When not using a metronome, how does a band not sync up with a drummer who is purposefully playing ahead of or behind the beat

Question

Drummers can sometimes play slightly faster or slower than everyone else, making a specific “feel” in a song. If no one is playing to a metronome, how does the rest of the band not sync up with the pulses and downbeats of the drummer?

In: Other

Answer 1

I can’t speak for others, but when I’ve played with a band, it was a a sort of balancing act. As a drummer, I usually depended on the bassist’s tempo. The bassist may be depending on the Rhythm guitar and vice versa, while lead guitar is going wild.