Drums and Ice Cream for Xmas
Holidays in Palm Springs
People often ask me if I still play drums. It’s a reasonable question—I’ve played ever since my uncle bought me a drum set when I was two-and-a-half years old, and I was either in a band or trying to be in a band from that point until I was 36. Then I moved to New York City, and I abruptly stopped playing.
So my answer is always simple—I don’t have drums in my Brooklyn apartment, and I only play once or twice each year with friends out of town. I feel disappointed every time I answer, as if I’m talking about a deceased relative.
When my wife AJ and I bought a condo in Palm Springs during the pandemic, I fantasized about setting up a drum kit in the walk-in closet. But it felt like just that—a fantasy—until AJ and her friend ordered rolls and rolls of soundproofing material and surprised me with a makeshift drum studio.
On a recent trip to LA, I picked up my drums, which were hiding in my friend’s studio for over a decade, and I drove them out to the desert.
I’ve since reverted to my childhood practice of playing along with records. It’s a blast to more-than-air-drum to songs like “Sir Duke” and “Bulls on Parade,” and as much as I’d love to play with real people, alas, there’s no room for anyone else in my small closet.
Apparently the longtime Guns n’ Roses / The Cult drummer, Matt Sorum has a studio right down the street in Palm Springs. I’ve been patiently watching for him at Ralph’s and Mr. Lyons, hoping to spring our two drummer project into action. If you see this man, please let him know there’s a new drummer in town.
I grew up in New York, Cambridge, Amherst, and Salt Lake City—places where it snowed. Even without snow, my Seattle christmases were at least cold and dark. Here in Palm Springs, the sun is nice but I feel like I’m missing an entire season. In an effort to connect with my roots, the closest I came to snow was a traffic-free Christmas night drive…
… to Walgreens for some frozen essentials:
If you’re in Palm Springs, I’ll see you (and maybe Matt Sorum) at the Heart / Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin show tonight. According to the listing: the show pays tribute to the legendary rock band and commemorates Jason Bonham’s father, John Bonham. The performance includes a heartfelt duet with Jason performing “Moby Dick” alongside a giant video of his late father from Led Zeppelin’s historic Royal Albert Hall gig. Don’t miss this mesmerizing journey through rock history!
Have a wonderful holiday season!
My memoir is called My Life in the Sunshine. You can order it here, or listen to the audiobook on Spotify.
I hope to see you somewhere soon. Upcoming events are always listed here.
Nabil Ayers / Brooklyn
“Move over, golf outfits” 🤣