Starise
I think Rik is somewhat tounge in cheek on the subject. Maybe I'm wrong and he really doesn't see the need for drums.
If he means what I think he means, then I might agree. I think there is an over emphasis on drums sometimes, almost as if somehow or some way drums MUST be a part of anything with a rhythmic feel. If a rhythm doesn't fit no problem ,stretch the part and put drums in it....know what I'm saying? 99% of everything I hear has some kind of drums in it when it isn't always necessary.
In rock,metal,thrash,hip hop the drums are recognized as pretty much part of the recipe if not THE recipe. But even rock can sometimes be less than a huge pounding drum at all times.
There's plenty of music that doesn't benefit from drums Django Reinhardt is a good example where drums would have swamped the delicate interplay between tonal instruments. Besides drummers need more time to spend at the bar so it's welcome that a guitarist feels an over-arching need to play with himself now and then.
So there's no necessity for drums at all in many situations, much like Herb has already pointed out, and most of us already know.
Who can tell the motivation here though it does smell like bit of deliberately contentious and elitist dick swinging from someone way too caught up in their own percieved self importance and legend.
Most of 'em need a drummer make them realise how bad their timing actually is and to keep their wives warm of course while the big guy disappears up his own jacksie.
See I can be tongue in cheek too...
