Bun E. Carlos

Who is Bun E. Carlos?

Brad M. Carlson, better known by the stage name Bun E. Carlos, is the primary drummer for American rock band Cheap Trick. He is the band's chief setlister and archivist, and maintains recordings of all the band's shows, some of which have been released under the title 'Bun E's Bootlegs'.

Carlos is left-handed, but has alternated between left and right-handed playing throughout his career. He has few writing credits, the most notable of which is the drum solo track "Who D'King", from the album All Shook Up and Bun E. in a Box, a drum sample CD.

In the late 1990s Carlos introduced his own line of coffee. At one point he offered a Special Limited Edition hand-signed numbered bag of coffee. He continues to market the brand today.

It was announced in early 2009 that Carlos had, together with Hanson singer Taylor Hanson, former Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha and Fountains of Wayne bassist Adam Schlesinger, formed a new band called Tinted Windows. This new project ran alongside each of the artists' main bands. The band played its first publicized gig at SXSW in Austin, Texas on March 20, 2009. Their first album was released on April 21, 2009.

On March 19, 2010, Cheap Trick issued a statement that Carlos is not the current touring drummer for Cheap Trick but that he still remains a band member. Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen's son Daxx was named in the statement as the touring drummer. Carlos had previously suffered from back problems, the recovery and treatment of which had caused him to miss portions of some Cheap Trick tours. However, Carlos has repeatedly stated that he is healthy. He has also stated that he hasn't heard from the band "in a couple years" and that "maybe we’ll kiss and make up". Inside sources claim Carlos is mad at Tom Petersson, and the way others treated their best former bassist, Jon B. Brant. There is another Bun E. Carlos Experience project in the works with Brant now.