Oooo, would love to hear some of your stuff! I have no sense of rhythm whatsoever, so you drummer types are always magical and mysterious to me. :P

Sick set! I'm a drummer, myself. =P Nowhere near that long, but most external sources (even highly musically oriented ones) affirm in me that I have a very firm grasp on it, especially with adaptability to different styles of music. I'd love to hear some of your stuff!

Drumming is, in my honest belief, something you must be born with. It's not just about keeping time. It's about rhythm. Rhythm is something that can't be taught. It's just like dance. Anybody can be shown "how to move" or "How to count time." But it's the rhythm that separates us. I didn't chose drums... they chose me.

I believe everyone has some innate sense, even if only marginal, of a typical 4/4 beat. I've showed many people IRL the basic rock beat, be it on my drumset, or sitting at a table, and they can usually get it once they get past the 'omg I suck' phase. But persistence is key. Expanding from that is simply building the foundations...as with anything.

Personally, I feel anyone can do anything. ie, anyone could recreate the Mona Lisa, but it depends on the person's dedication and base skill as to how long it takes. A masterful artist could do so in hours, whereas someone who never drew before would take a very long time. But even if the latter was to stick to it, erase, try again, and keep doing that...I feel they would eventually do it. Maybe I just put too much faith in people, or maybe it's 'cause I always see the good in everything (which I do).

I'm trying to learn guitar atm, and whilst I'm not good, I've been getting it down more and more. But I don't stick too it as often as I should (mostly because I have 1000 things to do aside from that XD). But if I could dedicate a full day, I'm sure I could make very good progress.

I don't undermine drumming as a result of my belief, btw, since so many people can't stick to it. But it's worth it if you do. ^^ Some people just pick it up easier than others.

Who's your influences, btw? I'd say my top one is Jeremiah Green of Modest Mouse (from their first 3 CD's...he really toned down a lot recently =( )

Oh it's true. Anybody can "copy" the Mona Lisa. But somebody, at one point, "created" it. I believe everybody can be TAUGHT to do everything. But some people are just meant to do certain things. I could play the drums from my very first time ever picking up sticks. My dad is the same with guitar/bass. Some people are just naturally "gifted." That's what separates those who are "taught" from those who "just do." ^^
/rant

Honestly? I'm not really sure what my influences are. I never really listened to drummers and thought "Wow, I wanna play like that." However, If I had to pick anybody that I will listen to no matter what, that would be Buddy Rich and Ed Shaughnessy. They are absolutely demigods in my eyes.

As far as modern drummers, the Drummer from My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy and Travis Barker all make me smile when I hear them play.

Hmm...good point. I'd say I have to agree. =)

And all three of those modern drummers? Hells yes, sir. *high five*