I care about being able to play. If you’re playing with integrity in the music, then that’s what matters. But it wasn’t that great for me because it was kinda like going back into the old times without the guy.
I’ve gone through guys who want to lay on their backs and play like they’re full of themselves. You know, I don’t care about posing. I mean look at me, do I care about posing?
I always thought it would be really cool to be playing the drums in the show and then have your astral body or whatever travel all through the audience and dig whatever it’s like out there.
I made that decision back in 1985. I was out here getting certified in SCUBA with Garcia in Kona and I thought to myself, this is a place to wake up in in the morning.
At first I missed it, but it was the amazing energy thing that happened during shows, when a lot of people were like Yay Yay Yeah! I missed that for a while. But I don’t miss the regular and the business side of that whole thing.
I’d rather play here in this small bar and just do a good show. Because it’s fun and there’s no expectations, it’s encouragement to be different, do something new.
I’m really thankful and complimented when people come to me and say, thank you for the great times for all these years. But I don’t think about it as being a leader.
