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Ben Mize
(October 2005 Issue)
Playing So Sweet Most rock drummers hit
hard and play loud. But Counting Crows
drummer Ben Mize prefers a
different approach. "I love to play quietly, with brushes," he
explains. "It seems to be more
musical for me. I enjoy the ability to
be understated in a song."
As examples, Mize refers to "Goodnight
LA," a
song on the band's latest album. Discussing the new record, Mize
points to the title track. "I have to give our keyboard
player, Charles
Gillingham, credit for having the concept on that song. The piano is
like The E Street Band, but the drums are
more like The
Replacements--more straight-ahead--and that gives the song more edge."
Mize's grasp of the
subtle elements of rock drumming serve him well.
"In this band, there is an emphasis on listening," he insists. "With
seven
people in the group, you must be in tune and know where the
others are. I can't just hit a cymbal any time; I need to be
more
conscious of where everyone else is. It's a big team, and there's a lot
to listen to.
"A producer
once told me he likes that I'm aware of everything that is
going on, and what every instrument is doing," Ben continues.
"But
sometimes that can be a shortcoming. Sometimes the drummer needs to
just play the track, lead the song, and be more
bombastic."
Harriet Schwartz
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