For those of you that do drum solos during live shows; do you go in there with a set piece constructed or just improvise? I have to compose something beforehand so I do not get caught offguard and have been doing the same solo (give or take a few chops) going on 3 years because I know it in my sleep, think it's somewhat decent, and try to ball up too many years of playing 5 minutes. I tried to brainstorm a solo once and got hit in the eyeball with a rotton tomato(well... at least I should have!).

Anyone doing these anymore or am I out of tune?!

for the last song of the night I start of doing something slow and then getting nutts before I get into the song. Sometimes it works others it does not.
You're right work it out before you ef it up

...oh yeah, but for a few minutes to cut-away from the canopy to freefall once more and confidently pull the main chute, landing us safely back in the pocket! I find most of my solo opportunities are comp'd in a repetative phrase with a bar or two of space for soloing. Its a quasi-worked out/improv as i feel it out prior to the drum break. I will have worked out some licks in practice that i'll stick in a tune that fits the context of the groove. Otherwise its usually the last tune of the night that gives me plenty of time to "solo" over a comp'ing rhythm section...provided 1.) there's anything left in the tank, and 2.) Theres anyone left in the room. Its few and far between whence i rise to the occasional call to "DRUM SOLOOOO!!" Then, its all chops and I'll throw down most everything i've been working on lately.

TK,
I'm just plain awful at doing solos. Why? I just don't work on doing it or developing chops even.
Not saying it's wrong or bad to do them, I just don't.
Way back in the day (late 60s) I used to do three or four night because it was expected on certain songs. Like "Wipeout" for intance. Over the years I've gotten to where I have to have a need to say something when i do a solo. You know, transmit some kind of emotion that i want to share with the band and audience. I haven't felt that need in a long, long time.
There was this one time towards the end of a set where I did and i just let it out during the middle of "All Along the Watchtower" but that was a few years ago. It ended up OK, it got an applause, but it was totally off-the-cuff and came from a half-in-the-bag sort of having a good time feeling.

Ok TK so yes I have two scheduled for tonight at the Jukebox. One short fill thingy and the other will be crazy nuts. One handed roll for sure. I have been playing with a thing with two snares rolling at once. I hope it comes out ok.

I'll throw my 2 cents in.... if I have to take a solo, I generally have a road map... something to sorta follow but with enough room to play around. That also helps the band follow along. Their is nothing worse than playing a killer solo only to have the band left standing their wondering where the hell is he? But you have to leave room so you can change things from night to night. But in general I prefer to play songs.... or play as a band.. not solo jones back on the drums. However I really like songs that feature drums, with plenty of drum breaks 2 to 4 bars. That generally fits into instrumental songs nicely. I get tons of those in Los Straitjackets plus an open solo in Sing Sing Sing.... but a rock and roll version for sure. Hope that helped....
-jason

I'm not a big solo guy either. But, I do like doing breaks in and around the song structure, where it fits and makes sense.

My band members never have to worry what I am doing or where I am during my solo simply because I kick them entirely off the stage. Scram...beat it...get lost somewhere...go get a drink or have a smoke while I have my 7 minutes in the spotlight seeing how you guys hog it the entire night anyway! I cannot see myself doing solo while they stand around on stage looking silly by not playing and just standing there watching me. Nah. Besides, they have seen it a hundred times before and actually could care a less if they see it again.

That's funny because that is exactly what happend the night I was there watching you guys play.