Dave Lombardo

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Dave Lombardo
Background information
Born February 16, 1965
Flag of Cuba Havana, Cuba
Origin Flag of United States Downey, California
Genre(s) Avant-garde metal
Groove metal
Thrash metal
Instrument(s) Drums
Years active 1981 – present
Label(s) American Recordings
Associated
acts		 Slayer
Grip Inc.
Fantômas
Testament

Dave Lombardo (born February 16, 1965) is a heavy metal drummer born in Havana, Cuba. Lombardo's musical interest was inspired by playing along with a Santana record for show and tell in the third grade, later deriving from the bands Led Zeppelin and KISS; which have been an influence on his style and playing ability.[1]

Lombardo's music career has spanned over 25 years, and has led him to record drums on 29 records, including that of the bands Grip Inc., Fantômas, and Testament – crossing multiple genres, making him a creative and skillful musician.[2] Lombardo's most notable work is with the American thrash metal band Slayer, recording drums on six of the band's albums, including the 2006 release Christ Illusion, which received praise for his appearance.[3]

Lombardo is known as one of the most aggressive and influential drummers utilizing double bass drums, which has been called "astonishingly innovative",[4] and earned him the title "the godfather of double bass". Over his career, he has had a big influence on the metal scene, and has inspired many modern metal drummers.[1]

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early years

Lombardo was born in Havana, Cuba on February 16, 1965, moving to the state of California, in the United States with his family at the age of two. In the third grade, Lombardo played a set of bongos with a Santana record for show and tell. This inspired his interest in drums, which lead him to join the school band, playing the marching drum. His father saw his persistent interest in music and purchased a five piece Maxwin drum set for $350 USD, and the record Alive! by KISS, with the result of Dave teaching himself the drumming from the song "100,000 years". Lombardo was later asked if he could play the song "Moby Dick" by Led Zeppelin. Lombardo had heard of the band, but had not heard their music. After doing so, he was exposed to an all new genre, with Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham influencing Lombardo's drumming ability.[1]

At the age of ten, Lombardo asked his parents for drum lessons. His parents accepted, however, the lessons lasted only one week as Lombardo got bored of the repetitiveness.[5] After leaving music lessons, Lombardo's friends exposed him to the disco genre, where he played at parties as a temporary DJ under the name "A Touch of Class". Lombardo later said that "the music I was exposed to at that time showed me the effects of rhythm on the body."[1]

In 1978, Lombardo would talk with several musicians around town, some traveling to Lombardo's house, playing songs by Jimi Hendrix, Purple Haze and Foxy Lady. Graduating from private school in eighth grade, Lombardo moved to Pius X High School, which had more musicians than his previous school. Lombardo signed up to the school talent show performing "Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Berry with a guitarist named Peter Fashing. "I'll never forget the roar of the crowd during the drum solo. We brought the house down" states Lombardo, becoming known as as "David the drummer" the following day.[1]

With his new found popularity, Lombardo formed a band in 1979 called "Escape", with two guitarists, performing AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, and Black Sabbath songs in Lombardo's garage. After leaving Pius X school, not meeting grade expectations, Lombardo moved to South Gate High School where he found a vocalist to join the band. The band performed at parties under the name "Sabotage", but were unsuccessful in making an impact. Lombardo's parents noticed his withdrawal from everything except music, convincing him to quit and find a job. On leaving "Sabotage", Lombardo received threats from the guitarist's girlfriend; "the so-called manager went as far as to write a poem about me leaving the band in the school news paper saying, 'we'll see who makes it to the top, lets place a bet.' I should of made that bet."[1]

[edit] Slayer

Lombardo took his parents' advice, applying as a pizza delivery boy at the local pizza shop in 1981. With money earned from the job, Lombardo was able to convince his father to loan him money to purchase a TAMA Swingstar drum set and Paiste Rude cymbal package for $1100 USD.[5] While making a delivery, Lombardo was told about a guitarist that lived five blocks away, Kerry King. Lombardo introduced himself to King, asking if he would like to jam with him. King agreed – offering to show Lombardo his guitar collection, later recruiting him as the drummer in Slayer completing the band's line-up.[1]

The band toured extensively in the early 1980s to promote the album Show No Mercy. During this period Lombardo formed a strong bond with drummer Gene Hoglan, who was the band's roadie at the time. Lombardo asked Hoglan to become his drum tutor, however, Hoglan was fired as the roadie, as he had no idea what to do.[6] During Slayer's 1986 "Reign in Pain" tour, which promoted the album Reign in Blood, Lombardo left the band; "I wasn't making any money. I figured if we were gonna be doing this professionally, on a major label, I wanted my rent and utilities paid."[7] The band enlisted Tony Scaglione of Whiplash as his replacement, however, Lombardo's wife convinced Dave to return in 1987.[7] In 1992, Lombardo was fired from Slayer, due to conflicts with band members and refusing to tour desiring to witness the birth of his first child.[8] After the birth of the child, Lombardo formed his own band with Voodoocult guitarist Waldemar Sorychta called Grip Inc.,[9] and joined Mike Patton's experimental group, Fantômas in 1998.

Lombardo rehearsing with Metallica hours before their set.
Lombardo rehearsing with Metallica hours before their set.

Ten years after the firing from Slayer, Lombardo received a phone call from Slayer members asking if he would like to perform a few shows;[10] Paul Bostaph left the band because of a chronic elbow injury, stating it would hinder his ability to play.[11] Lombardo accepted, touring with the band – attending Ozzfest, H82k2, Summer Tour, and the 2004 Download Festival. While preparing for the Download Festival in England, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich was hospitalized for a mysterious illness.[12] Metallica's vocalist James Hetfield searched for volunteers to replace Ulrich; Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison and Lombardo volunteered. Lombardo performed the songs "Battery" and "The Four Horsemen".[12] While fans were pleased with Jordison and Lombardo's performance, many fans walked away disappointed after waiting over 90 minutes with no announcement of the delay, and the hour long set, which was deemed short.[13]

Lombardo recorded drums on Slayer's 2006 release Christ Illusion, promoting the album on The Unholy Alliance tour. King asserts Lombardo is a major attraction for the fans, and one of the reasons for their surge in popularity. King prefers playing with Lombardo, as do the other band members.[14] Slayer bassist Tom Araya enjoys having Lombardo back in the band; "It's kind of right back where we started. He's an amazing performer. We took off right where we left off, you know? It's like he was never gone. He's working with Kerry on his tunes. He's helped out a lot actually!"[15]

While Christ Illusion received mixed reviews, Lombardo's return was praised by critics.[3] Chris Steffen of Rolling Stone asserts "Christ Illusion is God Hates Us All without the memorable riffs, at least their awesome drummer Dave Lombardo shows off some chops, particularly on the raging "Supremist"."[16] Don Kaye of Blabbermouth gave the album a mediocre review, however praising Lombardo; "One thing's for sure: Lombardo's influence on this band is absolutely undeniable. With no disrespect to Paul Bostaph, a fine drummer (and Jon Dette, who also did some work with the group in the mid-Nineties), Lombardo is simply essential to the Slayer sound. He is one of heavy rock's all-around best drummers, perhaps the very best in the field of thrash /speed metal, and his power, style, and chops — not to mention his intangible chemistry with the rest of the group and those amazing flying feet — bring Slayer's overall performance, intensity and music to a higher level.[17]

[edit] Side projects

After the firing from Slayer, Lombardo formed his own band with Voodoocult guitarist Waldemar Sorychta – Grip Inc.. Sorychta asserts people always spot mistakes in their music, because of Lombardo's popularity with Slayer – expecting the band to sound like Slayer and complain.[18] However, when Lombardo uses the double bass, people complain "now Grip Inc. sound exactly like Slayer."[18] Lombardo is proud of the band and believes it made him more creative as a musician, using his ideas when working on Slayer's 2006 album Christ Illusion.[19] After the release of the 2004 Grip Inc. album Incorporated, Lombardo asserts that the band is on the "back burner" because of time taken up touring with Slayer,[10] but hinted the band may return in the future.[19]

The avant-garde metal band Fantômas formed when Lombardo was introduced to Faith No More vocalist Mike Patton, at a Faith No More concert. Patton asked him about his "fusion" project, Grip Inc., and several months later Lombardo received a call from Patton, asking if he would like to join his fusion project, and Lombardo replied "Fuck yeah!"[8] Lombardo asserted it was the hardest music he's played saying "Slayer doesn't even come close. Slayer was hard in a physical way, but this is physically demanding as well and requires "feeling". (The kind of connectedness that demands) no clicking of sticks." Asserting "if Picasso was a musician, this would be his music."[8]

In 2005 Lombardo recorded Drums of Death with DJ Spooky. Spooky played some records, with Lombardo playing along – interpreting his own rhythms. Spooky recorded the session and took the tapes to his New York recording studio, downloaded it onto his computer, mixing the beats and drums incorporating scratching and other DJ techniques.[2] In a review by Glide Magazine Scott Peace-Miller gave the album a positive review for Lombardo's presence; "Lombardo's influence is front and center in the driving, up tempo "Quantum Cyborg Drum Machine," and the almost straight-up thrash of Kultur Krieg."[20]

Lombardo recorded five tracks with the classical music group Apocalyptica, on their 2004 album Reflections. The Apocalyptica members approached Lombardo at a drum clinic in Holland titled "Headbangers fest",[2] asking if Lombardo would like to do a duo, Lombardo agreed. Apocalyptica and Lombardo enjoyed playing a duo – asking if he would like to perform drums on their next album. Lombardo agreed, and the band sent him the recording tapes to his home recording studio in California.[2]

[edit] Style and equipment

Lombardo is known for his fast, aggressive style of play utilizing the double bass technique which has earned him the title "the godfather of double bass" by Drummerworld.[1] Lombardo states his reasons for using two bass drums: "when you hit the bass drum the head is still resonating. When you hit it in the same place right after that you kinda get a "slapback" from the bass drum head hitting the other pedal. You're not letting them breathe." When playing the double bass Lombardo uses the "heel-up" technique, angling his pedals.[21]

Lombardo has used a TAMA drum set since he was fourteen, purchasing a drum set/cymbal package sold at Guitar Center.[5] The drum set was a TAMA Swingstar and a Paiste cymbal package. Lombardo used this kit to record Slayer's first record: "man, these are great drums. And they were synonymous with me, because I recorded my first record with that drumset, which is on the back of Show No Mercy… you see that drumset." On Slayer's 2006 tour Lombardo used TAMA Starclassic Maple, with 18x24 kick drums, 6”, 8”, 10”, 12”, 14”, 15” rack toms, and 18” and 20” floor toms, 5.5”x14” hammered bronze snare and HP900P’s Power Glide drum pedals.[5]

[edit] Influence on musicians

Rocky Gray of the alternative rock band Evanescence was influenced by Lombardo's choice of equipment stating he was his hero; "All those old school guys are all Tama guys. Where I'm from, if you're in the big time, you get a Tama drum set. You have to be good if you've got a Tama set."[22] Per Jensen of The Haunted cites Lombardo as a major influence, growing up listening to Slayer, which has a big influence on his style and The Haunted's.[23] Suffocation drummer Mike Smith also cites Lombardo as an influence.[24]

Richard Christy, former member of Death was blown away by Dave's performance on the album Reign in Blood,[25] as was Cannibal Corpse drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz.[26] Ray Herrera of the band Fear Factory cites Lombardo as one of his major influences,[27] as does Pete Sandoval of Morbid Angel,[28] Cradle of Filth drummer Adrian Erlandsson,[29] and Krisiun drummer Max Kolesne.[30] Patrick Grün of Caliban inspiration to play drums came from Lombardo,[31] with Jason Bittner of Shadows Fall inspired by Lombardo's double bass, utilizing double bass when starting his own music career.[32]

[edit] Discography

Main article: Dave Lombardo discography

[edit] Fantômas

[edit] Slayer

[edit] Grip Inc.

[edit] Miscellaneous

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Drummerworld - Dave Lombardo. Drummerworld.com. Retrieved on January 30, 2007.
  2. ^ a b c d Haug, Andrew. Full Metal Racket - Audio interview with Dave Lombardo. Abc.net.au. Retrieved on February 20, 2007.
  3. ^ a b Atkinson, Peter (2006-07-24). KNAC Review - Christ Illusion. KNAC.com. Retrieved on February 22, 2007.
  4. ^ Jem Aswad & Ira Robbins, "Slayer" Overview, at TrouserPress.com; last accessed September 9, 2006.
  5. ^ a b c d Dave Lombardo - Slayer / Fantomas. Ibanez.com (2006-09-23). Retrieved on February 10, 2007.
  6. ^ Dark Angel. Voicesfromthedarkside.com. Retrieved on March 4, 2007.
  7. ^ a b An exclusive oral history of Slayer. Decibel Magazine. Retrieved on December 3, 2006.
  8. ^ a b c Cohen, Albert (1998-08-13). Dave Lombardo: moving beyond Slayer. Peak.sfu. Retrieved on February 18, 2007.
  9. ^ Lolk. Waldemar Sorychta interview. antenna.nu. Retrieved on January 10, 2006.
  10. ^ a b Bowar, Chad. Dave Lombardo (Slayer) Interview. Suite101.com. Retrieved on January 30, 2007.
  11. ^ Slayer: Lombardo's back!. Kerrang! (2002-01-03). Retrieved on December 2, 2006.
  12. ^ a b Metallica's Lars Ulrich Hospitalized In Switzerland, Misses Show. Yahoo Music (2004-06-07). Retrieved on December 9, 2006.
  13. ^ Powell, Guy (2004-06-14). Metallica review Download Festival 2004. Efestivals.co.uk. Retrieved on February 18, 2007.
  14. ^ Kerry King about Dave Lombardo. Faceculture.com (2006-10-20). Retrieved on November 29, 2006.
  15. ^ SLAYER INTERVIEW - TOM ARAYA. Metal-Rules.com. Retrieved on February 27, 2007.
  16. ^ Steffen, Chris (2006-07-07). Advance of the Day: Slayer, “Christ Illusion”. Rolling Stone. Retrieved on February 22, 2007.
  17. ^ Kaye, Don. SLAYER Christ Illusion (American). Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved on February 20, 2007.
  18. ^ a b Lolk. Waldemar Sorychta interviewed by Lolk. Antenna.nu. Retrieved on February 18, 2007.
  19. ^ a b Haug, Andrew (2006-10-13). Andrew Haug speaks with Dave Lombardo from Slayer. Abc.net.au. Retrieved on February 9, 2007.
  20. ^ Peace-Miller, Scott (2005-06-21). DJ Spooky and Dave Lombardo. Glide Magazine. Retrieved on February 20, 2007.
  21. ^ Dave Lombardo Modern Drummer Festival 2000
  22. ^ Rocky Gray (Evanescence). Tamadrum.com. Retrieved on February 9, 2007.
  23. ^ A Telephone Conversation with The Haunted’s Drummer, Per M. Jensen. Thedisseminatedgroup.com. Retrieved on February 9, 2007.
  24. ^ Morgan, Anthony (2006-06-04). DRUMMER MIKE SMITH REMINISCES AS LEGENDARY NEW YORK DEATH METALLERS SUFFOCATION PREPARE TO UNVEIL THEIR LATEST ALBUM. Rockdetector.com. Retrieved on February 9, 2007.
  25. ^ Bowar, Chad. A Conversation With Richard Christy. about.com. Retrieved on February 22, 2007.
  26. ^ L. Wilson, David (1998-12-13). Interview With Paul Mazurkiewicz of Cannibal Corpse. Metal-Rules.com. Retrieved on February 22, 2007.
  27. ^ Wolf, DC (2006-11-16). Fear Factory screams through the U.S. on Machines At War Tour. Tuftsdaily.com. Retrieved on February 22, 2007.
  28. ^ Cortez, Rick. MORBID ANGEL interview. Voicesfromthedarkside.de. Retrieved on February 22, 2007.
  29. ^ Tobin, Dan. INTERVIEW WITH ADRIAN ERLANDSSON. Earache.com. Retrieved on February 22, 2007.
  30. ^ German, Eric. Krisiun. Metalupdate.com. Retrieved on February 22, 2007.
  31. ^ Day, Tom. Caliban - Living The Dream. MusicOHM.com. Retrieved on February 22, 2007.
  32. ^ Haid, Mark. Proving Speed, Power, And Musicality Can Go Hand In Hand. Moderndrummer.com. Retrieved on February 23, 2007.


Slayer
Tom Araya | Jeff Hanneman | Kerry King | Dave Lombardo

Tony Scaglione | Paul Bostaph | Jon Dette
Discography
Albums and extended plays: Show No Mercy | Haunting the Chapel | Hell Awaits | Reign in Blood | South of Heaven | Seasons in the Abyss | Divine Intervention | Undisputed Attitude | Diabolus in Musica | God Hates Us All | Eternal Pyre | Christ Illusion
Live albums: Live Undead | Decade of Aggression
Compilations: Soundtrack to the Apocalypse
Videos and DVDs
Live Intrusion | War at the Warfield | Still Reigning
Songs
"Angel of Death" | "Raining Blood" | "Eyes of the Insane" | "Jihad"
Persondata
NAME Lombardo, Dave
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION Drummer in Slayer
DATE OF BIRTH February 16, 1965
PLACE OF BIRTH Havana, Cuba
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../d/a/v/Dave_Lombardo_2bf9.html"