Band Member Spotlight: Steven Reyes

PRECAP:

Contributes:

• Drums

Personal Website:

• Facebook

Notable Links:

• Ductape Halo
• Dr. Beam and the Semi-Acoustic Mayhem

Favorite quote from the article:

"I have always felt an affinity towards rhythm and enjoy the physical nature of playing the drums."

Steven Reyes moved to New York City from south Jersey in 2009. Since then, he has been an active part of the Brooklyn music scene, performing with bands such as Ductape Halo (along with IATT guitarist, Dan Victor) and Dr. Beam and the Semi-Acoustic Mayhem. Around the middle of 2011, it was while playing with the latter group that Steve was approached by Alec to begin work with I Am the Third. It just so happend that Carin Beam (the "Dr. Beam" in Dr. Beam and the S.A.M.) was ready to move on to other projects around the same time, leaving Steve available to start working with Alec full time almost immediately.

For Steve, the choice to join IATT was a "no brainer." He says that he grew up listening to artists like Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, The Isley Brothers, and Earth Wind and Fire, and he felt a similar vibe in Alec's music. Steve also told me that "[Alec's] emphasis on soul, blues, and rock were right in line with the kind of music [Steve] enjoy[s] listening to and playing."

Actually, on the subject of what Steve likes playing, he actually began with the guitar. He was part of his high school band as well, but it wasn't until 2007 that drumming became a big part of his life. If you ask him, he'll be happy to tell you about two friends, Brandon Haydon and James McCandless, who he gives credit for being huge influences and inspiration for Steve's ambition to drum. He adds that he has "always felt an affinity towards rhythm and enjoy[s] the physical nature of playing drums."

As far as playing for I Am the Third, Steve loves the song "Welcome to Brooklyn" because "it's a less calculated song and leaves more room for improvisation."

Steve loves not only playing music, but listening to it too. He enjoys artists like: Earth Wind and Fire, Hall and Oates, Prince, Santana, Parliament, Elton John, Jill Scott, The Roots, Andree 3000, Mars Volta, BB king, Led Zepplin, Mary J Blidge, and  Lauryn Hill. R&B is his favorite genre, though he appreciates music from all kinds.

In the brief window where  you might find Steve not surrounded by his favorite soulful sounds, you might find him at the handball courts throughout Brooklyn or on West 4th Street or in Chinatown in Manhattan. He also likes playing video games, watching SportsCenter, playing with his dog, and sharing a few drinks with his friends at a local bar. If you want to find him at work, good luck, because he's hard to catch zooming through traffic as a bicycle messenger in Manhattan.

When asked about what is most important in his life, Steve puts family first, but ringing in a close second are spending time with his good friends, listening to and playing good music, and the inherent drive he has to live life to the fullest.