Ex-SKID ROW Drummer PHIL VARONE: 'I Am A Funny Motherf*cker'

July 14, 2006

Former SAIGON KICK/SKID ROW drummer Phil Varone, who recently retired from music in order to start a new career in stand-up comedy, has posted the following message on his MySpace page:

"As I start a new career in comedy, I can't help thinking about my old career of drumming. People ask me how I could just walk away from drumming, touring, recording, and the music business in general, but at the time, it was very easy to do. I guess you get burnt out with any profession, but when your dream job turns into 'just a job,' it's time to step back and put things into perspective. I would be lying if I said I didn't miss drumming. What I don't miss is the drama of a band, the clash of egos, and of course the business in general. Unlike most professions, the shelf life of a band these days is not too appealing. I think music in general is in a sad state, and the majority of today's bands are unoriginal, and blend into a mass of boring, bland noise. I only hope the computer age wipes out record companies altogether. We would be a lot richer doing our own business.

"One of the most appealing things about comedy is it's all me. Phil vs microphone. It's the most scary yet most gratifying thing I have ever done. I've never been blinded by fear as I walked to a stage, and I have never been so excited and accomplished leaving a stage until I started comedy. I look forward to what the future holds, because let's face it, I am a funny motherfucker!!! What? What did I say? Hey, pal, stop tooting your fucking horn!! Hey, fuck you Hans, I'm tooting the horn, and a few other things over here...

"With all that said, I thought back to the beginning. This is the time when I would have given anything to become a rock star. I was young, lived at home, and could not wait to get to band practice. All day long at work I would day dream about being a rock star. When I worked on a lawn service, I would ride around dreaming about the crowd, mowing down flower beds, bushes, and anything else that would get in the way during those great dreams. I would give anything to have that feeling again, but the hurt is too deep. Below I wanted to show the young me. This was when I loved drumming more then anything in the world. This is before egos, drama, and the blood sucking contracts that take your soul and dignity.. I hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane."

Check out Phil Varone's photos at this location.

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