We recently connected with Carlos and have shared our conversation below.
Carlos, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
So, it’s funny because I actually got my very first drum kit when I was 2 years old, as a Christmas present from my parents. This was in the early 70s, so you can imagine how “rinky-dink” this thing was – more of a toy than some of the real drum kits out there for kids. It still was the push to get me to learn how to play and teach myself, and practice throughout the years as a kid. My actual first real kit wasn’t until I was around 20 when I had to dish out the cash on my own. It was a TAMA kit that was made of maple which gave some deep, dark tones. I did take several lessons over the years from a guy named Mike Henry, who was the owner of Houston Percussion Center and eventually lessons from Johnny Kelly of Type O Negative. Johnny corrected my stick action – he pointed out that I looked a little “caveman-ish” which basically says I was exerting too much of my energy for no necessary reason. Everything else I had to pick up was basically dependant on my passion to get the sound I wanted: lots of trial and error, personal time, and seeing what worked (sound-wise). A lot of the sound I was and still continue to go for are influenced by heavy metal, thrash and hard rock bands that carry dark heavy tones. Bands like Pantera, Slayer, Type O Negative help to give me like a template of how I tend to build by kits and melodies I tend to write.
It’s hard to say what I could have done to speed up the learning process but if I had the chance to have more time to focus more and maybe take more lessons, I guess that wouldn’t of hurt.
I have to say that, as far as skills go, knowledge of rudiments and timing are probably most essential for me.
If there were any obstacles that stood in the way, I would have to say finances – this stuff doesn’t come cheap and any drummer would agree.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am originally from Brooklyn, NY and I moved to Houston in the late 70s when I was about 11 years old. Being able to grow up in those two music scenes, which were profoundly different from each other, especially in those days, gave me a broad sense of musical/instrumental influence – the works of KISS, Carnivore and Twisted Sister (NY bands) and other bands like Pantera and Slayer made me want to be part of something bigger, creatively and artistically. I wanted to have an impact on the music scene – I wanted to be a “rock star” just as much as the next kid. They impacted my desire to be a professional musician just by the way they worked the crowds with their energy and presence. Getting people to move, get wild, yell, scream, react and whatever crazy shit you do at a concert creates this motivation in me to connect with an audience. It’s what I’ve always wanted for myself as a drummer. All that I was learning and taking in as a drummer from the very beginning, you know, was also opening my mind for other ways to accomplish the goals I was developing for myself. I mean, even though I wanted to start bands and eventually record, tour and all that shit, I really felt the need to get some education that supported those things. So, I ended up taking some courses in college for Audio Engineering. Those classes made me really understand how to compose and acknowledge the importance of timing, pitch, dynamics, harmony and also things like sound effects, reverb, tones, sustainments, how to actually record in a studio for a band and how to edit all across the board.
I basically got into the music industry by first putting myself out there in an open mic situation. I was at this bar venue called Cardies, which was in Houston at the time (late 80s) and these random dudes wanted to play “Ride the Lightning” by Metallica but didn’t have a drummer at that moment. Next thing I knew, they approached me and there I was on stage, winging it to this song, which luckily I already had in my arsonal of songs I had been practicing with at that point. After that, I felt like I was ready to play live, create projects, create bands and get more of myself out there.
I then joined heavy metal bands called Kloset Land (Houston), Saints of Redemption (Houston), Murder 57 (Houston) and All Hallows Eve – A Type O Negative Tribute (Houston). Right now, I am working on a new band with my fiance called Poisoned Oath (Austin) which is more of a hard rock/metal influenced sound with tones and melodies that resurface the goth energy of the 80s. We’re taking the OG goths and headbangers back in time and reintroducing the present day ‘heads to the dark, heavy yet sexy, danceable tunes that once were.
I have to say, I think what sets me apart from others is not only my appreciation for almost every genre of music and noticing each type of sound, but having the know-how to produce and record. I’ve never discriminated anyone for being original as a musician – even if I don’t particularly like their music. The beautiful thing about writing music is the expression of the artist and what they may be experiencing. I also have been playing with and learning other instruments like guitar and bass, and I feel like that contributes to my writing and creating ideas.
I’m honestly most proud of being able to still play as hard as I do at my age. I’ve been doubted by a few people, family included, with the “I’ll believe it ’till I see it” support with some of my projects. Once I get on stage, those attitudes tend to completely change and it feels pretty bad-ass. Also, getting a sponsorship from Soultone Cymbals has been great along the way. I have to say I’m also proud to have had All Hallows Eve – A Type O Negative Tribute, be able to gain as much recognition and notoriety when it was alive. Touring and having die hard Type O fans support our live shows from all around the world meant a lot to me. And, not to mention, having Johnny Kelly of Type O Negative, come into our show and sit in on a live song – that was more than special to me.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
What really drives me on this journey, to be a musician, to be a drummer, to continue my endeavors, is not something I can exactly pinpoint, but I have to say that with everything inside my being that has made me who I am and want to be as a person, and pushing me to feel what I feel, has gotta get out of me somehow. I have this need to share with the world all the things I can’t contain within myself as a musician. I not only want to share but be able to relate to others, inspire others, create thoughts and feelings that help set a precedent in the industry. What I have to express needs to have it’s own outlet (in a therapeutic way, for me) and hopefully can be an outlet for my audience or other aspiring musicians/creatives. Don’t get me wrong, I still (and probably always will) have the dream of being the “rock star” just like when I was a kid. Right now, after everything I’ve put in to this passion of mine, there’s so much more of a meaningful purpose behind that dream. I can’t ever see myself letting go of what I have to contribute musically – I feel like, until the day I die, I’ll be somewhere behind a kit.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
For me, there are two sides of reward aspects in what I do. It’s hard to begin where but most importantly, I’ve got this feeling of self accomplishment that basically reflects on all of what I have been able to do so far in my music career. Even though I’m still learning my craft, I get to play what I want while being able to have fun in experimenting with new equipment and sounds. Having sponsorships along the way is also a bonus because, like I mentioned earlier, what I need isn’t exactly cheap. And, now that I know all I know so far, I have been able to build my studio and practice space in my home, which is convenient for me and my fiance during this latest project. As far as being on a stage, sharing my energy with the crowd on tours and meeting fans and other aspiring musicians really feels like I’m doing something right. The fact that I’ve been able to gain some recognition in my projects from fans and other professional musicians has humbled me, made me feel grateful and driven me to push out more and more.
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Image Credits
Lauren Cohen – Live Concert Photography
Renee Lerma – Love/Pain Art