Out of Retirement and Into The Fire

It has been a while. I took a long vacation and spent some time in Seattle and Alaska. I think I will share some photos and write up about my experiences there in another post. I really wanted to talk about playing music, taking breaks, and making art. I never thought I would be 51 and I certainly never thought I would be 51 and still playing punk. I started playing drums when I was in 3^rd grade. It has been a long journey. Through these years I took. 2 breaks from playing.

Me playing in our Studio in Rutherford, NJ.

The first break I took was during my younger years and I played street hockey. I was good and we played every day and night. I did this for a few years in my younger adult years and really did not play too much at that point. To be good at something, I have to focus on it. Once I started feeling every bump and bruise, I knew it was time to leave, and I returned to music. The second break I took was a few years back. I just had my third child and Covid was a thing. Two kids were challenging but I was able to manage music, but the third one added a new wrinkle. We were out manned and out gunned. It really did change my life in many ways.

After a while, it grew comfortable. Music became a memory. I found myself telling stories about how I used to be in a band. I started to miss it. I joked about starting a new project and even tried to find musicians to play with. My idea was great and everyone who replied to my ad wanted to see the band but no one wanted to play in it. The idea still sits in my head for a day I find the guys to do it.

Fast forward to 2022. I went to see my good friends 6 to 8 Mathematics play. If you have never seen this band, you must (hint hint…get back together! The world needs you). They are a kick ass female fronted band with three fierce females on guitar, bass and vocals and their drummer (the only male) is a beast on the kit. I walked in late as I have responsibilities other than music now, and I saw a band performing. I looked at my wife and said, that is what I want to do. Music like this. This band was Bamberdost. I bought a few CD’s and went home. I started listening and the songs were all acoustic. Not really my thing but it was all I had. I started listening closely. The acoustic songs gave me the opportunity to hear the lyrical genius that Paul is known for. I found myself discovering new creative lines and fun word play. My kids started singing the songs. I began torturing my daughter with Simple Life. This became our favorite song over time.

I then entered my stalker phase. I friended them on face book and one day I noticed a post about needing a drummer. I wasn’t sure I was ready, and I wasn’t sure we would be a great fit. I reached out to Paul, and we had a great talk. I was honest with my situation. I have 3 kids. Touring is likely off the table but weekend trips and maybe a once-a-year journey to a distant state may be doable. We talked more about what ticks us off and we had a ton in common. We arranged a studio meet up. I prepared. I knew most of the songs he had in his arsenal by the time we got together. I guess it was a try out, but it felt natural. Like I belonged. He threw a few tunes I never heard including Dead Next Door by his old band the Bad Whoremoans. I was able to improve on the spot. We looked at each other, nodded, and then the following week I met Jack.  We have been playing together ever since. I can’t tell you how much happier I have become. Music has always been my stress relief. I never drank, did drugs, or liked talk therapy very much. Music has always been there for me. It helps mellow me out. I feel like I am fully alive again.

From left to Right - Paul Mauled - Guitar, Chris Sasquatch Pingor - Drums, Pete Zest - Guitar, and Mad Jack Gibson - Bass.

Since that first session Paul and I had, prior to meeting Jack and becoming part of the Bamberdost family, we have been extremely prolific. We have recorded 1 full album with a second due out less than a year later. We have recorded approximately 32 songs including covers and a few you will likely never hear, played approximately 15 shows, been interviewed on 2 radio stations, and received quite a few positive reviews from some fanzines and publications that we highly respect. I have done more this year than in the past 39. I am out of retirement and into the fire.

I think what I am trying to share is that you are never too old to get out there. You may have to make accommodations. Maybe you can’t tour every day. Maybe you have an injury and playing 280 BPM is no longer an option. Maybe you walked away from a project and experienced a bout of depression, and you feel like you are losing it. Maybe you can’t go out to support all of the young guns out there. I can’t go to clubs every weekend anymore but I actively buy CD’s and t-shirts of punk bands all the time. Shoot, when I go on vacation, I hit the local band racks. You can still be part of the scene. It is just different now. If this is you, it is still possible. Pick yourself up, make some calls, get involved, buy some CD’s or a t-shirt. Just get out there and support and play. Who cares where, how often, or to who. Get out there and make art!