“You Can’t Judge a Book by its Cover”

Sitting among my closest friends in High School and I would spend most of my time in silence. Why, you may ask? It’s not that they disliked me, considering I have known these guys for years, or I couldn’t keep a conversation; rather I had no interest in what they talked about most of the time: sports and video games. Even better, sports-video games. Everyday. All the time. I had other ideas in mind, as I sought out my own outlet through music. Most people, who don’t know me very well would say I am a quiet guy, who minds his own business. And I agree with them 100%. However most people have never seen me play the drums. Who’s the quiet one now?

I have always had a passion for music, whether it was blasting my parents Bruce Springsteen records, playing classical piano for 5 years, or trying to learn guitar to some extent. All it took were two words: Rock Band. Everyone starts somewhere, right? Finally, a video game I could relate with and actually enjoy playing.

Picture this: My 8th grade graduation party, my family is over. My cousins and I spent the entire evening in my basement playing “The Beatles Rock Band” (a game that I easily mastered). My cousin Katie asked “Hey Mikey, have you ever considered playing drums? You’re really good.” I had a basic concept of rhythm. If Dave Grohl could do it, why couldn’t I? Piano had grown old, so I figured I’d give it a try. To no surprise my parent’s got me a drum set. I was hooked. I don’t know what it was. The rush, the energy, the thought of hitting things.What better way to let out any anger or stress? It was fantastic. I didn’t need sports or video games. I found my own path as a self-taught drummer. Something I enjoyed, that not one of my friends would ever understand. Oh well, I’d say that’s their loss.