Could you ever "quit music"?

The Face in the Face · Post by **The Face in the Face** » Sunday Dec 12, 2004

Do you think anything could ever happen that would make you completely stop playing, writing, loving music?

I was in a band that received good reviews a few years ago and has been dormant or "on hiatus" for a couple years now. We are all doing our own things but still get together when we have a chance. BUT, when we first went on hiatus I got very frustrated with one of the members and refused to talk to this member for months. I completely stopped playing my instrument, I stopped writing, I stopped everything that was once part of my "music career". Then, still angry, I decided to start writing again but not playing music. Then about 5 months later I started playing around with my axe again and I realized... I can't ever completely give up playing music!

is it possible for a musician to go cold turkey?

red · Post by **red** » Sunday Dec 12, 2004

I have been playing since I was 13 or so, and I am still going strong. I probably won't stop playing until I cannot physically do it any more! Until the day I die! I cannot see it any other way.

IN-BASS · Post by **IN-BASS** » Sunday Dec 12, 2004

I tryed to quit about 6 years ago... Moved out of the state an everything.. Sold all my gear to pay the rent.. Moved back home 1 year later.. Bought new gear..

I don't know about anyone else.. But I can't get away from it, Not that I would ever want to again !... Worst year of my life !

Punkinhead · Post by **Punkinhead** » Sunday Dec 12, 2004

I watched the Dale Earnhardt movie last night and this quote from Ralph Earnhardt to Dale sums it up:
"You know son, they can't put it in you and they can't take it out."

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Sunday Dec 12, 2004

I will quit music when they pry my guitar from my cold, dead fingers.

Imgrimm01 · Post by **Imgrimm01** » Monday Dec 13, 2004

It's like an addiction for me, The Grimm hasn't been on Stage since October and I have to tell you I went to a show a few weeks ago to see a band and I almost stormed the stage to take over , seeing it and NOT doing it makes me physically ill ! I am SO looking forward to Friday night ( Dec. 17 ) To hit the stage again (( Peter C' s ) .. Ok OK OK that was a shameless plug BUT really Life without the grimm would be sure destruction for me.

ERiC_AiXeLsyD · Post by **ERiC_AiXeLsyD** » Monday Dec 13, 2004

When I'm not writing or playing, I'm cranky, irratable, & not myself. So, I'm pretty sure I can never stop either.

Punkinhead · Post by **Punkinhead** » Monday Dec 13, 2004

ERiC_AiXeLsyD wrote:When I'm not writing or playing, I'm cranky, irratable, & not myself. So, I'm pretty sure I can never stop either.

Word, I become like a bear with a sore ass when I don't play the majority of the time...

DMFJ03 · Post by **DMFJ03** » Monday Dec 13, 2004

I haven't been able to do anything serious since the end of August and it is ripping me apart. I understand what Bobby Lee is saying about wanting to storm the stage. It is very difficult to watch it anymore without being a part of it. I hope that I will soon be able to return, or I am going to end up in prison for killing someone.

ERiC_AiXeLsyD · Post by **ERiC_AiXeLsyD** » Monday Dec 13, 2004

Punkinhead wrote:
ERiC_AiXeLsyD wrote:When I'm not writing or playing, I'm cranky, irratable, & not myself. So, I'm pretty sure I can never stop either.
Word, I become like a bear with a sore ass when I don't play the majority of the time...

Yeah, funny part is, it took me a while to put my finger on the problem. Ha ha ha.

orangekick · Post by **orangekick** » Monday Dec 13, 2004

I tried to stop for a little bit and everything just sucked for months. It's something that just gets in you and never goes away.

songsmith · Post by **songsmith** » Monday Dec 13, 2004

About 5 1/2 years ago I started telling everyone I was finished... the words sounded hollow as I said them... all that happened was I wrote and played with other people's bands instead of my own. Not to down that, or anything... I mostly hung with the Hurricanes, not too shabby! I found that I had all the fun of playing without the responsibility, sounds good at first glance, but I felt guilty, like I was cherry-picking, just playing the good gigs and leaving the boys to suffer through the bad. I sure love jamming with those guys, so I don't wanna piss 'em off. I figured it was time to pay some dues, so when TJKelly and Jimi Hatt became available, it was like a sign... you don't say no to guys that play that well. Then Steve got involved in the space of a week or so, and BOOM, I had a band again.
I've been lucky throughout my musical "career" to have played with some cool guys and good musicians, and SideStep is both. The strummer acoustic show has it's moments, and it pays the bills, but it can get pretty lonely playing alone, and the drunks gang up on you. The band thing is just my idea of fun... it's blues because we like blues, classic rock because we like that, and anything beyond that is irrelevant.
I like music as a team sport, the camraderie (sp?), the fraternal spirit, and the pursuit of a goal. People who don't do it will just never get it, no matter how close by they are standing. The biggest fan in the world is still just a fan. Ask BadDazeRob... there's a guy who loves what he does, and came into the game sort of late compared to some of us. I'm fond of saying that everyone should have a band, at least for a little while... he heard that, and took it to heart, and has really proved his mettle. I'm glad that someone listened.
Oh, and lest I get too sappy, I also get to see alot of boobies, for someone who doesn't own a Harley, and some nice people are, you know, "kind" to me as well. I turn down more free booze than most people drink. What the hell's not to like!----->JMS

HurricaneBob · Post by **HurricaneBob** » Monday Dec 13, 2004

Yeah Johnny! Where were ya when we were in Rosebud Arkansas at 3 in the morning with our pants around our ankles!

Back in, hmmm... hell i dont know what year. I left the Canes and started a roofing job. John Mcnight and Toona(Kevin) took over the drum chair until he left for Georgia. Longest 2-3 years of my life, hammering nails instead of beats, but music by then made me insane. I was a basket case because of the years before. Ya always need a break but its in your blood and you will be back..

TJ Kelly · Post by **TJ Kelly** » Tuesday Dec 14, 2004

I quit for 10 long years and didn't think twice about it for the 1st 8 but that ol' itch started again and it was worse than ever so I decided to scratch it once again. Guess what.... I ain't quitting again. I nearly forgot how much fun this is and what a way to reduce stress. Plus hanging around all you perverted musicos is like icing on the cake.

Hell I bought more gear these last 3 years than I bought in all my previous musical years. Ain't nuthin better than playin with "toys"....Well I can think of a few but my wife might mind

And like Songsmith said we get to see alot of boobies!

RobTheDrummer · Post by **RobTheDrummer** » Wednesday Dec 15, 2004

I would never quit, there are too many good things that come out of it. You make friends, you learn, you grow...and hell, you have a lot of fun. When I took a break from the drumset, I still taught and played the old practice pad...now I'm back into the kit hard and lovin' every second that I play. No way, No how this drumma is quittin'!!! And Bobby, you come see us on the 8th, we'll let you sing a tune...