Sick Drummer Magazine

 

Keep up with Leo here:

www.myspace.com/represseddreams

www.myspace.com/leito_3

 

 

I was born in Puerto Rico back in the summer of '84 my dad inspired me to start playing drums since he was a drummer himself and saw him a few times playing and always found it amazing. I was always tapping on something and stumping my feet wether it was at school, in the car but since I was way into basketball and some other sports I never gave that much of attention at the early age. Then in my teenage years I got hooked into music. Some of my classmates were talking about to "start a band" just basically play our favorites tunes thinking that it was going to be that easy. From the beggining I took the drums very seriously and I was influenced very fast by progressive and metal drummers. Through those years I started to know and experiment with the drums playing countless hours in my room and "jamming" many times with friends.

Then as time passed by I got into the local scene (PRHC) and a friend of mine told me about a well respected metalcore screamo band called "Repressed Dreams" that were looking for a drummer and I thought that was my gig and my chance to be in a serious committed band. I got my gig almost 2 years ago and we have being playing all over the island, making music and recording some songs and our ep called "Rainy Days" which it has being very good sale for us. In the process I've gotten a few offers to play in side projects and played once in "Bellas Artes" with "Since You Died" in front of 2,000 people since a friend of mine (singer "Tuko") ask me to fill the drum spot for that night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leo Gonzalez Interview:

 

 

SD.com: How old were you when you started playing?

Leo: I started playing at age 17 (I wish could have started earlier).

 

SD.com: Did you play in a school band or any drum corps?

Leo: Not really, there wasnt any school band at my school or anything related to music except the choir.

SD.com: Ever take any lessons?

Leo: Yes I did, almost two years.

SD.com: Who are your top 5 influences?

Leo: In no particular order (Mike Portnoy, Branden Morgan, Elliot Sellers, Matt Greiner and Chris Pennie)

SD.com: Assuming that influences doesn't mean favorites, who are your favorites?

Leo: Mike Portnoy, Branden Morgan, Virgil Donati, Tony Royster Jr, Chris Pennie, Daniel Davison, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez, Dave Weckl, Elliots Sellers, Matt Greiner and a few more.

 

 

 

SD.com: Let us know 5 CD's that are in your current rotation

Leo: Ermm.. tough question there's more than 5 but the more that I can think of

Misery Signals "Mirrors"

Despised Icon "The Healing Process"

Alexisonfire "Crisis"

The Black Dahlia Murder "Miasma"

Norma Jean "Redeemer"

 

 

SD.com: Can you remember a night you think was your best playing ever? If yes, when and where?

Leo: Well, I've had few good nights but the more that I can think of was in our "Cd release" party since it was special night and so on.

 

SD.com: Do you have a favorite brand of drums or cymbals?

Leo: Well since I have a 6 piece "EX Export" drum kit im gonna go with "<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Pearl Drums" and Zyldjian "Z Customs"

SD.com: Do you have any pre-show rituals?

Leo: I always stretch (thats a must!!) and pretty much check that everything is in place.

SD.com: If you could give one piece of advice to young drummers, it would be...

Leo: 5 rules I live by (drums wise):

1. Get a Metronome.

2. Dont quit!

3. One band one sound.

4. Always stretch before you play.

5. Practice!!!

 

SD.com: Who gave the best live performance you've ever seen?

Leo: Back in the summer of '06 when Dream Theater came to P.R... Portnoy basically ripped it!!!

SD.com: If you had to stop drumming, what would you want to do with your life?

Leo: Well, since I'm almost finishing my degree in "Business" I think it would be something related to that but I hope it's music.