"to form. You get better by being in a band, by entering music as part of a volatile, multi-person, multi-addiction organism. And you get better, lastly, via the drummer's version of the grace of God-which is the jolt, the volt, the heavenly bolt, the electromotive impulse that flashes out from the playing of another, much greater drummer, and claims you."
"Moments of transmission-often via vinyl, occasionally in performance-when the creative spark zips and snaps across the pre-artistic darkness and some young drummer somewhere realizes that he's going to have to change his life. Dave Lombardo, pre-Slayer, listening in awe to Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor pummeling through a relentless double-kick-drum pattern on the title track of Motörhead's Overkill. Jody Stephens, pre-Big Star, in the 17th row at a Led Zeppelin show in Memphis: John Bonham was "like a rocket, everyone else was just holding on.""
The narrator plays drums frequently and revels in the coordinated, limb-distributed bliss of playing. Limb placement and coordination create a physical flow state compared to the Vitruvian Man. Improvement arises from repetitive practice that builds muscle and forges synaptic connections. Playing in a band accelerates growth through interpersonal dynamics and shared risk. A distinct form of progress comes from sudden inspirational transmission when a superior drummer's playing electrifies and compels life change. Historical examples include Dave Lombardo moved by Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor, Jody Stephens overwhelmed by John Bonham, and Tony Thompson stunned by Billy Cobham.
Read at The Atlantic
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