Bitch Magnet was one of those bands I was in awe of.
I got to see them play at The Old Club at Swarthmore College.
After the show, I drunkenly went up to one of the band members and said something stupid that I'm still embarrassed about today.
Fast forward several years and I get a call from Jon Fine, who played guitar in Bitch Magnet.
He's heard about my drumming and wants me to consider playing in his new band, Vineland.
He drives down to Newark, DE and we jam in a basement. It's awesome.
I join the band. Bob Bannister is the guitarist. He is an amazing musician.
I spend the next year and a half or so driving up to NYC nearly every weekend to rehearse.
We play gigs at places I've only dreamed of playing. We record in a legendary studio.
I meet musicians who I consider my idols and have been directly influenced by. They're in the audience watching ME play.
We tour with bands such as Don Caballero and Rodan.
Playing in that band is an experience that had several moments of total brilliance.
And then, I burn out, flame out. I pretty much stop playing drums for good.
I'll do one more band officially, El Tiante, with my pal Mark Erdody after that.
I play a few one-off gigs with Mike Lenert (Lettuce Prey).
And then I stop playing drums altogether.
And even though I still hear the music in my head and listen intently to the drums on every song I listen to, I don't miss playing at all.
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