Name: Jose Gonzalez

Age: 40

Instrument: Drumset

Band/Former Bands: Tin Zelkova, Skipping Stone, Smells Like the 90s/Bleed the Freek, and Boozer.

How long on instrument: This question is always complicated for me… I played drums several times during middle and high school. But, as far as playing drums with adult musicians, I would say about 21 years. However, the past five years have been the busiest and most fulfilling times on the instrument.

Equipment: Tama Starclassic (green sparkle) - 12" & 16" toms; Tama Performer Birch/Bubinga 14" snare; Tama Speedcobra 900 double kick pedal; Vater sticks 7A/5A/5B Sugar Maple; Evans heads (G1 coated on 12" tom, G2 coated on snare and 16" floor tom); Zildjian A Custom crashes (17" & 19"), Ping Ride (20"), A Series Sweet Ride (21"), Oriental China (18"), Paiste Formula 602 Sound Edge hi-hat (15").

Influences: Guns Roses, Metallica, Alice In Chains, Deftones, Dream Theater, Audioslave, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dom Famularo, John Wooton.

My first gig: My little sister is responsible from getting my first band out of the garage. She booked us to play at a school banquet that her class was hosting for the seniors. The lesson I learned that night was how slippery a kick drum could be on a tile floor! I was chasing my kick pedal the whole show!

Hobbies: Lately, I've been watching videos on Facebook. I like the guys that make dad jokes while sitting on picnic shares holding coffee mugs. Also, I would binge on basketball, boxing, and MMA highlights; or I would watch comedians, like Bill Burr, George Carlin and Frank Caliendo.

Favorite movies: I might be weird by saying this, but I like watching movies that I already have seen. I cannot watch enough of movies like The Usual Suspects, Shawshank Redemption, and Liar Liar, amongst others. I have to say that the Avengers movies have done a great job, but I dot like too much fantasy during battles (like Lord of the Rings).

Favorite food: Rice, beans, cubed steak, and plantains (this is a Puerto Rican plate I can eat every day).

Favorite place: I love the camaraderie of musicians in Louisville. My favorite place to be, though, is Puerto Rico.

Favorite sports or team: I grew up playing basketball, and I love the game. I recently played for my company's team and we won the tournament undefeated. It was a lot of fun. I enjoy watching soccer games. I would say that's the only sport I can watch in one sitting.

What Im listening to nowadays: I play a station on Pandora based on Audioslave. Apart from them, the app plays Deftones, Incubus, Rush, Metallica, Yes, Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree, Megadeth, Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots, Alice In Chains… see, nothing new. I like listening to drummer compositions from Vinnie Colaiuta, Simon Phillips, Dave Weckl, Billy Cobham, and other. These tracks allow me to open my mind to new musical ideas.

Coolest thing Ive done: I felt very cool going to the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) last year. I met my teachers Dom Famularo and John Wooton (who I later started studying with), and was tapped on the shoulder by legendary drummer Thomas Lang.

Most embarrassing moment: I was playing a gig in Puerto Rico and failed to play a beat on a specific part of a very popular song in front of a packed club. I remember everyone stopped jumping and looked directly at me! I recovered somewhat quickly, but the night was not the same after that.

Bad Habits: You could probably see a picture of me next to the word 'procrastinator' in the English dictionary. I also tend to take on too many things at once.

What was your first concert ever: I went to a concert in Puerto Rico to watch a band from Spain called Jarabe de Palo. Their lead singer died recently from cancer, but they were huge over there for a while. As far as American bands, I dot remember ever going to a major concert.

If you could meet a Rockstar (past or present), who would it be, and why: Lars Ulrich. I feel like we could have some profound conversations, not only about drumming, but about life. I am interested in learning how he has kept his drive throughout all these years and after accomplishing every accolade imaginable in the music industry. I owe my inspiration to him.

Who do you love: My children, Akila and Nicanor. I am super proud of them, specially my boy Nicanor, who looks and acts like me. I look forward to living and learning alongside them. But I cat forget my mom, Ana Rosa. She has supported me throughout all my struggles. I get my musical talents from her.