I got the call to be a judge this year at Guitar Center's 2004 Drum Off (Memphis Store).  I judged tonight and will for the next 3 Tuesdays.  Overall, the guys were pretty talented.  There seemed to be a lot of drum line influence in many of the players, and that may be a normal thing. I just wasn't expecting it.

Anyway, there were two guys that rose to the top.  Sure, there were guys with chops that brought the heat, but these 2 guys had the chops AND style.  Their performances weren't flawless by any stretch, but they showed really good promise.  They'll be returning for the store finals on October 5th.

I have mixed feelings about these kind of things.  I mean, ultimatley it's just a chance to show off, but what I don't like about a lot of these is it just turns into a chops-fest.  Heat upon heat upon heat.  Is that what drumming is all about?  Is being a good drummer simply playing 32nd note bass drum licks as fast as you can?  I don't think so.  So far, it looks like GC's Drum Off is going to look for style as whell as chops - which is cool.  I'm glad I'll have the opportunity to help make sure that musicality is judged as equally as technique.

Any of you guys competing this year?

Im playing the 28th at the Arlington Heights store(IL)................  Im ready to rip a nice groove

Thanks Chip.

They give the judeges score sheets to use while judging.  There are 5 categories that we score 1-10 on: Originality, Style, Technique, Stage Presence, and Overall Performance.  The judges are all independant judges and not store employees.  Also, we didn't know any of the competitors and weren't told their shopping habits at GC.  So in that, I think it's very fair with regards to certain guys being favored over others.

I was picked to be a judge because I teach at a college here in town.  One of the other judges is a hard rock guys (used to drum for Dust for Life and others), and the last judge is a session cat.  So it seems like a pretty wide mix.

I will say that we were all mutually unimpressed with guys who rolled up on the kit and just played as fast as they could.  In fact, we called those guys "one-trick ponies".  Once you've heard one guy bust our R L RF LF combos all around the kit, it all just starts becoming dull.  That's why originality and style are judged.  I can't speak for other stores, but Memphis certainly wasn't about just chopping for 5 mins.

As a side note, the guy who won first place last night used his single pedal (and tore it up, too).

I feel the same way about the DC!

No, there's not an age limit.  In fact, we had 2 "older" guys (in their 40's) going for it.  One was ok, but the other one just went up there and shredded for 5 mins.  He got high technique marks, but as far as style and origniality .. not so hot.  He was fast, though.

Still, I was happy to see some vets take a crack at this youth-dominated event.

I think if it showed excellence in technique, style, originality, stage presence, and the player had an overall good performance, then they would be judged just the same as the fusion/hip-hop players.  Well, that's how I would judge.  Luckily, the judges having a variety of influences helps to make sure it's not a one-sided competition.

That's cool that a couple old vets gave it a go.....Plus the guy tearing it up with a single pedal. Makes me want to go check it out. I'll have to check out the GC here in MN....Hope I didn't miss it. Thanks for the info.