3 Things Rock and Roll & Motherhood Have in Common

July 20, 2009

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: Image by y-its-mom via Flickr

At first, it would seem like they’re two really different topics, right? Rock and Roll=black and red, devil horns, no structure, late nights and chaos…oh, wait. That’s kind of the same. But babies are pink and blue and fuzzy bunnies…but if you start connecting the dots, they have more in common than you may think.

1. Both require the ability to pack like a sherpa for even a brief outing.

Ever seen a band loading out after a show? They’re carrying road cases, pushing huge amps, got cables looped around their arms, bags full of god knows what hanging from their elbows as they totter down rickety ramps.

Kinda reminds me of when I had baby babies, and packed for 45 minutes for a trip to the Post office and grocery store. I’d arrive, unsnap the carseat, unfold the stroller, pop it in, unload the bag, and realize I had no pants on. OK, not really, but believe me, it COULD have happened. Then, complete my 5 minute errand, and do it all again in reverse. Rock and roll and motherhood=Not for sissies.

2. Limited Opportunities for Personal Hygiene

A touring band generally doesn’t stay in a hotel every night. They sleep on their bus, in a van, or on a generous fan’s floor. They don’t have access to laundry, so jeans may get worn a week at a stretch. Every few days, they’ll get a hotel day room and take turns taking showers. But in general, the standards are not the same as your average 9-5 folks. That’s not to say bands smell bad- deoderant is a wonderful thing.

Even now, when I’m the only parent at home, showering opps. are peppered with shouts and screams from the children. If I DON’T hear them, I start screaming, “HEY!!! Everything OK down there?” Only to be met with, “W’s swimming in the fishtank!” or some equally reassuring statement. So yeah, my legs don’t get shaved as often as I might like.

3. Bootstraps and Rubber bands- Neccessity Is the Mother of Invention

When a band is on the road, things come up. They may arrive at a club to find that the PA system isn’t working, only to have their sound guy work feverishly for hours to get it up and running. Or, an amp may have shifted in transit, breaking tubes and requiring a frantic scramble between opening bands to see who has something that may work. From guitar strings to cables, there are a myriad of technical details that need to go EXACTLY right to make a show come off as planned.

Not unlike the intricate ballet required to ensure that a toddler’s french toast has no crust and burn marks, the underwear is the non-itchy kind with no tags, the rubber bands in the hair don’t pull- and of course, that the kid has the proper stuffed animal required for sleep. Any one detail a mom drops the ball on can spell disaster for small people- how many of us have tried to give the wrong color popsicle to a shrieking kid, only to be met with an epic FAIL that turns into meltdown?

So basically, yeah, we’re rockstars. Now, where are my roadies?

Any other similarities?

Category Posted in Adventures, DIY, Fangirl, Rock and Roll Mama, Writing

12 Responses to “3 Things Rock and Roll & Motherhood Have in Common”

Rockandrollguru said:

July 20th, 2009 at 6:08 pm

Moms are certainly rock stars! Bootstraps and Rubber bands…what more do you need?
Susan (Trout Towers) said:

July 20th, 2009 at 8:37 pm

I would like a roadie, please! From the engineering standpoint, people don’t even know you’re there when you’re doing it right. But when something’s not working? Everyone notices.

My favorite engineer is getting ready to do sound for Frank Black tonight!
Susan (Trout Towers)´s last blog ..Kathleen Edwards
rockrollmama said:

July 20th, 2009 at 8:59 pm

Rock and Roll Guru! I like your name.:)

Susan! I am SO JEALOUS of your favorite engineer. I LOVE “wave of mutilation”- (even though I know that’s Pixies.:)

But why is he doing that when our teleporter isn’t finished?!?!:)
wormdrink (kristy bockelman) said:

July 20th, 2009 at 9:53 pm

No doubt…all so true
sarah pekkenen said:

July 21st, 2009 at 10:39 am

I’m still laughing at the “no pants on” line — too funny! (I actually have walked around with my shirt on inside out on more than one occasion, but I usually manage to put it on).
Summer said:

July 21st, 2009 at 10:53 am

I love this! We’re total rock stars baby. Smelly, sweaty, backpack lugging rock stars.
Marion said:

July 21st, 2009 at 2:27 pm

Thank you for the boost I needed to roll me laughing along another day in parenthood.
Marion´s last blog ..Writing Sistory, or, Was I a Dodo to Profile My Friend?
Rock and Roll Mama said:

July 21st, 2009 at 3:12 pm

Kristy! Thanks, Mama.:) I know you love the rawk!

Sarah- Girl, I don’t know how you get out of the house in the morning with 2 big boys and a baby! Let alone write awesome books that are destined to be bestsellers.:)

Summer- That may be my very favorite line ever- I may have to have a T-shirt made!!!

Marion- So glad to be of service! You need a good round of singing in the car, that’ll boost you right up.

Thanks, lovelies!
Rock and Roll Mama´s last blog ..Beastie Boy MCA Announces cancer, but is so darn cute doing it.
Jo G. said:

July 21st, 2009 at 3:51 pm

You’re both my heroes!
Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting said:

July 21st, 2009 at 10:59 pm

So friggin’ true! We have to become MacGyver-esque when things arise that we have to take care of. And man oh man do we ever pack a house and then-some to go anywhere!

Fabulous post! Lookin’ forward to takin’ my rock star self to Chicago with all the other rock stars. Too bad I can’t belt it out in my minivan to get there. I think I’d get gagged on the plane. Ha!
Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting´s last blog ..Mini Van Rock Star
Ri, MusicSavvyMom said:

July 22nd, 2009 at 7:47 am

Ooooh! Ooooh! Don’t forget that both rockstars and moms have to take heckling in stride and not let it flip them out.
And if they’re partying rockstars, they have to be prepared to handle unexpected vomit at a moment’s notice.
And NEITHER get enough sleep.
They’re both waiting for that big break: rockstar = Major Label contract with ridiculously fabulous distribution cut, mom = Ivy League full ride scholarship.
Oh, and coffee. Most of both are coffee junkies.

xoxox Ri
Ri, MusicSavvyMom´s last blog ..Guest DJ: Lindsay from Rock and Roll Mama
y-its-mom said:

August 6th, 2009 at 12:56 pm

thanks for using my picture. that is my son at nearly a yr old jamming with metallica.