Drummer - Grammy/Mercury Prize

Clive Deamer

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17 Reviews (17 Verified)
Drummer - Grammy/Mercury Prize on SoundBetter

Radiohead, Portishead, Robert Plant, Roni Size, Tom Jones, Alison Moyet, Siouxsie Sioux, Jeff Beck, Dr John, Goldfrapp, Hawkwind, Gregory Porter. I bring old school session skills, disciplined "loop style" drumming, loose interpretive playing for all genres to your next project. Check out the mix of some of the tracks recorded in my remote studio

I'm looking forward to helping you with your next project. I use ProTools with an AudioMover's ListenTo plugin, which streams high fidelity audio in real-time directly from my DAW's Stereo Out to a provided URl. You simply paste the URL into your browser so you can listen to me playing along with your track in real time. This will allow me to quickly help you get what you want through the SoundBetter platform.

Clive's work with Portishead and Roni Size resulted in two Mercury prize winning albums: Dummy and New Forms. Clive has been recording and touring with Radiohead since 2011 as the second drummer alongside Phil Selway. As well as touring with the band he was also featured on their Grammy nominated album A Moon Shaped Pool. Clive’s recorded and toured with Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant and his band The Strange Sensation and his CV includes collaborations with Hawkwind, Siouxsie Sioux, Tom Jones, Goldfrapp and Jeff Beck. "His unique, free approach to playing, taste and discipline ensure he is in constant demand as a recording / studio drummer. His influences of both jazz and rock merge to produce a hard-hitting drummer that can shift the expectations of a rigorous beat without any loss of precision. He is according to Robert Plant a ‘spectacular polyrhythmist’ who has had a career of ‘great endeavour and versatility’." Info about the Mashup mix appears in My Interview

Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.

17 Reviews - 3 Repeat Clients

Endorse Drummer - Grammy/Mercury Prize
  1. Review by Kahnin
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    by Kahnin
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    His resume speaks for itself! Clive is top of the food chain when it comes to drumming and percussion. Do not hesitate in acquiring his services if you are looking for the best of the best!

  2. Review by Chris K.
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    Clive once again provided excellent drum tracks for my song. His playing is stellar, and his beats are perfect for the song.

  3. Review by Chris K.
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    Clive came up with a stellar drum track for my song. It was very creative and exactly what the song called for. I look forward to working with him again soon!

  4. Review by Nicholas J.
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    It's truly thrilling to be able to work with someone so talented and experienced. Clive always comes up with something that takes a track to the next level.

  5. Review by Nicholas J.
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    Clive is obviously highly accomplished. But he also digs in deep to realise your vision.

    I am so grateful for what he did on my first track, and that I have been able to work with him. It won't be the last.

    A total privilege.

  6. Review by Simon J.
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    It was a pleasure really. Clive makes the effort to understand not just tempos but the dynamics you are going for. The track is not the easiest to play but you know you've made a good call when the live drum track makes you grin like a cheshire cat. Communication was great.

  7. Review by Michael B.
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    Excellent work. Detailed communication throughout the process. Made sure everything was perfect.

  8. Review by Zach Bastian
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    I highly recommend choosing Clive for your project! His attention to detail, drumming skills, professional and friendly attitude, and overall vision are on another level entirely. It was exciting and satisfying to work with him and I know it will be for you too!

  9. Review by Xander Goodheart
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    Working with Clive was such a dream. We took the time to get the drum part we were both satisfied with, and I will definitely be working with him on more songs in the future.

  10. Review by Sepand B.
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    Clive has been absolutely amazing to work with. The amount of work and attention he put into recording the drum lines was stunning and it was an honor to be able to work with him.

  11. Review by doriancraft
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    Super pro !

  12. Review by Chip
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    by Chip
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    I'd give 6 stars if there was an option. Clive is super responsive and incredibly knowledgeable. Puts care into your project.

  13. Review by Ajmal S.
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    It was an honor to have Clive play drums on my records. He is super creative, efficient, communicative, and a master of his craft. I wasn't so sure what the drums should sound like and he provided several options. Will 10000% be knocking on his door again.

  14. Review by Andrew A.
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    Clive is a versatile talent with great communication skills. He took the time to ensure that I was completely satisfied with his performance while keeping an upbeat vibe throughout the recording/redrafting process. It was a pleasure working with him! Highly recommended.

  15. Review by Ilia G.
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    Clive is a fantastic drummer to work with - very fast in response, attentive to tiny little details, not just when playing the drums but also when shaping the drum sound itself. He really feels the mood of the songs and can take your tracks to the next level. It was an honor for me to work with Clive - he is a great musician!

  16. Review by Vincent S.
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    I really like what Clive did, it suits very well the song, he pays attention to details and is very easy to work with. His work is magnificent, powerful and unbelievable.
    Thanks for you wonderful work, i'm so glad we have been able to do it together !

  17. Review by Sebastian Furrer
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    Clive is amazing to work with and really pays attention to detail!

Interview with Drummer - Grammy/Mercury Prize

  1. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  2. A: I think the excerpts heard in "Clive Deamer Remote Mashup Mix 2022" on my profile give some indication of the drumming and recorded work I've created for the following clients listed here in their order of appearance. I'm grateful for their cooperation in allowing me to present here: Apparition - John Lemke, From Thawlines The Day Of The Pylons - From Fables For Robots - Jeremy Cullen Self Oscillation - From a forthcoming Get The Blessing album L’Avalanche - Arthur H Personne - Nomad Haunter - John Lemke Thawlines album This End Up - Chip Perrs Lost In A Train - Gong G From The Age Of Sun Dogs, featuring Yuzhen Ingrita. Halo - John Lemke Thawlines album Cobalt Cutters - From a forthcoming Get The Blessing album Temperate - From a forthcoming Get The Blessing album

  3. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  4. A: Digital because it’s so flexible and convenient.

  5. Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

  6. A: I always strive to record the very best drumming for every track I work on.

  7. Q: What's your typical work process?

  8. A: I listen carefully to the music. If the artist doesn't know what they want I consider genre and stylistic options. Does the song need power or restraint. Does it need obvious drumming, bold or understated drumming. I might play tightly to the click or play "tight yet loose" to the click to create tension and excitement where necessary. If the artist has specific requirements, I try to make sure I fully understand that request. After that I trust my instincts and my ears to put the right drums and mics in the right place for the sound needed.

  9. Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

  10. A: There isn't one particular genre. I may draw from many genres in a single track if necessary. I have recorded Trip Hop, Jazz, Original R&B and Blues, Funk, Drum & Bass, Rare Groove, Pop, Alternative Rock, Art Rock, Country , Heavy Rock. Psychedelic Rock, World Music, Electronic, Soundtracks for film and television and more.

  11. Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

  12. A: I started with traditional jazz based drumming skills in 1974 but actually played mostly rock and pop music for the first ten years. From the early 1980's I became a passionate devotee of Jazz and R&B and spent ten years developing skills that left me well positioned to provide the hybrid drumming for Portishead and Drum & Bass for Roni Size. In 2000 I studied Creative Music Technology at Bath Spa University. I was then invited to record and tour with Robert Plant for five years and have recorded and toured with Radiohead since 2011. I have been playing for forty six years.

  13. Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

  14. A: That I'm a "jazz drummer" or a "trip hop drummer" or "rock drummer". I have recorded and performed nearly every genre.

  15. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  16. A: It depends entirely on the client's specific needs and their music.

  17. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  18. A: I use a wide range of Ludwig and Gretsch drum kits, numerous snare drums, Zildjian and Paiste cymbals and many varied percussion instruments from around the world. My DAW of choice is Pro Tools. My recording equipment includes Neve and Focusrite preamps, Neumann, Telefunken, Beyer, Violet Gold Finger, AKG, Sontronic and Shure microphones. I will provide mp3 rough mixes to allow you to review the work so you can approve the final product.

  19. Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

  20. A: Simon Edwards is on SoundBetter and he's a wonderful bass player.

  21. Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

  22. A: Most of the dead ones! Bowie because he was so bold. Howlin Wolf because of that voice. Tribe Called Quest because it would be the perfect jazz/hip hop drumming oppportunity. Tom Waits because I'm certain it would be the weirdest masterclass.

  23. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  24. A: Creating a drumming solution for artists and producers who know what they want, and those who don't. My playing draws on many years of experience in a wide range of genres. I think people employ me for that reason because they trust what they've heard, they know there's a groove I play that will make their track move, swing, rock, whatever is needed. Often it's playing the final human feel version of the demo programmed drum parts they made earlier, or they invite me to create something original.

  25. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  26. A: I am inspired by the artists I've worked with such as Portishead, Radiohead, Roni Size, Robert Plant and many drummers including Earl Palmer, Tony Allen, Clyde Stubblefield, John Bonham, Levon Helm, Art Blakey, Jaki Liebzeit, Bernard Purdie and many more.

  27. Q: How would you describe your style?

  28. A: Dynamic, multi genre drumming.

  29. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  30. A: Playing with an original feel that I have developed over the years. Moving between 4/4 feel and swing in any style. Dynamic range of expression. Playing with a touch that allows the microphones to get the right sound. I tune my drums for each individual track. I like to mix straight 4/4 pop or rock grooves and the swing of Hip hop and jazz and blues.

  31. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  32. A: Getting the sounds and the playing right. Creating some magic so it feels special.

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Clive Deamer Remote Studio Mashup Mix

I was the Drummer / Enginner in this production

Terms Of Service

Any agreed upon session fee will include one revision per song. Once the job has been funded, I will provide an mp3 rough mix and after approval the full quality WAV files will be sent.

GenresSounds Like
  • Radiohead
  • Portishead
  • Robert Plant
Gear Highlights
  • Gretsh & Ludwig kits
  • Zildjian & Paiste cymbals
  • Roland Electronic kits. mics by: Neumann
  • Telefunken
  • Beyer
  • Sontronics
  • AKG etc.
  • Neve Preamps
More Photos