Tell me about drummer Ches Smith/Good for Cows

Good For Cows opens tonight at 21 Grand in Oakland (where I'm also playing). Ches is a great drummer, has played w/a lot of cool folks like Trevor Dunn, Xiu Xiu, Secret Chiefs 3, Carla Bozulich. When I first got to Oakland, I saw him play a drum duo w/a friend, and was immediately sold. Really musical, really tight, and a cool guy.

Sounds sweet. Too bad I live on the other cost.

Uh, coast.

Bebop Fantasy is great

ches is not just a great drummer, he is a fucking mind-blowing one. i was in a band with him, a kind of punky bluegrass sort of thing (before that thing proliferated a bit, ahem) called the Big Meat Combo and he would continually knock me out at each gig. we used to laugh because when he would take a solo, the rest of the band would basically stop playing in order to watch!

he's usually the person people can't stop watching in any band, so expressive it's bizarre. his set opening for dleone was great, going back and forth between free improv and tight composed bits so instantaneously you have to assume they're networked

he also toured as 2nd percussionist with Mr Bungle on their final tour, on Willie Winant's recommendation when he himself couldn't make it

he was also touring with Tom Waits a year or two ago, i believe...

Friend of mine texted me tonight that I should come see some music at this gallery around the corner from me. I was expecting crap, it turned out to be Ches Smith and These Arches plus Marc Ribot. Awesome set.

did he do that thing where he puts his foot on the snare drum?

yes