Dominic Howard

Muse's Unheralded Powerhouse

There are essentially four types of drummers in the pop world of today: the groove guys, the bombasts, the virtuosos, and the melodists. Players are going to have elements of all of those types within their tricks bags but they are also going to have individual personalities that will make one of those styles their natural forté, and the thing they are as a player. READ MORE

The groove guys would be typified by someone like Ringo Starr. Ringo was never the greatest drummer in the world, but he has had an uncanny knack for playing the right thing for the song at precisely the right time. Anyone who has ever tried to cover Beatles tunes knows that you can futz the bass and guitar parts just a bit, but to achieve The Beatles sound you absolutely must get the drum parts right: Ringo's parts. They are simple, but they are signature. His beats are the heart triggers in The Beatles' songs, the points of expression that signal how we should understand the emotions in what we are hearing. Ringo has a way of playing that provides confirmation to the listener's instinctual responses to the music.

The bombast types would be typified by the immensely talented Keith Moon (The Who) and John Bonham (Led Zeppelin). Or, these days would include Travis Barker (Blink-182), Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), and Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater). I find the latter two somewhat enigmatic. Portnoy is a particularly likeable character and he knows a lot about what to play, and has a lot of ideas, but as a metonome he is a little shaky. Watch any of his live performance videos and you will see Portnoy playing sort of brilliantly, but often missing the beat while doing fills. Even worse is Hawkins, who owns all the power of a hurricane, but seems never to play the interesting thing, and often seems to miss the moment with bad timing. My theory about him is that Dave Grohl, who is a bombastic drummer himself, didn't want a drummer in the Foo Fighters who was better than him, so he chose Hawkins. The Foo Fighters' music is incredibly dumb, in terms of what it requires from its musicians, and Grohl on guitar and Hawkins on drums get over just by being loud. That works for their fans.

The virtuoso types are few, but a guy like Terry Bozio would fit that category. Bozio would add to any piece of music he performed, and he would be meter perfect while having a lot going on.

The melodists would be typified by a Stewart Copeland (The Police). Copeland was too cute in about a hundred ways, always tinkering from the edges of The Police sound, more of a percussionist than a groove guy. When he was called upon to groove, he was without muscle, or passion, or something. He played like a tap dancer or a soft shoe guy, and seemed a lot precious, as his type often do.

The whole purpose of that long introduction is to pay tribute to a standout drummer of our day whose role in the most high-profile band Muse has somehow never made him a household name. That is Dominic Howard, who personality-wise seems most un-drummer-like. Perhaps that is why he does what he does so expertly. Listen closely to the next Muse tune you hear. The drumming is perfect. Howard plays like one of those evolved beings who has merged all four of the typical drummer types into one single personality. Coupled with extraordinary bassist Christopher Wolstenholme, Dom Howard drives through songs with an attack that is a part of the melody in the same way that Ginger Baker did with Creme. Howard nails the groove, and he provides an emotional power that lifts the whole act, and he does it all with perfect precision in his meter. It is interesting to note that his rhythm mate Wolstenholme is actually a drummer himself, which probably accounts for the incredibly rhythmic style with which he plays bass. He, like Howard, has an impeccably metonomic sense of time. Dominic Howard is also a keyboard player, which helps explain his musicality as a drummer. - RAR

Being Smart Helps

Check out this interview that Dominic Howard did with a music reporter in Amsterdam. He is smart, charming, apparently without ego; sort of a breath of fresh air. It is must-watch stuff for a Muse fan (like myself).

It is one thing to watch Muse do a stadium show, with its massive stage sets and graphic presentations. It is big and impressive. Check out this video below, if you haven't already, of the band playing in an intimate studio setting. They have talent that is equaled by very few other bands on this planet. In fact, I cannot off the top of my head think who their peers must be. Just try to imagine getting your guys together for a little jam session in your garage and doing anything even remotely resembling this level of performance.

Matthew Bellamy Interview with Dom Howard

This is a lark-about interview, sort of goofy and fun, having very little to do with music or anything else. Charming though.

Christopher Wolstenholme Interview

Muse has been a big star in the pop music firmament for two decades, which is a pretty amazing accomplishment. It makes the degree of humility and charm displayed by the band's members all the more noticeable, particularly as they live in a world of big egos and annoying self promoters. The Muse personnel's personal ethos translates directly into their music, which is pretty feely stuff for something so big. Check out bassist Wolstenholme talking about the life he has experienced, including sharing his iPod with his kids.