So the dream has finally come true.

After busting my ass in order to learn an instrument that I completely adored from the first time I played on, i've finally got my break in being a drummer.

I was picked up as the new permanent drummer for the band Hoods. We're from Sacramento, CA and currently ranked in the top 5 of hardcore bands in the world.

On top of that, I've been endorsed by pork pie, and get to play on a $6200 fully custom drumset whenever we play. I never saw me getting a break like this, but im still in a bit of shock lol.

any suggestions from touring drummers on routines to stay strong and play solid every single night besides getting plenty of sleep and maybe taking vitamins? I've never been in a band that would play like 45+ tour dates, so this is gonna be a huge change for me, but hot damn im excited

Congrats. Lets see. On staying strong and playing solid every night, if I remember right, it was plenty of cheeseburgers, bourbon and meth.

Oh wait, that can't be right.

I think the combination is cocaine and heroin.

Forget about food and sleep - you won't need it.

Just be sure to say hi to Layne Staley when you meet him...

Congratulations! Now keep your nose clean!

i played a show with hoods once!

Congatulations Rob! Skip the meth, heroin and careful w/ the Bourbon couple - three prior and during, what you can take after the shows. You can meet Lane later, along w/ the whole fun gang in the sky. You say you busted your ass and it's paid off. Be greatful and appreciate what you've been given. Later

A very big congratulations on getting the gig. I used to be an old road soldier for over 20 years so if I can be of any asistance, please don't hesistate to ask. As one suggestion, (and we used to do this as a band) if you're on the road all the time, every time you come into a new city, find yourself a gym and workout as a group maybe 2 or 3 times a week for an hour or so. Most gyms have some kind od individual daily rate. Offer them some free tickets to the show and you may be able to workout free...

See everything you can in the new cities. This country has a lot to offer and soak up the scenery while you can. Enjoy the good times of the road. The best thing also you can do is build the comradery with your fellow mates. That's the best health supplement you can have. You do that and you'll play like a banshee and have a blast on stage every night. Life will be great. Rock hard and kick'em for me...

You got it all wrong dude, its hookers and cocaine!

haha thanks for all the advice. im never going to try any type of drugs while on tour or ever, period. never the type of dude to get into that kind of gross stuff.

but anywho, yeah I was thinking about signing up for like 24hr fitness to have access to a gym to workout in the major cities we play. Maybe i'll take your advice about just the hourly rates at random gyms.

now the little groupies might lure me in......haha.

Just make sure they're not too little. The real young ones now-a-days don't look so young any more...

Oh and on your days when you're on the road and nothing to see or do, believe it or not, check out a pawn shop. We got some great buys at the ones in Norfolk. Picked up a Korg CX3 organ inside an anvil flight case for 250.00 and a 24 channel Yamaha board in a flight case for 200.00. Ya just never know what you'll find...good luck and stay healthy.

Congratulations Rob. Enjoy the hell out of it. Not too many people get the opertunity. Make us proud

Mike

Congrats on the gig. :thu:It's great to hear of someone really working towards something and get it.

Some ideas off the top:

Exercise doesn't have to come from a gym, see if there is room to take a bicycle along.

Do you jog?

Carbohydrates before a gig (energy), protein after the gig (rebuild muscles). Carbs would be pasta and rice, protein would be tofu, meat, beans. Talk to a nutitionist!!!!

On nights when your energy is low try bee pollen (I've used the capules) or gensing, you can find it at health food stores. It's a good energy boost, like a cup of coffee, but there's no "crash" afterwards.

Drink lots of water on stage and off!!! Water helps with muscle cramps if you ever get them.

Cliff bars and water are great for energy!

Stay away from sugar and

First and foremost, congratulations on getting the gig!

Now onto work: touring makes common sense to me, so it amazes me when people have trouble with it. The biggest part is this: YOUR JOB IS TO NOW PERFORM EVERY NIGHT AS WELL AS YOU SHOULD. That means VERY limited partying (especially drinking). Sleep whenever you can, since you'll need your energy.

Nutrition, hydration, and exercise is key. If your body can't respond, you can't drum. As stated, stay hydrated and eat well. Skip McDonald's and buy a cooler, fill it with veggies and sandwich meats instead. Fruit, too! You'll save money and feel better. Chicks dig abs and muscles!

As said above, exercise doesn't need to come from the gym! Do 50 push-ups every day, and always warm up and stretch down after the show. Your hands, knees, and wrists (and back) will appreciate it!

Remember that you're on tour, not on vacation -- don't go spend-crazy, or else your 45 day tour will become a 25 day tour.

Stay centered (spiritually). It's easy to lose sight of the world - watch the news, take 5 minutes a day by yourself to do yoga, pray, write in a journal... your mind is a terrible thing to waste.

Stay open with your band mates! They're your brothers now, and if Mike's need of putting mustard on everything is starting to bother you, then it will only get worse. Be open and friendly and accomodate one another!

That's about it from me, but good luck, and again, congratulations!

Ya know I've seen a couple of replies about not having to go to a gym. of course that's very true, but I did find that by scheduling something like that with all your band mates together, it really does a bonding thing as well. You end up getting a good workout, but you build all of the esteems collectively. You end up in friendly competition, friendly banter, and you really seal the brotherhood aspect on and off stage. It's a very valuable experience in itself...

First and foremost, congratulations on getting the gig! Now onto work: touring makes common sense to me, so it amazes me when people have trouble with it. The biggest part is this: YOUR JOB IS TO NOW PERFORM EVERY NIGHT AS WELL AS YOU SHOULD. That means VERY limited partying (especially drinking). Sleep whenever you can, since you'll need your energy. Nutrition, hydration, and exercise is key. If your body can't respond, you can't drum. As stated, stay hydrated and eat well. Skip McDonald's and buy a cooler, fill it with veggies and sandwich meats instead. Fruit, too! You'll save money and feel better. Chicks dig abs and muscles! As said above, exercise doesn't need to come from the gym! Do 50 push-ups every day, and always warm up and stretch down after the show. Your hands, knees, and wrists (and back) will appreciate it! Remember that you're on tour, not on vacation -- don't go spend-crazy, or else your 45 day tour will become a 25 day tour. Stay centered (spiritually). It's easy to lose sight of the world - watch the news, take 5 minutes a day by yourself to do yoga, pray, write in a journal... your mind is a terrible thing to waste. Stay open with your band mates! They're your brothers now, and if Mike's need of putting mustard on everything is starting to bother you, then it will only get worse. Be open and friendly and accomodate one another! That's about it from me, but good luck, and again, congratulations!

FitchFY, these are all great! I forgot about stretching . That is so important.

And definitely keep the mind open and stretched.

Mama said knock you out.

Congrats man!! i'm a tad bit envious. And thats an understatement.

For what its worth, i work at an LA Fitness. I probably shouldn't sell any secerts, but definatly go in and let them know that your in a band, and will be touring the country. They may be able to set you up with a decent deal that i wouldn't even know about. Otherwise, our rates are $15 per person, per day. Plus your signature on a liability wavier...which is ever important . BUT...i agree that i think getting the band together for an hour/hour and a half 4 times a week to work out is a GREAT idea.

I would also take pictures while on tour. I've never done a tour, but ive been enough places and "not wanted to make it awkward" by pulling out a camera, only to later wish that i could remember everything that happened (and i don't even drink!).

Have fun man...and most importantly let us know what your learning out there in the "real world"

god damn, dude!

I still have to get a bunch of stuff. I really want to get a laptop before i take off, just because i'll have the money to pay it back when i get home and there's a lot of crucial things that I would be missing without one.

the days are counting down, only 5 days before we take off. I wish my work was as happy as I am hahaha.

good for you, Rob!

take a camera or a video camera for sure...

do not take this opportunity to go into debt. if you're making money, sock some away. if you're not making much, stretch your bucks.

and remember, you're endorsing Pork Pie, not the other way around! You da man!

fantastic news!! Its the chance of a lifetime, and you should love every second of it.

A few practical tips:

WATER WATER WATER! Forget the booze (a little is ok, but dont get crazy). Water is the very best thing. No energy drinks, or mocha latte ventis whatevers. That stuff makes you need a toilet, and believe me, toilets on the road are NOT where you want to spend more time than you have to. Nothing ruins a show like a screaming bout of the {censored}s.

Condoms. You might need em, god willing, and you ALWAYS want to have some at hand. Im not promoting promiscuity, rather practicality. You dont want to run out of condoms and have to have unprotected sex. Remember if she's doing you cause your in the band, she's done other guys for the same reason. Probably LOTS of them.

Calling card. Cell phones go on the fritz, and a calling card with $20 bucks on it can be a life saver. Literally. The road can get ugly.

Food. Do yourself a big favor and heed Fitchfys advice about avoiding fast food. You've heard of the Freshman 15? Same thing happens on the road. Wraps, veggies, pretzels, etc. No Big Macs, at least not lots of them. Have fun but dont sacrifice your health.

Cash. Keep your eyes on it, and dont spend like a lunatic. I've been there, getting stranded in Albany with no cash, having to call Mom and Dad and beg them to wire some cash. ITs humiliating, and not a great way to engender confidence in them. Hold on to some of it, but spend very wisely.

Most of all have fun, be safe, and play every show like its your last.

We're pulling for you!

Congrats and everybody has had great advice.

The only thing I would add is be a pro and act as such. Stay focused even if the people around aren't. You never know who is watching. You may land jobs in the future based on how professionally you conduct yourself. Cannot stress this enough. Somebody already said it, it's not a vacation. I mean, how can it not be fun?? You are playing drums for a living for god sake!!! Enjoy the experience and take it all in. Not a lot of us "day-job" part-time night-drummers get to experience what you are going to experience. Be a pro.

As far as the gym-thing, most gyms in major cities will have "daily-rate" fees if you just want to get in there and work out for one day. It's relatively in-expensive. I would avoid the "Bally's" type places. They have daily rate options, but bother the {censored} out of you to get you to sign up for a membership. You are just looking to work out and don't need that hassle. I would stick with Golds or Powerhouse, or whatever mom and pop gyms that might be in a particular area.

good advice, Vinnie.

People you meet and the impressions you make will determine whether your music career will end with this band or continue afterward.

Do your best to be a class act.

Vinnie +10:thu::thu:

That's how I got my main gig... Professionals are not wannabes. THEY AREs! Focus is crucial! It's not all business, but the game is, and you wanna be a player in the BIG GAME! But above all...BE YOURSELF! Be GENUINE even if the leeches around you aren't! Some of the most powerful people in the studio business/recording industry are names you would probably never know. But I guarantee the "big team" does, so play like your in the big team. You don't need to play ten thousand notes to get noticed, you just need to play 10 the best you can, put in the most correct place! I wish you gobs of success!

Major props! Lots of good advice here. Im rather conservative so I wont say to much other than have fun but dont get caught up into the drugs and heavy drinking. To many bands/musicians have enjoyed the life on the road and ended up in trouble, care units or just dissapeared off the face of the planet from drugs and booze. If there lucky, they get to be on VH1 trying to regain there status and loose a few pounds. Report back on your journey, kinda like the blog Dave Rat does on the RHCP tour but here on the forums. Take pic's too if possible esp of those new Pork Pie drums. Lucky son-of-a-gun!