Tea Party's Jeff Burrows ups tempo for 10th drum marathon

Jeff Burrows is upping his game with some new acts for his 10th straight drum marathon in Windsor this weekend. 

The Tea Party and Krash Karma drummer will take a seat at his drum kit Friday night and play for 24 hours, laying down rhythm for a host of bands.

Brothers Colin and John-Angus MacDonald of The Trews will headline this year's event, which raises money for Transition to Betterness. 

Coming up on a decade of holding his marathon, Burrows wanted to bring in some big names.

"I'm looking at the 10th year as almost a new chapter where I have to build it and make it bigger in order for more people to maintain that interest," he said.

Regulars keep show alive

Burrows also gave a nod to some of his regulars, including a duo he affectionately refers to as his overnight accomplice. The Twisted Sisters have performed in the marathon for years, holding down the stage for four hours starting around 2 a.m.

That's the time when no other bands want to play, so finding such energetic musicians like the Twisted Sisters makes the marathon a success, explained Burrows.

"They show up in their pyjamas occasionally," he said. "We have that quick musical telepathy that is usually only apparent with bands that have been together for 20 years, but I've got that with them."

Banging away at the drum kit for a full day can be mentally challenging, but raising money for charity keeps Burrows going.

"Physically, it's not as bad as you think," he said. "Your lower back, your bottom and your shoulder and arms are sort of used to that, but the mental aspects of it are what become a bit troublesome."

Transition to Betterness is a Windsor group that provides help and comfort to families affected by life-altering illness. Much of their work supports cancer patients in Windsor-Essex.