Charlie Hall’s GET UP WITH IT

MANHATTAN MARATHON @ NUBLU

Friday, January 12, 2024

Charlie Hall never took lessons and doesn't spend much of his limited time off from touring with The War on Drugs practicing rudiments or increasing his limb independence - that's because things like "spirit" and "musicality" can't be learned from a youtube clip or a Hal Leonard book. More than any other instrument, drums expose the personality of the player. Ultra-busy drummers are usually motormouths, light hitters are usually quiet or passive and bashers are usually alpha dogs. As both a human and a drummer, Charlie is a master conversationalist. Lots of drummers will tell you that listening is as important as playing and that what you don't play is more important than what you do - but few can truly implement it as well as Charlie Hall has in his career with Tommy Guerrero, Jet Black Crayon, Windsor for the Derby, Jens Lekman and now The War on Drugs.