One Drummer's Perspective

Just as I'm getting used to a few things here -- the network of forested running trails near the house, the co-ed bathroom situation at the clubs where women walk past men at the urinals, sleeping from 3 to 10:00 a.m., the absence of SUVs on the road (gas is approx. $6 per gallon here) -- we have to leave. Today is our last day. Two shows, first at the Antwerpen State Prison, then in Goes, Netherlands. It's been a fun experience and again I'd like to thank my wife Karen for holding down the fort while I'm gone. Despite the fun, I'm looking forward to returning home.

The last few days took us to St. Niklaas, Turnhout, and Herenthout, Belgium, a couple other small towns, another prison, and Enschede, Netherlands. The pics of the perspective from behind the drumset has been my perspective for over 30 hours of performance on this tour. At an average tempo of 120 beats per minute, I've slammed the backbeat on my snaredrum over 100,000 times, and that's not counting all the grace note subdivisions or fills. Constant motion is my norm. I can't say my arms didn't get a workout.

I also want to thank Todd and Mike from the Cowlicks for asking me to join them on this tour. Todd, Mike, Josh and I had some great moments, musically on stage and just hanging out off stage. Music is a team endeavor, and it has been smooth and fun with these guys. And all the appreciative listeners in Belgium and the Netherlands were a great bonus.

I'll try to do a final wrap-up once back home. See ya.