You are at an age, like a lot of us where "playing out" just doesn,t make sense anymore, unless you are doing up scale jobs and not just the "bbq,s" and stag parties.Its the same money they were paying 20 yrs ago so whats the attraction?. If we put this much passion into our jobs and relationships life would be wonderful........but we,re drummers!CryBaby

Yeah... sounds like you need to bag it.. at least for awhile. The way you feel is probably coming through in the way you perform so it's really not going to get any better for you, your audiences or your bandmates.

If it's not fun for you, if the people aren't showing up to hear you play and you aren't making any money doing it... why keep hitting yourself in the head with a hammer. Take up bicycling or photography... life is pretty short to be working at something you are getting nothing out of anymore.

Jim...you nailed it.

I guess I'd ask two questions Mark:

1. Is this your primary means of income or is there a recreational component that actually works to help put the grind of a day job at a distance?

2. is the condition of your current band more or less universal in your region, or are there more successful bands round about the area? If there are, why not try hooking up with one of them so you can get back to enjoying what you are doing? It seems to me that the particular band is the real issue. I bet you wouldn't mind hauling the gear and so forth quite as much if you were really enjoying the outing.

It's not really the band, they are good players and good guys. We are in that local bar scene mode, we do it for fun, not fame and fortune. I use to get really excited anticipating our next weekend gig, but lately it just seems like more of a chore. I'm finding I can get more accomplished and get my drumming fix in by practicing on my own. Like I said, I think I'm just burnt out from gigging.

Long ago in the not to distant past after a weekend of , Gigs and bs we had a gig no one was there I told the boys if this is what you want I'm done and packed up a left right then and there , i regret it sometimes , but today it's full circle and we just get together now and again doing what we want and there's no pressure so I say if you don't like it take a break !

Sounds like it's time to take a break from it. Over the years I did it several times, often for several years. Meantime I worked on my chops, did some collecting, cleaning of my stuff, teched out.

Hated that feeling. When it feels too much like work, it is!

Now that I don't gig at all because of my back, I get together with a group of friends and we have all day jams. It's a blast!guitar3

I suggest you get into a musical opportunity that provides challenges and growth as a drummer / musician. e.g., I was in a local rock band about five years ago and got really tired of playing the same songs I played when I was 18. I found a big-band about an hour away and went to practice twice a month and worked on my chart reading skills. I also

brushed up on a catalog of drumming styles (samba, mambo, tango, just learn every world beat that tommy igoe offers in his instruction book). About a year later an opportunity opened up with a local jr college 20 piece big band that plays contemporary jazz. It's very rewarding and keeps me alive. I never get paid money but I like what I'm doing and how I'm growing. Since then I've been asked to sub with 2 other big bands in the area. I also took lessons from a couple of well known big band drummers in town. So find another style of drumming to get into is my suggestion.

I was in the same boat 13 years ago. In 2003 I was in a really BAD cover band. I was also having problems with Pinched nerves which were effecting my right hand. At the end of April of 2003 I had had enough. I was 28 years old. I thought I would take a year off Do some practicing really work on my playing. I did that. Got myself a practice room and played every night. 13 years later I still haven't returned to live playing. I only get once maybe twice a week on the kit. That's it. I wish now I hadn't stopped playing live. Cause the older I get the harder I find it to go back. Even though Drums and playing is all I think about