A Word on Lead Drummers


In the course of the band's 14 or so years, we have had a few lead drummers. Part of the equation of change is that we have had the same miserable a-hole as PM all these years. Not always right, but usually thinks he is, and stubborn to boot. It drives a lot of things forward, some people out, and makes some hesitate to join. Mea culpa.

We've had some crackers as lead drummer. Paul Hamilton arrived from Ontario at precisely the right time in the band's history, and took on the task with enthusiasm and supprted all the band did. Ryan Sullivan took charge of the corps at a young age, and drove forward our musical ability as a band in many ways. Doug Pritchard's calm and organized approach built the numbers in the corps, and he was great to work with on all fronts. Tim Borton developed quickly in the corps, and his precise playing style and mega-enthusiasm for the genre made the band an exciting place. Brett Stinson took over the corps from Tim, and made some risky and large changes to refresh the corps, and succeeded. Then, there was Dave Roth.

Through most of these years—with a year or so break at one point—Dave Roth has played under all these LDs, and at one point played LD himself [1999]. Dave has never been a "jump to front" kind of guy. He was always about playing with a good corps, in a good band, and he has come back last-minute to rescue us on more than one occasion whe we were in tough and needed that strong flank player to make us competitive. Dave has always had strong ideas about bands and drumming, and what seems to drive him is his love for drumming, and his loyalty to this band.

So here we are, post-Scotland, and struggling to keep our heads above water, and it's very tough to constantly re-build, re-build, re-build, and stay enthused. And so I wanted to say this: wherever the road leads, and whatever the future brings, it has been such a privilege to play with Dave Roth, and now to be PM of the band that he helps to lead. Ditto to the rest of you: Paul, Ryan, Doug, Tim and Brett. It hasn't always been an easy or a smooth road, but if I never said it in so many words before: thanks for everything.

And if you're sitting on your hands when you could be playing in the band, get off your backside and get to it. The PM might be bad, but the LD more than makes up for it.