@TSS: wow dude, epic post. A lot of wisdom in there. I will say this though: y'all playing in a live band keep those earplugs in. I went def in my left ear for a week when I was sixteen. (Due to practicing at show volume and never wearing ear plugs). It was the scariest shit ever. I slowly got my hearing back, but it's never been quite the same. Not trying to be a contrary mary or anything, just a reminder to look out for your hearing. It's a precious gift.