Here’s today’s question. I’d love to know whether or not our members schlep their own gear.

I had drum tech.‘s for quite a few years in previous bands. My current band has a couple of roadies, but no “official” drum tech. yet. I am anxiously awaiting that day, but until then, my wife is my drum tech.(by default,lol). She faithfully helps me set up and tear down all of my gear at every show. I am truly blessed to have her complete support and help.

My band doesn’t need a roadie. We have a Bass Player. lol actually my younger brother by default is one of our two roadies. I handle all of the technical adjustments of the drums and such. I think it’s also important to note that If you have at least one roadie it’s considered hauling gear. If the band members do everything for themselves it’s schlepping gear. Good call Andy.

I have worked for bands in the past that provided me with a tech, I have also hired guys on my own, but most of the time I’m on my own.
Lucky I have a room mate who is also a drummer and helps me out often.

Lols. I have friends that want to watch my shows for free. So they lug around gear and a few know how to tune. But I have never had a true Drum Tech.

The one problem with Drum Roadies is if they drink during the gigs-they always lose your stuff and it’s always something or a part or screw,e.t.c. from your most prized Vintage kit that you have a hard time replacing….Always!

I have not been in a band for about 3 years now, but I was fortunate to have a ‘Drum Tech’ in all of the bands that I was in from 2002 to now (in which I was in 4 different bands as a permanant member since then. & in 2004 I was a “Sub” & I was fortunate that their permanant drummer had a Tech who, in turn, ‘teched’ for me). I naturally had to pay for the service (i.e., if my band made $400 after a performance, each of us earning $100, $50 would go to Adam, my Tech since 2002).

If you can afford & find a Drum Tech, I HIGHLY suggest it! Just make DARN SURE that your Tech knows what the heck he/she is doing. AcQuiring a Drum Tech is the same as hiring an employee ; you need to interview them, get a read on their gear knowledge (if they don’t know what ...say…a remote cable HiHat stand is, you probably won’t want to hire him/her), assess their drumming knowledge in general (if they don’t know who say…MaX Roach is, you probably won’t want to hire him/her. It’s a job, like any other, so treat the hiring process like one, as well.

I’ll tell you this, though…from MY personal eXperience, there’s nothing like being able to chill out after a show, knowing that your Tech knoes Exactly what they’re doing.

GREAT topic, fellow “Drummies”! Definitley worth much further discussion.