Taking a Break from Playing The Drums

For the first time in 17 years, I'm not in a band, and after playing gigs, recording, touring, and all that comes with it, I'm taking a break. It's eerily quiet here at the house. Don't get me wrong, I'm still rehearsing on my own. I would never stop drumming altogether. So what do you play on the drums when you are all alone?

I'm working with a Tama metronome, and it's great fun. For those of you who hate working with one, I suggest their higher end models. You have so many options, not just the beats per minute. You can store up to 20 signatures at a time.

I keep a list handy and jot down songs that I hear throughout the day. If I think that I would like to learn that song, or it would be a great exercise for me, I will go back to that list and download the tune. Slip on some noise reduction headphones, and play away. Don't forget your rudiments. Don't forget to stay loose. By all means, take a break sometimes. It just might inspire you to get out of that deep drumming rut you find so comfortable. For now, I'm going to grab some Riverside Theater tickets, and check out some of the touring pros. More inspiration.

Rufus Wainwright, Riverside Theater Tickets, and the '73 Ford

"I'm in love" he said to my band mate as he crossed over the threshold into my house. It has become my Friend's mantra since meeting her. Let's call my friend "Mike." Mike wants Rufus Wainwright to perform at his wedding. Mike has an offer for Rufus. "I'll give him my '73 Ford, in exchange for his services at my wedding." Sounds like a perfectly good offer to me. Will Rufus go for it?

Mike is only in Wisconsin for a few more weeks. He's got to get the deal in place, before going back to Hungary to meet his girlfriend. One problem. My friend thought that Rufus Wainwright was in Milwaukee this upcoming Saturday. He scrambled for Riverside Theater tickets. Rufus doesn't come here until August. Chalk that up to love. Mike's been off his game since meeting "JJ."

"I have to get the Ford painted before making the offer" he said. I recall seeing it in a photograph many months ago, and it certainly looked like a vintage vehicle worthy of a trade. "I might need your wife to come along for the meeting." He felt that having a woman with him would soften his image. That all went south when he realized that he had his show date wrong. I'll keep you up to date on the Rufus deal.

St. Vincent Turner Hall tickets in Hand Already

St. Vincent was on Austin City Limits a few weeks back. They had just played in Milwaukee prior to that television broadcast. I had no idea who they were when they passed through town. If I had, I would have bought Riverside Theater tickets for that show. I thought the typical thoughts when I miss a live show. They might be back next year.

In the case of St. Vincent, the wait won't be too long. They come to Turner Hall on February 17th, and I already have my ticket in hand. After playing their disk Actor about 15 times, I'm a fan of this eclectic band.

What do I like about St. Vincent. First, their videos are stories that don't insult your senses with thousands of 1 second clips. That's got to be the most annoying thing about videos. Second, the songs don't take the usual path. The vocal melodies may follow too closely with the actual notes on the keys or violin, but I'll live with that. Any disk that has more than two great songs on it is surprising. Actor has at least six well written songs. Save Me From What I want, Black Rainbow, Laughing With A Mouth of Blood all satisfy.

If I were to pick the best song on Actor, it would have to be The Party. The story she tells comes to life with the first line. Staying too late at a party, licking the ice cubes, cleaning the ashtrays and fixating on a hole in a t-shirt. It's all so real. Annie Clark doesn't whisper this melody. She just sings it out loud, and I like that very much. See you in February St. Vincent.

Flurry of Concert Announcements for Riverside Theater

The postings came fast and furiously. The Riverside was touting their fall lineup via email. If you were wishing for a Black Crowes show at a smaller venue, than wish no more. The Black Crowes will be performing on November 7th. Around that same day, Colbie Caillat and Lucinda Williams were also announced.

WMSE Radio Summer Camp is coming up fast. On August 20, The Trusty Knife, Juniper Tar, and The Dim Sums will all perform with Sometimes Sweet Susan. This show is a bargain at 10 bucks.

How often will you see Riverside Theater tickets at that price? Only when a local band has a show I guess. I checked the Riverside Theater Twitter account today. What would a historic venue have to say on Twitter? It's pretty much all tweets starting with the words "Just Announced." Of course, they also have a Facebook and Myspace page.