I saw Futureman with his brother, Victor, and the Flecktones at the Boulder Theater c. 2015. We were in the first row and the show they put on was pure genius. Afterwords all the performers just hung out with those wishing to chat and I even got Victor to sign his book for me. A great evening I'll never forget.
I’d never heard of Bella Fleck and the ‘tones until I saw them live with zero expectations. Needless to say my mind was blown and face melted. I was going crazy trying to figure out where the dude on the kit was when it hit me. These brothers are on another level.
"and they say you can also use them for furniture, so the guys and the ladies who really dig them, you know, if you don't play 'em you can set cups and stuff on 'em"
The first time I saw the Flecktones, I didn't realize it was as a Drumitar that FutureMan played. We showed up,front row seats, and there was no Drum Set. I thought "Oh no, where's Futureman?' My mind was blown.
First saw them in 95 and I definitely thought by now people would be playing that instrument everywhere but it never took off but it was amazing to watch him I saw the Flecktones 3 times that year
That was about the time I saw him. Would like to have heard more about the design of this thing. It looks like a synth axe which has been altered. Synth Axe came out around 1981, I think.
I love love love love love Bela Fleck and the Flecktones! I’ve been a fan since the first time I saw a performance of them playing “Sinister Minister.” A friend had recorded them playing on some tv show. I think it was BET on Jazz. In the late 80’s/early 90’s that was about the only place to see jazz musicians performing live. So, I watched this video and the music was right up my alley; a little eclectic, but not too much, and the players could absolutely throw down. After Flecktones’ saxophonist Jeff Coffin was asked to join the Dave Matthews Band, there was a reunion of the original Flecktones, with the return of Howard Levy (harmonica, keys). Levy’s harmonica sound was a huge part of the band’s sound in general, so when he came back to record an album with his former band mates, I was super excited. (A lot of you probably know all this but I am going somewhere with this.) So, in 2011 Rocket Science was released. It’s an amazing album. Great compositions all the way through. As if things couldn’t get any better in the world of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, I found out that they were going to be playing at the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville, TN, which is about an hour and a half drive from my house. My brother and I got our tickets and witnessed one of the best concerts ever. It was such a refreshing change from all the rock shows that we normally go to. I even bought a T-shirt. Fast forward a few years and I’m back in Nashville for a Dennis Chambers drum clinic! The guy is a monster. Afterward, I’m walking around checking out Dennis’ Pearl drums, which were sick, and I see the one and only Roy “Futureman” Wooten standing there taking to someone. I patiently waited until he was finished talking to the other people and then I went up to him and told him how big of a fan I am. I just happened to be wearing the T-shirt that I bought at their show a few years earlier. He liked that. So, I asked him what was going to be next for Bela and the Flecktones. His answer kind of took me by surprise to say the least. He said something along the line of, “Unless we do another reunion thing, this is it for us.” I didn’t know what to say. So I just started saying, “Bull. Bull. Bull.” I was smiling while I said that because I thought he was pulling my leg. I honestly can’t remember how our conversation ended. I just remember thinking to myself, “I just met Futureman and was kinda rude to him.” In hindsight I don’t think I was rude though. I do wish that I had been mindful enough to get an autograph or a picture. Oh well. If one of us had to be rude, I’m glad it was me.
notice that Futureman has got all his chops together. He could be playing Tupperware and still blow clowns like me off the map. But sadly, I don't think the Drumitar is going to sell. The visceral joy of watching a sweaty human being behind a kit will never be replaced by watching someone typing.
I think we need both. It's a helluva lot more interesting to watch someone type when you've seen sweaty drummers for the last 100 years. I'd hate it if it was all drumitars though
Thank you for the demonstration. until now, i've been intrigued with the group performances and your occasional solo. but this in depth explanation was mesmerizing.
Fantastic sounds and your ability to transfer to the new medium is awesome. I've been a fan since your early Bela Fleck recordings. Mr friend Chris DeHaas has mentioned your drumitar and some of its features. He is an electronics guy. I think you may know him. A great video.
As a drummer of almost 40yrs, I will say the last thing I need is an instrument I have to play hunched over. I gotta enough back problems. Saw this dude live at PASIC. Sickness!!!
:44 I love the fact that he basically encourages just having them around to set drinks on if nothing else. Too many people would try and make it about "disrespecting" the instrument.
what bothers me to know is: who drove who? Usually the older brother inspires the younger on to follow. And with the Wootens?! I think it is fair to say this one here is a right nutter - but in a fabulous way! I knew a drummer named David Haynes who set kind of new standards with his drum machine going as far as almost switching completely from a real drum set to the machine. Now "this one" here sets new standards again as far as I am concerned...
I think Victor worries about this guy.I didn't understand One single thing he was saying.To his credit, I've only been awake for an hour and one half. 😁👍👀👌be safe.
