Confusing Desire For Discipline - Life Unlived

I've been saying, literally forever almost, that I need to get in a band.   "Another Band".  The last band I played in was almost 25 years ago; when I say that, I can practically hear the "Twilight Zone" theme start up in my head.  25 years.  Now, I play and - even though I am pretty self-critical, in my head anyway, I play pretty wicked guitar.  Oh - I will see somebody on T.V. that makes me re-think that, but I usually realize that, while so-and-so is probably a far better player than I - it is usually that he/she is far more well-rounded and displays a fearless abandon with a cascade of killer chops.  When I get honest and try to imagine that player playing some of the stuff I hear myself play, well - oftentimes I can't see it.  It's like, yeah, we all have strengths and weaknesses, and while I may have more weaknesses than many of these pros (jazz comping maybe, uh... diverse vocabulary of licks in multiple genres, whatever), the truth is, some of my strengths are, frankly, pretty damn strong.  I have some serious speed with many of my tricks and licks, and scales - and I think my vibrato compares favorably to almost anyone's outside of perhaps Jeff Beck.  I have, it seems like, a unique voice or "phrasing", that I began recognizing a few years back - a certain way I combine licks, runs and bends in runs or  sequences, that sound pretty damn cool and I believe sound unique -  like I don't recall hearing similar phrasing from other players.  I think it just might be that I have one or two "trademark" techniques that, were I in the public eye, would be identifiable, as in "wait a sec, that must be Stephen Francis -- I recognize that style" or whatever.  Point is --- I really gotta get out there and play with some others, maybe get in a band.  Classic or retro rock, blues rock...  I have some Trower-type techniques, as far as interesting bends into and out-of trills and vibrato (wiggle the hell out of the note in a musical fashion) - and, quite frankly, my "speed riffing" is noticeably faster and cleaner than Robin's - which is not unusual these days - the speed-thing is just more emphasized all around compared to Robin's time.   And  I am not saying I am "better" than Robin Trower.  In fact - he is among my top 1 or 2 favorite players, and I will never be as good as he is, as a masterful artist of sounds and textures and all that.  He is God.  I mean, I like Eric C a lot - but I would say he'd be an archangel to Robin's God.  That's just my opinion and personal taste.  Of course, just a listen to the "Beano" album and I find myself worshipping at the altar of Clapton once again ;-)


I'm starting to have waking dreams, so I will cut this off now (too late to cut it short, after all)


More on the "I need to get in a band" topic, as well as why I think I'm someone who other folks really should hook-up with, collaborate with.  ADD and all, I know I have a deep well of creative energy and material blasting in to my head all the time.  With the right people, I think it could get interesting, and in a good way.  ;-)  Ciao.