Roger DeCarlo - Guitarist, Songwriter
47 yrs. old, been playing guitar for about 30 years. I originally wanted to play drums, inspired by the Beatles, Ringo Starr, used to beat on pillows & cushions with my brothers drum sticks. Then I heard Jimi Hendrix "Band of Gypsies' I went wow, that's what I want to do.
I was a loyal listener to 70's heavy guitar rock bands during my teens, as I struggled to learn to play the guitar. When I turned 20, I knew I needed guitar lessons, which I did here in Portland, Oregon. Practiced for hours to a metronome, greek scales. finally i applied my self to jam & join a few bands that were bad! soon I saw light at the end of the tunnel, which encouraged me more. I was 26 when I started writing songs for Cruella "Vengeance is Mine" LP. By then there was no turning back as a guitar player. The band landed a 2-album, license agreement deal, due to dozens of cassette tape basic promo packs that I mailed out. We recorded "Shock the World" in 1990. At that time heavy metal was on it's way out, thanks to the Seattle grunge band movement, 147 miles north of Portland. Cruella called it quits in 1992; enough was enough.
I tried to stay active playing around Portland but it was a different scene by then. The words "heavy metal" were like a disease; people ran from you if you mentioned the name. I reached some low times spiritually by 1996 so I did the unthinkable and signed a 2 year lease & opened a buy sell trade new & used CD & record store. You talk about some crazy times in that shop; we jammed, partied and I found my self as a musician again.
Then of course I did the unthinkable again, I made friends with Rob Moon who talked me into joining a death metal band called "BunkDope". I'm 37 yrs. old these guys are like 22/23, so it was really cool that these guys let me play with them. Since I don't have any kids, i thought now i can be the player, teacher, coach, dad, big brother, etc. 3 yrs later we record our 1st cd called UNCUTT. We promo packed it and landed a license agreement deal. Of course I'm very proud that I stuck it out. By then I was 41 & the younger kids call me grandpa death - can you believe that?
In 2005 we finally did the impossible. We recorded our 2nd CD titled "SORES" 6 yrs. later from our first product. Then I hook up with Dave & Brian and we record "ELECTRICNUTZ" in 3 months of rehearsal. I think this is some of the best music i have recorded until I was inspired by my best friend, wife, girlfriend to do "Elizabeth" CD project of instrumental, classical, acoustic & electric guitar! This to me is my finest hour as a musician and guitarist! I feel I have gone full circle, playing heavy metal, death metal, psychedelic groove rock & classical guitar, quite a diverse style I must say! I cant take all the credit, there are a lot of great musicians who have come & gone that had a hand in my growth as a musician. I'm very fortunate as it gives me great pleasure to have inspired a lot of kids here locally & around the world who I have inspired on the fret board!! My best words of wisdom is to always keep playing & practicing don't quit & give up & don't let anybody bring you down spiritually as a amateur musician! Thanks for taking the time to read my bio.
Sincerely,
Roger Decarlo