José is an undeniable pillar of the drum community. His passion for drums has helped establish an amazing community cherished around the world. As a working drummer, he has created beats and sounds with The Breeders, 1939 Ensemble, Modest Mouse, Ben Harper, Joey Ramone, Kim Deal (solo), She & Him, Donavon Frankenreiter, Rocco Deluca, Marisa Anderson, M. Ward, Chris Funk, Scout Niblett, CJ Ramone, Face to Face, 22 Jacks, Chris Shiflet (Foo Fighters), Steve Soto (Adolescents) and many others. Created sounds for HBO, TedX and Nike. He’s also released several drum-centric solo albums. Latest release is “Railroad Cadences & Melancholic Anthems”, a drummers tribute to John Fahey. In 2022 started a new musical endeavor with Nathan Trueb called Another Glory. Currently the duo is working on their debut album with Grammy Award winning producer and Los Lobos member Steve Berlin. The record also has musical contributions from Nels Cline (Wilco) and Ben Harper.
In 2009 eager to get off the road to be a more present husband and father, José opened Revival Drum Shop (Portland, OR.) with a single inspiration: create a place for drummers to find unique, inspiring pieces in a curated and inviting environment. Revival Drum Shop has inspired many drum shops to follow this model and helped launch several boutique makers including Tackle, Morfbeats, Roots EQ and A&F Drums.
José since then has gone on to curate and host “The Drummers Den” series, write and publish “The Stoic Drummer”, “A Drummers Ethos” and “Who Will Play My Drums When I’m Gone?” Serve as Vintage Drum Specialist for Fred Armisen’s Netflix Special “Standup For Drummers”, guest drummed on Late Night With Seth Meyers and co-produced Revival Drum Sample Library Vol. 1 (Snare Drums) and Vol. 2 (Bass Drums).
He is endorsed by Ludwig Drums, Vater Percussion and EarthQuaker Devices.
"It is an inspiring reminder to always approach the instrument with gratitude and honesty.” -Mark Guilana (St.Vincent/BeatMusic/David Bowie)
THE STOIC DRUMMER
"THE STOIC DRUMMER" IS A COLLECTION OF AXIOMS RELATING THE PHILOSOPHY OF STOICISM TO THE PRACTICE OF DRUMMING. COMPOSED OF CRISP, UNIVERSAL QUOTES, MANTRAS AND MEDITATIONS.
“THE STOIC DRUMMER takes the best wisdom of the ancient world and applies it to the art of drumming.”
– Ryan Holiday (Author/Modern Stoic)
FOREWARD by BILLY MARTIN (Medeski, Martin & Wood,/Author,/Educator)
“Absolutely stunning work.” -Carter McLean (Lion King/Author/Educator)
A Drummers Ethos
“A DRUMMERS ETHOS” IS FILLED WITH INSIGHTS, REFLECTIONS, QUOTES AND OVERALL INSPIRATION. A 250 PAGE LOVE LETTER TO DRUMMERS AND CREATIVES EVERYWHERE.
Featuring perspectives from BRENDAN CANTY (Fugazi), STELLA MOZGAWA (Warpaint), NELS CLINE (Wilco), MAKAYA McCRAVEN (Beat Scientist), PETE THOMAS (Elvis Costello) and many others. FOREWARD BY JON THEODORE (Queens of the Stone Age/Mars Volta) and illustrations by JOHN HERNDON (Tortoise/A Grape Dope)
who will play MY DRUMS WHEN I’M GONE?
“WHO PLAY MY DRUMS WHEN I’M GONE” IS A TRIBUTE TO DRUMMERS AND DRUMS OF YESTERYEAR AND TODAY. FILLED WITH 100+ COLLAGES CREATED FROM HAND-CUT PIECES THAT REFLECTS HIS LOVE OF THE FORM, DRUMS, ART, NATURE, DRUMMERS AND VINTAGE IMAGES.
“MEDELES STEPS BEYOND BEAT-MAKING, HE’S AN ALCHEMIST OF RHYTHM.”-Backseat Mafia
RAILROAD CADENCES AND MELANCHOLIC ANTHEMS
“Railroad Cadences and Melancholic Anthems” is a drummer’s tribute to guitarist and DIY iconoclast John Fahey. Joined for a series of guitar and drum duets with M. Ward, experimental guitarist Marisa Anderson, and Chris Funk (Decemberists, Stephen Malkmus), it’s a genuinely honorific project, featuring not Fahey compositions, but rather a series of improvised rendezvous inspired and informed by his looseness and rhythmic idiosyncrasies.