Today we’d like to introduce you to Choks.
Hi Choks, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hi I’m CHOKS and I’m a singer/drummer/producer and music teacher. I started playing drums at the age of 17 yrs old! Since then I’ve never stopped playing music ever, as far as I remember when I got my first drum set I was drumming everyday nonstop all day after school until midnight and that went on for at least one year even my parents were in shock about how insane it was to be playing drums for so long every day. After that year of nonstop drumming I got somehow lucky and started playing with a well known local band (Maria Tequila) back where I’m from and grew up in Cln Mexico and that’s when I started playing live everywhere from clubs, festivals, house parties to opening for some national established bands (Jumbo, Cafe Tacuba etc). 5 yrs later it was time to choose what I wanted to do in life so against all the odds as we all now about music I decided to go for it and pursuit a career in music so I moved to Mexico City to study at Fermatta School Of Music which was at the time one of the best schools of music in Mexico, Fermatta was affiliated with Boston’s school of music (Berklee) they had the same programs and certifications. I learned a lot there from sight reading, writing music, music business, piano, percussions to getting introduced to different genres of music like latin jazz, salsa, fusion, funk etc etc. after a few yrs I made the decision to move to Los Angeles California and kept pushing music fwd, I wanted to learn a second language not to mention the style of music I love playing the most was very popular at the time in the USA which was alternative punk and lots of pop rock music to begin with. A few yrs studying and shaping my life I got my first break working as a musical director for Puerto Rican popstar NOELIA I did that for a while then I realize I wanted to play on my own alternative rock band so I joined a band Called Collinz Room with that band I played for 6 yrs got signed by Universal Music toured the USA and got some movie placements like worldwide horror movie Saw IV, we also got a Los Angeles Music Award for our song Just Another Day it was absolutely a milestone for encouragement in my journey in music playing with an a U.S American band. Then I got signed by label/management MIP Music Group to produce a drum dvd (NOT JUST DRUMMING) and jazz fusion album (TIME FOR SOUND) which was directed by DW Drums CEO Don Lombardi which landed me several drum endorsements like paiste cymbals, ddrum, regaltip drum sticks, aquarian drumheads, KOPF percussion, PRDC drum cases among others. if I remember correctly a year later I had the chance to be at Drum Channel Show with good friend and role model Antonio Sanchez (Pat Metheny). We did a drum jam and got interviewed by fellow drummer Curt Bisquera (Elton John, Mick Jagger). Later I joined a band called HIDEOUTS with that band we got signed by producer Andrew Wade (A day to Remember, Neck Deep, etc) we recorded an album with him and toured constantly the USA for about 6 yrs. Later and currently I joined my band SCDN (stands for suprema corte del norte) the band started as a let’s call a bunch of well known musicians from the punk rock scene and “record a pop song cover together” all because the stay home pandemic we all in the world went through. We released the first single called “Las Calles De Las Sirenas” and automatically got an insane support from fans and people online etc, and to be honest everyone In the band didnt see it coming so we decided to put a second cover out there and same thing happen so we continue to have fun releasing covers until we realize we had like around 12 covers within a few months and numbers weren’t lying views likes engagement was happening really quick, so much that promoters started to contact us to buy live shows for the band which we never intended for so as soon as the pandemic was over we say yes to a few shows and the shows were absolutely super successful and fun which was the idea with the band we just never thought of playing live or having so much support from fans since its a difficult industry as we all now but thankfully it all worked out and we’re still out there so hopefully another round happen in 2026 once we align together. In the mean time during the pandemic I kept busy in my music studio for the first time in my life I composed and recorded a full album by my self and decided to sing in it for the sake of fun which to my surprise some people liked it, I put a few months of effort but never intended to use it as a full career since I’ve always being focused as drummer professionally. Realizing I love singing almost the same as drumming I decided to now pursuit both directions one as a singer without forgetting drums ever. With the album I released “NOW OR NEVER”. Things happened pretty wild it got #13 at a tv show in Germany, it was rotating on Starbucks stores nationally here in the usa as well 24 hour fitness gym and some radio stations. The single “Falling In Love” got play and rotating at Cesar’s palace hotel among others in vegas and malls I mean in my position from drumming to a solo singer artist I couldn’t even believe it I don’t think any of my bands in the past have placed music at Starbucks stores rotating so figure that out cause I’m still so proud of accomplishing it on my own, it also got a bunch of cool reviews from magazines and the rest is history some people somehow liked it and it was absolutely inspiring to me since I never done anything like that as a singer. To me it meant so much regardless of how big or small the album accomplished things. Fast fwd singing got me some attention and got a distribution and management deal offer from Virgin/Universal this was something I had to put a lot of thought into since I wanted to take a lot of time off alone inside my music studio to find my own vision of what I wanted to pursuit for my future singing and that meant practicing vocals, finding the exact genre I wanted to push that feels like me and who I am and what I want for people to see if I release a 2nd more serious album. I know that opportunities sometimes come once in a lifetime but I also being signed by labels in the past with bands and as far as my experience so far I have always being rushed to sign a deal and take the opportunity and figure out later meaning signing and going straight out to record, touring, pictures, music videos without even breathing and to be honest it really drain you as an artist aside success numbers money etc. I don’t mean to bash any labels but most or the majority of them don’t look at you as a human being they want numbers they want a product they want a profit and I get it it’s business but they forget for the long run in my opinion it’s better to invest into everything like the relationship the brand the health etc etc basically I’m more about taking care of the real thing too not just numbers and that’s why I said hey I need time to figure this out this time, is a completely new path I’m discovering my self as a singer and I have to do it this way meaning I need to focus and take a lot of time off and write write write new songs for a while until I’m 1000% sure I put into songs whats exactly in my head, and if that’s something that would end this opportunity with you guys then I have to let go. As for right now we’ll see what happens with that in 2026 when I make the phone calls which I will. I’m in a place in my life with lots of peace and I don’t feel like I need to rush things since I have accomplished most of the stuff I wanted to do in music so far I still have a lot of things in my head but so far I’m at peace and don’t want to go out there just for the sake of putting music not ready or performing music for the sake of doing it I want this to mean something at least for me and that’s my focus so far I’m very happy when I hear my new album which I’m still polishing and writing day a day. I have around 40 songs and I’m still getting new ones so It seems I will have lots of songs to choose from but we’ll see what happens some songs I’m very excited for some others seems to need a lot more thought and work so we’ll see what happens in 2026 which is what I’m aiming to release the album and if things feel right I would definitely hit the road with my own band and see what happens. The goal is to have fun and express my self the rest I leave it out to god and life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has definitely not been a smooth road it’s been fun with ups and downs like anything in life. Some of the struggles I have faced is keeping a balance between personal life, wife, self criticism, keeping mental health as healthy as possible and never getting into the wild party rockstar life ever you have to protect your well being in my opinion. also the financial journey it’s being wild even though I have always being an extremely hard working person and organized with my finances doesn’t mean it’s being an easy path regarding finances. There has been lots of sacrifices when it comes to investing in my career, gear, touring etc etc thankfully things have worked out here and there but I have always kept my self super busy to the point I’m stable on that field.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a singer/drummer, producer and music teacher. I believe my professionalism and insane hard work sets me apart from others. I always say this “when others sleep I’m working working working” i love, eat and breath music. The only reason I’m still doing it is cause I love it and I believe that sets you apart from a lot of people cause we’re not here for the fame, money or power we’re here cause we love it and that’s a huge difference in this career in my opinion.
How do you think about luck?
I don’t believe much in luck I believe more in hard work, spreading positivity and making smart choices in life. Though I somehow believe there has to be a bit of luck here and there but mostly the right timing I think.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/luiscamposmusic
- Twitter: https://x.com/luiscamposmusic
- Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Now-Never-Luis-Campos/dp/B09B3DQF7S
Image Credits
Band pictures and live show pictures with SCDN (Suprema Corte Del Norte)
Laguna Drum Festival Show
Drum Channel Studios with Antonio Sanchez
Los Angeles music awards with Collinz Room
Campos Music Studio
Namm show in Los Angeles with DDrum
