My Bass Drum's Dirty Laundry

A funny story about my bass drum.  A couple of weeks ago was my last Friday night gig with a classic rock cover band that I had been with for 12 years.  The reason for the departure is that my family is moving from NJ to MN.  The kids are young enough and we feel that it is a good time to make a move like this ... but my wife and I are both New Jersey-ites through and through so, there is a lot of anxiety that goes along with the excitement (the moving truck left last Wednesday and we are making it a 2 week traveling adventure and are currently in Vermont).

When I play, I always play barefoot and during this particular gig (more friends and family showed up than normal) my wife showed up with a shirt my daughter had given me for my birthday (she wanted pictures of me playing in it … my daughter is 6) so in addition the socks coming off I did a partial cloths changes.  I then took my dirty laundry (socks and a Guns 'n" Roses Tee) and through it in the bass drum as a little extra muffling and played with it like that.

That Sunday I offered “Music for Worship” for the last time (at my regular House of Worship) with an original composition.  The “ensemble” has done this piece several times and we just needed to go over it that morning … I used my gigging kit (a GMS kit in pink champagne sparkle) that was still in the SUV from Friday night's gig instead of my usual “Church” kit (a 60’s era jazz size Ludwig kit in silver sparkle).

The minister makes announcements before the Prelude.  So there I was, sitting in the front Pew listening the morning announcements while admiring my Guns 'n' Roses tee-shirt and dirty socks that were still inside my bass drum and clearly visible.  Needless to say, that during the Prelude and as inconspicuously as possible, I made some minor adjustments to my bass drum.

Or simply played DH's "Dirty Laundry" 

Jonbouy


I use a circle of material hewn from the CHB's communal undershreddies as a 'Power Pad'.

My Bass drum now has much more 'crunch' and a distinct 'attack'.

I can't work out how it stuck on without me having to use any tape, but it's not looking like coming off.  Amazing.

I must admit though I've not tried it out with anything other than my small furry beater.

It's not the size it's the  potency.
(or so I'm told)

So you didn't do a final solo rendition of Cozy Powell's "Dance with the devil"? Shirley that would have gone down great with the congregation..

… would definitely need a double bass drum setup which would double the amount of laundry I needed.  Plus, it would make it look like a washer drier combination and people would think I was ripping off Geddy Lee’s idea.

I can't work out how it stuck on without me having to use any tape, but it's not looking like coming off. Amazing.

not quite sure what to make of “undershreddies” .... but if the adhesive is helping to control the resonance of the shell you could probably patent it.

Dave... from NJ to MN... what a change (for the better) that will be.  I got out of NJ when I was 19 and only went back for visits to family, and since no family (that I want to spend the time to visit) still lives there.... I don't plan to ever step foot in that state again.

On a different topic.... you are going from a "gun free zone" state ( a dangerous place to be IMHO) to a state that respects the 2nd amendment much more.

Have fun on the road trip that leads to a new life in MN.

Dave... from NJ to MN... what a change (for the better) that will be. I got out of NJ when I was 19 and only went back for visits to family, and since no family (that I want to spend the time to visit) still lives there.... I don't plan to ever step foot in that state again.

On a different topic.... you are going from a "gun free zone" state ( a dangerous place to be IMHO) to a state that respects the 2nd amendment much more.

Have fun on the road trip that leads to a new life in MN.

… lived in NJ for just short of 47 years, my parents moved to NJ from western NY state when I was 6 months old, so I really don’t know anything different.  For better or for worse it is going to be a major adjustment for me and right now I am bouncing back and forth between excitement and anxiety.  The move is corporate (with my wife’s job) and I have only been there twice, this past New Years was the first time and then in the spring.

I’ve already gotten a taste of the culture though.  My son is in Cub Scouts and this September will be his third year.  These past 2 years (in NJ) the Pack has had an overnight campouts in the town park.  The kids had some activities, they had a catered dinner (a local caterer that specializes in corporate catering) they saw an outdoor movie, had s’mores, slept in their tents and then had a catered breakfast … the 2 campouts were actually quite the event … the only thing missing was white glove waiter service.

We joined a Pack in Minnesota and the first e-mail I got from them about an activity was for a campout which I will be doing the week after I get there.  From the description, I can tell we will be seriously roughing it in the woods and they also suggested that we bring our guns (actually BB guns for the kids but I think you get the point … and I don’t own anything other than some pocket knives).

I'm going to see (and hear) Iron Maiden next week

Must remember to get a Tee.