I'm not even a drummer but this is a gem of music history

The D beat changed my drumming forever. The first time I heard Discharge in 82 I was hooked. Dave......former drummer Final Conflict 85-87. I still play at nearly 59 years old and every band I've played in as an "old guy" complains......you play to fast and too loud.

to think he invented a genre and style at 16 is crazy

I could listen to the stories of early Buzzcocks all day, must have been great to talk to John Maher!

Redball, Tezz!

Thank you for putting this together Spike!

Excellent gem!

John Maher, great drummer

I WANT A HAT

It's not the beat. It's the cymbal bashing. It maximizes the intensity of the music.

I loved using the d beat back in the late 80’s and the bands I loved that used variants of it were Seattle’s The Accused, Bad Religion, GBH, and the crusts and grindcorers who increased it further in speed and sheer noise power. The whole point was that none of us could afford over-priced double bass drum kits, so, do more with less. There were also a slew of thrash and hardcore bands employing the beat as well at various tempos (*Voivod from Canada as a quick example). It really was/is a great beat in and of its own. You can really pound that rhythm and there is no need for triggering as it is all sheer power and really up to the drummer.

This is exactly what I was looking for and it's a shame this isn't more popular. Great job Spike

Btw, there was a band from Belgium called BLAST & they recorded a 7" single in 1972 (finally got released in 1974) & one of the tracks called "Damned Flame" sounds like Discharge meets the Stooges but a full 8 years before Discharge recorded their first 7". Check it out here :

Great history lesson. Thanks for doing this.

John Maher, what a lovely bloke 👍

Spike!: Thank you for taking the time and effort to ethymologize the D-beat. Its an interesting one. You guys aid it well when you said, " It might have been played in Africa back in the day, its really more about the emphasis." That really is it. One of the earliest "rock" songs I have heard it on is "I See You" by the Byrds. Where its played that way. maybe not as heavy, but the same accents more or less. Otherwise. Jazz drummers like Max Roach would use that accent pattern in solos. look at any early Max roach drum solo or the "Drums unlimited" solo on his solo record.

Followed over here from your interview on the D-beat Dad channel. Very interesting music history you have captured and looking forward to future installments. Cheers!

John Maher was a cracking drummer (still is!) the early singles & albums were brilliant.. always luvd the Buzzcocks.

Funny how hard it is to follow the right foot with the right hand once you've trained yourself not to, but man is this fun to play. Important document here Spike, thanks for doing it.

You rule for many reasons! Thanks for taking the time (and the drive to stoke to speak to Tez) to make this. Punk Forever Forever Punk!