I am a drummer/percussionist. Always have been if you ask my mother. Always will be if you ask me. I was drumming even before I knew what it was, the rhythms and beats seduced me at a young age and hard-wired me to pursue a life of music.
I wanted nothing more than to be the pulse, the driving force behind songs and melodies, to be immersed in the music and have it float and dance around me. No matter what style of music, I had to learn it all, jazz, blues, big band swing, pop, rock, reggae, latin, musical theatre, whether it be on percussion, drum set or hand percussion. I love all the voices of the drumming world.
Not exactly encouraged as a youngster growing up in a small country town with small country town mentality, I was told to grow up, get a hair cut and get a real job. Haha, like waving a red flag to a bull. And what do angry young drummers do in situations like this? Go heavy of course. So, I spent many years playing metal, prog metal, thrash and speed metal to exorcise my demons. Challenging and rewarding, frustrating and heart breaking, such is the way of things when you chase your dreams with blind passion.
After many years of going metal thrashing mad I changed direction, performing in numerous pop cover bands solidifying my groove and time, focussing on the more important elements of drumming and less on show-boating, overplaying and general self-indulgence. But why not a bit of both angles?
I spent years playing to impress others, then years playing for money under strict band leaders. But to play what is right for the music, the best parts you can play for a song, is what makes me the happiest. Creation and then performance. This is what I choose to do now. I certainly don’t profess to be the best player, I’m just trying to be myself and do my own thing, if other people dig it, that’s great.
There’ve been trying times when I’ve wanted to give it away, especially after a mountain bike accident left me with a dislocated shoulder and nerve damage to my elbow. The control in my left hand has lagged since. It’s been heartbreaking being unable to phrase the parts the way I hear them in my head. But determination and passion are overcoming this obstacle. This hasn’t been my first hurdle and it won’t be my last.
This is where I am today, putting the pieces back together, rediscovering the music and my passion. Looking for that pure feeling I greedily enjoyed as a kid through to adulthood and finding it in the songs of Pillbilly.
Paul Müller
I am a drummer/percussionist. Always have been if you ask my mother. Always will be if you ask me. I was drumming even before I knew what it was, the rhythms and beats seduced me at a young age and hard-wired me to pursue a life of music.
I wanted nothing more than to be the pulse, the driving force behind songs and melodies, to be immersed in the music and have it float and dance around me. No matter what style of music, I had to learn it all, jazz, blues, big band swing, pop, rock, reggae, latin, musical theatre, whether it be on percussion, drum set or hand percussion. I love all the voices of the drumming world.
Not exactly encouraged as a youngster growing up in a small country town with small country town mentality, I was told to grow up, get a hair cut and get a real job. Haha, like waving a red flag to a bull. And what do angry young drummers do in situations like this? Go heavy of course. So, I spent many years playing metal, prog metal, thrash and speed metal to exorcise my demons. Challenging and rewarding, frustrating and heart breaking, such is the way of things when you chase your dreams with blind passion.
After many years of going metal thrashing mad I changed direction, performing in numerous pop cover bands solidifying my groove and time, focussing on the more important elements of drumming and less on show-boating, overplaying and general self-indulgence. But why not a bit of both angles?
I spent years playing to impress others, then years playing for money under strict band leaders. But to play what is right for the music, the best parts you can play for a song, is what makes me the happiest. Creation and then performance. This is what I choose to do now. I certainly don’t profess to be the best player, I’m just trying to be myself and do my own thing, if other people dig it, that’s great.
There’ve been trying times when I’ve wanted to give it away, especially after a mountain bike accident left me with a dislocated shoulder and nerve damage to my elbow. The control in my left hand has lagged since. It’s been heartbreaking being unable to phrase the parts the way I hear them in my head. But determination and passion are overcoming this obstacle. This hasn’t been my first hurdle and it won’t be my last.
This is where I am today, putting the pieces back together, rediscovering the music and my passion. Looking for that pure feeling I greedily enjoyed as a kid through to adulthood and finding it in the songs of Pillbilly.
Hope you like ‘em too.
Be great to hear from you.
Paul