The City Veins

One of the particularly defineable features of my drumming is its volume. I am told, and have always been told, about its general loudness. It’s not something I particularly strive for; I just hit the drums hard. I pay attention to and regularly practice proper technique and have for the better part of 17 years now. So I’m not sloppy, but I am loud, and so are some of the world’s greatest rock drummers, the John Bonhams, the Dave Grohls, the Danny Careys. (Side note: I also probably doesn’t help that I use fairly large drums and cymbals but fuck it - I love the presence they bring to the table).

Anyway, I bring this up because in a little less than 2 weeks we’re playing the Galaxy Hut in Arlington. A very cool venue noted for years of great live music, but which might be most accurately referred to as “intimate.” And by intimate, of course, I mean about the size of a large living room. Not exactly the kind of place well suited to our particular style of music and especially not to my style of drumming.

However, one of the (few) very fun things about being in a band is putting your creativity to use and we’re doing so with this gig. While Adam was off shitting in the woods somewhere (literally; he’s on some nature trip) Charles, Aaron and I had an awesome practice last night in which we began re-imagining some of our songs, stripping them down so to speak and making them something more suitable for the Galaxy Hut. This doesn’t mean going unplugged or anything, but it does mean finding new grooves, melodies, harmonies, and instrumental parts for existing songs that are more suited to an intimate atmosphere. I’m really excited about where this stuff is heading and I can’t wait to see the reaction of some people who’ve seen us in the past. It’s a difficult but hopefully successful thing we’re working on. The Galaxy Hut show either has the potential to be a very special gig or to embarrass us with our misfired attempts at doing something new; either way, it’s something different and when you play the same 10 songs the same 10 ways every day, sometimes that’s all you need to refresh your creativity and enthusiasm. (Three months in and I’m starting to understand why rock stars always try to come out with weird new side/solo projects, and it’s to keep their own sanity).

The only negative to doing something like this is that we’re doing it before we really have any sort of sizable fan base that knows our songs well and would most appreciate the new stylings. However, dear reader, (HINT HINT) you could always click that banner to the right, order a free CD, get to know at least those four songs, and then come see us try something new with them on August 5th.