Patty Schemel Quotes

No one really listens to the drums, I don't think. They're there, but it's not a conscious thing to listen to. Everyone listens to the vocals, of course, and the words.

It's always inspiring to watch live music.

I love to go see live music. That used to be what I would do, almost every other night, and watch drummers play.

The drums are what drives the whole thing. It's the backbone of the song.

You don't really think that things will ever get better, but they do. People always ask me, "What would you say to gay teen youth that are suicidal, or someone who is addicted right now?," and it's hard to say with words that things will change, but they do.

To play the drums, you have to spread your legs and use your arms. It's a very physical instrument to play. It's not feminine.

For people that are in recovery, you really need to stick by your boundaries. It's hard because you're sharing this space and this experience with other people who might not need to do those things for themselves.

I feel like I'm 11 again, with my drums. It doesn't matter if it's good or bad. I'm just playing.

When I was a kid, I felt like I could do anything and play anything. I just felt super-confident. And then, once I started to play music professionally, maybe it's from being from a small town, but you grow up and then you're suddenly a big fish in a small pond, and I realized that there were a billion other drummers out there that could play as good as you or better, and everybody wants that job.

I always wanted to play music, and always loved it. I saw a band come to school, when I was in elementary school, and wanted to play drums. I started playing drums at 11, and that's where it all started.

Nowadays, there's a lot more that comes before music, that I need to take care of before I can sit down and play, and be a contributing member of a band or society. I have to take care of myself and my recovery, and then my family, and then my music.