A View From Behind The Drumkit

A View From Behind The Drumkit

A View From Behind The Drumkit: Pre-Show Apocalypse

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A View From Behind The Drumkit is a weekly column written by Darkest Hour drummer Ryan Parrish. Follow along as he scribes down some anecdotes and advice from his many years of touring.

Summer of 2001 brought upon some of the most integral elements of Darkest Hour's touring ethical foundations. As a matter of fact, they remain strong and true to this very day. From the ever so classic "Get to the show on time", to the, "Let's leave a little earlier in case we get lost". The proper touring mentality slowly sank within our subconscious and quickly turned us from slacking musicians to somewhat of a professional, touring band. The most standout fundamental lesson that came to light that fateful year for me personally, was the ever so curious act of, "Getting wasted before we play" experiment. An experiment that still lives in prolific infamy in my career. (more…)

A View From Behind The Drumkit

A View From Behind The Drumkit: Toilet Taboo

ViewFromBehindTheDrumkit

A View From Behind The Drumkit is a weekly column written by Darkest Hour drummer Ryan Parrish. Follow along as he scribes down some anecdotes and advice from his many years of touring.

It's never easy to admit defeat. One of the most undeniable hang ups of human beings is simply stomaching the fact that he or she has been warranted incorrect or taken down swiftly. Does it make us better people overall? Sure. Is it humbling and educating? Without a doubt. Yet, much to the touring musician's dismay, these defeatist qualities loom in the shadows on the day to day when surviving on the road. This may seem disheartening for some to ideate that at any given juncture while shedding your blood, sweat, and tears to audiences worldwide, that a manageable occurrence can petition defeat into your life. It's palpable and, unfortunately, an unequivocal possibility. You still with me? Anyone picking up what I'm putting down? If not, don't fear. Let me give you an example of what I'm harboring. (more…)

A View From Behind The Drumkit

A View From Behind The Drumkit: Do The Walrus

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A View From Behind The Drumkit is a weekly column written by Darkest Hour drummer Ryan Parrish. Follow along as he scribes down some anecdotes and advice from his many years of touring. This article shows the brilliant games bands can come up with when on the road together. We present to you… The Walrus!

A person, a beer, a bottle of liquor. Those are the three key ingredients needed when delving into the electrifying world of the Walrus. Its not the animal I'm speaking about mind you, but rather the heroic act involving such significant barbarism and inexplicable liver-damaging devastation that only the chosen few can accomplish it with success. It's the circumnavigating of one's own health and disposition. It's dangerous. It's glamorous. It's absolutely ridiculous. My friends, it's called "Doing the Walrus". (more…)

A View From Behind The Drumkit

A View From Behind The Drumkit: One Beer Left!

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A View From Behind The Drumkit is a weekly column written by Darkest Hour drummer Ryan Parrish. Follow along as he scribes down some anecdotes and advice from his many years of touring. You can read the first edition of the column here. This piece focuses on getting your buzz on while on tour…

The concert is over in (insert city here). Your mind casually transitions back to civilized reality as you've once again had the prodigious opportunity to escape through music. You're covered in an ocean of sweat and have managed to meander off of the stage in search of that frothy elixir of goodness that awaits you. It's calling, ever so gently, making its presence known as you migrate towards the rager happening backstage. You can already taste it. My God, it's going to be delicious. Upon entering the chaos, you bulldoze through the vultures and scavengers lingering and partying in the only safe haven available. Beads of condensation stream down the sides of the adult beverage's housing facility, giving the indication its cold, fresh, and ready to consume. One beer left. As you lunge to capture that last bottle of thirst quenching wholesomeness, the unthinkable happens. Some scourge of the Earth you've never seen before wearing Jenko's, a No Fear hoodie with matching wristbands, and splattered with mascara, seizes your liquid tranquility, pops the top, and chugs it in its entirety right before your eyes. The only thought racing through your brain is…

Fuck. (more…)

A View From Behind The Drumkit

A View From Behind The Drumkit: EAT IT

ViewFromBehindTheDrumkit

A View From Behind The Drumkit is a new column here at Metal Injection written by Darkest Hour drummer Ryan Parrish. Follow along as he scribes down some anecdotes from his many years of touring. The first column in this series looks at eating on the road.

Imagine with me, if you will… (more…)