The people that comprise the PCS family are a unique blend of a particular type of person. Dave-O, Joey, Nate, Ryan, Bryan, name after name, all involved are all genuine human beings. They wake up every day, go to work, play with the kids, love the wife/girl/goat, fix shit, break stuff, take every moment in stride and do everything in their power to make sure that when they go to bed at night they do it with a clear conscious. Every day in the course of all this they make sure to always do the right thing and that the right things they do, they give it their all. That moral or ethical part is just one part of the person or people I’m describing, the rest is best expressed in this interview with Joey “Thunder Dome” Gonzalez (I just made that up, not official yet). And rest assured where I’m going with all this is to make a very good point. In fact, I’m so certain of the power of this point that by the time you are done reading this interview you will want to buy PCS.
Let me start by saying with the utmost sincerity, Joey is one hell of a guy. His zeal or attitude, it’s hard to explain, but when Joey talks or walks into a room people notice, they listen. He has charisma, he’s smart, and he says things you want to hear. Anything of subject the guy is on point, and I’d buy him a drink any day to keep the conversation going, but to hear him express or share all this important stuff, the do the right thing attitude I just described in a way that relates to succeeding in the evil world of capitalism, well, PCS has no choice but to succeed with him on board.
Joey takes life by the balls, he’s a go getter and he does the right thing—and that’s most important. He’s involved with PCS and Dave-O because they have direct control over how each of you, individually in the PCS family are treated. You are truly viewed as family and when you become part of that family you have formed a real and lasting relationship, friendship even (for real), you are not an “endorsee” or a sponsor or even a contract, you are “Joey” or “Nathan” and you are brothers, it’s just how we roll. In fact it’s the only reason Joey and myself are on board. This is something that from the bottom up, through and through, is right.
It’s no secret the world’s a confusing place and in lieu of the “economy” the major corporations that dominate the drumstick industry are doing everything to make sure profits remain steady. Coming from that world Joey understands all too well the importance of the little guy being “important” and how PCS is truly a better fit for today’s working musician. Plain and simple, if you come to PCS we promise you will be treated like a real, live, human being, a friend and yes, even family (Can I borrow a dollar?) and that you will not only like or love a little bit, these sticks, you will love a lot these sticks and may even marry my sister (depending if you have a dollar). I don’t have a sister but I will wear a dress.
Joey and I talked for at least an hour and the whole time I was literally about to jump out of my seat. I told Joey this and I say it now, I’m already a convert, brother but what you said over the phone lit a fire under me. There’s no way to describe it and if you ever meet the guy you will understand, this guy is an awesome powerful person and he said some awesome powerful stuff.
Joey takes life by the balls, he’s a go getter and he does the right thing—and that’s most important. He’s involved with PCS and Dave-O because they have direct control over how each of you, individually in the PCS family are treated. You are truly viewed as family and when you become part of that family you have formed a real and lasting relationship, friendship even (for real), you are not an “endorsee” or a sponsor or even a contract, you are “Joey” or “Nathan” and you are brothers, it’s just how we roll. In fact it’s the only reason Joey and myself are on board. This is something that from the bottom up, through and through, is right.
It’s no secret the world’s a confusing place and in lieu of the “economy” the major corporations that dominate the drumstick industry are doing everything to make sure profits remain steady. Coming from that world Joey understands all too well the importance of the little guy being “important” and how PCS is truly a better fit for today’s working musician. Plain and simple, if you come to PCS we promise you will be treated like a real, live, human being, a friend and yes, even family (Can I borrow a dollar?) and that you will not only like or love a little bit, these sticks, you will love a lot these sticks and may even marry my sister (depending if you have a dollar). I don’t have a sister but I will wear a dress.
Joey and I talked for at least an hour and the whole time I was literally about to jump out of my seat. I told Joey this and I say it now, I’m already a convert, brother but what you said over the phone lit a fire under me. There’s no way to describe it and if you ever meet the guy you will understand, this guy is an awesome powerful person and he said some awesome powerful stuff.
Thanks a million, Joey, for taking the time to do this interview and for your overall support and dedication to PCS. It’s truly unbelievable that there are people like you in the world and quite frankly the worlds still a mother fucking magical place because of it. I’m as much a fan and it filled my heart with even more good things to live with knowing the people I look up to are always and naturally doing the right thing. Ours is a small world, indeed, and I’m super glad I stumbled across you.
Warning: What you are about to read will make you a loyal PCS customer.
Warning: What you are about to read will make you a loyal PCS customer.
PCS Drumstick Blogger: What’s up, dude! It’s great to finally talk to you! You’re so busy with the family and bands and touring, I feel very lucky to have your ear, thanks man!
Joey Gonzalez PCS War Room Engineer and Development Research Specialist, Godzilla of Sorts, Family Man, and Drummer: Oh man, always busy. I was just literally working on a new Warbeast song, I didn’t answer because I was playing.
Just a quick note, I included that horribly drafted pseudo “intro” to drive home a point: this dude is always busy. Hard worker isn’t half of it. I’ve texted him and messaged him and he always writes back and usually starts by apologizing for not responding sooner, “I was jamming”. I hate to bug a dude when he’s jamming, but dude is always jamming. This (music, PCS) is in his blood and it’s his life. Keep that in mind when you read this. On top of being the busiest dude in the world, he has time to carry these thoughts, ideas, and passions into reality.
PCS Drumstick Blogger: What’s your role in terms of artist relations for PCS?
Joey Gonzalez Badass: Taking orders, helping Dave do about anything and everything. I also talk to the artists and maintain those individual, personal relationships our customers find so valuable. My main role though is keeping Dave focused on making the sticks. The title you used “Artist Relations” is just the tip of the iceberg of what I really do.
PCS Drumstick Blogger: *Inserts Sarcasm* So you must make like a billion Internet bucks a year for all that hard work. Between the bands and this you must be ready to run for President. Beside the vast riches and extensive wealth, why are you involved so deeply in this endeavor?
Joey “If the Movie Grease Could Be applied to the NOLA Metal Scene He Would Be John Travolta” Gonzalez: That’s a good question. I heard about PCS initially though Tommy Buckley. He was already playing them when Dave came out to a show and came up to me and basically really didn’t give me a choice. I mean I didn’t know him, but the heart and passion he had, what he was presenting was that he was concerned about me. You have to understand I come from a long line of “distant” umbrella sponsors that made me feel like I was bottom man on the list. Dave was the first person to come at me and literally say, what do you want in a stick? Not only that, but Dave’s one hell of a guy. He’s funny, he listens and again, his passion sold me on at least trying the sticks. Once I actually played them I couldn’t believe it. These sticks are the best thing I ever played and the guy who makes them is basically my buddy. I saw something in Dave and decided in myself that I was going to help Dave make this something real.
Joey Gonzalez PCS War Room Engineer and Development Research Specialist, Godzilla of Sorts, Family Man, and Drummer: Oh man, always busy. I was just literally working on a new Warbeast song, I didn’t answer because I was playing.
Just a quick note, I included that horribly drafted pseudo “intro” to drive home a point: this dude is always busy. Hard worker isn’t half of it. I’ve texted him and messaged him and he always writes back and usually starts by apologizing for not responding sooner, “I was jamming”. I hate to bug a dude when he’s jamming, but dude is always jamming. This (music, PCS) is in his blood and it’s his life. Keep that in mind when you read this. On top of being the busiest dude in the world, he has time to carry these thoughts, ideas, and passions into reality.
PCS Drumstick Blogger: What’s your role in terms of artist relations for PCS?
Joey Gonzalez Badass: Taking orders, helping Dave do about anything and everything. I also talk to the artists and maintain those individual, personal relationships our customers find so valuable. My main role though is keeping Dave focused on making the sticks. The title you used “Artist Relations” is just the tip of the iceberg of what I really do.
PCS Drumstick Blogger: *Inserts Sarcasm* So you must make like a billion Internet bucks a year for all that hard work. Between the bands and this you must be ready to run for President. Beside the vast riches and extensive wealth, why are you involved so deeply in this endeavor?
Joey “If the Movie Grease Could Be applied to the NOLA Metal Scene He Would Be John Travolta” Gonzalez: That’s a good question. I heard about PCS initially though Tommy Buckley. He was already playing them when Dave came out to a show and came up to me and basically really didn’t give me a choice. I mean I didn’t know him, but the heart and passion he had, what he was presenting was that he was concerned about me. You have to understand I come from a long line of “distant” umbrella sponsors that made me feel like I was bottom man on the list. Dave was the first person to come at me and literally say, what do you want in a stick? Not only that, but Dave’s one hell of a guy. He’s funny, he listens and again, his passion sold me on at least trying the sticks. Once I actually played them I couldn’t believe it. These sticks are the best thing I ever played and the guy who makes them is basically my buddy. I saw something in Dave and decided in myself that I was going to help Dave make this something real.
PCS Drumstick Blogger: *Stands and Applauds* Glad you made that decision! So it’s basically you and Dave-O running the company. I have to ask, and I only ask because it’s an obvious question I think customers want to know, you jumped on board with a startup for no money or at least the hope of some money, you’re a world famous musician in more than one awesome working band, you said something in that last comment that made me scratch my head, you found something inside yourself that made you want to do this? And, I understand the whole umbrella sponsor thing, made to feel special with PCS, but can you go a little deeper than that?
Joey Gonzalez Superjoint Ritual: Here’s what I mean. People in the business end of this industry look at musicians and see dollar signs. You’re just a little thing to push around. I make very little in terms of what I’m actually doing. For PCS I make nothing. I do it because I love it. I enjoy life. I love playing the drums. My whole life I’ve had a support system that has allowed me to do this. I’m blessed that way and I intend to live every moment being thankful for what I have. I have a daughter and a wife. I have bills and stuff to do every day. I go out into the world and deal both personally and professionally with people I love, not just like, but people who I feel are family. I set it up that way intentionally because that’s happiness, real happiness. These bigger sponsors only want my money. Dave wanted my help and he wanted friendship. He wanted to know how I felt. How I wanted my sticks designed. That’s very important, I mean I’m human and I have emotions and day to day I want to hear and live positive things. I’m glad to know, really glad that someone cares about me. So, when I’m working with Dave, it may not be all the riches of the world, but it’s a deeper and better wealth. It’s family. It’s friends. It’s people I care about and they care about me and in this world that makes you safe and happy. Truly something you can’t buy, something I can barely describe, but that’s what it is and that’s what drives me.
PCS Drumstick Blogger: *Issues Metal Horns” \m/ Dude…buy this guy a drink! Given that I feel like there can be no other follow up questions to that, I still have a few key issues to cover, readers, I know what’s about to come so hold onto your pants: Can you give the average dude who may not be familiar with your freaking spectacular experience and expertise some feedback about your history and relate that to some technical specifics about why you chose PCS?
Joey Gonzalez of Phil H. Anselmo and The Illegals: I started playing drums when I was eleven. My buddy took me to a church youth night and they had a whole bands worth of instruments set up for us to play. I sat down behind the drums and I never looked back, it just stuck with me naturally. Within two years I had drums set up at my house and jammed every day. The next door neighbor was a sheriff and instead of doing what you would think he would do, that guy supported me and came over all the time to watch me play. I had a very positive experience growing up which transferred to middle school and high school where I experimented with other instruments and learned to read music. Honestly though, I always stayed with the drums and all that other stuff was irrelevant. The more I played the better I got to the point I was playing full time. My thing now is I play hard. I joke that my job is to smash things. And, you asked about technical specifics. I could say they’re easier to hold, don’t hurt my hands, all for faster playing, but let me say this and remember it, Peridore Custom Sticks are the only sticks that allow me to play as hard as I can physically play. They won’t break. I’m a (big, strong, man, I added that) hard hitting road tested metal drummer who does and needs to hit the drums hard. When Phil Anselmo tells you to play as hard as you can, you have to do that. Before I could only play as hard as the sticks would let me. Now, because of PCS I can play as hard I want to. I’ve yet to find any limits. And, you have to understand that’s taking things to a new unknown next level. I’m playing faster and better than I ever have.
PCS Drumstick Blogger: *Falls out of chair*: End of interview (almost). I mean what else can I ask? Is there a PCS Kryptonite? Are we talking (music) world peace? Should I be building my backyard bomb shelter out of these things? In effect, what does the future hold?
Joey Gonzalez Masterful Percussionist, Warbeast: We have the balls to tell someone we can make what they want. That’s something very special and very important in the music industry. Combine that with the quality of stick Dave is making, it’s a no brainer. A set of PCS lasts me three maybe four shows. You’re talking 30-40 hours of intense me hitting them as hard as I can. That’s unheard of. The other brands wouldn’t last a single show. You take that with Dave’s grass roots, good ol boy attitude and the support network he’s gained on personnel and product alone. Again, it’s a no brainer. The future is bright. We’ve not even begun to test moving the O-Ring around to appeal to different styles or testing other woods. We’ve not marketed to kids in schools, we’ve only begun to truly understand ourselves how powerful this stick really is. This is truly an amazing thing and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of it. Right now the thing we really have to do is bring others like us into this family. The future holds only positive growth.
PCS Drumstick Blogger: *Issues Another Drink Credit: Joey Gonzales*: Thanks again, Joey, for taking the time to share this. As much as you want to see PCS succeed, so do I, which is why I’m doing what I do. I believe in this the way you do and the essence of what I wrote here was felt tenfold in the actual conversation Joey and I had on the phone. I seriously nearly teared up. This little off in the hills soon-to-be super start up is real. As real as it gets. It’s ran by some of the best, most amazing people out there and will do nothing but grow and get better.
If you are a drummer or will be a drummer or know someone that is, send them our way. You won’t be giving your money to a faceless enterprise that’s exploiting overseas workers. You will be supporting actual working folk right here in America that are literally using the profit from your sale to pay the electric bill that keeps the lathe turning. Like I said, this is as real as it gets.
What Joey said here and does daily in his life represents every bit the values and goals of PCS. If at any time you want part of this, simply jump on board. Write us, message us and tell us your story. Part of you helping us is us helping you, but well get to that a little deeper in the conversation, maybe even at a show or over a drink.
Be well my friends and feel free to drop us a line anytime.
PCS Drumstick Blogger (Of the World)
Joey Gonzalez Superjoint Ritual: Here’s what I mean. People in the business end of this industry look at musicians and see dollar signs. You’re just a little thing to push around. I make very little in terms of what I’m actually doing. For PCS I make nothing. I do it because I love it. I enjoy life. I love playing the drums. My whole life I’ve had a support system that has allowed me to do this. I’m blessed that way and I intend to live every moment being thankful for what I have. I have a daughter and a wife. I have bills and stuff to do every day. I go out into the world and deal both personally and professionally with people I love, not just like, but people who I feel are family. I set it up that way intentionally because that’s happiness, real happiness. These bigger sponsors only want my money. Dave wanted my help and he wanted friendship. He wanted to know how I felt. How I wanted my sticks designed. That’s very important, I mean I’m human and I have emotions and day to day I want to hear and live positive things. I’m glad to know, really glad that someone cares about me. So, when I’m working with Dave, it may not be all the riches of the world, but it’s a deeper and better wealth. It’s family. It’s friends. It’s people I care about and they care about me and in this world that makes you safe and happy. Truly something you can’t buy, something I can barely describe, but that’s what it is and that’s what drives me.
PCS Drumstick Blogger: *Issues Metal Horns” \m/ Dude…buy this guy a drink! Given that I feel like there can be no other follow up questions to that, I still have a few key issues to cover, readers, I know what’s about to come so hold onto your pants: Can you give the average dude who may not be familiar with your freaking spectacular experience and expertise some feedback about your history and relate that to some technical specifics about why you chose PCS?
Joey Gonzalez of Phil H. Anselmo and The Illegals: I started playing drums when I was eleven. My buddy took me to a church youth night and they had a whole bands worth of instruments set up for us to play. I sat down behind the drums and I never looked back, it just stuck with me naturally. Within two years I had drums set up at my house and jammed every day. The next door neighbor was a sheriff and instead of doing what you would think he would do, that guy supported me and came over all the time to watch me play. I had a very positive experience growing up which transferred to middle school and high school where I experimented with other instruments and learned to read music. Honestly though, I always stayed with the drums and all that other stuff was irrelevant. The more I played the better I got to the point I was playing full time. My thing now is I play hard. I joke that my job is to smash things. And, you asked about technical specifics. I could say they’re easier to hold, don’t hurt my hands, all for faster playing, but let me say this and remember it, Peridore Custom Sticks are the only sticks that allow me to play as hard as I can physically play. They won’t break. I’m a (big, strong, man, I added that) hard hitting road tested metal drummer who does and needs to hit the drums hard. When Phil Anselmo tells you to play as hard as you can, you have to do that. Before I could only play as hard as the sticks would let me. Now, because of PCS I can play as hard I want to. I’ve yet to find any limits. And, you have to understand that’s taking things to a new unknown next level. I’m playing faster and better than I ever have.
PCS Drumstick Blogger: *Falls out of chair*: End of interview (almost). I mean what else can I ask? Is there a PCS Kryptonite? Are we talking (music) world peace? Should I be building my backyard bomb shelter out of these things? In effect, what does the future hold?
Joey Gonzalez Masterful Percussionist, Warbeast: We have the balls to tell someone we can make what they want. That’s something very special and very important in the music industry. Combine that with the quality of stick Dave is making, it’s a no brainer. A set of PCS lasts me three maybe four shows. You’re talking 30-40 hours of intense me hitting them as hard as I can. That’s unheard of. The other brands wouldn’t last a single show. You take that with Dave’s grass roots, good ol boy attitude and the support network he’s gained on personnel and product alone. Again, it’s a no brainer. The future is bright. We’ve not even begun to test moving the O-Ring around to appeal to different styles or testing other woods. We’ve not marketed to kids in schools, we’ve only begun to truly understand ourselves how powerful this stick really is. This is truly an amazing thing and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of it. Right now the thing we really have to do is bring others like us into this family. The future holds only positive growth.
PCS Drumstick Blogger: *Issues Another Drink Credit: Joey Gonzales*: Thanks again, Joey, for taking the time to share this. As much as you want to see PCS succeed, so do I, which is why I’m doing what I do. I believe in this the way you do and the essence of what I wrote here was felt tenfold in the actual conversation Joey and I had on the phone. I seriously nearly teared up. This little off in the hills soon-to-be super start up is real. As real as it gets. It’s ran by some of the best, most amazing people out there and will do nothing but grow and get better.
If you are a drummer or will be a drummer or know someone that is, send them our way. You won’t be giving your money to a faceless enterprise that’s exploiting overseas workers. You will be supporting actual working folk right here in America that are literally using the profit from your sale to pay the electric bill that keeps the lathe turning. Like I said, this is as real as it gets.
What Joey said here and does daily in his life represents every bit the values and goals of PCS. If at any time you want part of this, simply jump on board. Write us, message us and tell us your story. Part of you helping us is us helping you, but well get to that a little deeper in the conversation, maybe even at a show or over a drink.
Be well my friends and feel free to drop us a line anytime.
PCS Drumstick Blogger (Of the World)