I think you are being a bit harsh  I think he's pretty good and Dave is trying out new styles all the time, nothing remains the same, so move with it or move on.  Dave is really particular so I can't see him hiring a crap drummer do you?  Clune was great but he got on my nerves towards the end with his unchanging attention seeking ways!! Oh and Keith is waaaaaay easier on the eye than Clune.  Come on, give the guy a break! It's not like Dave writes 'drummers' songs is it? So it must be pretty difficult to shine through.

If you have a look at this video of Sir David he does explain why there are new band members.

http://www.kcrw.com/music/programs/mb/mb071210david_gray/media_player_archives?action=watch

I agree Woldig.

The new drummer just makes all the songs sound...standard.

I'm not bad mouthing the guy and not saying he's a no talent et all but he is just very generic and predictable. He's talented but still very ordinary.

I saw him in NYC back in December and I wasn't sold. He's not bad, I have to make that clear but I really do not think he is adding anything to Dave's music. He's not a new direction, he's just a standard professional drummer just like hundreds of others out there. Nothing special is going on with Keith Pryor. 

aaaand its me sticking in my view again:

I wouldn't be surprised to see a little more gear within the next tour or two...just like clune once they got rid of the midi stuff.

 And not to be repetitive but i do think this is a very valid point: All you have to judge right now is the two new songs you heard. You don't have to be sold right now - wait til next tour...we'll all be interested to hear how it went.
 

Well I think Keith's great and from the comments last fall, mostof the folks who went to gigs felt the same way.  Sure there is no visual floral shirt effect on the right side of the stage but that never interested me much anyway.  I like the new sound and new energy.

Lets just hope Keith Pryor is not to David Gray, what Jesse Tobias is to Morrissey.

UGH. 

We have been lucky enough to see David twice this year (Roundhouse and Brighton) but wondered where McClune was. The drummer is good but what has happened to Davids writing partner ?

Steve and Barbs

Hi Steve and Barbs,

since late 2006 Clune isn't touring with David Gray any longer. Here in this hand written letter DG tells us why he changed the band's line-up. Rob Malone is the only 'old' band member who is also part of DG's new band and Keith Pyror is the new brillant drummer!

In this thread you will find a discussion about the new drummer:

http://davidgray.com/forums/1/705367/ShowThread.aspx

I don't know what DG has said but I think everyone should also take into consideration that when you're in a band - and particularly - for a long time that your sound to yourself can become stale and you lose the will to want to play all the time.

 Hence changes in line-up, in sound and what not is more to do with how you want it to sound, if it changes it's probably because he wants that change, to freshen up, to bring in something new.

Good luck as well :D

Just come across this post.

So sorry for being late with my reply.

But this is what i think.

It is only my opinion, but i guess if you read this it may explain some things.

Now remeber first of all music changes over the years.

You know Davids big success was White ladder.

And lets face it where does David go from there, if you ask any fan or David himself.

It met many things to David himself the music industrey knew this was big time also.

Lets say this again where was David to go next.

One point the Industrey works the stars to death, hence things can get out of control, hence David Playing the same songs for three years solid.

Would that not bother the normal work place person, yes i think it would.

Then David is under pressure to sell out white ladder not a easy task by all means thow it meant great stardom for this man.

So in reality things just like the same old thing.

Remember now David wants to change things for many reasons, for himself and us, everything he does is for the fans.

Clune is a great drummer a great person, people did not like the change, we are all in life comfortable with what we all know, so in the first instance we wanted Davids band forever.

People change, places change, we eventually want new, we all can identife this from life.

David wanted new. he played Halifax i was there, and could see playing his old songs he once got fed up with, he now is excited to play for us.

New things are to come, he is excited again about making music, we should all be proud of him for doing so, not complaining cos clune as gone, and besides if you saw that show, the new drummer aint all bad lol.

Lets face it who can play the drums in forum.

 Hugs to all on the site and thank you all that runs it and is doing a great job

He's a Good drummer, not a "brilliant" one.

With all due respect, too many times people over-hype things.

I have no problem with Keith Pryor (yes I prefer Clune for various reasons) but I'm not slagging the guy.

Pryor is good but not "great". He is capable but not "fantastic" etc.

Let's not go too crazy for Keith Pryor.  He's not Keith Moon or Gene Krupa ya know.

He's a professional and is Supposed to be good, just like the hundreds of other good, professional drummers out there in the world.