the more it will be hopefully stopped.

[@JimmysGuitarGym]

Don’t stop!