Garza Podcast - 1 - Ex-SUICIDE SILENCE | Alex Lopez

Episode Date: January 28, 2021

Alex Lopez is a musician, artist & former drummer for the band Suicide Silence. We talk about life on the road, rehab, and much more. SPONSORS: Click this link to purchase from Sweetwater & help support the podcast: imp.i114863.net/rnrmVB            

We're live AF, Alas Lopez. Is it good? Are we on? What's up, brother? What's going on? Live A.F. Live as fuck. Today and Corona. It's actually, Corona's on fire right now. So is it on fire? The fuck's going on out there?

Right when you get to like Yorba Linda, it's just like it, at first I'm like, oh, it's like a Christmas lights or Halloween. Like, it's like this little strip going and it's just like it makes sense. It's kind of like the pattern. But, um, yeah, it's, it's. I was wondering, I'm like, it's like smoky today. And like Whittier in L.A., I was just like, it's burning. This is like something is definitely burning on fire. And then as I drove out here, I'm like, oh, but I don't think it's houses.

I think it's like a lot of landscape. A lot of landscape. There we go. There we go, baby. Get in there. Fucking live. Yeah, a lot of landscape and shit like that. But cool to be.

You know what, dude, I was, today I was just trying to look for dates of maybe like when we like announced some. something when you first joined the band and I found something in May it was two out it was May 2006 so so you're going on 15 years and being in this room jamming damn we're not 15 years dude yeah I remember the first day I came in I was intimidated yeah yeah I was just like this bodkins was like oh yeah oh yeah the other drummers here man like he's like yeah this guy's gonna go before you or he just finished or something yeah yeah and then they're like and this other guy's coming tomorrow and I'm like oh yeah this is I still got to like try

do something. Yeah. And then yeah, it worked out really. We just kind of all clicked. Yeah, I remember Mark and Bockens were trying out other guys and I was in Orange County working

and in the back of my mind I was in no rush because I knew like I'm going to show up and Alc shows up because I know you're going to come in a slam so like I was just letting the let me mark jam with those guys i'm like dude Alex is gonna fucking slam it

I'm not even fucking worried about it I know I was just like you're gonna get in here we're gonna play some corn for a while we're gonna play some slip knot and then uh probably play some anything else comes to mind but yeah it was cool it was cool I remember that day vividly yeah like it's after that we were here for like a whole bunch of other days getting ready for tour

yeah but I just remember like the first couple days the most because I was like I don't know I was 19 So like now I'm putting in a perspective. A little baby. Yeah, yeah. I was just like in junior college. And then I remember I told my mom and I'm like, mom, I'm going to try out for a band. And I need to like buy some shit.

Like can I borrow like $328? I need some pedals and some symbols and just to kind of update what I had. So I can come in here and not like have like, oh well, you know, I'm working on trying to get some new pedals. I was like, I need them now. Yeah. And then it all worked out. Yeah. what was going on in your mind?

Because I remember we SS played a show with one of your older bands in L.A. Yeah. And I remember I saw you and like, I'm like, dude, I got to talk to him. I remember asking you like, so you still play a drums man? Yeah. So it's just that instant connection, dude. Yeah. It was weird.

And just some backstory for the viewers. I met Garza in like what, like 2000 and 2000 maybe? Yeah. Because you were in Thrush, so the showcase theater in Corona. He was in a band called Thrush, and then they would play shows of the band called The Antagonist, who I was like their fucking, like, roadie pretty much. Like they're, hey guys, you just want them to hang out. I'm just sat in the corner and watch you guys jam out while I'm not in a band.

And then I slowly got in a band, and then we started playing together. So we kind of met through that. and everyone knew me as a drummer that's the thing yeah and then guitar just kind of came like it's just guitar and then yeah I was playing

in the funeral pyre and then you're like do you still play drums man I'm like yeah but I did I was actually still playing like I got back anyway because I took like a year

or two off just didn't play that much and then God I knew it right and then literally weeks later you were like dude let's let's fucking jam out I'm like all right

yeah it was crazy that that goes to show a man like you i remember having like a vivid memory of you playing skatland and uh you beating a shit uh audio drums and like something like that sounds kind of like oh yeah duh like you should but out of all the bands we we played with all all the shows like when someone like you like you like you you could tell that you played from your heart and and your soul yeah and so that back then and that that like that like that like that like like this stuck with me yeah to like a little a little memory but that but that that that little memory was enough to like and it's crazy so I saw you and then I then that fucking picture pops up and my head of you just fucking hitting your drums on a fucking long long hair and the and the fucking

and and a little bit of ready hat and yeah yeah little shit to you but man it goes to show man just fucking beat the shit out of your fucking yeah because back then it was like there was no really no social media so yeah we would We would wait, like, all week, pass out flyers, be like, I hope these people show up. You get this build, and then you don't, you can't check in anywhere. There was, like, chat rooms and stuff, but, like, I didn't know about that stuff then. Yeah. Yeah, we'd wait, and that's why whenever, like, we'd play those shows, it was just, like,

those shows were a lot more intense and a lot personal, like, more, you know, you're like, you have to go up there and kick ass. Yeah. So they can come back. It's not like they, no one had cameras and video. Like, people had camcorders, but it was there and it stood there, and that's it. Like, very, not so very often. There was, like, videotapings of stuff.

Yeah. You know, now, like, people can see you play and you're kind of like, oh, I still got to go and kill it. Yep. But it was a different kind of magic back then, which is, you know, it can be remade, but it evolves. So, you know. Yeah, yeah, you're right. And it was back then, the camera was our eyes. Yeah.

And this, I guess that just recorded in my memory, you know, it goes you showed, it's be fucking sick. Yeah. You know, what got you into the drums? My brother, Eddie, probably. As early as I could remember, he always played guitar. Yeah. So he's like five years older than me.

And he was always into music. My family was very music-oriented. and then we it wasn't I guess at some point when I was like he played it I didn't really know about what a band was but I remember that I was fascinated by drums and the way they looked I think we would go to pick up a guitar yeah like when he would get his guitar strings and I was like it must have been like nine or ten and like my aunts would always would always play music and for Christmas and all that stuff but um always felt the drums. and heard him, but I never really knew what they were.

And I remember seeing them and be like, oh, those are cool. And then he was like, he's like, you should get drums, Alex, man, you should get some drums. And I'm like, yeah, maybe I should. And then it's like, it turned into like, then I realized, like, we moved from East Delhi to Whittier. And that's when I found out about MTV. Yeah. And that was 1994 when we moved in. 93, I was in 30.

I don't even know. I was like still on Sega Genesis or something. And then that crossover, 94 when MTV was out. and I was like, and he was in a Nirvana and Metallica, and we were watching, like, summer of 94 on MTV was like legit. It was like all these alternative rocks. Weezer was out. Candlebox was out.

The chili peppers are out. Nirvana. Like, and that's just like right. That's what, right when Kurt died too. So that even exploded even more. And once I watched music videos, I was over. And then I think one of the things that got me going was, I liked the way Eddie's friends in junior high and high school

I'd see like metalheads and freaks and like dudes and like small clans of rockers wearing like Metallica shirts and all that and I was like that's like I want to be one of those people and I kind of liked it and it wasn't until they were like Woodstock dude Woodstock what's stock what stock and what the fuck is Woodstock and it was Woodstock 94 and Chama

and my dad bought it on pay-per-view and Eddie was right there watching it with me and like some cousins would come over on some of the days, but that's the first time I saw what, like, a, what a festival was. And it was, like, 94, so I was, like, in fourth or fifth grade. So I already had a kind of concept. And then once I saw drums, saw someone playing them and what they do to a show, I was like, that's it. That's what I want to do.

Like, that's what I have to keep doing right there. Like, and then it just went off to there, just kept playing. Well, shout out to Eddie and your dad, a badass chemma. Dude, I know. Love Chammo, dude. It was just like, I think Eddie wanted to do it. My mom's all, Jamma, order the pay-per-view. He wants to see it.

I forgot it was on pay-per-view. Yeah. Back when it was on a little cable box, with a wood paneling and a fucking keypad. It was the old-school shit. I remember, yeah, I don't even know how he found out about Woodstock. I just remember he made a big deal. And this, we have those big ass TVs, too, like those,

the old-school ones, you know, like it has four. channels on it and big and fat yeah it's just like a big magnifying glass but yeah we watched it and I remember he listened the sound on those things were always good though sound on TVs nowadays like flat screens are like hollow but old TV systems like they had some fucking balls yeah you're right they had like deeper speakers in there deeper speakers and it was more like if you're listening to a show it had more like more fucking sound you're right so I remember like I was like why was it so much sound like it better. Now you get like a stereo, you get surround sound or whatever. But that did it for me. And then shortly after that, you know, junior high comes. And then junior high was great.

Learned about everything. Transitioned from like Metallica Misfits to like the corn and Slipknot and like, oh. But having friends along the way that were two years older, a year older, I was always kind of hip to what they found out first. So I remember like, oh, dude we wanted this show blah blah and we got the slip knot tape it's like oh i've seen that before but i've never heard it like how would i hear it and then i remember listening to him and be like i'm in that's it scary and this guy's screaming and rapping what the fuck is going on dude totally how how old were you when you first heard slip knot um 98 99 it was right before freshman year wow because i remember the first day of my freshman year

1999, first day, Carlos was wearing a slip-knock shirt. And by then, I already knew who they were. And the next day, of course, he wore, like, limp biscuit, significant other. And then, you know, we wore a band shirt. So I remember, like, yeah. Shout out to Carlos. Carl, dude. Carlos Garcia.

Antagonist. Antagonist, man. They have a big, like, they've done so much for our bands, dude. For us to meet. And now I didn't even know he got you into those bands. Yeah, he would always come, because I was like, I would get home from school, but he was my brother Ricky's age, so they would come walk from Calhai to the house. Yeah. And when you're that young, you're just like, let's put it on MTV and this is some CDs and like they, you know, listen to CDs and you like figure stuff out.

And I was just kind of like would show up from school and be like, hey guys. Yeah. Like learned about everything. And then like we started jamming together. and then kind of went after that. Wow. How, was Malen Sheath your first band? First real band, yeah. First real band, yeah.

Yeah, same thing, just met a bunch of dudes at a house party that antagonist played. And I remember that dude singer David was like, hey man, you want to start a band. I want to sound like the deaf tones and taproot. Right up your alley. Yeah, and he was, I was like, Yeah, and then we found, and then I already wanted to start a band with Matt, the guitar player. And then I couldn't find anyone to play bass, so I hired my cousin Louis. Louis.

And then that, I just talked to him on FaceTime like a couple nights ago. We're reminiscing. Beautiful man. Yeah, Lewis. But yeah, it was cool. And then, um, just like everything else, you know, I kind of like didn't feel like anyone in that band was like a real lifer. Yeah. You know, I felt kind of like.

I'm like, I'm just going to do this until it fades away, because I know it's going to fade away, but I'm going to keep going after this, you know? That's what's up. And then it turned into kind of being bummed out. I'm like, fuck, I'm a senior in high school, and we're playing, our last show was with suicide silence. It was at lyrics, Bar and Grill in Riverside. Oh, lyrics. And it was like your guys's third show.

Yeah. Or something. I don't know if the cabinets are still there. Oh, yeah. It's written. I forgot about that. And I remember we were like, yeah, David was like, I don't want to be the band anymore.

Matt was playing with antagonists at that point. Louis was like, me and him were clashing, just typical cousins. Like, we've known each other our whole life and we're both like 17 and 18 and we're like, fuck you, I don't want to be your friend anymore. And then that's when I was like, whoa, no drums for me.

And then took guitar on more. It was easier to join a band play guitar because any band could have one and if you have one, you can have two. so you can't have two drummers unless you're like two two's better than one yeah yeah you just like okay guitar i can i can nail that and then it kind of worked out and it went from there like from the span of 2003 to 2006 was from graduating high school and to joining suicide

was just the craziest three years two years ever in my life just the fastest going from like how am i going to do this what am I going to do? How do I get there? How do I get on stage? How do I play with Slipknot? Like, how do we do this? You know?

Yeah. And then I realized, like, it wasn't just, you're there. Because I remember, like, young and hearing, like, bands, like, what was that one band? Silverchair? Yeah. Those guys were all, like, 16 and 17 years old, massive. But, and then it wasn't until joining this band that I realized, I'm like, oh, there's always steps. So, like, getting from the garage.

band to getting a suicide's a step because when I stepped into this it was like oh this motherfucker these guys are going to take me doing it we're all going to take a step together now into this unknown thing called touring yeah that's how you get to shows oh and then like the more people come then you get the bus and then you get money and signed it's like yeah and it's like and then even getting signed was like another we all like got together and then started hold hands and like took steps up up, you know? Yeah. And that's how it really happens, you know, like when it, when it Kim said, I didn't realize that I always kind of just saw it from the bottom and looked at the top, you know,

I didn't like put my head down the middle and realize all the years. Years combined with luck, combined with talent and energy. Yeah. But yeah, dude, it's, it's, and it's still going. Still going. It's still going. Every year, I'm, every, there's up years and down years. you know and I think that everyone kind of goes through their cycles of life and then once we all kind of come back around then it's all there you know

yeah as you said there's peaks and valleys yeah you know and thankfully you know you love what what you do so that just still allows us to to keep going you know yeah imagine if you don't love it or you weren't passionate

you know yeah to still sort of think after not even counting the band like even longer in that like 20 years of you still be in a shit yeah out of your drum it's like it's like where does that come from you know it's like what it's like what keeps you what keeps you still showing up even even when you're going through like a low like what keeps you showing up and still bring it yeah i think a lot of it too is having supportive parents 100 i think and family just a supportive backbone of family and friends because I have always felt like even if I fail like they're still

going to be proud of me yeah and if I kill it they're going to be proud of me yeah so it's like I don't I don't have a like and also like not having kids or anything because that's a lot of pressure yeah but um having the like the trust yourself you know like that's kind of what keeps me going like whether I spent five years in my parents' house and then move out or whatever the fuck I'm not I don't feel I feel like there's always going to be good out of it you know yeah also reading all these like the books with like Anthony Ketus's book and flea's book and heads book and now Corey Taylor's book not reading listening to because reading is fucking that dude I I'll be the first point to tell you that shit counts man oh dude I've right on I'm proud so I'm multitask

multi-passed. So when I wake up, I'm like, I got to go for a walk before I do anything. Yeah. I'm like, oh, yeah, an audio book. And then just it, I learned so much and taking care of two things at once, which is like, it helps me also not like, procrastinate, I guess, you know. Yeah. I could listen to something that, like, I could set a goal and be like, do this. I'm going to listen to this while I'm doing it. So. Yeah, it's cool. Yeah, you're just putting nothing but literally pure words and information to your brain and into your body. And it becomes a part of you, you know, and then it manifests in positive ways. So you, so you know, someone like yourself, you get like, you get that hope.

Yeah. It's hope and you get a little bit of light and you're just constantly searching for something better, you know, because there is, you know. Yeah. It's cool. Relating to other musicians too. So what's a good one for me? You hear other stories of people going through some fucked up shit. It's like, all right, mine's not so bad.

Like, yeah. I got to get my head out of my ass, get with my dudes, and do something magical before we can't. And this year kind of made everyone realize how fucking awesome we had it. Oh, yeah. I would play a shitty-ass show in Raleigh, North Carolina to four people, then to not play anything at home, you know. Now it's like appreciating all that stuff. Because now it'd be like, hey, you want to go back

to the COVID days? It's like, no! Wait, wait, no, no. No, no. No, no. Never mind. This gas station food's great. Oh, yeah, I love it. Like, fucking, we need a new transmission. We'll get it tomorrow. We'll be fine. Yeah. Yeah, take a shit in the worst bathroom in the entire world. Yeah, sure. Fuck it. Love it. Dude, great. I love. I miss it, actually.

Yeah, I know. I'll do all those shittier bathrooms, and I mean that in more ways than one, like, God. And we don't know where. And a lot of venues, too, that have shitty bathrooms are like, it's kind of like a little trophy for them. They're like, yeah,

we know. There's like, it's clean. It smells like Fabiloso. Yeah. But there's just stickers and mildew and it just like, there's no door. It's, it's legit. It's good, but it's just like it's really fucked up in here. But you really don't want anyone to be in here

longer than like two minutes, tops. Yeah. Get out of here. Dude, who's fucking kicking down on doors. I never got it. What happened to what happens to the bathroom doors dude? I think that I got fucking shit right now. I know. It's like kick that shit down.

I know. Just take it off. Worldwide too. This is a worldwide anger apparently. Yeah. It's everywhere. I mean even like I think when a, when a bathroom doesn't have a door,

it's because they don't want people to shit there. Oh. And if they don't because when people shit, they don't, not everyone. is like can do it legitimately some people are mindful but you'll get toilet paper stuck in there you'll have poop everywhere and feces and it just it probably goes to shit more literally yeah than a bathroom that just has like a your cowboy saloon doors yeah where you can just you could poop but someone will be like oh shit so you got to go really quick yeah oh shit oh shit but it's it's

different like in the uk or like europe some doors are completely full Yeah Locked and it's like I feel safe in here Oh dude when you get a full door and a full lock dude you are you are having a luxury morning Yeah you're just like wow those are like the really really good ones where it's kind of like free like especially because we're all we're on like writing together you know so it's like yeah It's like oh you get it like kind of have some time by yourself No one's in here yet I went into the venue Far this room in the left yeah and found this girl

bathroom and it's going to be a nice little moment here just wash your face after and peace out yeah sorry ladies but we always tend to go into the girls bathroom yeah but I keep it clean I know what's going on I mean we yeah it's not like we like don't flush but I'm always it's a little bit more nicer dude what a girl is doing a bathroom I was dishwasher at a restaurant and every morning I had cleaned the worst part about that job was cleaning the woman's bathroom I was like what the fuck are they doing in there the smell I did dude I had to bleach the floors. Like, dude, what

is causing that smell? Sacrificing fucking raccoons in there. That's exactly what we do. Oh my gosh. Dude, what the fuck? What was what was going through your mind

when we started when you started to see like these crazy tour operas like, like oh shit like like we're going on tour Slop knot or like oh man, we're like going for my clubs and the tour was like Slayer and stuff

Oh shit like we have like an arena tour book Yeah What was your thought process like? It was really cool because I was with you guys And we all went in together And I think we were all kind of like No different than like Like the Beatles

Like all the same age literally Yeah And they're like hey you guys are gonna do this now And we're just all like look at each other And like Fuck that's awesome It was so it was cool Getting into it with you guys

guys so like a lot of it was comfort and I felt like security and it's like uh like the team you know getting getting higher up there but it felt it felt right too like I think we all kind of felt that way where it was like like this is our time to do what we need to do and we know how to handle this by that time we were all already like you know over what eight to nine years deep of playing like we wanted to play in that spot that we were put in. Yeah. You know, we were, we played every time we did so that we could get to that point and know what to do, you know. Yeah.

And step it up every time. So it was kind of like, this is cool and it's scary too because it's like, damn, what's after this, you know? Yeah. But all those like shows with Slayer and just, it's just, we all kind of got fucked after that. Like, oh, I met this guy and he's cool. and that just happens to be the drummer of Slayer. Fuck. And then more people, more musicians.

We started becoming more friends with them. And it's just like, I give up. Yeah. What was a moment for you that when, we were like, oh, like, this is, this happening right now when, when you met somebody? Joey Jordison. Oh, yeah.

Yeah, we were, it was mayhem. We were out. It was like a little mixer going on. And, um, Dustin. from Walls of Jericho, who plays with Corey Taylor. Shout out. Shout out to Dustin. Great guy, man.

He was like, hey, man, what's going on? Hey, have you met Joey yet? I'm like, no, I haven't. Like, yeah, I'm really going to go up to him. Be like, what's up, dude? You know, I've kind of heard of you. Yeah. I was like, I'm not.

I don't even. I love you. I'll run away. Like, I don't know. Fuck that. He, what happened? Yeah, he took me in the room, a dressing room, and it was Joey's room,

and he was there with Troy from Macedon, Dustin, the drummer of Macedon. It was like a bunch of dudes there hanging out, and he was like, Joey was really cool. It was like, hey, man, what's going on? Like, Alex shook his hand. We're like, he said, dude, love your band.

I'm like, yeah, thank you. Oh, fuck. You guys are not bad yourself. Yeah. And then, like, I just remember they gave me like a beer, and I'm sitting there. And they're just all on the same. wavelength like laughing and talking about some shit I didn't even know about yeah and I was just

sitting there like yeah I don't know what the hell is going on I'm like 23 years old these guys are all like 30 like my age now yeah and I'm like fuck I can't like I get it I'm just gonna sit here and appreciate this moment and then at some point um yeah I just kind of like was like oh yeah cool and I was like I'm had good talking I was like I wanted to get out before I was like too much like the person there yeah yeah yeah Yeah, cool. And then, like, I had a beer, and then, like, at some stuff. They were laughing.

And right when it was everything, it was like, oh, cool, cool. And I, like, did the whole, like, looked at my phone. I'm like, oh, should I go. Hey, man, fucking cool hanging out with you guys. Fucking, I'll see you guys tomorrow later. See you. Yeah. I was, like, walked out.

I'm like, I have nowhere to go. I just act like, yeah, I got to go. I'll see you tomorrow, man. Yeah. Just outside. Like, it was like, ooh, that was great. It's like, holy shit. That just fucking happened.

Yeah. I think I ran over to find you guys. I'm like, I just hung out with them. Yeah. And meanwhile, I remember that. Yeah, everyone else is like, dude, like, meanwhile, look out and then like, Mark's talking to the guys some disturbed. You're hanging out with these other people. And, like, everyone's like, oh, I'm like, oh, shit, everyone's like, oh, yeah, it's all the bands that played.

No one else. And everyone's chilling here with their families and. Yeah. Hanging out. Yeah, those tours are fucking nuts, dude. I was just thinking the first time I drank a beer and eventually the shots and got drunk was on your 20, first birthday because you're two weeks older than me.

So when you turn 21, I was like, oh, fuck it. Alex's turn 21. Then when Mitch first started drinking, I was like, okay, that gave us permission that started drinking. Yeah. So when he was getting a fuck up, all right,

it's why I turned. Yeah, and he did it for a while, huh? Yeah. Yeah, once he turned 21, I was like, all right, I did the same thing. I think you did the same thing too. I never drank until I was like 21 years old. Damn.

I never enjoyed it. I still, it took me like three or four. four years to stop, like, throwing up when I was wasted or getting, like, hiccups. Yeah. Like, I would just get hiccups, mad hiccups. And it turned, and then eventually just, nothing happens. Just got hammered and fell asleep. Where were we?

It was somewhere in NorCal, right? It was like a small venue with a, with a small enemy and diecast. Yeah, it was, um, it's a venue that was only a venue probably for a day or two. Yeah. I don't know. It was like a haul, but it was cool. Yeah, I remember like, Gabe was with us too. Fuck.

Shouted the Gabe. Gabe with Choa. Bean trio. Yeah, the Bean Trio. Yeah. We did some other tours with them too, huh? Carcass. He might do Carcass.

Maybe Nile. Maybe, oh, it was the Nile one. That tour was a learning experience. Yeah. We never straight away, though, from, like, there was no death core back then, so we toured with death metal bands that. Yeah. There was no, like, yeah, we couldn't go on tour with, like, fit for an autopsy or, you know. Black Dahlia was out, but I think they were touring with, like, Testament and Creator, you know.

Yeah. So it was really, we kind of went out with anyone. Yeah, that was kind of like our unspoken mindset. Well, we just want to fucking play. I mean, and we're all. like a bunch of guys that we were metal heads but we didn't really play death metal

but we're all playing death metal. You know like you're not like a death metal drummer but like you just it just kind of like how to take that role in there. Yeah and that's where your soul and your personality comes out you know it's like you're like just

just playing what you feel like playing right I mean yeah and it's kind of knowing that like the the head room is big like knowing like being in a rock band you can't get away with some like death medley vibes into some blast beats and some crazy fills. Yeah.

Symbol grabs and this and that's like. But if you're in a band that is like pretty much death metal, you could always chill out, slow down, keep it, keep it groovy. But then you can go up higher and change it up. So it kind of like, shit, I can kind of like kind of its own thing, which is what like that style is. It's kind of like, you know, the James Brown, if it feels good. Wait, hold on. Yeah. If it looks good and it, no, if it sounds good and it feels good, then it is good.

If it feels good and sounds good, then it is good. Instead of like, I don't know, man. Some kind of quote. Play me something, but whatever it is, it better be funky. It better be. That one song, what a sick hard intro, dude. James Brown, shout out. man man what a fucking cool guy that movie i don't know if you saw it have you seen it yeah

great movie great movie dude it's it's even more like it's even more of like a personal because the actor what chadwick um bozeman bozman yeah yeah he passed away of cancer and like same thing with van halen just kind of like laid it on everyone at the very end like yeah he's died from cancer he's been doing this he has had it for like six years it's like so he knew but it didn't stop him from making good roles and stuff

and serving the serving the craft you know serving you know James Brown that way so I was just like dude this guy's like not here anymore his work almost becomes more sacred so it was like really really cool to see it and the way he like

took the roll on it's just like when Jamie Fox did Ray Charles that was fucking dude Yeah. That was so heavy. Yeah, I didn't think it was going to be cool. There's a Hendricks one out that I need to check out.

Yeah. I need to check all these out. I got a long flight tomorrow, so I probably download some shit. Yeah, Hendrix, I think is the one that, like, he didn't, like, get, like, a sick movie, you know? Oh, I see, yeah. Yeah, yeah. I mean, James Brand got a legit movie, sick actors. I mean, yeah, you know.

But he, you don't really hear people talk too much about the Hendricks. but man they should make a fucking sick hendricks movie dude it's like it's just such a hard personality to like you know yeah it's hard you got to find that that that that right guy yeah and it's like the right person next to having a team of people who are who also have the say-so like you know yeah not judges but basically like the production you know so you know so it's like Oh, well, I like this guy more. I like this guy. And it's like a board of production for the movie.

You're like, oh, well, we have to figure out what, who's it going to be, you know? Yeah, you got to have a sick team as we come to learn. Man, I find it. Yeah, everyone. You got to have sick teammates and your teammates, teammates. You know, I mean, so it's so crucial. God, I mean, I don't even know where I would be without, you know, Hugh and Mark, D.K. Yeah.

You know, just a solid foundation of good teammates. Yeah, having people to help you see different perspectives, you know. That's huge. When I look into something, I'm always looking in and like, oh, this is what, like, what my opinion is right away. And also being a person who bases their, what they say and their reactions based on their emotions, which is one type of person, you know, I'm always like, oh, like, instantly. it's fear and I'm like oh well this is my opinion and then it's like someone else I'm like well what about this

it's like oh shit okay and then you'll be like what about this like what about I'm it's like and then it kind of like goes into like wow fuck we're all seeing different what do you see when I hold up this picture everyone says a different fucking thing in the world actually that does look like a squirrel

actually that does look like an orange getting thrown at a wall like oh yeah like okay like I get it it's like okay and then we all kind of put it together yeah it's hard to uh as you know as we get older there's no excuse like we all try to like really sit back and and truly listen to what we're saying to each other and try to you know even some people including myself might say something dumb or fucking stupid but we got we got to listen with the open heart and it's tough to listen

dude yeah it's really it's tough just like all right shut shut your mind up and like oh like Alex is talking. I mean, what is he saying? And, like, without me trying to come up with my, what I'm going to say in that, because truly, like, listen to what they're saying. It's tough, man. It's also good, like, it's good lessons, too.

I think Mark is at where he lets everyone talk first. Yeah. And then he'll say, and then it's like, okay. And then we kind of go and figure it out. I think everyone has to let out what they want to put out. And then we become more, like, practical and rational about situations, which is crucial. It's a very important.

for bands to hear each other out and understand where we're all at and be real. But the older we get, the more we become more open. There's no need to put a shell up or any of that. It's just going to make us more kind of, you know, make us not take advantage of the beauty it is of brotherhood, you know. Yeah, the brotherhood and the friendship is very, it's tied. with the music because the music is important but it's not more important than the friendships because their friendships have to come first yeah you know if you have obviously you know if obviously like the

music is very important but if you have just the music yeah like that's like you don't really have a solid foundation like you know to uh when you go through those those valleys yeah what you know what what what what what you have and uh we have you know i've always thought about that like when when we go on tour We're really, when we've seen so many bands, you know, world wide, on so many big bands, smaller bands and, like, their lack of just being close. And then I was like, damn, like, I'm very, I'm very lucky to be like, oh, like, we're actually friends. Yeah.

And we're just close and we're fucking chilling. And you see, like, this band are, like, it's kind of something's off, you know? Yeah, yeah. You know, it's like, damn. And it's like, it's kind of crazy, too, how, like, you have to be friends. otherwise you're in a band where I kind of always imagine how it is with certain members

that you're like, it's business. They're a killer musician. They're hired. They're in the band. But they're just not, they didn't start off friends and then the band.

They just said, hey, like, oh, you're a cool guy. You kill it. You can do the job. But in reality, it's like you're not very, like you might not be tight homies, you know, like even with corner. I bet they're all like in their own round,

but sometimes maybe like Ray Lusier is kind of like, I'm just not like really in this team right now, but I am, you know. They're friends, but they're all adults, but you can see sometimes like how head and fieldy are together. It's just like, oh, shit, you know what I mean? Like they're just tighter. And it's like, oh, these guys have known each other since they were kids. Yeah. They're friends.

That's why they're still doing this and slamming it. Yeah. That's kind of like the main ingredient Just a fucking slam When there's four or five people You can tell on stage I mean I see it like every tour radio Like damn like you guys aren't friends

And that this is gonna last five years 15 years but it will go away When us is just Yeah You could just I feed off just our friendship You know Yeah

And then allows everyone to play from From their soul Yeah because we're not Slam Yeah we're not kind of up there With our tails between our legs We all know each other family, parents

going to continue to be there so we're in it right or die so that definitely gets translated out to the music, you know? Yeah, yeah, it's crucial. You know, and then that also allows us to go through our valleys, you know,

and sometimes it's we're experiencing a valley could be a month, it could be years. Yeah. You know, and it's really cool to go through the valleys with you and know that I have people that have my back and you. Sure. And you,

and I hope you feel the same way. Well, you know that I have your back. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You know, we've,

we've had no money, a lot of money, no money, money. It's just like, yeah. But, but we don't care.

We still, like, show up and, yep. And make sure everyone is happy and healthy. What's your, what do you feel or what's your thought process like when, like, when,

when things are on like a low, you know, like when, when you're going through, through that valley. I get a lot into survival mode. Survival mode is when I have to find out what other things I'm an extension of. And that's when I'll go into like painting or like designing more or drawing or recording.

Like something that I can at least feel like I did something that day, I think. That's like my, my valley persona. It's like, all right, well, we're not doing anything right now. but I can sit here and like maybe I'll do a painting or like try to do one and get into it for the whole day and then I'm like

and then once someone's like oh that looks really cool then I'm like okay I have to kind of find something to like meet up with that like the feeling of doing shit with SS then it's like okay because we'll get in here and jam

and be like we got a tour coming up and like it's sick you know like those feelings we get of leaving and to do something cool, we might not have that all the time. So when we don't, it's like, I got to find things that can make me, like, feel close to equally as, like, not happy, but more, like, excited about something. Something to wake up to. And everyone's different, you know? Some of us do, like, video games.

Some of us get into health and fitness. Some of us get into third eye. Some of us get into, like, sports and fucking gambling. We're not going to name names Or are we? I think I like Which member do you think likes to gamble a lot And loves sports

It's like it's so easy Yeah But it's kind of like We all have our own like Fucking Power Ranger power So we can get together And just become the Megatron Or whatever that thing's called

Is it the Megatron? It has to be It's got to be something I think it's I think it's the Megatron Megatron Yeah. Yeah, everyone's like, like, this is the fucking

the artsy-smarty guy right here. It's the gambler. Dude, we are a bunch of Power Rangers and playing the metal band. Yeah. Can't fuck with that shit. No, that's what the band is. It's the Megatron.

Yeah, and you need five people to make the Megatron. You can't have four. And they all have to know. Yeah, we have to know how each other works and connect the right way. Otherwise, it's just like a fake leg, you know. Dude, we're like living like a Power Rangers movie. We're like, we're like,

Megatron like comes out and he gets like his ass kick for like five minutes straight. Yeah. And then I know where he just comes out. He gets like inspired and so I was kicking ass out of nowhere. Comes out of the ground and fucking a volcano and like in fights people from outer space. That's us, dude. It's really true. Holy shit.

Yeah, it's fucking cool, man. What was it like going in into rehab for you? What was that process like for you? And then what made you do that? What made me, I guess the whole situation was kind of like, I kind of always wondered how things would be. Like, as things got more, I guess like I want, it's something that happened because it was supposed to happen.

And I was always wondering like, when am I going to like chill out on getting really fucked up and depressed? and like hurting myself or breaking shit and and becoming destructive and feeling like anger problems and emotional problems and getting mad at people for not understanding how I feel or assuming they don't know how I'm feeling and using that as like a means to to express myself in a negative way it was basically yeah i mean where i was at in life kind of pushed me there just uh toxic toxic relationship um

both of us not not just one you know combine that and it's like admitting that is one thing too and then being like addicted to drugs and alcohol and like being like i have to do this in order to go there it's like why do you have to do anything to go anywhere it's like i have to do this like i'm so bored that I need you and then it just turns into like numbing myself all the time and then just into that moment it snapped and then it's like fuck I had an ultramatum pretty much with my my parents my mom which was like what like God did to me you know like said hey like just like music was

presented and kind of like not forced at me it was meant to be you know so when it was like, hey, you're like, you got to get out of the house. You got to, you're out unless you go to rehab. And then I was like thinking, I'm like, well, I can like probably get a place or move in somewhere. I could find a room somewhere. And I'm like, but that's not going to solve the problem, you know. I could live at a buddy's house for a fucking year and continue my, my shit. But at that point, I kind of realized, like, I need to get away from this relationship.

And people I talk to, I think I was like, I need to. get away from this girl and then it turned into even more shit after that but and then I'm glad it finally went away. Um, I needed to see if I can actually do it. And then, um, I really wasn't scared or nervous because I felt like I was doing the right thing. I felt like this is what I need to do. I need, I'm going crazy. I'm going nuts. And I'm fucking starting to like fuck shit up. And the next step after this is going to be i'm either going to like hurt myself really bad or hurt someone else really bad either with with a fucked up emotion or a memory that they're going have to remember of me doing not like fuck them up physically but maybe fuck them up like mentally

with how i was where i was steering like scarring someone you know my family maybe and it like throughout the years i think just like not mourning um like Mitch's death or my friend's death and like all these things I didn't know how to like mourn or understand like the stages of everything never went to like we went to therapy or like I had a psychiatrist and but I never really did the work you know because I was still like oh this is cool yeah but I'm not like cool I'm just gonna go get fucked up tonight you know and then like oh I feel great oh man you know then it's like knowing that I was going to go to a place that was cool and I looked into it and I found it and I had help finding it.

And I'm like, I'm going to be here for like 32 days. Like, all right. This is kind of fucking cool. Now I could see if I can do this and see how it feels to do that. And then I was looking forward. I had like two visits with the therapist every day. I was, but also another thing, I was like in a class, not a class, but I was in a house with like eight other guys or nine.

some days the guys would leave and more people would come in but there was consistently a solid eight or nine dudes there and just like real drug addicts people who are like I started shooting up when I was 12 years old I used to get fucked up when I was 13 um you know I saw my mom hang herself when I was six and then I like I'm like I started using heroin and I was like

all these people are shooting up coke heroin smoking crack and at first I was kind of like fuck this shit you guys are you guys are all drug addicts I just drink and that's it you know and then I later realized like I was starting to get into after the post shock of like being there for two weeks and I realized like

we're all the same like my addiction is no different from that dude because that guy like everyone's here for the same reason and then it kind of like I learned some really cool important tools there in there you know and it's like I don't even like that person was like it probably took a year

almost a year since I've been out to really understand where where I was a year ago because I think I do things in years annually I'm like am I this person like something could happen six months seven months after and I could kind of get it but and you know like forming new relationships

and like as life goes on I'm watching my nieces get older and become humans. And I'm like, no, like, I don't have any, like, I don't have this rage anymore. Like, this, like, self-hatred and feel sorry for me, shit. And then it's like, I feel a lot more comfortable being around stuff now and, like, being newly married and, like, understanding that.

I'm like, shit, I have, like, a companion now that I can, like, bounce my feelings off of. She's not my therapist. She's my friend. So, if I need real help, all fucking. can go somewhere else. I'm not going to bore her with my fucking feelings all day. But it's kind of like not one day do I don't like, do I wake up and go like, fuck, this sucks.

I'm just like, fuck. I wonder what today's going to be like, like wonder what I can do. And what, like how the rest of the year is going to pan out. Having things to look forward to, you know, and in the situation I was in before pre-rehab and what I was into and what I was doing was just like aimlessly looking for anything to to fill a need, you know, with no real direction of getting anything done to myself mentally. Yeah. And then, you know, it was a cool little crash course, you know, I didn't come out like

full-blown Christian. I just got kind of what I learned and I kind of like let the tires come down. and then within that whole period of time from like march of last year to like December of last year was just like this a transition of polar life you know like like just changed completely by just the people I was around and focusing more on family you know and it's cool like it's yeah it's a whole whole another thing um it works for some people and it doesn't work for some people. Or you take what you get there and you apply it to yourself.

And it's mainly trying to find happiness to love yourself regardless if you continue to smoke or drink after or don't. You know, it's just like some people have that. You know, as long as you're not doing it. Someone even said that like, like just if you're going to do that, just do it when you're happy. don't ever get fucked up or drink when you're fucking sad or pissed and never works I'm like and that's the truth it's like it's never do that and that's like the simple code the occasional fucking like you gotta be really happy and it's about celebrating and not

getting overboard but like you know like it's Thursday I don't know what to do I'm just gonna go to the fucking bar and sit there you know and hang out with like that works for a lot of people for moderate drinkers, but for people who are self-destructive, like, they'll do that and it turns into this. It's like, my brother's a really good example of a moderate drinker. He just loves to go to a brewery, hangs out, has the wings, chug some beer, takes a fucking Uber home, hangs out with his wife and kids. Nothing. No, they're fine. He doesn't raise his voice. He doesn't get pissed drunk. He just, he gets hammered, but if anything, he'll just throw on the smiths and, like, talk about how much She loves, you know, like random shit, you know him.

So it's kind of like, like I had to like take a breaks because I didn't know how to be like chill to chill out and do it moderately and in a good vibe. So, you know, the feeling is it's cool. If anyone out there like feels no one really admits it. But if you ever think to yourself, fuck man, rehab would be a great idea for me for drinking or smoking anything. if you think so it's a great idea you should try to do it because then you're like fuck I need to be like away it's like some people can't get away

like you can't I was able to get away from the band my family my work my really I could everyone's like all right dude have fun and I was like I never had the feeling of like I'm going somewhere and everyone's cool with it

and I'm cool with it and this is for the best of me you know so which is cool Yeah, it was best for you and you went for you. Yeah, yeah. And it really did, yeah, because I was like, I'd hit with the ultimatum, and I'm like, oh, just chill. I live with Garrett or something.

But I'm like, no, that's not, that's not going to solve this problem. This is going to make that weird, that fucked up Alex that no one wants to be around, you know. And it's not, I don't even want to be around that person because that's what I was doing to try to escape. That's so bad. You were a fucking dick. Dude, you were drunk. Holy fuck. Dude.

I can't even watch videos. Like, and it's funny because, like, it's just getting wasted for no reason. And it wasn't even like getting wasted. It was like getting slammed out to the point of being blacked out. You were bad, man. And just like, every morning, I'm like, what did I do?

It's like, dude, just, I don't know what to tell you. Am I going to tell you to stop? I'm not going to tell you. Keep going. Just only time will tell, you know. Yeah, it's true. And then you get older too Like can't be doing that like the 20s

All right But you kind of have excuse But once you're really in your 30s There's no excuse for a bunch of stupid shit At all And when I went in there when I was 33 No I was 32 So that was kind of like

31, okay 32 You need to get your shit together And stop putting this burden of your of your drama and your your shit on other people and to help you get away from that you need to quit your stupid habits you know yeah how you've been

feeling after like when he got out what was what was that like going and back out into the real world it was kind of like if I got abducted by aliens and people found out I was raped in the butthole like everyone treated me like hey man what's what's up

how how you doing like it's like I'm still me but yeah I get it like I wasn't I didn't I didn't come out like getting to it was normal and then it kind of like all the chemical imbalances in my brain started like flowing and then I was on medication that's tough dude and that's why it's it took it took what it takes like how many days to to create a habit a 31 yeah so like right when I got the change of habit I came back to real life and they wanted me to be in their three

months and I should have done that. But I probably would have came out total, like, religious or something. Yeah. Probably. I was like, already like, you know what? I'll go to church. This is pretty fucking cool. Except for the fucking the savior thing, but I'm down for the whole vibe. Yeah. I had to adjust

and it transitioned. It took two months to get into a new habit while you're adjusting to your new habit and then so on. And good thing we were busy, you know. Yeah. kind of made me realize, like, what I want to do, what I need to do.

And slowly the bad, like the stuff that shouldn't have been in my life kind of crumbled away. And then new things happened after that. Yeah. So then that was a new adjustment of like, wait a minute. Well, it's like someone just took some shackles off me. And I'm like, I feel cool. I'm not like stressed out over this person anymore. just like oh it's like all this positivity you know yeah and family there you know it's family's crucial

we're we're lucky if we have them so like that's kind of what always put me put me up there yeah you got you got a good support system you know yeah you almost lost your family you almost lost your band yeah it's a fucked up feeling dude how how is that like like i know we had those conversations We went to like Rock and Bruce. Yeah. We had the meeting with, with you and me, Mark D.K. Like, all right, well, you got to, like, retry out for the band because, uh, honestly, I never really wanted you out. I was kind of going with, you know, I kind of have my, my hands tied.

Yeah, yeah, no, that's understandable. But, but things were going so bad, you know, and we've, you know, read so many stories and heard so many about our favorite bands, not talking to each other and communicating. So we made, didn't want to be the cliche. so we fucking met in person and talked it out. And what was that like? I had to really put a lot of faith in the universe around that time. I didn't, I didn't, um, it was like going to the principal's office and you don't know if you're in trouble or not. You just know that you have to go and pay the piper, you know.

You have to go and not bullshit, be real. because then also it's a thing on myself to like wait a minute like do i want to do this like can i do this um is it worth it to keep doing this with these guys like if i'm out is that going to be worse with them or is it going to be better um like but what about what am i else i going to do like i don't really want to do anything else you know and i think that's like we haven't even written our best shit yet, you know? And it's like we have so much more things to do. And we were all kind of in a different mindset too then again.

True. With what was going to break us on top again. And we were all kind of just putting it together. The feeling of that was it's hard. It's crazy. But it's the kind of shit I needed. I needed to know what I, you need to know what you have what's at stake. So you can feel the heaviness of it.

Like the feeling of not having something that you took advantage of, not advantage, but took grateful. Like, what's that word? You took for granted. There it is. So I'm like, oh, yeah, well, I could just whatever. And then there's always going to be there. But it's like, all right, we're going to take that away.

And it's like, like instantly. it's like this void this like hole it's like shit like really like what is happening now what what is gonna happen and then after everything it was kind of like well let's do one thing at a time and see how you are and see how everyone is because it's like you're I'm just one of five of the problems you know

yeah it could always change with every person of course so that at that time it was kind of like everything was flowing good and I was kind of the one that was in question on trial and that's what it felt like and then um just kind of being like I'm gonna be true I'm gonna do this because I want to do it and I'm gonna let the universe if I'm not meant to be in this then it'll happen if I am then it'll be it'll happen which is kind of like like manifesting something you know I did I was like I really want this really need to do this I need to show them I can do this I want to, like, I want to hold, um, set the bar in this, in my own way in the band with,

if not my playing, my personality or my vibe or my spirit, I need to set a bar a bet with myself in the band and like not be that other person, you know? Because then it's like, I don't want them to think I'm just going to lack and lag and not be into it and like, because there was a time where I was like, fuck this shit. I don't want to do this anymore. You guys are like, is he serious or he's just fucked up? It's like, I don't know. We don't even know.

I don't even know who that got. No one knew what was going on. In tears, pounding whiskey, punching walls, crying about not making money and not doing shit and still living with my parents. And like, it just like all would come out and everyone's like, well, fuck, dude, we're, we're there too. Yeah. Like, look around, man. Who are you talking? know like it's just kind of like venting and it's like you guys saw some shit where you're like

fuck this guy needs some help like some he needs to help himself but he needs to take himself to that place and the universe brought it and then I went I showed up with my bags packed and then did some work and anything that I can do where I can kind of close myself off from the world and focus on myself and little things I'm just like oh that's That's like my, I wouldn't say a rehab, but it's more of like a continuing this like treatment of, um, pot like just love self-love in general. Because I don't, um, I don't know what next year is going to be like, but all this time home and this time I could keep by myself, I can use that when we're on the road.

Yeah. Yeah, that, that's a weird time, huh, when you're, when you're post-rehab and you're trying to figure your shit out. It's like, oh wait, do I want to keep playing drums? Do I want it? It's like this weird, there is this weird confusion time when you stop everything cold turkey, like your brain is trying to rewired stuff

and your soul is trying to like reconnect with you. It's a weird time. So you were going through it, man. Yeah, I was like, what I wanted to do was far off from what I was able to do. And it was just like this. And a combination of introducing new chemicals in my body

like fucking gabapentin or anything they all the meds they had me on combined with all the old ones leaving so there was like two different things two different motives and one was getting this shit and one of them was leaving so like my body was going through a transition

and that shit's not like it isn't like getting over a cold it's like getting over a death like it takes months to feel and it'd be like wait a minute yeah maybe I just need to chill, you know? And it's like, no, but I don't. Like, naturally, spiritually, I'm like, I want to just get right back to it.

It's like, no. So it's like, that's what a lot of people told me when I left. They were like, just take it easy, man. Don't like try to do anything. I'm like, oh, no, we're going to finish writing and we're going to go in the studio. We're going to go on tour, man. It's all, this is just whatever. I'll be good, man.

I'll call you guys. We'll fucking Skype some shit. And it's like, nope. Yeah. Just what you thought? Nope. Yeah. Everything was a note.

The only thing that was a yup was like getting to go back home and be cool with my parents again Yeah, yeah, yeah, that was like the only one that met the only real thing that was like Well, I have that and I need to start there, you know start from the bottom again and then keep it cool Yeah, you you come first and then then it's your at-home family, you know, so it's cool that that you really took care of it the shit that really matter to like to really make yourself heal Yeah, it takes it It takes a while, man. It's such a weird, when your brain is trying to, like, rewire. You know, it's so weird.

And then, like, going to... Remember when I first stopped doing drugs cold turkey, like, just going out to shows is weird. You're, like, just going out... Wait, so I'm not going to get fucked up right now. I'm just, like, watching the band. You know, like, people are coming up to you, like, trying to buy these shots. You know, like, no, I'm cool, man.

It's like, you're just, like, it's such a weird feeling. Yeah, yeah. It's like, ugh. But you got to do it, and you fucking did it. Yeah, it's interesting. Shit just goes by faster. Yeah. Like when I'm, when I'm like completely sober, it's just like if I do go to a show and I'm like not going to smoke some weed or something, I'll just be like, oh, 30 minutes goes by real quick.

You know, it's like, or when everyone's like hammered, it's like this time goes by it really, really fast, you know? Yeah. As opposed to like when you're partying hard, you're just in the moment and one hour is like the best hour of your life, you know? Yeah. And then like you stay up all night doing crazy shit and then all these false hopes that you like were thinking when you were in the moment like, oh, I'm going to do great things. I'm going to wake up and fucking play drums and write some cool shit. And it's like you wake up and you're like your headache. You have a headache.

It hurts. Yeah. You don't want to do anything. You're older. You're going to want to just sit around and feel like a loser because you told yourself you were going to do a bunch of shit that you're not going to do. Yeah. And that's like the worst feeling. It's like, fuck that. Dude, it was a trip for, you know, to be in this room, jamming with you for the first time.

That Alex Lopez, that young Alex Lopez come in here and just wanting to have fun and this slam, hitting the fuck out of his drums. And then 13, 14 years later, it was being in that same spot coming in, seeing what you got. And slowly, obviously, you all. You're aware that I'm aware like it takes a while for you like come back. Yeah, yeah. But to see like those from the outside looking in to what you were doing, seeing like Alex Lopez truly come back.

Yeah, man. And like just coming in setting up your kit, like with kind of nervous. And then as fucking hitting your drums as hard as you can. Yeah, man. It was really cool. Wow, he's, we're officially on the road. It might be, we might be on the road for like, you know, a year or two, but, dude, we're on the road now. Yeah.

And we're, and we're going somewhere special. And it's just so cool to see you back there. Yeah, man. You know, it's special. It's so, it's so cool, man. Yeah, I had, I wanted it and fucking mamba mentality. Oh, yeah, man. Get to the top and then just take it further.

Yeah. So just do all the fuck you can and get there. and if you do that you show up and you're prepared more than enough, beyond enough, then you'll be fine, you know, and the universe will do the rest, you know?

Yeah, the universe always does the rest. You've always been really good at just letting go of shit. You know, maybe without you knowing, you just like let let go with shit and then that's how you kind of bring, like bring shit in, you know? It's crazy. You did that with everything. The band, you let it go, then that's

makes it really come back. Yeah, you have to, I don't know, it's weight. It's like putting the backpack down. Yep. And you're like, it could, not even a backpack. It could be your wings, you know? You don't realize what they do for you until it's gone. Like, your fucking lungs or your arms, like, you know, you don't know until it's almost gone.

Then you're like, or they're gone and you're like, fuck, I can't touch anything anymore. Yeah. And that's where, like, the void is, you know. So, like, you have to kind of put it at risk at some point if you want to, if you want to feel it, if you want to get to that level. And that's why, you know, it's not, it's a lot of people take a break from shit, you know. Some people need it. Some people don't. Yeah.

You know, that's kind of like how it is. And that's something that we need to like always remember that we're here because we want to be here. Yeah. Not because there's no forcing of anything. This isn't like, um, You know, a job where you sign up for 10 years and you have to be here. Totally. You sign up every fucking day that you come in.

All right, I'll be right there. Yeah. 20 minutes late, but I'll be there. Yeah. Every day, 24-7, even like subconsciously. Yeah. You know, you got to want it. So you're actually playing shows.

I am. You motherfucker, dude. I'm playing fucking shows, dude. I had to do it. What has that been like? Well, the audience aspect is weird, but the ability to get to a venue, hearing people like white noise to the PA, and I'm like, oh, this is a real show now.

Like, there's a band, we've warmed up, you know. Being able to, like, bring my kid out, being able to hit up my companies and be like, hey, I need some stuff. Like, I, you know, well, we did the virtual tour, which is playing shows, but playing, like, shows in front of people and hearing, well, they were driving shows. There was a lot of honking, but the other ones who have been, like, people clapping and shit, so it's cool. It makes me miss it. But also, I'm, like, playing the shit that I can, but not the shit that I want to play, you know? Yeah.

That's like, I don't even know. Just, like, go into a restaurant that you love. but eating someone else is like another restaurant's food in there. It's like going out honchos and they only have Taco Bell in there. So you're there. It smells the same, looks the same. The vibes are there,

but when they bring out your burrito, it's a fucking, it's Taco Bell. Yeah. Soggy chips. So it's kind of like, it's cool, it's great.

Yeah. Not going to say anything bad, but damn, it's like it makes me miss like us going up there and playing our songs to people who are going to be there to receive it and sing back with us, you know? Yeah, yeah. Mosh pits and stage diving.

So it's just like it's something that, um, it's not fully there, but it still feels good to play. Um, I have to at some point. Like, I'm glad that stuff came up, you know? Yeah, that's cool, man. These, um, you know, social distancing shows were great. I was able to do all that. And also it made me remember, like, fuck. like I gotta settle my own shit up.

I didn't have a drum tech or anything. I got to like break it down and put it in the car. There's no van and trailer. My cases are here. So I'm just like, oh, this is like I got this shit. I was doing this shit in Skatland and Chain Reaction. You know, like for the first seven years of my drumming, you know, since those beginning shows in like 99 or 2000.

Yeah. Playing in backyards with no band, just my brother and Carlos. and then like cramming it all everywhere, never really having a real, like, crazy particular way of doing it. Just did it all myself. And then it's like, now I realize having the tech and the cases and all the little luxurious things

are so awesome. And I'm like, fuck. But I think we've always been grateful for that kind of stuff. Yeah, totally. It's like, how do we get here? We've never, ever, ever played a show at a sixth stage with an awesome venue and a great system. and been like, oh, okay.

We're always like, this is fucking dope. Fuck. Like nerding out on everything. So we always, I think we've always appreciated, like, all that stuff. Now we'll definitely appreciate it more. Totally. It's always been a trip, like, jamming here in this room. And then we go out on the bus and then we show up at a fucking arena.

Yeah. You're like, how to fuck did this happen? Oh, yeah. It's fucking nuts, dude. We've always been grateful for it. Yeah. You know. But do you, I remember, yeah, me and Cici came out to the, to your show, Apala.

Palma, yeah. Casino, dude, that's drive as sketchy. Oh. I was scared. I went during the day and I was like, this, where is this going? And then I left. It's kind of middle of nowhere. Yeah.

I ended up staying at Dan Kenney's. Oh, yeah, Dan went, Missy when it was cool. Yeah. Thank God they lived so close. I was so beat. And then yeah, like that's just canyons. It's like, is there any? And then the phones don't work.

The phones don't work. You have people, this blows my mind. You, why do people drive like shit? Like, you're in a sketchy road. The people behind you are like trying to drive all fast.

I'm like, dude, what are you? This is a sketchy road. You want to drive all fucking fast? They're just like, it's a six-year-old kid driving. Jesus Christ,

man. But yeah, sketchy drive. But, it was worth it. Like, seeing, you know,

because you, your style of drumming really fits the style of that band. I mean obviously because you have like that in your blood that like swing, you know, that Latino swing. Latino swing.

You know. It's just my closet music that I've always wanted to play. So now I could play it and be like, I can get away with it in this stuff like because it's they're more like they're all metal already and they're playing Mariachi so I can just be

normal and play. And play like some you know some some flavorful shit and with metal behind it so it's kind of like oh i've always wanted to do this and they're all cool they're really cool man i like i like uh i met the singer yeah cori yeah one of the and one of the guitar players and a bass player yeah cool guys man yeah we did um raw came out for a show with us sick he came out of ventura yeah yeah he came out to ventura because he's like oh wait what the fuck happened all right so we played the draw Drive in theater in Ventura, California. Yeah.

And then I had been talking to Raw because we did a video for the internet, a Michael Jackson cover with Eddie and Carlos. Yeah, yeah. And then Rawl's like, yo, I'm gonna come out. I live in there. You know, I live there.

Came out. As soon as he showed up, their manager, Metal Latched managers knew him from the cruise. Yeah. He's like, oh, what's up, man? He's like, hey, man, you're gonna get up on stage

and play a song with us? He's like, okay, I will. Yeah, no problem. We'll go get my base. And he like, went, got his base. 25 minutes later, we're on stage during sound check learning like underneath the bridge. Crazy train, raining blood, and he just picked it up. I mean, he's sick.

And then we're like, all right, well, we play half. We're going to play five songs. Alex's going to play two. And then you come in. And then you guys just do a freestyle jam off. And I'm like, cool. Yeah. And then I even told him like, hey, so how do you want to like, what do you want to do for our jam?

he's just like, I don't know, let's just make it up. I'm like, yeah, I know, but it's like, oh, well, just start off like, what is it, for whom the bell toes? Yeah. And I'm like, let's just start off with that and get him clapping, and then you can do that. And then after that, let's just go ham. And it worked out. And then, yeah, the next show, which was like a month later, he came out and we did more stuff. And it's really cool.

It's funny because they all have alter egos, like different names. Yeah. And they named him Bean Simmons. That's sick. He even had a Luchodor mask. Even though he's not really like full beaner because he's Chilean.

So he's just funny. He had a Luchador mask that happens to have like the Gene Simmons thing on it. So we just all have fun and it was cool but it was, you know. Yeah, he's like a bass player.

He's like a sick bass player. Yeah, he's a total ripper. He's a ripper. Right on. He knows like he can play almost every style. And it's crazy how many people he's like, just homies with. Like just, oh, yeah, you know Flea and fucking Chad Smith. Fuck.

Trejo. Well, of course you know Trujillo. Damn. You're in his band. Yeah. You know, like, fuck. You're super cool. Yeah.

But he's like humble. He doesn't even know. He's just like, yeah. It's suicidal, man. Yeah, he's just like, whatever, dude. like I don't know when this is going to end I could get in a car accident and my hand could be gone

like yeah he that's his whole vibe he's beautiful he's super humble and nice wow just like all right cool it's good jamming with you I want to meet him yeah and jam with him be sick you could probably get him in here I could I'll let him know all right well fucking jam yeah yeah so so he knows like under the bridge and stuff

and like everything oh yeah he knows everything oh dude I don't even know how to explain it but it's like another one of us or like a Carlos. Love that. Just like play an offspring song. Boom, knows it. Damn,

I love that. Hit me with a random this, you know. It's like, play, it's like my kiss. Yeah. Like a bown, bong,

go, he knows like every peppers, every pepper's song, all the talica. He just knows a lot of, and he also knows a lot of like traditional shit. Like he's, he can play almost any rush song.

song. Oh, he's like a, oh, that's okay. Yeah, he's, he's just one of those. Yeah, love that. Yeah, he's, he's rad. Yeah, he's a cool dude, so he's, he should definitely get in here. Dude, hell yeah. What, what was that?

Because I saw that picture, and I got kind of jealous. They're like, they're fucking killing it. Fuck, both of those guys. What, do you fucking trash your drums or what? The white set? Yeah. Oh, my God. Oh, I just pushed them over.

Okay. Yeah, no, I didn't, like, at the very end, I was like, like yeah and I was just like ploop okay and they just went bloop okay and like they didn't like I didn't break anything I already knew that I wasn't

like everything was like pretty pretty easy on that stage it was like if I were to push them over in here yeah they just fell the riser was like a a foot long so nothing got bent nothing got tweaked

nothing it was all that's the I mean we we we destroyed like the other shit but man that's your white kit oh yeah it's like what the fuck's you doing man yeah no they got they're fine i pushed them over like in a way that they kind of like like just like clustered together yeah and they like fell over and then it looked more than it looked on like pictures and stuff it looked it looked like i destroyed it's like well no no no i literally i just pushed them over i think i unplug my trigger yeah pulled my snare toward me and then pushed pushed the toms over and then everything just kind of like fell down but not like nothing crazy

nothing got chipped dude how the whole thing happened with like destroying your drum set how how did that shit start you did how what the fuck happened one you definitely uh uh were a strong uh enabler in that i definitely enabled probably yeah i was you're like dude i'm just gonna feel it and I'm fucking doing this and I'm like I mean I like that too I'm down too shit if you do it that means I can do it and then we can do it and it'll get done

and it got done it got done so we would yeah we were I'm trying to think of the first time we what happened I think you took your guitar and you threw it across a room in here

and then like we were like what the fuck yeah and then you're like it was a part of the song we were all getting down and jamming we're all in the zone and then I just see you like fucking get it and you just fling it through and I like went through your cab or something

and that was I was like maybe he's like having a bad day or a really good day it was a good day yeah yeah and then I realized it later I'm like oh and then we played a show where I don't know

but you had you had done that you you were playing and then you you started going to the kit and it's like going in there and it was cool because they're like clink everywhere and like it's like you know it's throwing a bowling ball through some pins you know and then I was and then after that I was like well fuck if he's going to do that then I'll always push him over so you're not the only one just like going nuts and then I think we had the conversation we're like all right let's just do it let me get a kit and you're like i think you got a guitar or you were getting guitars that you can you can use for that expression yeah for that you know that um that stage vibe that that like that production that the whole thing and then we all kind of we just dove into it for a whole tour

i'd explain to some people recently like online one guy's like do you have like two kids or how does it where can I explain to him how we do it. I didn't tell him your end. I just told them how I do it with drums. And they're like, oh, okay. I was like pretty descriptive. We looked. Sometimes we didn't do it.

Sometimes we did. Sometimes we did it on purpose and planned on it. Yeah. But most of the time we were finding crappy. I was finding crappy kits. Not crappy. Very, very cheap, great old kits. Day girl style, man.

Yeah, yeah. And then we, yeah, we just started going for it. We started, we did like Russia that way. And then it just started evolving until like, you know, not say it'll, I mean, it might happen again or it might not, but it might or might not. Like, I don't know. Yeah, who knows? If it happens, it'll be like, hey, this show is going to be sick. I found a kit on offer up for $120.

I'm going to get it. And we're going to fucking do some shit today and just go for it. And then, you know, it'll be that, you know. Not the white kit, though. Yeah, the white. The white kit's a fucking special kid. It's funny how drum sets are. They're like, they're like good guitars.

Like, the older they get, the more expensive they become. So like Thomas Star classics, like mine, the maple, I don't even know. It's like worth like half more than it was now just because it's, they just everything's serial number. They paint it once. That's why it's like, when you try to. order something from a company like oh do you guys make the clear ones they're like no we did that like four years ago they're done so it's like wow wait they're scarce they're limited they're not smart yeah i'm like that's how you're able to do it finish gear man that's that's that's a thing it's a

finished gear yeah no less it's charge double pretty much someone will want it oh yeah of course dude dude totally but yeah that was fun dude good time yeah that the only that the only thing i It was cool. The only thing I really, that was the downfall was, well, having to figure out if the kit work the next day. Oh, yeah. But the tones, drums, when drums are not nicely tuned and balanced and arranged properly and positioned with good mics that are going to be there tomorrow, that's live tone suffers, you know. Totally. I've heard someone on my go, it's just kick snare and junk. But then I've heard like the kit, winded it all miced up and nice.

It's like, ooh, crispy and great and everything is nice. And you're not cheating your fans that'll go there who want to hear. You play some really good fills. Totally. You know, you need those loud, ringing, tuned tombs. No different. It's like going up there and playing your set with two strings. You're literally like not playing it.

It's not, it's there, you're playing it right. But you're kind of like robbing them a little bit of. of what the fool thing should sound like. Yeah. I wouldn't like to see... It depends what kind of band, though. Nirvana, if they did that, fucking, who gives a shit?

But if I go see, like, deaf tones and his kit doesn't sound great, I'll be a little salty. Yeah, of course. I'll be a little bummed out. I don't even get mad when they play the songs wrong or end them early. Yeah.

Or start choruses where they don't go. Yeah. I'm like, oh, you wrote it. You could do what you want. But if the tones are shitty, then I'm like, fuck you guys. Do you, how was it seeing a, like, side stage when you're,

When you're up close like that to like to like one of your idols, it's such a crazy experience. It's nuts. I love it. I does nothing like it. And every time I'm there, I've watched them side stage like five times in my life. All of them by chance, always by chance. Literally always by fucking chance. Yeah.

You know, I was like, oh, somehow I get on stage and somehow I work my way by. drum behind the side. Yeah. And some, it just happens. I just get there and it works out. Yeah. Even the last show, the other those Devtones, I had my pass. And as I was going in there, some guy that was the stage manager knew who I was. We knew him.

He was, I forgot who we toured with, but we know him. He was, he's like a Mexican dude. I don't know who he toured with, though. But anyways, he was there. And he's like, oh, what's on, man? I'm like, I just want to watch. Like, yeah, get over here. Yeah.

I'm like, fuck. Here I am again. Watching Abe Cunningham. Wow. Shred and play good. It's inspiring and it's kind of like, it just gives me so much hope to see a dude who's like relatively older than me and just happy. And he just, he's himself.

And he makes people who love his style happy, you know. Like, one of the other ones was when we saw prophets, Tom Rello's, was, Tom Rello was Right there You were on the You were on the stage left Monitor World And I was stage right

Like bass world Yeah And I was just like I remember watching him play And you're just in there like Yeah Mark Mark uh He uh

He fucking saved Same me a spot Like right And like right in her front And like the board He was like He like he like not over You're like dude

Thank you Dude you had So like right there Tomorlo You had the spot Thanks Mark Yeah I know You were like

Dude it's so sick You were like five to six feet away from him. So weird when they're right there. And it's like, he's a big, he's kind of a tall dude, you know? Like I didn't know what to expect when I would see them, but they're like, they went hard. And then after that, I was just kind of like, what can we do now to possibly, like, desensitize us to any form of like being, like astonished when we see someone. Like, I have to like, I have to see Paul McCartney now.

like in order to feel anything like now if I see like profits again I'll be like oh yeah I saw this before it's like I've seen Metallica sort of close by and recently and I'm kind of like I think if they were to walk in a room

I wouldn't be starstruck but I'd be like this is fucking dope yeah but like now it's like it's got to be Paul McCartney or like Courtney Love or something where I'm like whoa that's fucking like we saw Billy Corgan Like, it just keeps going.

Yeah, it keeps going. I don't know who the fuck I can see or meet now, besides Dave Grohl, of course. Do you, I always feel this way. Do you ever, like, struggle like, like, I'm like, you know what? I don't, I don't belong here. I always feel that way. All the time, yeah. When you're in, like, those rooms sometimes, you're like, I don't belong here.

Yeah, what the fuck am I doing here? Yeah, because I'm not about to be, like, fake to get attention to people. Yeah, totally. I'm like, I have nothing to do here. This is not for me. But I think one day it'll be our time to be there, you know, like, in somehow a way. Because it's like, those rooms are like, these are rooms for like Scott Ian and Charlie Bonante and fucking singer from this band, like rock stars, you know? Yeah.

Or people who have been around like playing forever. Yeah. And if we're in there, it's just like, fuck. dude. Like, fuck. But it's also when we're in our realm, you know, like, if we do like a death metal or a death core festival with like chapel and all these other bands, and we're all having fun and chilling. Yeah. And there's a band there.

It's kind of like, what are we doing here? Yeah. Fuck. They're just like, and I always see that, that too. It's like, it's okay to feel like you don't, it's not your area yet, you know? Yeah. Because that'll come eventually. Yep.

Yeah. Some crazy shit. So congratulations on being married. Thank you. Second one in the band to be married. Second one, dude. How are we feeling? Good.

I'm about to see her in two days. If they let me in. Wow. I know I had to get all kinds of shit in line to go, but I'm ready. I'm going to spend the holiday seasons over there and start a new chapter. It's so crazy to have a feeling. of not knowing what's going to be like, you know. Yeah.

I think last year I kind of had like, oh, well, I'm going to like be home with the family. It's cool. I was still with her last year. Like, talked. And then now it's like, I'm going to go to another country. I'm not going to understand anyone. I'm going to like, now it's actually kind of cooler. I kind of wanted it.

This is another rehab. Like, not a rehab, but like out of my comfort zone. Yeah, yeah. Now I can kind of focus on more health and fitness. not being in my house where there's so much temptation of everything so like fucking food is a motherfucker you know oh yeah and it's just like whatever cookies yeah you've been there so it's just like i was there today yeah yeah little do you know this is everyday struggle yeah so it's kind of cool now i can kind of like i'll probably work on more art now you know i just been

recording lately and playing and music music music And like, that's it. And then now I'm going to be like, well, I don't have, I got a little interface with some speakers and I'm going to get a guitar out there. And I'll have that, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to end up, like, getting back on the brush. Yeah, dude. Like, cooking myself really nice, healthy breakfasts. And then fucking probably get into yoga. Adaboy.

Start getting into shit where I'm like, well, what else am I going to do? I can't like get a text message from Rubin and like, hey dude, you want to go fucking get some wings? It's like, no one's going to text me anymore. I love those texts. Yeah. Anyone, anytime anyone wants wings. So there's no. I'm kind of forced in a situation in a good way.

That's good. To change, change my routine and create a new regiment that's in favor for me to do, to express in a positive way. And that's also like, so when I come back, I'll feel. and like hopefully feel a lot better in that the thing that I've been lacking in so I can kind of put that energy now back into drums and do that you know that's great even though I'm only there for like two months it's gonna it's gonna feel like a long time yeah do that's awesome but um yeah one more question for you because I know I know you got a crazy day tomorrow um where do you see only because obviously we're still in a worldwide

Pandy. Yeah. You know, we got we got a Pandy going on still. What do you see where do you see music going? Where do you see the industry going? It's really hard. I think live shows

are going to be really hot for a minute like right away. I don't know if people are going to really want to pay attention to too much content that's out, but people are going to want to be there now because they've been missing out. They're going to want to whatever music can, I mean, everyone could put on a good show these days, whatever music can put on really great shows. But also there's going to be a lot of everyone's,

the gates are going to be open. So you're going to have every band and all the little bands that just started or the bands that started last year or the bands that started getting more hype last year, they're going to get trampled by the huge bands that are like, have more cred. And you're going to, a lot of, probably a lot of smaller bands. And not small by any means, like, it could even put us in that category where, like, we think, like, oh, we're going to come out swing in. And it's like, no, deaf tones and Metallica and Guns and Roses and all these other bands are going to be, Van Seventhold and shit.

They're all going to be doing these shows. and it might not give us that, you know, yet. But I think it might be like the bands that have already been killing it for the last 10 years are going to be cool, safe. But the bands that like recently kind of started or whoever's been kind of trailing along, they might have to suffer a lot more. But that's what I think it'll be like once the pandemic starts to die down and shows start to become regulated.

but it's hard to tell. I have no idea. And I've never really been right about... The only time I've ever been right about music was we did a tour with Falling in Reverse, or I was on a tour that was on tour with Falling and Reverse. And Ronnie just got out of jail, and they were playing like three or four hundred cap rooms,

but they were fucking packed. like brim like like like something I never seen and it's all like a lot of younger

emo kids you know like my chemical romance May Day Parade type people and I was just like this band's gonna be huge like they're already huge

but they're gonna be even more huge and this you know like I just knew that's and that's like a given like but I never had a moment where I looked at a band I'm like

wow this is like he's gonna be playing in front of like three or four thousand people in like two years and that's exactly what happened with with falling in reverse yeah which you know shout out to fucking ron dude um those those he knows what he's doing and he even corrected his life he was in a drugs and and did all kinds of shit and partying and you know he went to prison and came out and literally like smart fucking dude and kills it and like it's a good example because it's like I feel

him similar sometimes like he's had like some some like I guess some flack about the way he's expressed himself on stage or like how he's talked to people and like I wouldn't say attitude but just like how he rolls and I'm like I'm kind of that way too like I've done a bunch of

fucking shit and said shit and broke down and made mistakes and said fucked up shit and didn't mean them because I was you know clouded and not dealing with things right and it's kind of like, but he got his shit together, pulled through, and now they're like, they're going to be fine for the rest of their career. They wrote those records that have mileage, but it's like a different crowd,

but it's cool. And he has our back, too, you know, so it's very crazy, but I have no idea what's next. Hopefully us. Yeah, we'll fucking see. People are getting older, so they'll eventually come around. I know, we're all getting older, dude. We're fucking 34, you're going to be 35 and less than a month.

Yeah. Oh, my gosh. In like 28 days or something. 35. I'll be in Ukraine. Wow. I'll be eating dry fish. Adaboy.

And freaking drinking crab juice or something. Putting fish up your bud and. Yeah, no. Yeah, there you go. Yeah, doing something different. It's cool. I can't wait. It's natural that way, dude.

Yeah, yeah. I know. Celebrating two Christmases. Oh yeah. Celebrating two New Year's. Wow. And a birthday. And there's like this other Russian holiday that they're doing out there like January 6th or something.

And I'm like, okay, fuck it. That's what's up. Let's do it. That's what's up. Well, Alex, I know I don't want to keep it for too much longer. I know you got a crazy day tomorrow. You're literally flying across the world tomorrow. Yeah.

Fucking nuts, dude. Well, dude, thank you for being a part of this blast off. Yeah. To the unknown this is episode one. Episode one. Yeah, yeah, I'm down. You're my brother. Oh, yeah.

And we've been through a lot together, man. We've seen the world together. We've been through, we've been in many small rooms and metal tubes that have wings or wheels. Fuck. And we've seen friends and girls come and go. We've been through it all, man. It's cool. And I'm really, I'm proud of you that, you know, you're, that you're still.

here and still slamming it man you know and I'm I'm thankful that uh that I can still share this experience yeah dude same with you so it goes both ways hell yeah man love you guys right thank you guys see you later peace and this is where the music gets cute well that's it if you're still listening or watching thank you uh this was my first time ever hosting something let alone even be a part of a podcast so I was fucking nervous. I was worried about

the laptop crashing. Is there going to be a power outage? Is there going to be a fucking fire truck slamming into the studio? But luckily when Alex walked in is a very chill vibe. Everything went off and out

without a hitch pretty much. That was the first episode. This was supposed to be recorded back in late November because Alex had to fly overseas and hang out with his wife. He's newly married. So congrats to Alex. I was so nervous.

I forgot to give the poor guy an outro. So if you want to find Alex, he's on Instagram at I am Alex Lopez. And yeah, that's it. So this will be a weekly thing. It's officially up and going. So I hope you all enjoy. And until next time, see you soon. Later.