This week I offered to create a mix tape, of sorts, for one of my favorite blogs, Py Korry (see link to the right). The sit does some great writing about life and music and the guy who owns the house, Ted, was involved with the Bloggers For A Cure. He also did the interview of me for a radio broadcast a couple months back.
The music I selected for Ted was based on some of the drummers from the ’80’s that inspired me and made me want to rock out. You may not have heard of these guys, but youÁ¢€â„¢ve heard their music, that’s for sure.
I miss being able to walk down into my parents’ basement and wail on the drums anytime of the day (and, when my folks were away, certain early morning hours, much to the chagrin of the neighbors). Drumming was more than just a chore for me. Drumming became the first way I felt like I could communicate passionately through art. Although I began trying to imitate Neil Peart (along with every other drummer my age), I soon started listening to the rest of the music, and figuring out how these drummers I admired worked to compliment the other musicians and chose their moments to show off and create snazzy drum fills. By the time I was in college, I had become a bigger fan of guys like Dennis Diken of the Smithereens and Chris Layton of Double Trouble rather than the showy playing of Peart or Bill Bruford. Truth be told, I just didn’t have the patience to figure out 7/8 into 11/4 into 6/8 back into 4/4 time signature changes. That was nice when I didn’t have a life (like, all the way up to 10th grade) but when I started socializing and dating, I wanted to just play.
Drumming became a way for me to work out my frustrations in a constructive and safe manner. I sometimes think that if I had my drums back up and I would have access to drumming every day, I wouldn’t fall into my dark states so often. We have the room in the toy room. Maybe it’s time to pull the old Rogers set down from the rafters and set them up again.
Until I figure that one out, and until next week, when I promise to have a new song to write about, check out Py’s place (http://pykorry.com/?p=323) and the six songs I wrote about (plus, you can download them! Choice)
Aloha
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