I have heard that the secret to a happy life is finding what you love and then finding a way to get paid for it. Listening to people speak about their passions inspires me to seek out those things for myself. Count Me In is a documentary that has done that for me.
This documentary focuses on a part of the band that doesn’t always get the credit it deserves. Everyone has their place, and these are some of the tops in the field. This isn’t an instructional movie on how to play the drums or a history of drumming and drumming styles. The musicians touch on some of these points while describing their journeys.
Opening with a drum circle in a conservatory in Los Angeles, the high energy is palpable from the first beat. This is part of the magic in the music that drummers bring. They aren’t just keeping time for everyone; they are getting all present in the moment. Learning about who inspired them, who they look up to, and hearing about their first kit you hear their love for what they do. You do not need to be a musician or a fan of drum solos to appreciate this piece.
The conversations also discuss the flow of styles, from orchestral to jazz to rock to reggae and punk. Even when it is not their preferred style to play, respect is given to those who play in another style. There also appears to be a commonality among them that when they start talking about rhythm and beats, they will begin tapping it out or making the sounds using their voice rather than describing it.
The conversations about fitting in with the band are not just about gender; they are also about their style. Samantha Maloney (Hole) talks about Tommy Lee (Motley Crüe) being an inspiration to her, and years later, she filled in for him for six months. When the fans realized not only was Lee not there, but it was a woman on the drums, they were not happy. By the end of the set, she had won the doubters over. Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) discusses the already established trademark look of the original lineup wearing only a strategically placed tube sock vs. his very Detroit look.
I am glad I took the time to watch this, I left it in better spirits and found myself thinking about what my passions in life are.
Director: Mark Lo
Cast: Taylor Hawkins, Stewart Copeland, Chad Smith, Roger Taylor, Nick Mason, Cindy Blackman Santana
Selig Rating: 4 stars
Runtime: 1h 21m
On-Demand: April 14, 2025
Genre(s): Documentary, Music
Trailer: Count Me In trailer
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.
4 Stars – Good movie/show
3 Stars – OK movie/show
2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…
1 Star – Total waste of time.
