I’ve been a bit off of the grid so to speak the last few months, acclimating to my new job, but I was quite happy to see a relatively official update related to line up number eight for King Crimson.
Pat Mastelotto, who has been drumming in King Crimson for over 10 years now gave a recent interview to Music Street Journal in which he lets us know the plan currently is for rehearsals next year with a few short tours with residence gigs, all within the USA. The big surprise to me was word that they expect to be a 5 piece band and the new man to the group is a drummer… Any ideas on who you think it is? Want it to be someone? Submit your comment below!
He did not confirm the fifth man’s identity but he did say that an official announcement should be coming down the information pipeline from Robert Fripp’s diary over at DGMLive. We can assume that the band as it stands comprises of:
- Robert Fripp
- Adrian Belew
- Tony Levin
- Pat Mastelotto
- Mystery Drummer (I have my thoughts on this, but I’m not going to jinx it!)
This all said, take it with a grain of salt, as nothing is official yet, but it does look like:
- KC will tour a few locations in the USA sometime next year.
- There will be a second drummer announced for the band soon.
Check out the interview for more tidbits, and some other pretty awesome information about what Pat has been up to in the last few years!
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Exciting news! What polyrhythmic madness can we expect from this edition of “pencil frenzy” from Mr. Fripp’s compositional pen?
My own guess would be Jerry Marotta, as he rehearsed with the double trio in 1994 (before Bruford re-joined), and has a close relationship with Tony Levin.
A new member seems most likely, as Bill Bruford and Michael Giles are unlikely to re-join, but in twenty years of following K.C. I have learned one thing: always expect the unexpected…
exciting news!
I second Mr Marotta.
Too bad Ian Wallace is no longer available
Jerry was my first thought as well.
I’ll throw Bob Muller into the mix though. I’m excited that there’s a fifth member. I couldn’t help but feel like it was just going to be 80’s crim with a different drummer…
I blogged several guesses:
I think it will be an American and was thinking the following:
- Jerry Marotta (but this has been affected by my listening to the David Sylvian stuff again, lately)
- Terry Bozzio (since he and Pat both live in Austin and have played together, and he has a relationship with Belew from the Zappa days, too!)
- Danny Carey from Tool
I hadn’t thought about Bob Muller. But I did consider that Pat’s announcement might be a trick because Belew is also a Drummer.
Of course Bozzio also has a relationship with Tony Levin as well, since they did 2 CDs together with Steve Stevens! (And there’s the John Wetton angle too via U.K.)
Hmmm …
Well,
I think and really hope that it will be Gavin Harrison, he is the only drummer extraordinaire I can think of today. Robert played a lot supporting Porcupine Tree and recently played on GH+05Ric on many tracks, so 1+1 =……:-)
Danny Carey is a techy like Pat M., so there will be an overlap. I think that the “new” drummer has to counterbalance Pat abilities in keeping the time and extended use of technology with other extraordinaire abilities…..
I had blogged Gavin Harrison, but I really don’t want to see that happen. P.T. is doing really well, it would put them on hiatus. (I’m glad I’m going to see the PT tour again this month in Houston, if that ends up being the case).
How about this for a wild-card? Manu Katche.
Wow! Manu would be astonishing! Marotta is still the most likely candidate to my mind.
Also Pat having a little fun with the announcement and Belew being the “second drummer” is an intriguing take on it! (Hooter Johnson on drums ;))
Some other things to make your brains percolate:
Bill Rieflin (this would be a natural fit, think “Repercussions Of Angelic Behavior”)
Narada Michael Walden (not gonna happen, but would be a nice acoustic counterbalance to Pat’s electric stuff)
Paul Beavis (’member him?)
or.. they convinced… JAMIE MUIR! LOL.
Man, can’t believe nobody has mentioned the person I believe to be the most likely candidate.
These are all pretty good, and in general, valid guesses, IMHO though.
Mr. Crim, surely you’re not thinking Micheal Giles?
I thought he turned over the Drum Stool to Ian Wallace because he didn’t like touring.
Hmmm… I’m thinking someone a bit more “Slick”, who as definitely proved to me he’s up for it. Gah… I’ve probably said too much…
It’s a personal hope, but again, I definitely have no clue who it is.
Did anyone mention Terry Bozzio? He’d be up on my list as well!
Hopefully RF will reveal more soon!
I almost added Eric Slick right after Giles (honestly). It’s the one guess from my blog I didn’t post here, but …
Pat worded the answer in a way that almost sounded nostalgic. Like it’s someone any long-time KC fan would recognize.
Maybe WillyFred will tell us
Otherwise, I’ll have to put my ear to the ground here in Austin, and see if anything turns up.
I tried not looking at this thread for a few hours, to see if I still liked it ….
We’ve mentioned 2 of the 3 drummers who played on Exposure, but not the third? P.C. anyone? LOL
Hi folks,
interesting news….my first thought to this item was: Hopefully Bill comes back to paint the more digital nu-rock sound of the latest kc with bright colours of rhythmic ideas and a warmer drum-sound….
but to be real…..It would be great to see Gavin Harrison in a Crimson context….but then you don’t need a second drummer!! Same with Terry Bozzio! So if Pat stays, which kind of drummer would fit to him?? I doubt (though I adore him) that jerry marotta can build a rhythmic contrast in the way it would be necessary.
I think a player with a not to big accoustic set would fit with Pat. How about Jojo Meyer?
Personally I believe in the funny idea with Adrian as a parttime 2nd drummer, then he would be the timekeeper and Pat can play the “fancy-odd-meter-shit”
And finally robert surpises us with……..
cu
armin
First person I thought of was Bill Rieflin. Eric Slick would also be a candidate. I honestly don’t think it would be a former KC drummer. Can’t wait to see who it is and what they record (and for the tour!).
Dan
Ah ha… Hadn’t considered young Mr. Slick- but he would also be a worthy addition. The contrast thing has got me thinking that it will be somebody more in the acoustic range still, not that Pat didn’t tread that path very successfully after adding a real snare and cymbals to his kit for the 2003 gigs. I still lean towards Rieflin or Marotta who seem to have the closest relationship with K.C. currently. Though neither are “household” names, and Pat did seem to assume it would be a familiar name-having said that what Crimson related musician is a household name? LOL.
We’ll just have to see, and frankly the more I speculate the more exciting I think this is going to be..
Rieflin, Slick, Marotta, Bruford. Those were all of my guesses. It could be Belew (who wouldn’t love to hear ‘Waiting Man’ again?).
I hadn’t really thought of Bozzio or Harrison - both very interesting choices.
On a slightly related topic: After seeing John Paul Jones (and his band) open from KC several years ago, I thought that JPJ would be an interesting add to the KC lineup. I’d love to see/hear something more from a Fripp/Jones collaboration (and throw Andy Summers in the mix as well). Hey, maybe the new drummer is Stewart Copeland, LOL.
Hoping that one of their ‘residence’ gigs is somewhere near me, and that Phil Collins is neither seen nor heard.
Well, both Phil and Jerry garnered a mention in “the” diary entry dated 10/3.
The Platoon of Audients is left guessing and speculating.
Ok, I’m going out on a limb here.
Given Fripp’s recent emphasis on Exposure this past year, rereading Pat’s interview and browsing some other “related” music news, I’m convinced:
- Belew is the 2nd drummer. (ProjeKct 6 was the warm up)
- Daryl Hall is the new singer.
Wow, that almost sounds reasonable… maybe we should brand some Krimson News tin foil hats! hahaha!
I would put money on Eric Slick.
I dunno about Slick. He’s got his chops, but isn’t always the tightest. I don’t think Fripp would have any of that. I also hope it’s not Belew … he’s fine for a ProjeKct or two but is little too “noodle-y” for the greater KC. Marotta was my first guess but almost seems too obvious. Collins is too busy I’m sure. Bruford is too cantankerous.
Probably Marotta, who would be a great compliment to Mastelotto.
I like Mueller as well. Haven’t heard much from him since his work with the Trey Gunn band. That guy is an amazing organic drummer/percussionist.
I think perhaps its entirely deception in that there will be a new drummer. I Do think that pat meant adrian might be part timing on drums, and that leave only four memebers total.
But does anyone recall as trey gunn was leaving the band, that robert offered him a place in part of a crimson 5 peice (Fripp/Belew/Gunn/Mastelotto/Levin.)
Could it be trey is returning?
From Bruford’s web administrator:
“I’ve had an unnecessary word with Bill - he’s not rejoining anybody! From his perspective his productive time with KC, remembered with great affection, ended about a decade ago, and his preference now is for a more intimate, improvised sort of group. Hence, among other things, his relationship with Michiel Borstlap.â€
I would say Erik Slick, that lucky lil’ rhythm devil. He has been playing with Adrian so much recently, that I’m sure they have a good flow going that may or may not lead into KC.
Think about it…Wallace, Bruford, Carey, Bozzio, Rieflin, etc….they are no where as near as close ‘in the current loop of things’ as Slick. I bet Adrian and Slick have been jamming on new ideas that will (MAYBE) lead into some Krimsonising.
All I know is, I’m available for work, so, Bob, or anybody reading this….I offer my services as drummer…:)
Fat chance, thought I’d give it a try.
—Johnny Tronny
http://www.myspace.com/funmachine
Let’s put these rumors to rest.
I can assure you all it’s not me in King Crimson. It is somebody else!
I have years of practice before I even come close to any of the amazing people listed here (Carey, Marotta, Bruford, Harrison)…
However, I just started taking drum lessons again in Boston, so that’s new and exciting I s’pose! I am working on new material with Adrian, but it’s for his next solo record. Come catch us live next year!
Or catch me on the road with Project/Object in the next two weeks! Projectobject.com for dates.
Sincerely,
Eric
Don’t lie Eric.
We know it’s you.
Ha! Just kidding…I’ll look forward to your future projects.
Of the mentioned crop I believe Gavin is the only logical choice.
He would best complement Pat. And I believe Robert is sufficiently intrigued by Gavin’s range and abilities.
The other alternatives are established dinosaurs in their own capacity and not something Robert would add to a new KC lineup. IMHO
PT needs a break anyway, SW can dwelve into Blackfield and industrial metal for a couple of years, will do PT good in the long run
And man would I look forward to KC with Gavin… =:-D
Rolf
Eric, see that’s what I get for even breathing it. *sigh*
In complete honesty, you’d be well equipped for the gig, IMHO.
That all said, Gavin would be pretty interesting as a choice… hmmm…
Tommy Lee?
Then the universe doth collapseth upon itself…
This is from Belew’s blog. The question was “is KC still you, Tony, Robert, and Pat?”
Belew’s response:
“about krimson, the answer is:
not entirely. there is a fifth member.
long ago I was asked by robert not to divulge the name of the “fifth beatle” until DGM officially announces it, presumably after we’ve rehearsed in late march.”
> Tommy Lee
Now that’s funny!!
How about the “Camel,” Mike Portnoy? I can imagine the diary entries now talking about the Plexiglass Wall of Lugeys. You couldn’t write a better comedy sketch.
Two other guesses. Although I’m sticking to my out on the limb assertion.
Mr. Stormy? He has sticks and pad at the Mastering Desk.
And of course, what is Pete Best doing these days? He is a drummer after all
Isn’t this an interesting quote from Robin Slick’s blog, this past Monday?
“I just realized the above photo was floating throughout the internet - it must have been posted while I was on vacation; anyway, Eric and Pat are now in the mutual admiration society which is way, way cool.”
Methinks thou dost protest too much, Eric!
Back to the 3D-BB.
I think Adrian gave it away by using the term “fifth Beatle”. The new member of King Crimson is Billy Preston!
Back around the advent of the projekcts I’d been longing for a drummerless Crimson, one in which the perkcussion made way for experimental sound, a new instrument if you will. I thought that with Pat and the Vs, the possibility had arrived. Indeed the latest is somewhat of a departure, perhaps a move in that direkction, so hearing of yet another drummer doesn’t excite me exakctly.
If it must come to pass, however, I say Jamie Muir.
Billy Preston’s ghost will indeed be playing hammond organ.
The new drummer will be… JOHN BONHAM’S GHOST!
Seriously, how about Mel Collins re-joins (instead of just the rumored guest shot that Fripp mentioned).
With the new drummer you’d then have another double trio- and if it was Marotta he could occasionally double w/ Mel on sax creating a horn section, and, and…
OK. I think this thread is dead. Lol.
Ryan
Hello,
It would be cool to hear Chris Maitland (ex-Porcupine Tree) in King Crimson. He’s terrific, but one of the most underrated drummer of this time. He really needs a challenging band like KC!
ZOLTAN CSORSZ, drummer from The Flower Kings!
Go to:
http://www.vicfirth.com/artists/mastelotto.html
and view the third of the videos. Pat reveals a little bit more about the mysterious fifth member there.
Thanks Vojetch, I’m pretty damn certain now. And yes, all of my guesses were off base.
Interesting. Searches combining this name with Fripp leave virtually no doubt, about their identity.
Good evening hippies.
Pat mentions in the video blog that the new drummer is english, not Bill Bruford and that he also uses Vic Firth sticks!
I hope for Gavin Harrison too, I read somewhere that Steven Wilson (of Porcupine tree) was thinking about a year off in 2008…..
well, if it’s a brit, i guess my dream of sonny murray joining kc won’t pan out…or zakir hussain…
What about Terry Bozzio? Or maybe Chad Wackerman… Wow!
I’m sure the drummer is Gavin Harrison! With the Robert Fripp’s collaboration in PT (F.O.A.B.P and Nil Recurring) and with GH05 in Drop… and also Gavin Harrison uses Vic Firth sticks…
http://www.vicfirth.com/artists/harrison.html
I went to see PT in Houston this past Saturday. Steven Wilson was available after the show for pictures and autographs.
Although, neither he nor anyone else in PT spilled the beans, I can confidently say it will be Gavin. I’ll post later after the official announcement how I know this to be true.
Not sure if Simon Phillips endorses Vic Firth products.. but he would be a different and complementary foil to Pat Mastelloto… two very different styles which could work really well together, especially with challenging somgs and compositions. He is English also.
I read on many different sites that Bill Rieflen has dropped off of three different possible upcoming tours (Pigface, KMFDM & Chris Connelly) for an “Unannounced Event”.
Seems fishy to me, and frankly, I’d be very aroused to see it.
I’d just like to know when KC is next coming to the UK!!? We miss them over here!
Lots of speculation about Gavin Harrison. But I think the new drummer may be Matt Chamberlain. He was is in Slow Music with Fripp and he is more than a drummer like Pat Mastelotto. Check out his work on Floratone or his work on Critters Buggin.
Gavin Harrison has beem confirmed to be the second drummer in the new album
I’m very happy with this news about Gavin joining THE BAND and re-creation of double trio - actually…
I’m very sad THE BAND will never play in Europe anymore…
COME TO NORTHERN IRELAND!!!!! King Crimson f***** rule!!! Please do one gig in Belfast or something!!! I would really love it like! I know loadsa people who f***** love King Crimson!! It would be a dream come true! I’m only 17 like…but I know what good music is!