well and truly kicking, infact....
I love playing drums. Absolutely love it. I gave up once for 5 years, and those are 5 years I will never get back!
But I don't see the point of playing with yourself in your bedroom (or backroom or whereever), because to me, the whole point of playing drums is to be one half of a rhythm section that power the rest of a band (be it a 3 piece, 4 piece, whatever).
And the whole point of being a band is to learn songs that you all play as a band.
But I don't see the point of just playing with each other in a rehearsal room (or spare room in a pub, garage, whatever), because to me, the whole point of playing in a band is to get out there and play live infront of other people (who may or may not be in bands).
Hopefully you will be good and they will like you.
But that's not the point.
The point is I do it because I love playing.
Unfortunately, I can't write songs - this is not just because I plays drums - it is because I do not have the imagination or the talent. So whatever happens, whatever band I am in I WILL ALWAYS BE PLAYING SOMEONE ELSES MUSIC.
Fortunately, lots of people can write songs, and a lot of them write them for other people, who become stars in their own right by playing SOMEONE ELSES MUSIC.
Some of them write AND perform their own songs, and contrary to what someone might believe, they get to become stars through the use of little known web sites like you tube and my space (Arctic Monkeys anyone?)
Some of the well known people play other peoples songs that are already well known, and these are called COVERS.
Some people like the music other people write so much that they only cover these people's songs and these are called TRIBUTES.
Some of the music out there is great, some is mediocre and some is shite. It all depends on who is listening to it - the phrase one mans meat is another mans poison works nicely here. For instance, I don't like Madonna terribly much (although even she has done songs I have liked), but I don't go around slagging her music, because it is only my opinion and most other people think I am wrong.
The point is (and I think I'm right on this one, but I'm sure you'll let me know if I'm not!) - WE ALL LOVE IT.
Whether you play guiutar or banjo or triangle or kazoo; whtether you play originals or covers or are in a tribute band or mix it all up like Mars Planets - I bet you do it 'cos you love it.
Because what most people don't take into account when they think of the rockstar life we all lead is scraping together the money to buy the best bit of kit you can afford (and then upgrading that on a regular basis as you scrape more money together).
Freezing to death in rehearsal rooms arguing about is it e or eflat.
Humping all the equipment into a venue 2 hrs before you start so you can set up and sound check.
Humping it all back out afterwards after 2 sets and 6 punters.
Breaking down on the M6 at 2 in the morning and having to get your mate out of bed because you're not in the AA.
Getting to the gig and finding the place closed.
Doing all thew above whilst holding down a day job, because the mortgage has to be payed at the end of the day.
We MUST love it, or we're all completely off our trolleys.
To all of you out there who play live music - I salute you.
Don't let anyone put you down.
AlyerwhenIcantplaydrumsanymoreputmeinaboxandburymepal