Dave Lombardo (Slayer - Current members)

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. 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.

Lombardo is known as one of the most aggressive and influential drummers utilizing double bass drums, which has been called "astonishingly innovative", 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.

Biography

Early years

Lombardo was born in Havana, Cuba on February 16, 1965. At the age of two his family moved to the state of California, in the United States. At school in the third grade, Lombardo brought in a set of bongos with a Santana record for show and tell and played along bashfully. This inspired his musical interest in drums, and he joined the school band playing the marching drum. Although the marching drum was "not for him" he enjoyed it. Lombardo's father saw his persistent interest in music at age ten and purchased him a five piece Maxwin drum set for $350 USD. With a drum kit Lombardo bought himself his first record to play along to, Alive! by KISS. He self-taught the song "100,000 years" by listening to the record repeatedly. Lombardo became the talk of the town for knowing the solo for that song and was 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.

With his new found hobby Lombardo asked his parents for drum lessons — his parents accepted. However, the lessons lasted only one week as Lombardo got bored of the repetitiveness of constantly learning how to hit the drum left, right, left and right. After leaving music lessons, Lombardo's friends exposed him to the disco genre, where he dance and partied and was a temporary DJ under the name "A Touch of Class". His parents threatened to put him in a miltiary school for arriving home at 4amLombardo later said that "the music I was exposed to at that time showed me the effects of rhythm on the body."

In 1978, Lombardo would talk with several musicians around town, some traveling to Lombardo's house, to play songs by Jimi Hendrix, such as 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, who became known as "David the drummer" the following day.

With his new found popularity, Lombardo formed a band in 1979 called "Escape," with two guitarists. The group perfored AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, and Black Sabbath songs in Lombardo's garage. After leaving Pius X school, due to 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, and convinced him to quit and find employment. 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've made that bet."

Slayer

Lombardo took his parents' advice and applied as a pizza delivery boy at the local pizza shop in 1981. With money earned from the job, Lombardo convinced his father to loan him money to purchase a TAMA Swingstar drum set and Paiste Rude cymbal package for $1100 USD. While making a delivery, Lombardo was told about a guitarist that lived five blocks away, Kerry King. Lombardo introduced himself to King, and asked if he would like to jam with him. King agreed and offered to show Lombardo his guitar collection, which his father had purchased. King recruited Lombardo as the drummer in Slayer, which completed the band's line-up.

Slayer toured extensively in the early 1980s to promote their debut 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 a roadie as he had no idea what to do. 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." The band enlisted Tony Scaglione of Whiplash as his replacement, however, Lombardo's wife convinced Dave to return in 1987. In 1992, Lombardo was fired from Slayer, due to conflicts with band members and refusing to tour, as he desired to witness the birth of his first child.

Grip Inc and Fantômas

Following the birth of the child in 1993, Lombardo formed his own band with Voodoocult guitarist Waldemar Sorychta called Grip Inc., The two recruited bassist Jason Viebrooks and vocalist Gus Chambers to complete the line-up. With a suitable line-up the band released their debut record in 1995 titled Power of Inner Strength on Metal Blade Records. Sorychta asserts critics and music fans always spot mistakes in their music, because of Lombardo's popularity with Slayer – expecting the band to sound like Slayer and they complain. However, when Lombardo uses the double bass, people complain "now Grip Inc. sound exactly like Slayer." The band released two albums Nemesis in 1997 and Solidify in 1999 with new bassist Stuart Caruthers who replaced Viebrooks. Lombardo is proud of Grip Inc. and believes it made him more creative as a musician.

In 1998, Lombardo joined a side-project called Fantômas with former Faith No More vocalist Mike Patton. The band formed when Lombardo attended a Faith No More concert and was approached by Patton who asked him about his "fusion" project (Grip Inc.). Several months later following the break-up of Faith No More, Lombardo received a phone call from Patton who asked if Lombardo would like to join his own fusion project. Lombardo accepted and replied "Fuck yeah!"

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." Lombardo recorded five albums with the band although was unable to tour with them in 2005 due to boligations to tour with Slayer.

Side projects

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. 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."

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", 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.

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, but hinted the band may return in the future. During this time, Lombardo also played drums for Testament on their 1999 album The Gathering.

Return to Slayer

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; Paul Bostaph left the band because of a chronic elbow injury, stating it would hinder his ability to play. 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. 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". 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.

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. 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!"

While Christ Illusion received mixed reviews, Lombardo's return was praised by critics. 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"." 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.

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. 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.

Lombardo has used a TAMA drum set since he was fourteen, purchasing a drum set/cymbal package sold at Guitar Center. 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.

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." 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. Suffocation drummer Mike Smith (musician) also cites Lombardo as an influence.

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

Discography

Fantômas

1999: Fantômas

2001: The Director's Cut

2004: Delìrium Còrdia

2005: Suspended Animation

Grip Inc.

1995: Power of Inner Strength

1997: Nemesis

1999: Solidify

2004: Incorporated

Slayer

1983: Show No Mercy

1985: Hell Awaits

1986: Reign in Blood

1988: South of Heaven

1990: Seasons in the Abyss

2006: Christ Illusion

Miscellaneous

1994: Jesus Killing Machine (Voodoocult album)

1999: The Gathering (Testament album)

2003: Reflections (Apocalyptica album)

2005: Drums of Death (DJ Spooky vs. Dave Lombardo)