Drummers "Down time" - Part 2

In Drummers Down time Part 1 I shared a few ideas regarding focused practice, rudiments, and taking the time to push yourself when you may be away from the kit and home/studio/live/gig setting.

Today I want to share another "Down time" idea - specifically....thinking drums, talking drums, learning about drum history when on the road.

Last week I was travelling thru Portland OR and stopped in to see the team at Revival Drum Shop, an amazing store with a knowledgeable staff who are passionate about drums and drumming.

On a side street across town, it kind of feels like a 'hang' --- part store, part history lesson with a continually changing inventory of drums and percussion. It is a great down time idea because it is an amazing motivator to talk with other drummers who are as passionate as you are and I spent a fun afternoon talking, playing and learning about vintage drums and percussion (and wow what a percussion wall they have!).

Revival is a must-stop for touring drummers and drummers of all skill level whether you are looking to purchase, explore or have something repaired or rebuilt.

They also hold clinics and classes, most recently with fellow "Jersey Guy" and monster player Mark Giuliana. Check out his latest recording: Jersey, released in the Fall of 2017. Mark is a killer drummer with an awesome band and the recording is spectacular -- a fun listen for his magnificent tone and touch which is brilliantly recorded on this disc. Revival also has a nice relationship with comedian and drummer Fred Armisen and did some of the early testing for Fred's Netflix show "Standup for Drummers" as well as supplied all the kits for the show.

I found a Jam night in Portland and sat in for a few tunes at The Big Lagrowlski, a craft beer bar with a cool music room in the back featuring a DW Frequent Flyer Kit in Matte Black finish (20" x 12" kick, 14" x 5" snare, 12" x 8" rack and 14"x11" floor tom - all with amazing tone and presence). First time I played the FF kit in a live setting and was a good opportunity to compare against my own bop kit at home - all in all it was a blast.

It's interesting and a risk-free-zone to sit in with players you don't know and will never see again! It was a fun night and received high-fives and bro hugs upon leaving the stage.

My 24 hours in Portland was a great success and I maximized my down time fore sure!