Stewart Copeland - drumtalk [episode 36]

[@peterhopqk]

"Jazz is much more fun to play, than it is to listen to" Stewart Copeland

[@gooberthorpos8195]

peterhopqk this is too true. I can absolutely relate to this.

[@krasubke]

＼\٩( 'ω' )و //／

[@caveatemp]

A very great musician once told me that many people use jazz as a weapon.

[@juansalesdura9589]

Sting always loved jazz!

[@TwinMillMC]

Oh shut up! We heard what he said! We don't need your stupid self aggrandizing reiteration!

[@joegrennon]

Not even a drummer, and I loved every minute of this interview.

[@TheKinoEye]

"There are more drummers who can play guitar, than guitarists who can play drums." Stewart Copeland

[@valdivall6515]

Facts

[@Isaac.Garcia666]

This is very true (coming from a drummer who plays guitar)

[@Nannada1212]

I'm one of those few, I guess. I can play whatever you fuckin want.

[@trooperjoe73]

Then there's Mark King.

[@youmothershouldknow4905]

#Truefact

[@jessyruel3006]

damn i love that guy ! just listening to him talking makes me smile...he's such a good story teller.

[@newaccount4143]

Totally agree.

[@jublaim]

I love his singing in Gizmodrome as well, I don't care if folks don't like him singing; he's like Frank Zappa and tells the stories great in his limited way.

[@d.r.971]

Stewart Copelan is HEART AND SOUL of Police.

[@achenarmyst2156]

Well, to be honest, Stewart, Andy and Sting are the heart and the soul of Police. No one can be dropped without loosing the essence.

[@eily_b]

@@achenarmyst2156 Well, the rhythm section is essential to a band, so he is not wrong. Drum and bass

[@valeriekennedy2757]

All of my friends had a crush on Stewart Copeland when he was in The Police. He was the always such an intellectual, so enthralling to listen to and so darned cute. But his genius on those drums, though, we used to play back Police Songs to hear him.

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

You could pick worse than Stewart Copeland.

[@niklasvonwerne5837]

I wish steward copeland were my grandpa

[@TheKinoEye]

Of grandchildren he's lost count. You just might be!

[@georginaelizondo]

😁😂

[@yarsivad000.5]

Glad he is not mine...he'd be dead.

[@georginaelizondo]

ronn mattson fiuuuuuu, not know, neither soon, many as I needs yo drums rhythm and blues and etc...

[@frankhoward7645]

I wish he was my son.

[@christopherg9806]

How can this video have only 525 comments? Stewart is so crazy, so ADHD, so brilliant, goofy and lovable. He strikes me as a guy who loves to opine and hear himself talk, yet is simultaneously down-to-earth and lacking pretense. If you were his bartender, he'd order two pints of stout, one for him and one for you. He influenced the way I tune my drums and I'd love to meet him.

[@hipination1037]

My favorite episode so far. Stuart is such a cool, unique guy, I could listen to him all day

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

Love to hear Stewart narrate the life story of Lou Reed or Talking Heads.

[@craig4fsu]

The musical knowledge in his head is incredible.

[@THESLOWDEATHHOOKS]

what a classy man, and a legendary drummer

[@sabejreid2072]

AGREE

[@biancachristie]

I’ve been in love with this guy since I was about 11. He has aged soooo gracefully and I could listen to him talk all day

[@mariagraziac.8793]

I know what you mean...

[@ducatimale]

Stewart is such an interesting guy to listen to, both playing and talking.

[@PedroDVC]

What a drummer. What a musician. What a legend!

[@victorygah]

My drumming teacher (by ear on LPs) since 1980.

[@mranonymous1966]

crazy how he talks about the signature drum fills that he made up on the spot and became such "signature" works of art....there are SOOO many fills of his throughout police albums that are serious works of art and so cool to find out that they were basically off the cuff.....Stewart is awesome!!!!

[@MADMAX839]

mr anonymous AMEN.

[@quixoticmelancholic7141]

First time watching a Drumtalk interview, and wanted to express how much I enjoyed it. I'm not a drummer, just a Stewart Copeland fan, but the questions, format and editing are excellent. Thank you!

[@drumtalkofficial]

thank you so much Syed! I really appretiate it!!!

[@zwanorama]

What a man.... what a drummer.... guys, I’m 53, play drums for over 36 years . I heard this guy when I was 14 and it hit me and still hits me. The man is the reason I started playing back then....awesome. And such a great story teller. 👌🏼

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

That’s one of the reasons why I think Stewart identified a kindred spirit in Sting at the end of ‘76. They were both young and already had rich stories to tell - even before The Police had begun. And from opposite polls, also! Stewart was the youngest of four in a well-to-do family with ions of history - while Sting was the *oldest* of four from a working-class milkman’s family in a skid row environment. In the late ‘70s, they and Andy Summers needed each other, and the world has them to thank for their brief, nuclear-fallout tenure in The Police.

[@michaelwills1926]

Word. Between Copeland and Paul Cook from the Pistols I never needed another inspiration.

[@65alphonso]

He said he would be an Journalist if he wasn't a musician, and he's right! He talks so well and has all those good old times with The Police well recorded in his mind! However, he has evolved into an influential drummer for generations to follow! He is one of the most important drummers, ever!

[@Jeroenvrolijk]

1978 hearing the Police on the radio I was sold!

[@xl7131]

Stuart is such a cool, down to earth, and funny guy. I love how his insights of music is all linked to humor and creativity.

[@fvazquez64]

Stewart Copeland, Neil Peart, Terry Bozzio and Bill Bruford are some of my favorite drum players, but my number one is Stewart Copeland...

[@jonathonbattiest4522]

I enjoyed this interview exponentially.

[@drumtalkofficial]

me too!

[@MICKEYISLOWD]

Exponentially what...?

[@drumtalkofficial]

it was great from the moment it started and the longer it went the more fun I had talking to Mr. Copeland.

[@MICKEYISLOWD]

@@drumtalkofficial Yea, I play guitar and teach guitar and music theory. My favorite band is The Beatles and my fav drummer is Copeland. I become mesmerised everytime I see him play. He makes them sound so crisp and clear.

[@brendangilmore4297]

@@drumtalkofficial The guy is refreshingly at 90 degrees to any convention - what a joy to absorb :) I wish he was my neighbour

[@xx_PCCR_xx]

The Spyro video games made me find out about this guy. I didn't even listen much of The Police. He is such an amazing drummer/composer/musician. He sounds very intelectual and it is so interesting to listening to his thoughts! Awesome interview!

[@PLively]

Adrian Belew always looks as if whatever he's playing, and with whoever he plays with - it is an absolute delight.

[@88omair]

Great musician, I think he was a great fit for KC in that era

[@biancachristie]

He’s a madman. I love him

[@TwinMillMC]

Listening to artists speak is like listening to a picture being painted.

[@cliftonbrendel1053]

Stewart Copeland you are so true I live in Baltimore MD and I was homeless and out I would say a very small park setting anyway I was talking to a student and I said can I come in and play and he said only way you can get in school is if you can read music.and I just said wow.that was all needed to hear and said good luck.

[@schmoab]

Seems like nobody has been able to emulate Stewart’s very distinct sound signature in 40 years. You just know it’s him when you hear it.

[@t3hgir]

"And then came Jimi Hendrix and that was it for trumpet..." LMAO

[@crazy8sdrums]

Great interview! Stewart Copeland is just wonderful! His personality is so well reflected in his drumming. Smart and witty, often contrasting and combative. A lion on the drums!

[@geraldmellon740]

Wow. So the Police songs were recorded within two or three takes. That’s why the drumming is so good and fresh when he played it. That his mind is so quick explains how he could rattle those fills off without thinking. A game changer.

[@lorenzmuller3542]

I love his energy and his humor.

[@kai326]

same, just such a great guy. I'd love to shoot the breeze with him one day

[@honuman39]

When he talks about not having a concept for his drum parts and they're basically improvised, it confirmed what I've always thought. His playing is so much about energy and always seemed to be a direct expression of him. Most studied drummers can play well enough but you don't always get a sense of who the drummer is. Copeland's playing is an expression of himself. Guys like Keith Moon and Mitch Mitchell are like that too. It's hard to beat players that can do anything but for my money I prefer to hear the personality of the drummer.

[@tinfoilhatter]

yes, mimicry is great if it's integrated into a believable identity, otherwise it looks like a rather npc-lookin' entity, a hollow but dangerously, aggressively collective , and counter-intuitively greedy and grotesque aggregate! like, no, thank you, mean joe! and who's that black-mask'd ferengi-lookin'-villain, tellin' us when it's okay to do..what?? stay, or to go? ouchie, fauci, the ferengi shoulda stopped him from makin' 'em look so mean, but not 'mean' in a good way! very bad for america, amigos!~ trump eff'd up, royally, big-league, and that's really not good, in fact it's very bad, like nobody's-ever-seen!

[@SnowTheJamMan]

What a guest, Stewart is an amazing drummer, great interview

[@BarbaraCaserta]

AMAZING INTERVIEW! Very inspiring... I adore Stu since the 70s and he is still so unique and innovative... so great, so brave, so smart, so funny, so cool, so fool, so talented, so intese-lligent... so COPELAND! His vision of the music should become a subject to be taught in school and a way of life... even if certain things you cannot learn, it's a matter of DNA, and he is got the DNA of the genius! An unpredictlable one, always on the run... Love this MAN! Every little thing he does is MAGIC!

[@TimmyGMusic]

Top 5 all time drummer for me. Great interview!

[@cosmicdrifter287]

this man brought a lot of joy to my life.

[@mindakahn9964]

E’ normale. Listening to these vlogs during the pandemic upheaval (no, it’s not over) has been a blessing. Thank you for keeping me sane.

[@danielstoddart]

It's incredibly weird seeing Stewart play guitar on stage. It just doesn't look right. Great interview of one of my fave drummers of all time.

[@bluevein321]

I could listen to Stewart until the end of time. ❤ him

[@otineb5]

I've been a fan of Stewart Copeland for over 30 years, and one thing that I've learned about him is that he's a super smart and talented cat, in multiple areas of music, film and is always entertaining and enthusiastic when talking about his amazing and diverse career.

[@pg3536]

This guy is just awesome! A brilliant drummer and a unique human being…

[@rosagoglia4649]

Good one.. .. good ride❣️thank you:)Stewart

[@michaelthomas366]

I always thought that Copeland doesn't play the drums; he beats the hell out of them. And those beats are sublime.

[@klargusa]

Pleasantly, everytime I hear this guy speak I’m reminded of how much I miss Bourdain.

[@bedeashby6323]

That tight tight drum sound is so him and his rhythm is just so so exact. Fabulous drummer. Must be one of the best

[@elbettto]

Yes indeed. He's considered to be between the best 10 drummers of all times

[@BeTheDrum]

As a drummer and composer, this episode is GOLD. Thanks so much Philipp and Stewart! I'll definitely start using the maj7 - min7 principle!

[@drumtalkofficial]

hey Martin! glad you took something useful out of it!

[@Steve-cc4tl]

Stewart Copeland, is one of my top 5, Favorite great drummers!!!

[@tone9930]

Stu, guitarists get exhausted on another level.

[@phillipclarke8871]

Stewart is one super cool bloke. New revelations about the Police - superb musicians and also nice people. Good one

[@Me-gt7oy]

His drum fills blow my mind. Such a great musician!

[@garyordo5131]

When the drums stop becoming just a percussion instrument and become also a musical instrument , thank you very much Stewart!!

[@vcrsteve]

Amazing drummer and windbag.

[@darksoulzfreak]

Thanks for composing the Spyro music Stewart.

[@aaronarchermusic]

Stellar interview and editing!

[@drumtalkofficial]

thank you so much! really!

[@davidcurtis4478]

This was really interesting. Absolutely right about orchestra "punctuation" rather than rhythm. Cool Stewart 🎶🥁😎DC

[@silkywellman315]

He just seems to interview himself😊

[@drumtalkofficial]

that is called "the magic of editing".....

[@paradiddle16]

Brilliant and funny interview!

[@lankywallflower8497]

I died when he impersonated the French journalist LMAO

[@Mia444]

What he says at 9:57...wow. I mean...how? Genius. Love this band, mad respect to Stewart Copeland.

[@sauki2348]

What a hugely interesting person, and also my favourite drummer of all time.

[@elbettto]

Nobody can play that ride better! Drums come alive when he is on it! And pure groove and dynamism! A true legend!

[@abradfordajb]

Stewart is brilliant at communicating things are actually quite complicated and challenging. He additionally puts his own personal spin on these topics, and i found that to be very engaging, as well as informative. As a simple example, when he describes drumming as "punctuation" as compared to the rhythm of a piece. This was within the context of orchestral arrangement ... something that many of us wouldn't tend to see that way. Well done. Thanks for posting this interview.

[@tinfoilhatter]

you're probably right! brilliant truth-tellor, oh heck yes, eh? i understand stewart has developed some very delicate sensibilities and sophistication we peasants, would never be able to properly appreciate, fair enough but i guess we'll have to take his word for things like that, rather than try to speak for him and his 'ilk', ha ha! brilliant indeed, stewart was and is, but the world of rock and metal and drummers and real people and paper and iron, is long gone: it seems plans-for-nigel, had already long been made and have since been put into devastatingly powerful effect, boom! they-only-want-what's-best, for *us*, tho, stew probly always knew this! hardly fair, if y'think about it but hey, it's close-enough-for-ruckin'-row, roight?? informative-as-frack, brad! good stuff, maynard!

[@jonathanbristow3208]

He rides with the wind of the moment. He hears things we don't and he sees things we cannot. This man is a true artist... which no doubt makes him difficult for non artists with no understanding to understand. When an artist is being constantly bombarded with bundles of creative energies and images, words and feelings from the great beyond, how he deals is as individual as anything can be. This world can never have another SC... but we sure is hell could use at least a couple dozen more.

[@DaGretschguy]

Great episode! Thanks for this one and I look forward to watching more!

[@drumtalkofficial]

thanks a lot Gretschguy! hope you enjoy the other episodes as well

[@V4D2]

holy hell...., having played drums for 20 years.. i always admired this guy.. Listening to The Police when i was a kid, Stewart was one of the few that really cut out of the bunch, for me. But i didn't know he had all this brilliant background. Having dropped orchestra percussion little after graduating Music School, i only now rationally understood why.. Its the punctuation thing.. jesus,,, that's it ! He says it took him a while to figure that out... Damn..i only really figured it out just now.. listening to what he said. That's why i love to write music... and i love playing music.. But i could never do it viisually. It always had to come from the gut. Kudos, Herr Copeland

[@patrickcon1]

A very articulate and sane man.

[@GateSense]

This is a great interview, great questions and engaging followup from the interviewer! 10/10

[@drumtalkofficial]

thank you so much Björn! I always want to have a conversation instead of just asking one thing and then change the subject immediately ;-)

[@Tagger0325]

No ego . Very honest account always with Stewart Copeland.

[@jamesweldon9726]

Great interview! Thanks!

[@drumtalkofficial]

glad you like it James!

[@HAMMERFOOT1]

He and his descriptions are awesome!

[@bobvanster]

I been drumming since 73 and learning guitar this year....

[@DrumBragg]

It's great being able to play other instruments. But DRUMS are my main love... It also helps knowing about harmony and melody and raising guitar-players' eyebrows! Stewart is so good - full of life and energy AND creativity.

[@thefool2007]

Also not a drummer...but Stewart is so lively and a lot of fun to listen to. I dig how he shared the nuances of playing and his background. Nice.

[@chemikill]

Amazing interview, thank you

[@maxotsky]

great episode! Steward is a legend and fuckin rock star!

[@paulstevens640]

Thank you for the upload, Stewart is one of my favourite drummers sub earned 😊

[@drumtalkofficial]

thx mate!

[@ieb994]

This is the best show on KZbin.

[@terryrutherford2114]

You are bad ass and play orthodox. I am no musician and know nothing, but you are up there with Pert, Bonham, Ringo, Moon, and Buddy Rich. Thank you for this video and everything you have done for music. Love The Police. I grew up in the 70s and 80s. Glad you are doing different things and enjoying life. Be well!

[@emmanuelbuenviaje6564]

This was an eye opener w Gizmodrome. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea but the musicianship is A+. SC...so badass

[@jeremyflemingii929]

😲Dear Sir Stewart!!! For the man that played for the LIONS in South America, my friend, you still got the stuff man!!! I love your work, and appreciate your hard work to be a better drummer for all of us!!! I have 1 thing to say about that!!! You WIN

[@sega.milkis]

I'm relatively unfamiliar with his work but I got so much stuff out of this interview, so many amazing points on different topics. Thank you for this!!!

[@andym28]

Sega Milkis go familiarise yourself now.

[@sega.milkis]

Andy M sounds like an order, heh

[@andym28]

Sega Milkis I he is one of the best man. Drumming is often simple beats and stupid technical other stuff. Copeland plays like he is singing a melody tbh.

[@DrMackSplackem]

@@andym28 I'll never forget the first time I heard "Spirits In The Material World". There's something deep, dark and unknowable within that track.

[@terryrutherford2114]

3 person bands, ZZ Top, The Police, Nirvana, Rush, pretty awesome to make that much beautiful sound from three musicians.

[@snailduck]

Fantastic interview!

[@234rhuib]

amazing musical intelectuality by this man/artist. i´ve leaned enough from this episode. thank you drumming gods for guiding my path to get her today. im some what wiser now thanks to listening to the way this man thinks.

[@TheFreezerGeezer]

If there's one thing Copeland's better at than drumming, it's talking.

[@gouldbj]

I’m a drummer and very impressed with Stewart’s analysis of drumming and many other things I totally agree I feel a kindred spirit aside of not having any fame or talent

[@commonman317]

I remember being in high school in the early 80s being a big Neil Peart fan. All of those who's better Neil or Stewart arguments. How dumb that was. Today, still as a Neil fan, I feel Stewart is equally iconic and deserving. No more arguments. In later years, both Stewart and Neil had a good friendship with each other too. RIP Neil.

[@alnka1974]

I wish if the great Cozy Powell was alive, would I've loved to see you interviewing him, Stewart is an amazing drummer.

[@bernardoseijas6011]

Amazing, thank you very much

[@andreadl8822]

I love you Stewart! :-) From Italy!

[@quatrodenovembro]

Great interview! What an awesome musician Stewart is!

[@lcarthel]

Excellent, loved it.

[@Ladran_Sancho]

Guy could easily have a TV show. Fascinating to listen to, and I am not a musician.

[@tobyhall4001]

Love this ...Jazz according Stewart Copeland !!! Big Big Fan!

[@PoSscar]

I told you this was gonna be epic!!!! Love it

[@EXHellfire]

what an amazing interview, this guy could talk for hours and be interesting

[@Romany1111]

Great to see Stewart and Adrian together. Always fun to see/hear either of those guys talk and play.

[@senojelyk]

If Anthony Bourdain had been a drummer, he'd have been Stewart Copeland.

[@mattmarkus4868]

Stewart has a healthy personality.

[@mbrew3244]

That's a great, great comparison.

[@IgnatiusChinaski]

I love Bourdain but his taste in music sucked.

[@HerveBoisde]

Justin Green really? From reading his books I thought he had pretty good taste. Some punk, some classic rock etc.

[@JonnySublime]

Sounds exactly like him almost looks too.

[@eelco8800]

Well I guess the same that goes for jazz goes for his new gizmodoband: more fun to play than to listen to... But...great interview, great Stewart!