MovieChat Forums > Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Runnin' Down a Dream (2007) Discussion > Steve Ferrone looks like he's bored and ...

Steve Ferrone looks like he's bored and just cashing a paycheck on stage

posted 16 years ago by Joel_Goodsen
5 replies | jump to latest

I saw the film, and as much as Stan Lynch seemed to be a griper, at least he looked like he was having fun back there playing the drums. Steve Ferrone looks really bored, like the gig is just a paycheck to him. Not impressed with his drumming style at all as depicted in the film. His drum sound appears very predestrian against Lynch, no matter what Petty says on camera.

Rubin and (especially) Jeff Lynne sure has a way of making drums sound the same, though. Even Ringo's drumming has that deeply boring/plodding snare drum sound when Lynne is the producer. "I Won't Back Down" drumming sounds as bad as it did during "Free As a Bird" and for some reason, it sounds like that's the type of drumming Petty prefers. I thought Lynch sounded more inventive as it played out in this feature. Steve Ferrone seems to have that same dreary drumming style that's featured in those songs, but I guess it comes naturally to him and Petty responds to that.

After watching the film, I kind of wish Lynch still played with the Heartbreakers. He came off as a better Heartbreaker and drummer ... no matter how much Petty states his preference for Steve Ferrone now.

(note) I wasn't really a Heartbreakers fan before the film, but thought the film was really great and I have a new respect for them as a group. My only gripe is with Steve Ferrone as a replacement for Lynch. I guess it's quite possible that the footage used doesn't show him in the best light, though. Wikipedia does say he has a long, distinguished career ... he just looked bored. Playing sounded bored, too.

[–] chuckubus-1 16 years ago

I will never understand the folks who gripe about Ferrone. The guy is an excellent drummer. It sounds a lot like the complaint that I heard a lot about a very old, tired and stoic Peter Criss on the KISS reunion tours and farewell tour. Peter was much more entertaining as a drummer visually a long time ago, but he was a different guy then. Same deal with Lynch vs. Ferrone - two different guys. Stan's a great drummer, but Ferrone is solid as a rock. He's a pounding, ferocious player when he's rocking out and he's dynamic but still in the pocket on the more laid back stuff.

Steve Ferrone is a fantastic player. And I don't "get" why you want to "see" a drummer vs hear him. Peter Criss, of course, is a bad drummer (then and now). But fewer people complained about that when he was all coked up and flailing his arms like a madman. What gives? Is it just about showmanship?!??

For someone who isn't a lifelong fan, it's funny to hear you make such a pointless comparison. Ferrone was good enough for Clapton but not Tom Petty? I'll never understand the opinion.

[–] r-pupkin 16 years ago

Rubin and (especially) Jeff Lynne sure has a way of making drums sound the same, though. Even Ringo's drumming has that deeply boring/plodding snare drum sound when Lynne is the producer. "I Won't Back Down" drumming sounds as bad as it did during "Free As a Bird" and for some reason, it sounds like that's the type of drumming Petty prefers.

Just for the record, Ringo didn't play the drums on "I Won't Back Down", he only appeared in the video for it. The actual session drummer for that track, I believe, was Phil Jones. I hear what you're saying about Jeff's production style, though. I'm a huge fan of both The Heartbreakers & Electric Light Orchestra, and while I feel Jeff's style was perfect for E.L.O., I never quite understood why Tom Petty was so drawn to it for The Heartbreakers. Don't get me wrong, I think it was a great departure sound for him as a solo artist, but The Heartbreakers had an entirely different groove going for them. In my opinion, Jeff's production style is just too polished & technical for them...and I believe Benmont, Stan & Howie felt the same way.

As for Steve Ferrone, he's obviously a very talented drummer (otherwise, I doubt Tom would've hired him) but since Tom is writing more mellower & mature songs these days (not to mention collaborating with Jeff Lynne again) it would stand to reason that the drummer would have to follow suit. This is one of the main reasons why Stan wanted out. He's a flamboyant rocker and his style no longer fit The Heartbreakers, and that's a shame because he was always a part of that distinctive Heartbreakers sound. In my opinion, they did their best work with Stan, but it was time for them to move in a different direction. I feel that Ferrone & Lynch are equally talented drummers but with entirely different personalities...and from Ferrone's interviews you can just tell he's having the time of his life, regardless of how he appears on stage. He's simply a mellow guy....just like Tom and the rest of The Heartbreakers these days. A perfect fit!

"I'm confused...wait...maybe I'm not."

[–] aimeeandevan 15 years ago

Bottom line is that it only needs to makes sense to TP. He is the mastermind. If he listened to all the two bit opinions he got over the years he would never have amounted to much.

[–] dkgambler 15 years ago

He doesn't look bored to me, he looks intense.

[–] Walls Of Jericho 11 years ago

I've got no problem with Ferrone, he's a good drummer....but the footage from SNL did remind me how out of control Dave Grohl was when he got to sit in with the guys on "Honey Bee". Mike looked like he was going to start laughing like "Calm down, kid!".