Police Drummer Calls Sting "Petulant Pansy"

Posted Jun 1st 2007 12:30PM by TMZ Staff

The Police are getting savaged for a craptacularly "lame" performance on their comeback tour -- by their own drummer, no less, who's also slamming the band's bassist and lead singer (some guy named Sting) for a flubbed jump.

Stewart Copeland vents -- at length -- on his personal website about the band's Wednesday night gig in Vancouver, just the second on their big comeback tour, when a slew of miscues and musical mishaps result in what Copeland thinks is an "ubeLIEVably [sic] lame" show. Copeland complains that he and the band can't get any synchronicity on their opening number, "Message in a Bottle," and then rolls his eyes at Sting as he can't quite get a dramatic leap timed correctly. "The mighty Sting momentarily looks like a petulant pansy instead of the god of rock."

To be fair, Copeland doesn't spare himself the rod, saying he made "a complete hash" of a time-change in "Walking on the Moon," and in the end, everyone's happy. "We fall into each other's arms laughing hysterically," says Copeland.


Filed under: Music, Wacky & Weird

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1. Cranky old bitches!

Posted at 12:58PM on Jun 1st 2007 by Lulu

2. Oh who cares? They all are so old that no one cares what they are doing or sound like now.

Posted at 12:59PM on Jun 1st 2007 by ^v^

3. ROCK ON!!

Posted at 1:04PM on Jun 1st 2007 by LAPD

4. They sucked back then, why should they be any better now?

Posted at 1:05PM on Jun 1st 2007 by Dan

5. I think he was being kind of funny. I was there Wednesday and I have to say that it was one of the best shows I've ever seen. There were a couple of glitches but ya know what? It was just 3 guys on a stage making excellent music. No lipsynching, no costume changes, no fireworks. Excellent show.
Actually stayed at the same hotel as the band and got to see Sting and Trudie, who were really nice.

Posted at 1:22PM on Jun 1st 2007 by lori

6. I'm wondering why the Police didn't hammer out a great new album prior to doing this tour so the fans could hear some actual new stuff live along with the old hits.Older bands usually tour in support of a new album, like the Stones and 'A Bigger Bang' CD/tour.
They could have sold some new music as fans would get a listen. Radio airplay is never gauranteed these days with new CD's, and even then they seem to glom onto only one or two tunes.

Posted at 1:28PM on Jun 1st 2007 by JustSayin'

7. At least they were able to laugh at themselves. I can only imagine what would happen if my hubby's old rock band were to get together (probably everyone would be wetting their pants from laughing). Music is SUPPOSED to be a good time and fun.

Keep practicing guys - and remember, if you can't play good - play LOUD!

Posted at 1:49PM on Jun 1st 2007 by MusicWife

8. I know as well as any musician that when you dont have time to rehearse, you will have flubs during a show. The best thing to do is dont sweat it and work out the cues. My first time on stage in 15+ yrs. I tripped on the drum kit and nearly broke my ankle. I mis-judged where I was. So dont be so critical about the performance when you haven't played together in a while. For those of you who don't know "THE POLICE" ask your parents who they are. They stopped at the top of thier game and now thier back. Maybe, just maybe they will make a new album. This might be the start of a new era.

Posted at 1:50PM on Jun 1st 2007 by jeff

9. Lived in the day, they sucked then... who would want to see them?? Even if it were free, I rather see REO Speedwagon....

Posted at 1:51PM on Jun 1st 2007 by Cattytew

10. I was a big fan back in the day. For 3 guys, they have a heck of a sound. Copeland is by far one of the best drummers ever. I think the problem is a clash of egos often times. My only pet peeve about their show is Sting takes "artistic license" with the lyrics and tempo of each song. I like to hear a band that tries to follow their original recordings as best as possible. I also think he can't hit the high notes like he used to so he ad libs at time.

Posted at 2:09PM on Jun 1st 2007 by Sting Wears Tights

11. They've had time (or, should have made the time) to rehearse since they were the ones to announce the comeback tour. I'm sure they had it all worked out as to when to start the tour. For what they're charging for tix, the fans deserve a good show.
Nice to know they aren't lip-synching. Today's "singers" could learn a lot from the "old school".

Posted at 2:13PM on Jun 1st 2007 by JEWISH PRINCESS

12. "1. Cranky old bitches!
Posted at 12:58PM on Jun 1st 2007 by Lulu"

Especially Sting, who always struck me as a prissy, overperfectionist minidictator with a bloated sense of worth. A popcorn fart at parties, I'm sure.

Posted at 2:26PM on Jun 1st 2007 by Dayzee

13. copeland should get oysterhead back together for another album and ditch the police. stings ego takes up to much of the stage. would hate to see if sting and bono were on the same bill, there would be no room for anyone else.

Posted at 3:38PM on Jun 1st 2007 by Karl K. Klan

14. I do a pretty good job of "Message In A Bottle" on Guitar Hero II...maybe I can stand in!!

Posted at 3:44PM on Jun 1st 2007 by drew_ill

15. hey Dan...just curious...what music are you into? Oh, and rap doesn't count...I said MUSIC.

Posted at 4:06PM on Jun 1st 2007 by rapsucks

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