You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll

It's 4:30 in the morning. Def Leppard's Rocket is blaring in my ears and I'm wide awake thanks to Whoppers, Bottlecaps, and Cookie Dough bites. Yep, I've been up all night listening to music on iTunes...and quoting Twisted Sister.

In the past few months, there's been an unlikely chain of events leading up to this all-nighter and a resurgence of music in my life. Where it's headed is a mystery, but I'm loving the journey with old bands that are more like old friends.

Here's the short back story. I was a keyboardist and guitarist in high school and college. Wanted to be a rock star. Went to a music college for a music business degree. Failed out. Had some ups and downs, got lazy, and quit playing. Didn't really dig the music scene of the late 90's up to present either. Eventually sold my guitars and gear after a couple failed returns that didn't even last a week. It was just time to retire and move on.

After getting on Second Life last summer, I stumbled into Club Paradox late in the year. Here was a club of like minded souls who also loved 80's rock, hair metal, and the like. And so it became a home.

The next step in the path was my buddies Jake and Luke getting me into Rock Band. The game brought back some old and good feelings from tunes long forgotten. It was like being back home with my favorite music, just in a new package. It also exposed me to some other music and bands I wouldn't have bothered with years ago. Got me looking at guitars again...just for fun.

Also during this time, I've been growing my hair long and downloading all kinds of rock from iTunes. Everybody from Motorhead to Cinderella reminded me of albums I used to have. The fur on the neck stood up once again while the eyes flared and the adrenaline surged. Man what a great feeling!

Even LA Ink and the exploits and influences of Kat Von D have sparked a new interest in music. Reading up recently on my favorite band, Firehouse, poured more gas on the blaze.

All this has really made me miss playing...BAD! BUT, I have to wonder, where this all leads and if this isn't just another flash in the pan interest that will fizzle like bad hairspray three songs into a show. Also, my energy is so divided anyway between theme park stuff, steam punk stuff, stilt walking, that I don't want to take on something, invest in some gear, and not follow through. The idea is to focus on SOMETHING or a couple things, and follow through.

Even so, music is calling. Hell, it's practically beating down the door!