Drummer's Excessive Use of China Cymbal Irks Condo Association

Larry Cleary, of Birch Crossings Unit 14-6, is seen here overusing his 20" Wohan China Cymbal from the corner of his poorly remodeled livingroom. Condo Association members met earlier today to decide whether a pointed letter should be sent to Cleary, or if more drastic measures, such as a stern verbal warning, was necessary.

6/21/03 - Larry Cleary like drums. Yet, after playing for over 25 years, he has hardly graduated beyond the level of intermediate, to the dismay of his fellow condo owners.

"I need work on my paradiddles," says Larry, 35, of the Birch Crossings Condo Complex off US-30 in Wooster, Ohio. "But, it sure sounds a lot better with this china cymbal I just got. The hi-hat just wasn't cutting the mustard"

Larry's love for all things drum can be traced back to Christmas 1977, when he received his first snare drum from an uncle that soon thereafter died. Admittedly, it's a rather lackluster story.

"Neil Peart is GOD," Larry professes, and he embarks on a crude all-snare-and-china-cymbal rendering of 'YYZ'. "CRASH, snare-CRASH-CRASH-CRASH, snare-CRASH-CRASH-CRASH-CRASH, CR-CR-CRASH"

What was a nuisance for his neighbors when he moved in two years ago has now turned into outrage with the addition of the china cymbal to Larry's 3-piece drum set. Several tenants, who wish to remain anonymous, lined up to vent their disgust and criticize his hours-long nightly performances.

"He's semi-retarded, I'm sure of that" says one condo owner that shares building 14 with Larry.

"I can't fucking think straight, OK? This knob keeps me up night-in night-out with that fucking cymbal," says another.

"I mean no one ill-will, I'm simply taking out my frustrations towards society on my drums. My drums are my guns. When I'm hitting my rhythm, I'm pulling the trigger on my semiautomatic. Rat-a-tata-tat-atatarat-ta-ratataratat", blurts Larry, as he goes into an extended drum and vocal solo which served as the end of the interview.