It's difficlut to pin point the exact moment we met. I'm certain it was because of a drug deal hustle of some sorts. I'm gonna be brutally honest in this story. Keiko can be a real pain in the ass, mother fucking, theiving crackhead on his bad days. We'll blame his drug addiction for the sake of not trying to tarnish one of my favorite characters. Now let's talk about the beauty of Keiko. He is a mid twenties average height, light skinned black man with beaming big eyes and a smile full of teeth. He struts through town as the happy street king with himself as king, knight, and jester. He can be this way because Keiko has a gift. He is the little drummer boy.
I never saw Keiko playing full time in a band. I can obviously remember the first time hearing him play... umm not really. He is the kind of soulful artists that just drums for the love of drumming. He'll always be fill in for bathroom breaking drummers. Or finds a way to get his smile on stage smiling and bouncing with the beat. This magic and his energy make up genuinely for his obvious shortcomings. I'm a drug addict too. I know how a fix might put a man with no money in a fix. One night myself, Billy, Quincy and Keiko went on a 3am drug run. Quincy had a pink umbrella from Keiko that he was prancing around with in the middle of the street. I was riding Quincy's bike reluctantly cause he was way out of sober and couldn't. Billy and Keiko on the other bike. Keiko was coming out of the crack house with "our" drugs. He jumped on Billy's bike as soon as the Police pulled up. Billy took off. Keiko was screaming "no.. no...". LOL. Quincy started screaming "Loveless... go...go!" And we were off. A police chase at 39 years old was a little much. The truck quickly started it's pursuit of me and Quincy. About a hundred meters or so Billy and Keiko passed us going the other way in the direction on the on coming police truck. Keiko was still screaming but with enthusiasm as the pursuit became comical. Quincy and I sped away toward Cocles and ditched the bike in the shadows next to Tasty Waves. The Police truck screamed by with full sirens. We hid for a bit as the PoPo slowly returned to base. One of those whew moments. The next day Keiko came running up to me at Crack Bridge exclaiming, "Devil, that was awesome!" He told his part of the story through a beaming smile while jumping up and down.
I've made several attempts to get Keiko recorded in the studio. The results always being disastrous Rocking J didn't really trust Keiko so getting him on campus and in the ARK was always a Devil's plea to a stern king. The one time I finally got permission, I offered Keiko drugs, alcohol, money and food to play on some pre-selected tracks. He sat behind the drums for about 3 minutes did a drum roll and immediately through a dramatic rock star tantrum. Yelling that the conditions of the studio were not what he needed to play. He darted off into the night with the drugs and alcohol. I vowed to never attempt recording him again. Never say never.
When Keiko gets behind a drum kit it's magical. This troubled young man lights up the stage from his drum throne. It's often difficult to notice the front men while his enthusiasm and presence dominate the space. His patterns are unique and powerful. His style is completely unique. He enters into his drum solos with eyes closed and a sure grin moving his entire body to the grove. His gestures are large making his performance truly entertaining. His solo almost always ends in an eruption of applause. At which point he opens his eyes and rejoins the band with a look of "okay I'm back boys". As a drummer Keiko is a soulful true specimen of rock star. So not all is lost in the pursuit of Keiko's talent.
I often refer to "crack" bridge in my writings. This is where Keiko and his girlfriend Erika call home, under the bridge. They have a make shift living room. Cook food for locals. It's quite cozy. You'd be surprised. One night in pursuit of fried chicken, he offered the last of his Yucca soup. It was amazing. Keiko has lent me his shoes to walk through a rough glass strewn path. He's always full of love and always kind. It's just those low points when he makes bad decisions. He once slapped Erika in Tex Mex, at which point she grabbed an empty beer bottle, broke it in two, and proceed to stab Keiko in the arm and chest. The crowd erupted in support of her. Blood went everywhere and Keiko fled. Erika came up to me and said, "I need a hug and some love Devil." Which I gladly offered as she cried on my shoulder for 10 minutes or so.
One night during my last two weeks in Puerto Viejo, right before Rocking J permanently altered the studio and right before the loss of the studio's computer due to Quincy and Jenn's bullshit. Keiko and I finally got the chance to lay down an epic session of Keiko's brilliance. If I remember correctly... my druggie brain sometimes combines two events... but I'm pretty sure it went like this at this particular 10pm: Loveless, "Dude my drug habit is out of control. I'm leaving town for a while. Rocking J is out of town. I can rent the studio by the hour off of my credit with J. How about I buy a couple grams of blow for myself, a fist full of crack rocks for you and let's finally get a record of you?" Keiko agreed. We went to my dealer first on the "Devil's Motorcycle". We then stopped in the ghetto for his rocks. He was anxious and grumpy. We walked into together. We got the goods and proceeded back to my bike. Not even 10 steps out of the crack dealer's house, Keiko hits his pipe and turns toward me glossy eyed and happy, "Hey cheif, can you see the rainbow?" (moving his hands across the dark night). I still laugh to myself every time I replay this scene in my eyes. We proceeded to the studio where Keiko took charge and basically laid down the set he always wanted to ley down. He was in charge and I was obedient. There was one point where "Jesus" Joseph said, "Loveless, you have to let me in there. I've gotta record with that guy." Which he did.
I hope Keiko is not one of my 27ers or even my 25ers. As a truly gifted rock star that I love truly... I hope I do justice in representing the Demon and the Angel... but most importantly the FUCKING BAD ASS ROCK STAR THAT IS KEIKO! The last night I saw him in Puerto Viejo, he told me, "Hey Chief a guy from Italy is such a fan that he is giving me a drum kit." I hope Keiko picks drums over drugs... but I think Keiko will always be able to manifest a drum to play as long as his turbulent life allows him to breathe. AMEN brother. Devil Horn Salute. I will always love you. Rock On!
