Was Tommy Lee Caught Using Backing Drum Tracks On Tour? Yes But Its Not What You Think

This is the video people are talking about that supposedly shows Tommy Lee using drum tracks. Watch the beginning of it and then I’ll explain what’s really happening.

As you can clearly see the sound of a cymbal or possibly the hi-hat being hit happens before Tommy sits down or is seen playing any of his drums. So while it may look like there’s a drum track being used, which to some would mean Tommy isn’t actually playing his drums, its not what it seems. What you see at the start is Tommy’s drum tech, el Steevo, making sure his kit is ready and his throne is in place for him, and it looks like they had some kind of issue that made them run behind by literally a second or 2 on their opening cue.

This is the intro to the band’s entire set. Often when a band uses intro sound effects, like Motley Crue are using during the Stadium Tour, they have a very specifically timed point at which the band kicks in to start the show. If they’re using video with people talking, or music without any discernible beats in it, then they’ll add what’s known as a click track. Practically every band in the world has used a click track especially when recording in a studio. Its a track that simply plays a click sound, or possibly the sound of a hi-hat that matches the beat and rhythm of the song they’re playing. This is especially useful when the entire band starts playing all at once from a cold start. You’ll see drummers do this on stage when they click their sticks together and do a 4 count for the other band members.

But if you’re putting on a big production for an intro it could kind of spoil the magic and mystique if the drummer is out there playing off the band count. So during the intro music that has subtle cues of when the band should be ready to jump out on stage, they will also use a similar click track so the entire band can essentially explode into your ears, which makes a really cool start to a show, in my opinion. Its the theater of rock concerts, and that’s what you’re seeing here. I’ve seen Tommy live before especially when he did his huge solos on roller coasters and all and I promise he really plays his drums, and he can play them very well.

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