US Drag by Missing Persons - Drum Cover and Transcription

"US Drag" is a cool New Wave tune by Missing Persons from the album Spring Session M released in 1982. Terry Bozzio is the drummer on this track and his work with Frank Zappa, UK, The Brecker Brothers, Jeff Beck and his solo drum compositions makes him no stranger to the drumming community. Terry's passion for music and his never ending drive to push the drumming envelope makes him a big influence for me! Picking a TB tune to cover was a challenge and I figured US Drag was doable from a playing point of view and a gear perspective. This tune features some odd time signatures and some strange grooves all done on a Roto Tom kit. I decided to solo over the ending of the tune in the style of Terry Bozzio.
It was a great challenge to transcribe this tune but even more challenging to reproduce and cover the song note for note in a single take. DISCLAIMER! There are some mistakes and even a little of my own thing in there. 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...
/ 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-five 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, Remo drumheads and Zildjian Cymbals.

[@KenHada]

Such a badass beat! Great job!

[@VeKrio]

Ice cool performance!!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Vincent, thank you so much for your gracious comment. TB is one of my favs and a big influence. Best wishes LC.

[@JoeAlessandro-x5h]

Wow! Only 13k of viewers? This is a fantastic drum track by TB and a great tribute to him as well!👍👍👍

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thank you Joe!

[@reallife7235]

40 years. Finally people are seeing the 1980's genius. (this and many other songs) Excellent drumming. Thanks so much for the video.

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hey thanks Real Life! Love the 80's!

[@mikeycon10]

Wow great performance and transcription! 🥁👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hey mikeycon10 thanks very much. I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@stevenjones9364]

My favorite Bozzio track, and you did a great job. I loved that you let loose at the end, which made me think of Bozzio's performance at the US Festival. Lastly, I also love how relaxed you look while playing. You make it look so effortless.🥁👍

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thank you Steven for checking out my video. It was a lot of fun putting this one together! Cheers!

[@russellreilly4278]

thank you so much for this. I finally see what Terry was doing live. saw them 3 times in a week back in 85.

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thanks for watching my video Russell!

[@PatrickMichael2002]

Love the hi-hat hit before that middle fill section. Most people miss that unless they've seen Terry in person.

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thanks for checking out my video, Patrick!

[@yourhero36]

Outstanding. Was just listening to some Missing Persons this week.

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thanks John! All the best. LC

[@borsi99]

Unbelievably good❗️Thank you so very much for this video🙏🏼 Your performance is absolute extraordinary👏🏼👏🏼Regards from one of your followers. Bo 🇨🇭

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thank you Boris.

[@ivantorres1536]

That was insane!!!! You would think it was actually Bozzio himself! Love that song .... cool vibes!!!!! 🥁 🪘 🛢 🥁

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thank you Ivan!

[@ivantorres1536]

Do you or have you done any other missing persons' rendition? Really enjoyed this!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Sorry@@ivantorres1536 , no I don't. Maybe down the road I'll do another! Cheers!

[@ivantorres1536]

@@masterfuldrumming8408 Mental Hopscotch 😉.... if you ever decide to....

[@stuartthompson3837]

Please cover more bozzio

[@timwhiteside9971]

good job on the tune added with some killer ad libs i'm blown away .

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thanks Tim. I had fun doing that video. The solo was inspired by the US Festival footage of Missing Persons Live. Terry would solo at the end of the tune! Cheers! LC

[@timwhiteside9971]

you got it bro , and keep in mind we can never let this art we call drumming ever be obsolete like the music industry keep trying to make it be , God bless and stay healthy , strong and forever inspired.@@masterfuldrumming8408

[@hbaboris]

Thank you for your video...I have tried many times to find the right signature of this music...without success

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hi hbaboris. Thank you for checking out my video. I had fun putting it together. If you want a pdf of the transcription you can contact me and I'll send it to you. Look in the description for details. Cheers Larry

[@hbaboris]

@@masterfuldrumming8408 Thank you so much....I am going to contact you.

[@WKelleyLucas_KustomScatterguns]

Well done!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thank you for watching the video!

[@WKelleyLucas_KustomScatterguns]

@@masterfuldrumming8408 In the 80's I first became aware of Terry Bozzio's drumming via Missing Persons. U.S Drag and Mental Hopscotch being my faves. His playing on this song really blew me away. Been following him since. He should be way more famous than he is. Again, great job, sir!

[@buzzsooners]

Duuuuude! Very good video. This song has always been one of my faves. What sucks about this vid is how you make it look so easy!! Rock on, brutha...

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hey @buzzsooners, thank you for your kind words and watching my video!

[@frankmcmahan8655]

Very cool to see this great job.

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thank you Frank.

[@darkpassenger1980]

Well done! I've been playing for 30 plus yrs and this was still a difficult one for me. Such a great (near)-linear beat. Genius. Again, well done and well played! 👏

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thank you Jeremy and thank you for checking out my channel! Best wishes. Larry 😎

[@darkpassenger1980]

@@masterfuldrumming8408 My pleasure!

[@rwfrench66GenX]

Incredible! Thanks for the upload and your hard work! Have you done Trippin’ Billies by Dave Matthews yet? Carter Beauford is a monster!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thank you rwfrench66 for checking out my video. I'll have to look into Trippin' Billies.

[@ARGBlackCloud]

Me thinks Im gonna have to learn this one !! Nice work Larry !!!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thank you very much ARGBlackCloud. It's a fun one! Cheers! LC

[@pankajjoshi3189]

Beautiful Larry.... very nice song and cover 😍

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thank you Pankaj. I hope all is well. LC

[@diamonddave]

Very cool for drum work for sure!!! (I Was lucky enough to see them live back in the day!!!)

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

That's cool Diamond Dave!

[@nicholasartalejo5746]

Great job! I enjoyed the ad lib at the end as well.

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thanks Nicholas. It was a fun video to put together. Cheers! Larry

[@flutetraveller]

Another perfectly executed video Larry. Love the songs you are choosing

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hey, thank you flutetraveller!

[@ZooK_Studios]

Best cover performance of this song I’ve seen. Well done.

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hey Todd. Thanks so much for your kind words. It was a fun video to put together.

[@ZooK_Studios]

@@masterfuldrumming8408 next gig I’m playing my new Roto Tom kit I put together. 6-8-10-12-14” channeling my inner Bozzio.

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

@@ZooK_Studios Cool! That sounds like a fun kit to play!

Great cover, wonderful example also for my advanced Students, thanks for sharing !!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thank you Marcello and you are welcome!

[@pervbate]

This is great! I'm glad I found your channel. I've been playing along with this song without knowing what time signature I'm playing in or where to count. I've been on the "Use the force, Luke" method. Your transcription and video makes it a hell of a lot easier to understand. Thanks!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

The Force must be strong with you Joe. :) I'm glad my video was helpful. All the best. LC

[@mr.disney4740]

Terry would be very proud ! You missed alot of the off beat fills at the end though. New SUBSCRIBER.

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hi Mr. Disney. Thank you. Well, yes those fills were overdubbed. I opted to solo like Terry did when he played the tune live. I guess a bit of a tribute to him. Cheers! LC

[@fridaynightgamefilm]

Dude!! Fantastic!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thank you @fridaynightgamefilm

[@scott2575]

That is masterful drumming

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thanks Scott!

[@Simonewhitesim-1music]

Yeah. You made my day. I feel Like Clint Eastwood. Wicked Cover. Cheers

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hey thanks Simone! All the best. Larry

[@cfritzius]

That was brilliant! Excellent job!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hey Thanks Charlie Fritzius. All the best. LC

[@TheStudioDrummer]

Excellent!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thank you TheStudioDrummer!

[@thedrtime]

Awesome job mate, was very fun to watch.

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thanks Flicker of Light! Some good clean fun!

[@flyerscout2]

Well done.

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thanks for watching @flyerscout2!

[@ricardoe.aliceanatal2287]

BEAUTIFULL!!!!!!!!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thanks Ricardo!

[@mikelawson6456]

Awesome

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thank you Mike!

[@drummer4hire12]

Great talent!!!!!!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hey, thank you drummer4hire12!

[@HanksterGuitarDrums]

super bad ass cover

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thank you Hankster!

[@Pyewacket316]

KILLING!!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hey thanks Tay!

[@jc3drums916]

I hear it as 2 bars of 6/4 and 2 bars of 4/4, starting with a beat 6 pickup - notation-wise, it's a bit simpler and neater that way IMHO, plus the rhyme scheme of the vocals suggests 2 measures there, not a single long measure. However, it also means dropping a beat before the chorus and adding a beat to the end of the otherwise 4/4 chorus, which is not so simple or neat (but fits with how I hear it). I think John Riley's (sadly error-filled) transcription for the booklet that came with Terry's Solo Drums video has it starting on 1. Also, Terry counts to 6 before demonstrating it. I don't think it was necessarily a count-in, just him demonstrating the tempo while talking about the part, but he also didn't say whether it started on 6 or on 1. Regardless, very nice playing.

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thank you jC3drums. It's an intriguing song and fun to play no matter how you count it. Cheers! LC

[@JoeAlessandro-x5h]

Dude. Really? Let’s keep it short.

[@Jaggerbush]

​@@JoeAlessandro-x5h🤣🤣🤣 fr!!

[@reneg8223]

Perfectly executed!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thanks for checking out my video Rene!

[@SimonGeorgiou]

Amazing performance!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thank you Simon.

[@lucgrenier6031]

Nice simple beat lol ;) Well done mate!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Merci my friend.

[@NuOrder11]

Note for note!💪

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hi NuOrder11. Thanks for checking out my video!

[@TECHASKI1]

This is great. Thank's for the notes. So it's a little bit easyer for all drummers all over the world to play the beat.

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thanks Thomas. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@kennyt7780]

Nice!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thanks Kenny!

[@IronButterknife]

Still very special

[@drumman190]

Fantastic drumming

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thanks Matt!

[@drumman190]

@@masterfuldrumming8408 Your welcome. I also make covers , consider checking them out.

[@jerrylehti7230]

well done

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thank you Jerry.

[@Mioness]

Masterful playing Larry!!!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hey Victor. Thanks so much. I hope all is well with you. Cheers! Larry

[@maness2112]

Big vamp at end. Deservedly so.

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thanks for checking out my video @maness2112

[@sunandsnowmusic]

I don't understand this mathematical aftermath! Terry has never drummed like this. There is no fervor and no fire for the awesome beat!

[@estradafx]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@mitchmitchell7238]

DUDE!!!!!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

😎Dude!!!😎

[@blahboy68]

Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the floor…..

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thank you very much @blahboy68! It's a fun tune to play!

[@Chris_Stanley007]

👉👍💯

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thanks Chris!

[@Civilizashum]

Yow

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Thanks @Civilizashum!

[@paul.snizza8286]

Frank Zappas best drummer....

[@mattdelany6799]

Vinnie Colaiuta was/is better.

[@weshupp3710]

Black Page? DM me when you got that...

[@craigyost8443]

Excellent!

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hey thanks Craig!

[@LifeAtHighAltitude]

Awesome

[@masterfuldrumming8408]

Hey thanks Pete!