The drum, the heads, the beater and playing technique are going to have a lot more effect on the sound than what it is recorded with. If they don't have something close when they set up in the studio, the possibility of twisting it up in the mix becomes more remote. I'm not familiar with the band you are referencing soundwise, but a good rule of thumb I've learned to use(the hard way) is to get the source (instrument, amp etc.) producing as close to the tone you're looking for, then work on recording it.
I'm not familiar with the band you are referencing soundwise, and I really hate to disappoint the kids you record, but if the reference drummer is using, for example, a big, meaty 26" kick, and the kid shows up with a shallow sounding 20", it might just be too big of a bridge to cross.
