I gigged for many years as a drummer, and threw it in around 18 years ago for bass. I'd been twiddling the bass even while i was drumming, and in the end, i got the bug.
I appreciate a good drummer, and can obviously tell in a heartbeat whether they're one i can lock in with. Our current drummer is superb, and better than i ever was, but having been a drummer, i have respect for the art, and how they can influence me to play better.