VIA/July 2014 9
VIA: Which famous musicians have you learned from?
Alex: Kerry King was the first first famous musician I learned from.
VIA: Who was your first teacher? Other teachers?
Alex: Daniel Sanchez out of San Marcos Texas was my first guitar teacher however I consider Dave Smith Of Today's music my first true ALL AROUND teacher. He was the person that taught me about not only guitar playing but also music theory and composition.
VIA: I see you have classical music education. What type of music did you study at UNLV?
Alex: I studied some classical guitar at UNLV under Bill Swick.
VIA: Describe your first instrument. Other instruments.
Alex: My first instrument was A B.C. Rich Iron bird. Man I had the thing for years before I bought a new guitar. Now that I think of it the only reason I bought a new guitar was because the guitar was damaged during traveling. I'm currently playing an 8 string ESP LTD and and Axiom Pro 61
VIA: How do you handle mistakes during a performance?
Alex: I have not performed live in a while but I am
currently preparing for live performance. But in the
past I would just pass off the mistake as if it didn't exist.
VIA: Great advice! Do you get nervous before a
performance or a competition?
Alex: Skarred Kage has been in some "re mix" competitions and I can honestly say I have never gotten nervous.
VIA: What advice would you give to beginners who are nervous?
Alex: Know your material.
VIA: We all know how important practice is. How often and for how long do you practice?
Alex: I practice 5 days a week. Right now I am practicing (composing) about 3- 4 hours a day with Skarred Kage and about 1 hour a day on my guitar for Random Thoughts Of Violence. This schedule will most likely flip flop after the next few new Skarred Kage songs are complete
VIA: What do you practice - exercises, new tunes, hard tunes, etc.?
Alex: I mostly practice my own tunes and focus on my newest stuff.
VIA: Do you teach music?
Alex: I used to teach music but I am not currently teaching. But in the future this may be a possibility.
VIA: How do you balance your music with other obligations - mate, children, job?
Alex: No children or mate MUSIC IS MY LIFE :D