Members Engl Kramer Posted August 6, 2009 Members Share Posted August 6, 2009 OK its the big 40 next year and I think maybe I should start listening to MOR and playing 'proper music' on my grown up guitar. Last year I bought a Jackson Kelly (pointy black explorer) and was enjoying it until I caught my reflection in the window at night and realised that maybe I should have stopped playing guitars like this back when I couldn't get away with wearing tight trousers anymore! I should point out that I look my age, have no hair on the top and I'm a fat bastard. Thing is I'm a dyed in the wool Metal player and I was either having a mini mid-life crisis or just missed rocking a proper Metal ax. I'll never stop playing the kind of music I do cos its in my blood, but I'm now conscious of having a bit of dignity and not being an embarassment to everyone:lol: The reason I'm telling you all this is cos I was wondering if any of you can realate to this and what advice/ words of wisdom you might like to share. Please be gentle you young uns- it happens to us all one day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Surrealistic Posted August 6, 2009 Members Share Posted August 6, 2009 If you have the right frame of mind, 40 can be the age when you're just hitting your prime. I went through similar feelings to yours when I hit 30 - but, for whatever reason, I felt younger at 40 than I did at 30. My life really kicked off in interesting and exciting directions at 40. I was fortunate in that I could pass for much younger but hey, who says you have to look young? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Les Paul Lover Posted August 6, 2009 Members Share Posted August 6, 2009 Play what you like. There's no law stating that a balding middle aged fat bastard cannot play metal with a pointy guitar. Even though some american states have some down right dodgy laws, I'm pretty sure that one hasn't been passed anywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Engl Kramer Posted August 6, 2009 Author Members Share Posted August 6, 2009 Yeah true, thanks for that. Part of it is a state of mind I'm sure. I've always respected older musicians for their experience and a certain kind of cool that can bring (B Gibbons being an obvious example, Zappa, etc etc). Its something I'm usually pretty cool with but as time goes by, extra adjustment is needed. Also I have kids, the great levelers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Les Paul Lover Posted August 6, 2009 Members Share Posted August 6, 2009 Anyhow, if you went through your midlife crisis by buying a pointy guitar, you got away with it pretty light. Better than my colleague's husband who dumped her for another woman. Pointy guitar was playing it safe really!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Engl Kramer Posted August 6, 2009 Author Members Share Posted August 6, 2009 yeah. Better than the car thing too. When I was in my late 20s I binned all my cool tour shirts cos I thought I should grow up and not be so cliched. I've started buying them now on the not so common occasions I go to Metal shows and I wear them with pride. That is to say, I know I look like a sad old git, but it feels good to be my own kind of sad old git. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Faber Posted August 6, 2009 Members Share Posted August 6, 2009 You gonna grow old no matter what, so you might as well have fun along the way. Do what you feel like doing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members soundcreation Posted August 6, 2009 Members Share Posted August 6, 2009 Dude have you seen some of the old 80's bands recently? Testament? Slayer? Maiden? They look like old {censored}in dudes playing metal. And they are still rockin. Yeah a part of me kind of chuckles when I see them but at the same time watch Flight 666 from maiden. Man those dudes are still tight as ever and full of energy. There are no rules for this {censored}. Just have fun. And besides...since when did any proper metal head give a {censored} what anyone else thought of them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sammillington01 Posted August 6, 2009 Members Share Posted August 6, 2009 Thank you for the usefull information. I will try to keep this in my mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Doctor49 Posted August 6, 2009 Members Share Posted August 6, 2009 OK its the big 40 next year I should point out that I look my age, have no hair on the top and I'm a fat bastard. I'm now conscious of having a bit of dignity and not being an embarassment to everyone:lol: The reason I'm telling you all this is cos I was wondering if any of you can realate to this and what advice/ words of wisdom you might like to share. Please be gentle you young uns- it happens to us all one day! Kids. I can relate to this. I've been 40 at least 19 times already. I left the UK for a new life in Asia when I was 42 I got married when I was 45. I redefined my life style completely in terms of direction, exercise, diet and spirituality after turning 50 I took up guitar again when I was 56. So what did I learn? 1) 40 ain't that old these days. Life is not all 17-25. 2) NEVER worry about what other people think - if you enjoy it and it does no harm to anyone else, get on with it. 3) With a bit of luck, 40 is about halfway for most people. If you think you are getting old, think about what you did so far and imagine having the same amount of time still to come. 4) Watch out for the sudden urge to buy a Ferrari and a blonde to fit in it. This will pass. Oh and Happy Birthday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Engl Kramer Posted August 6, 2009 Author Members Share Posted August 6, 2009 Dude have you seen some of the old 80's bands recently? Testament? Slayer? Maiden? They look like old {censored}in dudes playing metal. And they are still rockin. Yeah a part of me kind of chuckles when I see them but at the same time watch Flight 666 from maiden. Man those dudes are still tight as ever and full of energy. There are no rules for this {censored}. Just have fun. And besides...since when did any proper metal head give a {censored} what anyone else thought of them? All true, but- Saxon:facepalm: I'm fully metal believe me- but no-one wants to be a laughing stock! I saw Death Angel in London (for the 5th time) recently and they were cool as you like with pointy ESPs etc. I also saw Sacred Reich and Phil Rind told everyone to take it easy in the mosh pit cos "20 years ago if we went down we got back up, now you'll need an ambulance!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Engl Kramer Posted August 6, 2009 Author Members Share Posted August 6, 2009 Kids. I can relate to this. I've been 40 at least 19 times already. I left the UK for a new life in Asia when I was 42 I got married when I was 45. I redefined my life style completely in terms of direction, exercise, diet and spirituality after turning 50 I took up guitar again when I was 56. So what did I learn? 1) 40 ain't that old these days. Life is not all 17-25. 2) NEVER worry about what other people think - if you enjoy it and it does no harm to anyone else, get on with it. 3) With a bit of luck, 40 is about halfway for most people. If you think you are getting old, think about what you did so far and imagine having the same amount of time still to come. 4) Watch out for the sudden urge to buy a Ferrari and a blonde to fit in it. This will pass. Oh and Happy Birthday. Thanks! The trouble is I feel old! You're right though, I think this may all hint at a need to make some more substantial lifestyle changes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jrockbridge Posted August 6, 2009 Members Share Posted August 6, 2009 I don't think there's anything wrong with 40 somethings (or anybody any age) playing pointy guitars. Pointy guitars are not my thing, but they do make sense for metal. I like metal, yet I gave up trying to play it a long time ago. For those that can play metal well, I applaud them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members soundcreation Posted August 6, 2009 Members Share Posted August 6, 2009 All true, but- Saxon:facepalm: I'm fully metal believe me- but no-one wants to be a laughing stock! I saw Death Angel in London (for the 5th time) recently and they were cool as you like with pointy ESPs etc. I also saw Sacred Reich and Phil Rind told everyone to take it easy in the mosh pit cos "20 years ago if we went down we got back up, now you'll need an ambulance!" Holy {censored} death angel...haven't heard that name in a while....I loved Bored. I did laugh a bit when I saw testament about a year ago. Fat {censored}ers...but they really put on a pro show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Engl Kramer Posted August 6, 2009 Author Members Share Posted August 6, 2009 I don't think there's anything wrong with 40 somethings (or anybody any age) playing pointy guitars. Pointy guitars are not my thing, but they do make sense for metal. I like metal, yet I gave up trying to play it a long time ago. For those that can play metal well, I applaud them. I didn't say I was any good! I sold the Jackson. Truth be told it wasn't really doing it for me anyway, but I think my pointy days are over:lol: Used the money to buy one of these- which I love- pretty Metal anyway right?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Brian Krashpad Posted August 6, 2009 Members Share Posted August 6, 2009 OK its the big 40 next year and I think maybe I should start listening to MOR and playing 'proper music' on my grown up guitar. Last year I bought a Jackson Kelly (pointy black explorer) and was enjoying it until I caught my reflection in the window at night and realised that maybe I should have stopped playing guitars like this back when I couldn't get away with wearing tight trousers anymore! I should point out that I look my age, have no hair on the top and I'm a fat bastard. Thing is I'm a dyed in the wool Metal player and I was either having a mini mid-life crisis or just missed rocking a proper Metal ax. I'll never stop playing the kind of music I do cos its in my blood, but I'm now conscious of having a bit of dignity and not being an embarassment to everyone:lol: {censored} that! Signed, An Embarrassment to Everyone PS-- a few weeks ago I asked my 12-year-old son something or other about my hair or clothes or guitars or something being too young for me or something along those lines. His response: "You're never too old to rock!" Yep, he's a Krashpad all right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Les Paul Lover Posted August 6, 2009 Members Share Posted August 6, 2009 Krashpad all right, or love is blind...... Eh, eh, sorry, I couldn't resist!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members shredtilurded Posted August 6, 2009 Members Share Posted August 6, 2009 It's a shame that you think this way. Ditch the self-loathing and rock the {censored} out any way you want. If people don't dig it. They don't dig it. Don't suffocate your personality. Be true to yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members shredtilurded Posted August 6, 2009 Members Share Posted August 6, 2009 PS-- a few weeks ago I asked my 12-year-old son something or other about my hair or clothes or guitars or something being too young for me or something along those lines. His response: "You're never too old to rock!" Yep, he's a Krashpad all right. Double your sons' allowance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Brian Krashpad Posted August 6, 2009 Members Share Posted August 6, 2009 Krashpad all right, or love is blind...... Eh, eh, sorry, I couldn't resist!!!!!! Haha, no worries! I think both are probably true. Here's el Krashpadito at one of his first shows, a small festival I played in 2007: Here's us: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Brian Krashpad Posted August 6, 2009 Members Share Posted August 6, 2009 Double your sons' allowance. Haha, see the Strat in the avatar? His sister has already got her first bass, a couple weeks ago, a nice Peavey USA Foundation. The family that rocks together... um... well... rocks together! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Burningleaves Posted August 6, 2009 Members Share Posted August 6, 2009 Get your ass in shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SPONGEBOB Posted August 6, 2009 Members Share Posted August 6, 2009 Hey man, I'm 55 and I still rock the house with regularity... I play classic and oldies rock, some country.. whatever.. The young kids crap themselves when they see a 55 year old that can rock as hard or harder than they can Its all good .. Enjoy your guitar. Branch out a bit to give yourself more options. Picking up a cheap bass and learning to be a decent bass player is always good. Its gotten me more work thats for sure.. Just enjoy, and find guys your age that like to play your kind of music... Metal was NEVER a big money maker on the local club scene.. Not as much as other forms . Its harder to be a metal guy on a local level I would think, if you are looking to work, but there are plenty of metal heads your age that love to play it still. EVERYONE gets old, ugly, bald, whatever... Part of who we are. As the Who once said in a song... "Pick up my guitar and play-Just like yesterday,then I get on my knees and pray" bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members shredtilurded Posted August 6, 2009 Members Share Posted August 6, 2009 Haha, see the Strat in the avatar? His sister has already got her first bass, a couple weeks ago, a nice Peavey USA Foundation. The family that rocks together... um... well... rocks together! That's so awesome Krash, I wish my kids were more into playing music. They're still young so I haven't given up on the idea. Don't want to push it them, y'know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members roygbiv Posted August 6, 2009 Members Share Posted August 6, 2009 BK, those are some great photos. I really enjoyed those. OP, I got two words for you: SMOOTH JAZZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.