Keep up with Alex here:
My name is Alex and I was born and bred in Rochester, NY. I’m 24 and have been playing drums for about 8 years now. I’ve been in the Rochester death scene for quite some time, hanging around dudes from bands like Agiel, Kalibas, Lethargy etc… helped me get my first couple local bands together, and get my feet wet playing little shows here and there.
Eventualy I met my current guitarist Lewis in about 07 and we started the beast I’m in now called abdicate, and have been running solid ever since. We released our first demo with Barret on Sevared Records and just released or new full lentgh entitled "Forged In Ruin", on both Sevared Records and Butchered Records (buy it haha). We are currently gearing up for tour in May 2010 in support of the new album.
Alex Perez Interview:
SDM: How old were you when you started playing?
Alex: I was 16 when I started to play, watching Tim Yeung when he was in Agiel with my brother. I sold my guitar I had for a shitty $100 drum kit and here I am now.
SDM: Did you play in a school band or any drum corps?
Alex: I played in a school band for a year and then had to stop beacuse my parents could not afford it anymore at the time.I guess i was always ready to be a broke musician haha.
SDM: Who are your top 5 metal influences?
Alex: My top five influences would have to be, Derek Roddy beacuse he fucking nasty and is down for the metal cause. George Kolias, need I say more. Mike "the all all mighty" Smith, Carter Beauford and Greg Herman who is my hometown hero.
SDM: Who are some other of your favorites?
Alex: Theres too many to list, but basically anyone who plays brutal stuff and isn’t a dick if he knows he’s sick.
SDM: Let us know 5 CD’s that are in your current rotation
Alex: Animosity – Animal, Atorcious Abnormaility – Echos of the Rotting, Dying Fetus – Stop at Nothing, Gorguts – From Wisdom to Hate, The Black Dahlia Murder – Nocturnal
SDM: What do you do to warm up before a show?
Alex: I usually set up my kit 30 min before I go on, then hit the pads till its time to set up, and maybe a shot and a stretch.
SDM: Do you read music? Regardless of answering yes or no, please tell us how it might have effected your playing?
Alex: I actually just started reading music in the past couple years, and I do see a little improvement in my playing, kinda wish I started earlier.
SDM: Can you tell us about the gear you use?
Alex: Well right now I’m using Tama Rock Star, rack toms 8, 10 ,12. 22 inch kick, I stripped the whole kit and refinished it myself, custum shit baby. I use Sabian cymbals, Axis longboards for the feet, Alesis DM5 for kick trigger and Pro Mark 747 for the hands.
SDM: If you could give one piece of advice to young drummers, it would be…
Alex: Practice, practice, you can only get better doing it. It aint easy but you gotta do it.
SDM: Who gave the best live performance you’ve ever seen?
Alex: I would have to say its a toss up between Longstreth in Origin or Romain Goulan in Necrophagist, both brutal mother fuckers.
SDM: Aside from drumming, what else do you like to do?
Alex: Shit man I hate to admit it, but I am a master of the culinary arts. There’s just something about ripping apart flesh, cookin’ up and devouring it that really sets my mind at ease. I also bake, for satan.
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