True, the Drum Off has warped drumming. Can one even prevail without a synth-pad? And there's apparently no room for things like Mark Guiliana's PASIC solo from November 2015, because everybody's playing to tracks. But...two things:
First, the drummers who contort themselves to the shape of the container and prevail - drummers like D Mile - are usually the most creative players in real life. Not even the Octapad can kill true creativity - it usually finds a way through.
Second, the Drum Off is not the last word on sheds. The jam-session-cum-juijitsu-roll of drums would exist and continue to evolve with or without the Drum Off, and that's why even now the Drum Off perches on the razor-edge of relevance, with plenty of the best players just sitting-it-out, and one hardly doubts it would become "over" in a hurry (how many jazz musicians give a shit about New Orleans Jazz Fest?) if it became too ridiculous.
So let's raise a glass to the humble drum shed, which respects both the trap-kit's pugilistic origins (it didn't start in the churches) and its endless capacity to encourage innovation.
In this week's lesson, I detail what I'm doing to improve my own drum shed skills.
Quick PS, I'll be in Japan from the 29th to October 10th. Anyone who wants a lesson or a hang, hit me up - nate@8020drummer.com