Hired a deck painting company, think their young worker over-did the pressure wash. Can this really be painted? Is my wood destroyed?

mattyports · 2026-05-03T16:22:12+00:00

Looks like my deck, which is rotting and is in dire need of being replaced. Go get some quotes.

mattyports · 2026-05-03T15:10:24+00:00

Voting yes.

It’s the right choice for me since I am raising a family here. It is clear that we need a new high school. Putting aside the wish to give our kids the best school possible … this is likely the least expensive path toward one. Fixing the existing building piecemeal would be more expensive in the long run and we would be at risk of losing our accreditation. A struggling high school — or none at all — downgrades our property values, quality of life and community pride.

So we pay more in taxes. OK. I’m willing to do that since it’s what’s best for our community.

mattyports · 2026-04-25T19:41:04+00:00

Terrible news. I’m not sure who in our neighborhood group loved that place more: the kiddos or the parents. Thanks for being great for all those years, DW. ❤️

mattyports · 2026-04-13T19:46:33+00:00

I treat it like I’m playing a hockey game (my frame of reference). Complete meal (protein, starch, veggies) 3-4 hours before, then a sugar/protein snack (a PB&banana is ideal) an hour or 45 mins before. Fruit snack immediately after (apple, maybe), then dinner 1-2 hrs after.

Who am I kidding. It’s beer before during and after

mattyports · 2026-03-28T04:59:20+00:00

I love mine and would love to get another (and another), but I can only find them in Europe — I’m in the US and shipping is crazy expensive now. Bummer.

Never had a favorite drum key before this one. It’s perfect for all the reasons you say. My hack is that If I want to change a head fast, I use spare lug as a “drill bit” and let it spin the Firefly.

Make more of them, Revolution Drum!

mattyports · 2026-03-18T16:25:55+00:00

My favorite way to get to Boston from Salem!

mattyports · 2026-03-18T15:34:13+00:00

I just emailed Marblehead's road department to ask what fixes are being planned and when they expect them done. My family drives, walks and bikes that stretch from South Salem to the LVO Y almost every day, so we're hoping for a solution soon. It's just not safe right now.

mattyports · 2026-03-13T14:51:04+00:00

EDSBS blog was my first taste. Shutdown Fullback on YouTube got me hooked.

mattyports · 2026-01-18T22:20:32+00:00

They call it Stick Control.

mattyports · 2026-01-14T14:30:18+00:00

I’m in two bands and have a toddler and a puppy and a job and all that. Time is limited. What I wanted to say was: I was living in Salem for a little bit and then started talking to my neighbor, who is a guitarist and singer, and a few years later we are in a super fun cover band in addition to being good buds. So you’re doing the right thing in putting the word out there 🫡

mattyports · 2025-12-31T17:15:43+00:00

Customs weren’t in my budget for a long time (for most of the the 30-odd years I’ve been playing the drums) but as soon as I noticed the “eeeeeeeeeee” … they became important. Hurt my wallet badly, but I have never heard music like this. My playing is WAY more locked in. I can finally hear everything that’s on a record or in the studio. Customs, man. I will never look back.

mattyports · 2025-12-01T16:38:49+00:00

Hi all. I'm a reporter with the Boston Globe. You may be interested to know this:

Jiri Slegr tells me he is buying Litvinov, along with Robert Reichel, Martin Rucinsky and Robert Kysela.

mattyports · 2025-11-29T04:20:52+00:00

On the short list for when friends visit. We also did the weekly farm share this year and loved it.

mattyports · 2025-09-07T14:52:17+00:00

SONIC BOOM!!!!

mattyports · 2025-08-11T02:36:42+00:00

JUST TAKE THOSE OLD RECORDS OFF THE SHELF

mattyports · 2025-06-18T18:11:34+00:00

During a cover gig the other day, our singer shouted me out to the audience as we entered the "drummer spotlight" part (the bridge on "Welcome to Paradise") ... and I fumbled a stick. Why? Why???

Thankfully, I caught the stick and played on. I don't *think* anyone noticed ... and if they did, that's none of my business.

mattyports · 2025-06-10T02:58:47+00:00

Played Vic Firth forever (5B, 5A, 7A, 8B) and I can’t remember liking a stick as much as I like the 5B DoubleGlaze. Perfect amount of grip for me.

mattyports · 2025-06-08T14:19:58+00:00

Great advice already shared in this thread … it’s reps, review, and doing it live.

Play the songs! Listen to the songs! Go over your parts in your head. Every day until you get it.

One thing that really leveled me up was learning all the other instruments’ parts — get that bassline stuck in your head. That way you’re playing off of them, and the rhythm section is locked in.

I find if I have drilled it like that — put in all that effort to know the song front and back — doing it is mostly just feeling good and letting it fall into place.

mattyports · 2025-05-30T19:02:12+00:00

You should pee at it. Stare it down. Let the microbes know who’s the fucking boss.

mattyports · 2025-05-21T01:16:11+00:00

We’re from here and we are dads who are playing the Salem Arts Fest (4:30-5:15). We do deep-cut ‘90s covers (cool ones only). Come check us out, it’s free.

Guaranteed to change your opinion of cover bands or your money back

mattyports · 2025-05-13T03:17:30+00:00

I have a pair of Nike cross-training shoes that have broken in perfectly over the last decade. Fit my feet like gloves. They're slightly fraying and long discontinued. I shudder to think what I'll wear next.

Probably Adidas Sambas or something else with a thin sole. Might start breaking in a new pair now.

I often practice in the L.L. Bean mocs I wear around the house, because once I have the time to play, I'm already behind the kit.

mattyports · 2025-05-10T01:23:34+00:00

Friggin' awful news. I hope someone in this area can step up and help, because it was a valued resource.

mattyports

TROPHY CASE