Me at the Portland, Maine Drum-Off (2009 and 2010)

**ZackPomerleau** · 10-02-2010, 12:28 AM

The first video is of me doing my solo, but the second is of the tie-breaker I had to do (yes, there was a tie!). I landed up winning miraculously after dropping one of my sticks, somehow...hahaha. Everyone mentioned Bonham after that (well, two of the judges). It was a lot of fun and I've never won anything like this before (even though it's only the preliminary round I'm still proud of myself) and it proves practice really helps. Just watch the 2009 Drum-Off video I posted at the end to see the difference a year makes. Of course, I did go back to matched grip (I use that now almost always) but it's good to know both and my right hand technique and even my left improved greatly because of the year-or-so long switch...Anyways!!! Here is the post I made in an earlier thread with the video...

Re-posted from my earlier thread (http://www.drumchat.com/showthread.p...676#post324676

This is my first drum solo (it landed up causing me to tie with another contestant): [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYPKfOWl-8I"]YouTube - Zack Pomerleau - 2010 Drum-Off - First Solo[/ame]

Here is my tie-breaker drum solo (noticed near the end I drop the stick in my right hand and I switch the one in my left to my right. It's sort of hard to hear/see but I start using my left hand to hit the snare and then during the last fill, the toms). [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIZf1ugPxwg"]YouTube - Zack Pomerleau - Drum-Off 2010 - Tie Breaker[/ame]

The video quality isn't incredible but it made it easier to upload. The sound is pretty good, though (surprisingly enough...I love those little FlipCams!!!).

Well, I hope you enjoy. I am already coming up with solos for the next round (maybe with some brushes, because a bunch of people saw I had them but I decided to just drum like a crazy man in the tie-breaker, and just be very melodic in the first one...well, somewhat melodic!!!). Oh, and for reference, here was me last year: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCIwBG9I-cQ"]YouTube - Zack at the 2009 Drum off[/ame] At that time I was pretty much only using traditional grip (just to learn it) but I have since switched back just about full time...Anyways, enjoy!!!

**bassist learning drums** · 10-02-2010, 08:15 AM

Dude, That is awesome!

**NoiseInMotion** · 10-02-2010, 08:16 AM

Dude, those solos were amazing. Awesome job

I was surprised at how well you were able to move around the kit with only 1 stick in the second vid lol.

Btw, anybody else surprised at how tightened down the cymbals were in the second vid?

**pastor_bob** · 10-02-2010, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by NoiseInMotion

Btw, anybody else surprised at how tightened down the cymbals were in the second vid?

Yep, I noticed it too. Those cymbals must have taken a beating during the competition.

Zack, that was totally worth the watch, because you were amazing! Thanks for sharing it, and I look forward to seeing the next round!

**ZackPomerleau** · 10-02-2010, 11:57 AM

I never noticed how the cymbals were so tightly put on the stand until just now thanks to you guys! I noticed some guy near the end adjusted them. Most of the people took like ten years to adjust the kit, it took me about thirty seconds. I don't see the need for heavy modification myself, as long as there is a ride to my right and a crash to my left I'm set! I bet some people were mad I got the double pedal out of my way, though!!!

Thanks Bassist!

Noise, it was definitely interesting to play like that with only one stick and my bare left hand! Thank you!

Pastor Bob, thank you so very much! It was a lot of fun! I went there prepared to lose because all of those guys were (well, MOST of them) heavy metal guys playing loud and fast and do the 'digga digga digga digga digga digga digga' bass drum thing. So, I decided just to do something really melodic and also do some cool grooves. Well, I got through amazingly! Next time I'll try a similar formula, but add some other cool stuff to the mix!!!

Thanks everybody/everyone!!!

**kourso** · 10-03-2010, 07:19 AM

Hey Z, nice videos, ha,ha, funny but outstanding, awesome as well!
Instead of duck tape, huh, try super glue/crazy gluing sticks to your hands.
Don't laugh, it might work!!!!
Congrats again, catch you online tomorrow,

**oaktree137** · 10-03-2010, 01:55 PM

those solos were great Zack, congrats on winning!

I'm in Maine but didn't know about this... where was this competition? The Drum Shop? Maybe I'll join next year and you can have some more competition haha

Also, how were the other competitors, and how many people were there? Looks like fun... again nice job

**ZackPomerleau** · 10-03-2010, 02:55 PM

It was at Guitar Center! Maybe you can still sign up for the one on the 8th? Where abouts are you in Maine, dude? You can shoot me a PM if you'd like!

And Kourso, thanks man!!!

**yohin** · 10-03-2010, 03:16 PM

Fantastic job, man! You're an amazing drummer.

**Kaliguitar** · 10-03-2010, 03:48 PM

awesome playing!!!!!!!! Good luck in ROUND TWO.

**ZackPomerleau** · 10-03-2010, 04:38 PM

Thank you Yohin and Caitlin!

**atomcorr2** · 10-03-2010, 09:14 PM

Zack,,, you were fantastic.... great job bud , you blew them away when you played with 1 stick . good luck next round.

**Creative Drummer** · 10-03-2010, 09:55 PM

Great jamming! Kick some major A** next round!

**ZackPomerleau** · 10-03-2010, 11:01 PM

Awww man, you guys rock! That one stick thing was TOTALLY a mistake but in the end it worked out PERFECTLY. I will be trying my hardest next time. Thanks Atom and Creative!!!

**kourso** · 10-04-2010, 06:44 AM

Hey Z, do you know that everyone knew you dropped that stick? Just from watching the video I am thinking that few might have known that you had dropped the other stick.
I believe that they were totally overwhelmed by your solo performance and weren't paying attention. OR they figured the one stick playing was part of the solo and a show of your drumming skills!

**kourso** · 10-04-2010, 06:52 AM

They may have thought that you took it to a higher level than the others with the one stick beating. Kinda like if you can do a two hand push up, I can top that with a ONE hand push up! They must have thought that you were going extreme on them.
I am sure most were saying to themselves "I have never seen anything like this before"

**ZackPomerleau** · 10-04-2010, 01:37 PM

I know they ALL saw me drop it but I think the mistake thing was misconstrued by some. I think some thought on purpose but I recall some calling it a "nice save." Many saw it was lucky quick thinking on my part.

**late8** · 10-04-2010, 02:03 PM

Great solos Zack! Congrats and good luck!

**ZackPomerleau** · 10-04-2010, 04:44 PM

late8, thank you very much!

**oaktree137** · 10-08-2010, 11:18 PM

Originally Posted by ZackPomerleau

It was at Guitar Center! Maybe you can still sign up for the one on the 8th? Where abouts are you in Maine, dude? You can shoot me a PM if you'd like!

And Kourso, thanks man!!!

Ahh I was offline a few days and didn't see this reply so its too late now I guess, but maybe next year :-)... I'm in Rockport Maine, near Camden or Rockland or Lincolnville if you know any of those towns

Larrysperf · 10-09-2010, 10:31 AM

First off thanks for sharing. I must say you have a great feel for time and your moments from one fill to another is great. I really enjoyed that and the best part is you won. Great and fast thinking when you dropped the stick( I have seen some just stop playing). Glad you shared and must say again very very nice chops

**NPYYZ** · 10-09-2010, 10:51 AM

I'm in Maine as well. What are the rules for these things? Do you use your own kit? Or if it's a store kit can you set it up the way you like? also is there an age limit or a limit on how long you've been playing? What's the grand prize?

**ZackPomerleau** · 10-13-2010, 01:51 AM

Oak, I know where those places are!!! I have even played in Rockland (albeit, harmonica in a blues band).

Larry, thank you very much! I didn't want to look stupid and act like a deer in headlights. So glad I saw those Papa Jo Jones videos!!!

NPYYZ, that have a kit. No rules other than you can't be a previous winner. Check out Guitar Center's Drum-Off site about everything else.

The big day is coming up fast!!!

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