o' mice an' men

By Todd Stadler · Sunday, December 9, 2001 5:59pm

When I originally made plans for this past weekend, the biggest problem I had was which party or show to go to. But you know how plans go.

Little did I realize that due to interpersonal conflicts too strange or sad to explain, I would soon be called upon to make my debut in the Portland music scene, filling in on drums for my friend's cover band. Mind you, I found this out at 5pm the night of the show. Which started at 7pm.

Oh, I can be such a drama king. I had actually practiced with the band for a couple of hours in the week prior to the show. It's just that when those practices were held, it was understood that I was simply filling in for a drummer who would, in fact, be able to make it to the show.

And so I found myself on a stage in front of a hundred people or more, trying my best to faithfully evoke the Beatles, Stevie Wonder, and even Natalie Merchant.

It's odd that the second song I played in front of an audience in Portland was the Black Crowes' "Hard to Handle" (RealAudio format). That was also one of the first three songs I ever played in front of an audience, back in high school. Time is like a wheel, my friend.

Anyhow, the show went well enough, and I found myself heading to one of the aforementioned parties a little bit later and sweatier than I'd intended, but also one beer and $54 richer.

I think that's the most I've ever been paid for playing the drums. I guess that's not so odd, given that the only other (quasi-) money-making band I've been a member of had seven members. And there wasn't a whole lot of money to split between us in the first place.

To summarize: I play drums. The Black Crowes have their moments. Musicians don't make much money, usually. Thank you.