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When I was a little brat growing up in Cudahy, Wisconsin, I spent hours down in the basement of our single story ranch pounding on boxes, buckets, assorted cans, a piece of steel for a cymbal and a big, round , hard vinyl covered cushion in lieu of a bass drum.

In the summertime we'd ride our bikes to see any garage band within earshot -- or hitch a ride on the ice cream truck -- circa 1969. I'd watch as the drummer twirled his sticks between beats and the guitar player would spin his arm around like Pete Townshend. I wanted to play guitar and then drums, I never thought much of bass -- it wasn't until much later that I came to appreciate the likes of John Entwistle and Geddy Lee.

Instead of drums, in the 4th grade (1971) I believe, when we had music added to our elementary school curriculum, I had to settle for a trombone; as I recall, I was not the only kid who wanted to pound on drums, and guitar wasn't on the menu. I wasn't very excited about the trombone and much to my music teacher, Miss Dulge's(sp?) consternation, I was uninspired and didn't practice very much. By fifth or sixth grade I switched to a much hipper saxophone, but by eighth or ninth I had given that up due to a personality conflict with my junior high school music teacher, Mr. Roth.

After that the only instrument I played was the stereo until January 13, 1983, when I bought my first guitar. I never got very adept with it, though; I learned just enough to amuse myself while annoying the hell out of everyone else. By 1993, when I had all but given up on my rock and roll fantasy, I was given the chance to play bass guitar for KONTRA (before we chose that name). We had recorded four songs and were gaining a meager following when it all fell apart, mid-'95.

Although I've tried, I just can't sing. Our drummer, Dan, says I'm tone-deaf, and maybe he's right. That's fine with me he and Gerard can do the singing -- if Shawn, the singer we're currently trying out, joins the group, they can sing backup. As it stands, though, we've got a good sound and, so far, we're getting along as well as ever.

Now that we're back together, I know better than to think we'll win that pop-music lottery -- by and large, that's for the kids -- but it's a nice hobby. Playing bars locally and building a small following is not out of the question, and while I am not likely to get rich, it sure beets paying for my beer as I listen to someone else play -- although I'd sure like to make enough money to hire a roadie or two.

I'm not making any money yet, but I'm not spending any either, as I've already got the equipment. We still have to learn -- or, better yet, write -- some more songs; our repertoire is a little light with some thirty-odd songs to date. But if we can just keep going and avoid derailment, it could happen. The dream isn't quite dead, yet.

I'm no longer seeking fame and fortune, but they say you should do for a living what you would do for free, and at this point, I've got nothing to lose -- so let's rock.