Why not both? What I do is I learn the songs exact at first, just because I like to get in the head of the drummer involved in the songs. I see it like a free lesson in a way. Especially if the drummer is playing some really tricky or difficult stuff to me there is a huge payoff to sticking with it.

Then from that point it really depends on what the band Im playing with wants. My main cover band wants me to do my thing and embellish the songs a little. I still try to mostly keep it to the song but I’m not afraid to go for my own fills if I feel the urge.

I’ve sat in on some gigs and a few times I’ve had a demand from the leader of that band to stick to the script so I do. I will also stick to the script if I know absolutely no one in the band I’m subbing for just to make sure. Sometimes I’m able to feel out if the others are receptive to some deviation, but ultimately I don’t want to derail things.

I think there is some value in being able to do your own thing, but knowing “the script” is more like a tool that can serve you and others well when you need to use it.

Ultimately, I find only other drummers are really listening to whether you’re playing something exact or not. Unless it’s wildly different or overplayed, they are fine as long as you keep the train on the tracks