Drummer Vie for 'Worst Band Name of All Time'

When your main band is just a duo and the other half takes off to tour his solo album -- backed by a full band no less -- it's easy to feel left behind. "When Dan [Auerbach] left for tour on his solo record, I did feel like a loser," Black Keys' drummer Patrick Carney admits to Spinner. "But I usually feel that, so it was nothing new." Rather than invite all of his non-existent friends over to his place for a pity party, Carney went and jammed with pals of his from other bands. Turns out, they're all drummers. That part was accidental. They named the band Drummer because of it. That part was intentional.

"After the first practice, we realized we all play the drums," says Carney, who plays bass in the project. "That's when the discussion began on how to give our band the worst band name of all time. I think we came close, but with all the emo bands out there, it is really hard to compete in the worst band name game."

Still, it's good for Carney to get out of the house and be productive while his sole companion in the Black Keys is out shredding across the country. And playing bass will no doubt give him a new perspective when the bass-less Keys do regroup. "I will be able to apply my 'bass face' into my 'drum face' game for sure and create a dumbass face," jokes Carney. "I do think it is good to explore things you are interested in as a human. I'm interested in music, so I want to play a lot of instruments. I mean, think about what Doritos is doing right now! They are taking the tortilla chip and dipping it in some ranch and a Pizza Hut! I am like the Frito Lay of music and I am going to be able to add some tacos at midnight to my drumming from here on out."

Maybe Carney should look into doing some stand-up comedy during his time off as well. But at this point, that might have to wait until the next round. "Dan and I have been working on lots of music together this year and have been talking pretty much every day," says Carney. "In fact, our phone calls are mostly of the phone sex variety lately. That is how close we are.."

We have to wonder if that plays into the title of Drummer's debut album at all, 'Feel Good Together.' The album drops Sept. 29 and will be followed by a full tour.