Behind the Skins-the oral history of a drummer

Ever since I was 10 or 11, I've been an avid drummer. My first show (on the drum set) was at a Variety Show at Kettle Moraine High School where I went for 4 years. It was a tribute to a close friend of the family that tragically died in a car accident. My friends and I played "Bro Hym" by Pennywise. They weren't as close to the late friend of mine, but wanted to play anyways. It was actually my first time on the kit. My older brother owned one, but I was too intimidated to play it. So thankfully, my buddy's brother didn't mind me playing his kit. For some reason, I had no issues picking up beats and fills on the kit AND on that PW song. Never took a drum set lesson either.  We ran through the song a few times and after a couple weeks, we hit the stage. We did quite well both nights despite the obvious nerves. After that show I felt so good that I just wanted to keep playing. After we played it on the second night, we had some girls run up in the hallway that wanted to tell us how great we sounded. I think after that moment, I knew I wanted to continue spreading the great gift of music.

A year later, I was quite fortunate to afford to buy my first and only drum set. I had saved all of my money from slaving away at the Kwik Trip in Wales.  It's a Forrest green CB kit. It's not the greatest kit in the world, but I still love it. In time, I had to replace a lot of things on it such as heads, the bass drum beater etc. That year, I met a stoner guitar player that got kicked out of Catholic Memorial High School. We formed a noisy lousy band with my neighbor called Captain Amoeba and the Cat Narcolepsy. It was a terrible name for a band, which worked for our quality.  We only had one show. The guitar player was late, and the bassist didn't show up. During our 3 song set (which seemed to go on for 20 or so minutes, he insulted everyone at the show. I think I quit the band that day and made the excuse that me and the bassist was going to form an 'emo' band (way before emo was a bad word) We never formed the emo band. And that was the end of the high School bands.

After high school, I started my years in college. I started a Ben Folds cover band with a bipolar girl I dated. 88 Miles to Melbourne. We played some shows including The Rave, and some house parties. The guitar player/singer (from the variety show) got a hold of me in 2003 to play some shows with him. We practiced at his house some crazy old covers like Jenny 867-5309, Mother, etc, and BAM! the Flanagans were formed. Our shtick was to dress up in silly wigs when we played live. At the same time, my little brother, his friend and I formed Don't Bother Asking, a heavy punk band. While the local skate park was still in the building process, I hosted a benefit concert and raised a mere 50 dollars. I showcased all three bands and played on 3 different sets. After that, Don't Bother Asking fell apart. 88 Miles to Melbourne was soon after that. Our relationship was a disaster so that was the end of our Ben Folds cover band.

When I started at Carroll College, I joined a ska band. It lasted two practices. Every time a member was missing, they canceled practice. During my Carroll years, I did get a couple more shows in with the Flanagans, which was a lot of fun. Unfortunately, T-Rex, our favourite venue couldn't keep up with the bills and closed down. 

This picture is from the Halloween show with the Flanagans. It was published in the New Perspective at Carroll College 

 One summer at Carroll,  I joined up with some musicians in Brookfield. They were more mature then the ska kids, but things didn't last either. The bassist got too busy with working, so things kind of fell apart. After graduation, I joined Fullbright Scholar, a progressive rock band in Oak Creek. I only lasted two practices with them before things quieted down. They were okay, but emphasised on blast beats and guitar solos, which are things I don't find exciting.

Currently, I am in the early stages of playing with an exciting group of guys on the East Side of Milwaukee.. No name yet. No real for-sure sound. Just taking things in from each member. Influences and ideas are floating and soon, things will begin to pick up. 

So there it is, all of the bands I have played in over the past 10+ years.