The latest edition of Drummer magazine carries an interview with Gavin Harrison. Along with comments about his approaches to drumming in general and his work in Porcupine Tree, Gavin was asked about his experience with King Crimson in the four-page feature. Here's a brief extract of what he had to say.
“Anything is accepted in King Crimson except for banal, normal, average sort of things...another thing that Robert said to me very early on which I didn’t understand at the time. We were listening to a track where Pat was playing drums and there was programmed electronics. I said to Robert ‘What do you expect me to play here? This is so full.’ He thought for a minute and then he said, ‘More!’ Then we listened to another track which had Bill Bruford playing on his own and I said ‘What would you expect me to play here?’ and he said ‘Play what you’ve always wanted to play in a rock band but were never allowed’ and he left it like that. It made much more sense later on. I perceived it to mean that there is nothing ‘wrong’ that you can do. It was a really great experience and I would love to do it again if the opportunity arises.”
The article also includes information on Gavin's new book, Rhythmic Designs, which you can out about here.
“Anything is accepted in King Crimson except for banal, normal, average sort of things...another thing that Robert said to me very early on which I didn’t understand at the time. We were listening to a track where Pat was playing drums and there was programmed electronics. I said to Robert ‘What do you expect me to play here? This is so full.’ He thought for a minute and then he said, ‘More!’ Then we listened to another track which had Bill Bruford playing on his own and I said ‘What would you expect me to play here?’ and he said ‘Play what you’ve always wanted to play in a rock band but were never allowed’ and he left it like that. It made much more sense later on. I perceived it to mean that there is nothing ‘wrong’ that you can do. It was a really great experience and I would love to do it again if the opportunity arises.”
The article also includes information on Gavin's new book, Rhythmic Designs, which you can out about here.
