Whizzer and the perils of drum risers

As a drummer, it can often be hard to get noticed. That’s why drum risers were invented. These small stages are often enough to give you a bird’s-eye view over your fellow bandmates. However, they are not without risk.

At one show we were playing, the band and I arrived to find a very slapdash stage, and generally, the whole setup looked pretty dodgy. I took one look at the drum riser and came to the conclusion that it was not one hundred percent reliable.

What the hell, I thought—a show is a show—and proceeded to mount my kit and start hitting the skins with vigour. This dramatic display soon caught up with me, and about mid-set, I began to feel the riser underneath me start to give way. The resulting collapse sent my kick drum flying and my cymbals and floor tom shooting off into the crowd.

Before I knew what was going on, I was left with only the stool I was sitting on and my trusty snare drum for the rest of the song.

So let this be a warning to you all about the perils of drum risers!