It will not have escaped the notice of either of my readers that I have been somewhat absent of late. Absent in more than one sense, as I have been fighting off a rather vicious episode of depression caused mainly by a somewhat abrupt switch of anti-depression medication. Recovery has been slow and steady, and I’d like to thank the many people who’ve contacted me with messages of support. As one of the Men In White Coats told me (note: not all the MIWCs are men, and none of them wears a white coat. Another illusion shattered, what?) I am an overachiever who’s been overachieving; I don’t need to forever feel I have to prove myself; I should take on fewer activities; learn to relax etcetera and so on and so forth in like fashion. After all, Oh L, I have just turned fifty and can now join Austin among the ranks of the golden oldies.
One area of my life, however, seems to have gone on regardless of mental state, and that’s music – which seems to occupy a different part of my brain. In January – just as the clouds were gathering – I joined a rip-snortingly good classic rock covers band called Stealer.
Even when I was at my most drug addled, paranoid, featherbedded by valium as I weaned myself off citalopram, tried and failed to cope with mirtazapine, before going through the whole thing again with sertraline, I went to the Secret Location where Stealer rehearses, week in, week out, toting my keyboard rig, and learning the many complex and serpentine riffs that characterise the music of Deep Purple, among other things. Even in the dark depths of Mordor whatever it was, when I was doing little more than being asleep, those rehearsals gave a much-needed structure to my life.
All that hard work is coming to the apotheosis of its zenith, however, as Stealer is about to start playing live, in front of actual people. Our first outing is a small local music festival on Saturday, after which we gig furiously and very loudly on our own account. Do come and see us.
Talking of Golden Oldies…. do you do that thing where you play two different keyboards with one hand apiece? Was always very impressed by that watching The Old Grey Whistle Test in the 70s, esp. when the keyboards were at right angles.
Yes, I can do that. And rotate another hand counterclockwise on my head.
Sounds tricky. I have no comparable skills, sadly… though I used to (just about) be able to do backing vocals and play guitar at the same time, provided it was a fairly simple rhythm…
I can’t play any instrument but I can text with my phone and e-mail on the computer simultaneously. Does that count?!
For those of us an ocean away, will you put any recordings up on you tube?
Steve – I think you’ll have had to have been there. [Cool use of tenses there, cromercrox - Ed.]
As the old saying goes… “Past imperfect – Future tense…”
Best of luck with the gig – hope you have a blast!
By this time you’ might be on the way home form the gig – so I hope it was a good one.
Did you hear about the two skulls talking to each other? – One said, “Which way are you going?” – The other one said, “I’d be a monkey’s uncle if I knew.”
Best I can do at this time of night.
The gig was somewhat fun. I have written it up on the Stealer website. The very patient will find six YouTube clips which when assembled in the right order comprise the entire concert. The sixth one is best.
Somewhat fun? – I thought this was a rock band.. – I mean – words like bash crash flash (why are words ending in sh so popular in the genre) by all means – but —- somewhat fun —-.Well I suppose we are talking Norfolk.
wow, a gig and playing live – remember, there are plenty people out there today who never experience the “real music is not lipsyncing”. (Now I feel old, even if I’m not golden age yet).
Glad to hear you’re feeling better. It’s really hard not to have yourself around as you want it.
Thanks All – Chall – yes, LOTS of gigs coming up. It’s very therapeutic. I should have done more of this years ago. Shame I only get to be a Rock God now I’m over 50.
Awesome! i’m so happy for you! go gigs and live music (I’ve realised I’ve missed it a lot lately… need to get back in the game of going to the gigs and enjoying the music, not playing ^^)
Videos please!
Go to this site and click on the links – like all bad Victorian children, I can be heard but not seen.