I play the drums in a band, and the song has already been written and everything that the vocalist, guitarist and bassist will play. The drums were left out and I have to write them to fit the song.
The song is written quite systematically in that they follow the notes for chord progressions and movement, but the drums have an indefinite pitch. So should I neglect all the effort that went in for the rest of the performers to write notes that fit into grounded musical theory and play what just sounds good and just stick to a rhythm that respects the song's timing only? Or can I consider the 'notes' that the drums play as well?
I am in a position where all the other instruments appear almost scientific and the percussion much less so. To what extent is this true?
referring to the comment of neilfein below: what kind of strategies are there to approach these kinds of situations? (which actually summarizes what I would like to learn from experienced drummers)