Bun E. Carlos

Bun E. Carlos is the amiable and adroit drummer, archivist, and set list writer for Rockford, IL's illustrious Cheap Trick. Leaving behind the oldies circuit, Carlos fine-tuned his avuncular charm and steady beat as Trick became local heroes and then mega-stars rising to a brief platinum period in the late '70s. An obvious high point came working with John Lennon in 1980. The band weathered some hard times until 1988, when "The Flame" became Trick's only number one (all four members hated this factory ballad). Carlos held drum clinics, produced the Blues Hawks, and lent his talents (along with guitarist Rick Nielsen) to Jim Peterik's World Stage. Carlos quit smoking cold turkey in the '90s, losing his trademark dangling cigarette.
Doug Stone, All Music Guide

Cosmik Debris caught up with Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos in California on June 30th, 2000, the first night of their current tour.

Cheap Trick hit the Midwest like a bomb back in the 70s. They played balls-to-the-wall rock and roll that would later set the stage for punk and alterna-rock. Songs like "He's a Whore," "ELO Kiddies," "Oh, Candy" and others still sound as raw and vital as they did over 20 years ago. In 1979 they were one of the top grossing bands, and they sold over 3.5 million copies of At Budokan in 1979.

While they are known for hits like "Surrender" and "I Want You to Want Me," Cheap Trick have never been a one hit wonder. They had several hits in the 80s and 90s and continue to rock to this day (anyone who was lucky enough to catch the Madison performance will attest to that). Their fan base includes hardcore devotees such as Billy Corogan of the Smashing Pumpkins, Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam, Kurt Cobain, Wilco, Soul Asylum, Green Day, Aerosmith, Pantera, Bob Mould, Everclear, and scads of other bands. Many people, including Howard Stern, consider "Surrender" to be one of the best rock songs ever written.