Police Drummer Calls Sting "Petulant Pansy"

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.


Reader Comments

(Page 2 of 3) Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

16. 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

17. "Petulant Pansy?" Contender for best effeminate put-down!

Posted at 4:43PM on Jun 3rd 2007 by SlushPuppie

18. I love the Police's music but they sucked in concert back in the 80's and apparently they still suck now. Keep it in the studio boys. You are all talent musicians

Posted at 4:30PM on Jun 1st 2007 by redsonja1313

19. Yeah they may qualify as "dinosaur rock," but I love the Police - even after all these years!! Synchronicity still ranks as one of the best concerts I have ever seen...and I have seen plenty. 20 years later, their music is still way better than 95% of what is out there these days.

Once upon a not so long time ago the focus was on the music (not the dancers) and people actually sang without backing tracks...what a concept!!

Posted at 4:47PM on Jun 1st 2007 by rminva

20. You all are so high! I love Sting and adore the Police. They could bang on pots and pans and I would love it.

Posted at 4:57PM on Jun 1st 2007 by audrey

21.
To the suckers who pay for these crappy concerts - You are no better than Stevie Nicks fans for living in the past.

Face it - you are old, the Police are old, Stevie Nicks is old - stop embarrassing your children and grow up already.

It's NOT 1978 anymore!!!!!!

Posted at 5:54PM on Jun 1st 2007 by evemustlooklikesteve

22. I have seen Copeland perform in 1989 with the police. He is the greatest drummer still alive. The problem is his ego. I think Sting got more women? Copeland's drum playing made the police. His ego destroyed the police.

Posted at 6:09PM on Jun 1st 2007 by Jesup

23. Wow, lots of hate for The Police... Guess you had to be there to understand the magic. I have tickets for a show in October. Hopefully they will have their act together by then. On the other hand, I don't really care for Sting and seeing him trip might be funny.

Posted at 7:36PM on Jun 1st 2007 by RockMother

24. Go easy on Sting, poor fella has got a lot of issues to deal with:

http://anandamide.wordpress.com/2007/05/27/dsm-v-case-study-a-sumners-tale/

Posted at 11:50PM on Jun 1st 2007 by anandamide

25. classic rock lives on Dang don't get so upset, I think the police suck so what! Metal rules! Try listening to The Haunted, It will rip your head off!

Posted at 12:09AM on Jun 2nd 2007 by Dan

26. I'll gladly pay to see a "bad" concert by the Police....it would still be way better than the other options out there right now....the sold out tour speaks for itself.

Someone said...it's not 1978 anymore...too bad. As always, pop music sucked, and still does, but at least everything else on "FM" radio was diverse and creative. With a few exceptions, it all sounds the same these days. Very few acts stand the test of time, and like it or not, the Police are one of those acts. I don't think there is anyone on the radio right now that people will be lining up to see in 25 years.



Posted at 10:19AM on Jun 2nd 2007 by rminva

27. rminva...excellent post! Just look at the Billboard top ten on any given week. 95% rap and the remainder is American Idol drivel. Radio is a wasteland and unlistenable. Today's acts are here today gone tomorrow. All corporate puppets with no creativity whatsoever. "Dan"...sorry to come down on you so hard before I heard your response. Metal is fine. At least you're not into crap....ummm....i mean rap.

Posted at 11:29AM on Jun 2nd 2007 by rapsucks

28. iT'S GOOD TO KNOW WHEN TO GIVE IT UP. IT'S EMBARRASSING IF YOU DON'T.

Posted at 3:23PM on Jun 2nd 2007 by plo

29. This isn't a shocker...they were great when they started... then their direction turned into something totally opposite... and, truth be told (in my head), the couple of Police shows i went to were never outstanding....but i'm a concert whore with good ears and they didn't cut it...i just basically needed the ticket for my collection.....but you get one chance, if you mess up, i'll give you another chance... if your show still sucks after that, no more money from me....
It must be so awful to be on the road on a tour that's started like crap

Posted at 3:32PM on Jun 2nd 2007 by sk8rgurl

30. 19 evemustlookelikesteve - Newer isn't always better. A few years in the saddle will teach you that. Glad you like the handle I assigned you. It made me laugh to see you resuse it. I may not agree with you, but you have the right to your opinion. Thanks for the opposing view and the laugh.

Posted at 3:58PM on Jun 3rd 2007 by EvemustlooklikeSteve'smama

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