I have a lot of friends. Some I'm really close to, others are just slightly above acquaintances.
Most of my close friends are the other musicians I choose to play with, mostly because I'd rather play music than have a night life. After reading Jessica's post earlier, I thought I'd write about someone who's made a huge impact on my life, but also someone I don't see too often. My friend; the amazing Mike Peterson.
It was sometime in ealry 2005. I don't remember the exact date, forgive me. Our friends in Cowboy Killer had just flipped their van outside of Sacramento while heading out on what was to be their first tour (incidentaly, their last one too.) Matt called us and asked if we would want to save their northwest tour by jumping on board and we all us the T.O.D. van. Biaggio and I had just been up there for the first time a month or two before that and had a blast, so it was an easy "Yes!"
I don't remember where we played at the first night, though I'll say it was probably in Portland. The 2nd night, we were to play in Seattle at some place called "The Asshole Castle" which turned out to be a house (naturally, I don't think anyone would name their bar or venue such a thing.)
Admitidley, I was in a bad mood for one reason or another...and not exactly thrilled about playing at a punk house. I'm sure laughing out loud at the Orange with Black Bats painted drum kit didn't make me look too friendly and neither did the fact that I approaced everything in the house like it had v.d.
We were first to play and our set went pretty well. After taking our gear down, I went outside for a cigarette.
I'm sitting on the porch, enjoying my smoke, when this crazy looking fucking lumberjack mountain man walks up to me. We make small talk, but no mention of him performing or anything. For some reason, he strikes me as a really nice guy despite the fact that he looks like he could go insane on someone for crossing him.
A couple of hours later, I'm outside partying when my friend Dan runs over and practically shouts "Hey! You've gotta go inside and see this!"
I went in and had what they call a "religious experience" when I watched SEAN play! Mike was laying it in to the Orange with Black Bats painted drum kit! In between songs, he slammed beers and pounded joints! I couldn't believe THIS GUY was fucking shit up so hard on THIS DRUMSET! His partner in crime; Luke is the shit too, but that's obvious when you listen to or watch them. These guys are one of my favorite bands ever! Moving on...
Since then, I've gotten to know Mike very well. I've stayed at his house, got to know his (now ex) wife, met his Mom, and have partied the baby off with everything under the sun with this guy!
He teaches drums to people of all ages at the fabulous SEATTLE DRUM SCHOOL.
He has the best decorated house in the entire tri-state area!
His cat, Ralph is awesome too!
He's my hero for several reasons, including the ones listed above, but also because he's toured the world, has great taste in music and drums, HATES RUSH!, loves to party, and has a weird sense of humour! All things I can relate to!
Another thing about Mike, is that he makes everything! Ever seen a saw blade clock? Ever known someone to put one of those circular submarine windows in their "saloon" that they've built themselves?
Not to mention the cool things he makes for his friends! Apparently, he was out one night, saw some poster and decided that the guy on the poster looked like me! So he took the posters and pasted one on a painted piece of board, gave me cowboy boots and a wiener, put a hook on it, and gave it to me. He has another that he has pasted on the bottom of an empty 12 pack box.
So much for my first contribution to Topical Thursday. Me rambling about one of my favorite people that you'l probably never meet. Unless you want to take drum lessons in the northwest, go to a SEAN show, or see The Accused on tour!
