from
Modern Drummer Presents Drum Nation Volume One,
released January 13, 2004
“Pull Up My Sleeve” - STEPHEN PERKINS AND BROOKS WACKERMAN
Stephen Perkins – Drums
Brooks Wackerman – Drums
Solo 1 (Brooks Wackerman); Solo 2 (Stephen Perkins)
Recorded at Perkins Palace April 2003
Mixed by Josh Newell
‘Pull Up My Sleeve’ is a combination of two themes. The first being a conversation between two drum sets. The second being a song realized through hand percussion. Using our hands and feet as voices, we were talking to each other in the language of RHYTHM. We were delighted to play off each other.
The first half starts with a motif. A certain pulse begins to build and, OFF, we go! Machine gun rapid fire fills growing into a climax with authentic chaos. The second half hands off melodies using timpani, slit drum, talking drum, xylophone and other assorted toys; ending with a wake up call. Gong! Enjoy it, we did. - Stephen Perkins
This duet basically has 3 parts, the free form ethereal sections, the 6/8 groove and the shuffle with the back beat. We both improvised on top of each other's grooves, with our intention to keep it as musical as possible. The first arrangement we had for this project was more moody and spacious, so we both unanimously agreed to pump more aggression into this machine, while maintaining a dynamic feel. It was no more than 1 to 2 takes, and the result was a drummer’s high five. - Brooks Wackerman