Zak Starkey biography

Zak Starkey

Born - 09/1965 | Nationality - British |
Group - Oasis, The Who
Standing in as drummer for The Who, and doing a stint with indie rockers Oasis among others, has helped Zak truly step out of his dad's shadow. He has earned his reputation as a creative and intelligent player.

Tommy Lee biography

Tommy Lee

Born - 10/1962 | Nationality - American |
Group - Mötley Crüe, Methods Of Mayhem, Fuel, Sum 41
Tommy has certainly lived the rock 'n' roll lifestyle, but is he one of the best rock drummers ever? Well, yes! He's made a big contribution to the world of rock drumming including monster fills, power beats, and super solos.

Mike PortNoy Biography

Mike Portnoy was born on April 20, 1967 and raised in Long Beach, New York, where his interest in music started at an early

age. "My father was a rock n' roll disc jockey, so I was always surrounded by music constantly. I had this huge record

collection when I was real young and loved the Beatles and then later on Kiss. It was inevitable that I'd become a musician."

Although Mike taught himself how to play the drums, he did take music theory classes in high school. During that time he

began playing in local bands Intruder, Rising Power and Inner Sanctum, the latter of which released their own album. Mike left

the band after being awarded a scholarship to attend Berklee Music College in Boston.

An avid collector of many things, Mike has a vast array of Dream Theater memorabilia including bootlegs, posters, clippings

and everything else under the sun with the band's name on it. He is also responsible for capturing everything the band does on

video tape and DAT. His huge video collection includes favorite films as 2001, A Clockwork Orange, Jacob's Ladder and The

Wall along with episodes of The Simpsons and memorable boxing matches.

Mike says his biggest influences are Rush drummer Neil Peart and the late Frank Zappa. Other favorites include drummers

Terry Bozzio, Vinnie Colaiuta, Simon Philips, John Bonham and Keith Moon and bands such as The Beatles, Queen, Yes,

Metallica, Jellyfish, Iron Maidon, U2 and Jane's Addiction. He is also a fan of rap music.

Mike and his wife Marlene live in Rockland, NY with their daughter Melody Ruthandrea, new son Max John, dog Bongo and cats E.T. and

Cypress.

Mike uses Tama Starclassic drums, Sabian Cymbals, Remo heads, Drum Workshop Pedals, Pro-Mark Drumsticks and Latin Percussion.

Cobus Potgieter Biography

COBUS POTGIETER’s Biography

sources – http://www.cobuspotgieter.com/about/

His name is Cobus Potgieter, he is from South Africa and currently 22 years old. Afrikaans is his main language and English is the secondary, he play the drums (for almost 6 years now) and he absolutely love it. Constant repetition and rhythm define who he is to quite a great extent. Cobus is preached will be the new drummer of Avenged Sevenfold. Although there has been no official announcement from the Avenged Sevenfold Cobus Potgieter but rumors have circulated on the internet.

here’s some pict of Cobus ..

Traviz Barker Biography

Without a doubt Travis Barker owes most of his fame to his time as the drummer for Blink-182. While he is currently drumming with post-blink +44 he has always played on a number of side projects such as Box Car Racer, The Transplants and Expensive Taste.
Born in a poverty stricken neighbourhood in Fontana, CA. Travis Barker was given his first drum set from his mother at the tender age of four. He began taking drum lessons at age five, when he studied under a jazz teacher named Miachel Mai. Here, Travis was exposed to many different styles and genres of music which would shape his drumming style in the years to come. Barker’s mother also took the lessons along with him and when each lesson was over, she would re-teach Travis on her own time.

Tragedy struck when a day before staring his freshman year at Fontana High school, Barker’s mother died. Before she died she told told him to continue to play drums as that was what he was good as and he took that advice. After her death, Travis took him drumming to another level. Joining a marching band and making the snare line. During his senior year Travis passed up the opportunity of drum corps try-outs to tour with such early rock bands including Feeble and The Aquabats, where he was known as Baron Von Tito.
While on tour with The Aquabats, Blink-182 were also on the line and when their then-drummer Scott Raynor was removed from the band, Travis was asking to fill in. However, this required him to learn Blink’s entire set in less than two hours and perform with them at that night’s show as well as playing his set with The Aquabats. Travis’ efforts were notes and earned him the respect of Blink as well as offer to join the band. An offer Travis Barker accepted.
With Barker on drums, Blink-182 release their best selling album to date. Enema of the State, followed by Take off your pants and Jacket and Blink-182.
After 7 years of being the drummer with Blink-182, in February 2005 the band announced they were taking an indefinite hiatus.
In late 2005 Travis Barker started a new band, +44 with fellow Blink-182 member Mark Hoppus and in 2006, Travis and Rob Aston joined Paul Wall in forming a new hip-hop group called Expensive Taste.

Joey Jordison Biography

     Biography

Joey Jordison (real name Nathan Jonas Jordison) was born on Apri 26, 1975 in Iowa, USA. He grew up in Des Moines, Iowa and became interested in music at a young age. The first instrument he started to learn was actually guitar, but he took up the drums too when his parents bought him a drum set at age 8.
As Joey went through high school, he played with many different bands, gaining experience and developing his drumming and guitar playing skills. But, he didn't form his first real band, Modifidious, until he was 15, playing drums. The young band started playing live supporting other local groups including Atomic Opera and Heads On The Wall.
They released a couple of demos in 1993, but unfortunately had little interest from the music business. Joey had finished school by this time and got a job in a local music store, but left in 1994 to work the night shift at Sinclair garage in Urbandale. He still played with Modifidious during this time, but they disbanded in 1995 because their Thrash metal sound was becoming less popular.
Joey's next move was to join another local band called The Rejects, this time as a guitarist. But, he didn't stick with them for long as he got a an interesting offer from friend Paul Gray. In September 1995 at age 20, Paul asked Joey to join a new group called The Pale Ones. Joey was a little lost and directionless after his time in his previous bands, but was Intrigued by the offer.
He went along to a rehersal at Anders Colsefini's basement and was impressed by what he heard. He joined the group straight away, taking over the drum seat where he would stay. The group went through many line-up changes but eventually played their first gig on December 4, 1995 under the name Meld.
A fews years of hard work later, after yet more line-up changes and a self-released album called Mate Feed Kill Repeat, the group had changed into what we now know as Slipknot, the name that Joey Jordison had suggested.
By 1998, Slipknot had developed their sound and look, complete with overalls and masks, but were still on the hunt for a record deal. They released a demo called Spit It Out and managed to get producer Ross Robinson interested in working with them, which ultimately led to the band being signed by Road Runner records.
Joey and the band got to work on their debut album Slipknot which was released on June 29, 1999. They had made it. The album did very well and launched Joey and the band into the spotlight. In the the following years, Joey continued to tour and record with Slipknot, releasing Iowa in 2001, Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses in 2004, and All Hope Is Gone in 2008.

The Rev Biography

The Rev (born James "Jimmy" Owen Sullivan February 9, 1981 - 28 December 2009), short for Pastor Tholomew Plague was the drummer of Avenged Sevenfold a heavy metal band

At the age of 3 Rev got his own drum kit, the Rev. attended a Catholic school A7X lead singer M. Shadows, but was expelled in the third class I rev spent much time as a teenager living in a laundromat and was in and out of home his first record was released at age 18, he has a presence in the side project Pinkly Smooth with fellow Avenged Sevenfold guitarist Synyster Gates, and parts of surf-punk band Ballistico He has also played piano in the band on "Warmness On The Soul"

He was also formerly the drummer in the third wave ska band Suburban Legends, together with previous Avenged Sevenfold Justin Meacham bbistå(Not associated with Anti-Flag)

On the new A7X DVD, while discussing how each member got their stage name was stated that Sullivan attained his name via a shortened version of Pastor Tholomew Plague The decision was seemingly random as there was no particular reason referred to as the inspiration for the name he had a tendency to wear eccentric clothes that outrageous colored kimonos

Some of his favorite bands are Rancid The transplants and Slayer Sullivan cites his influences as Vinnie Paul from Pantera, Dave Lombardo and Paul Bostaph of Slayer, and Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater

Sullivan uses and is sponsored by DW Drums, although he appears in advertisements for DW's budget company PDP He is sponsored by Sabian cymbals, Pro Mark sticks andEvans drum heads

Recognized for vocals in side project Pinkly Smooth Sullivan used as a back-up vocalist in Avenged Sevenfold primarily for live screaming in songs that eternal rest the next single from the band's forthcoming eponymous album, Critical Acclaim features Sullivan at lead vocals during the chorus of the song both singing and screaming, he also used his voice in a different songs from the Avenged Sevenfold eponymous mainly screaming

The Rev is also with the song "A Little Piece of Heaven" (which was written by him) laughed and screamed vocals a bit

The Rev was found dead at his home in Huntington Beach California Monday, December 28th, 2009 at 11:00 am Orange County Coroner Jimmy Sullivan's office investigates cross.

Joey Kramer biography

For more than 30 years Joey Kramer has combined emotional feel with technical virtuosity to convey the musical ideas of his band mates in Aerosmith while evolving into one of rock's greatest drummers. His meticulous timing and solid grooves have contributed as much to the sound of Aerosmith albums such as “Toys In The Attic,” “Rocks,” “Permanent Vacation,” “Pump,” and “Just Push Play” as Steven Tyler's voice and Joe Perry's guitar.

A longtime resident of Massachusetts, Joseph Michael Kramer was born in Bronx, NY on June 21,1950. By the age of 14 he was cutting his musical teeth as part of a Ventures-type instrumentals band named The Medallions. However, it wasn't until Joey started drumming with an 11-piece rhythm and blues outfit during his late teens that he discovered the music that would serve as his main source of inspiration.

In 1970 he reconnected with a friend, Steven Tyler, who had joined forces with Joe Perry and Tom Hamilton and were in need of a drummer. Kramer jumped in and Aerosmith took off. Brad Whitford joined the group in 1971.

For two years the group played throughout New England and got their break on August 5, 1972 at Max's Kansas City Club in New York City. That night the famed record executive Clive Davis was in attendance and was so impressed with Aerosmith that he signed them to Columbia Records on the spot.

In 1973 the band released their self-titled debut album, “Aerosmith,” and took to the road. They toured relentlessly over the next two years, taking time off only to record their follow up album, “Get Your Wings” which went Gold.

“Toys In the Attic” was released in 1975 followed by the 1976 release of “Rocks” and the band turned a significant creative and commercial corner in this era as the hits came fast and furious with the likes of “Last Child,” “Sweet Emotion,” “Back in the Saddle” and “Walk This Way.”

Their endless roadwork paid off in Platinum and exploded into sold out pandemonium culminating before massive crowds of over 80,000 at the legendary Texxas Jam, and to a sea of over 350,000 at the famous CAL Jam in 1978. Aerosmith’s status as one of the most popular live acts of the decade was achieved.

It wasn’t long though before the intoxicating pace of rock stardom took its toll. The fire that had fueled them now began to burn them from within. As the decade drew to close, half-hearted albums -- 1977’s “Draw the Line” and 1979’s “Night In the Ruts,” -- canceled performances and internal strife dogged the band, weakening them at their core. After a dressing room blowout in July 1979, Perry announced his departure from the group to form The Joe Perry Project. Brad Whitford followed suit shortly thereafter to form Whitford-St. Holmes. The remaining three members soldiered on to eek out 1982’s “Rock In a Hard Place,” but the magic was gone. By the early 1980s, Aerosmith was all but over.

Cooler heads finally prevailed and in 1984, Perry and Whitford rejoined the group and Aerosmith hit the road for the Back in the Saddle Tour.

In 1985 the group signed a new record deal with Geffen Records and released “Done With Mirrors.” That was followed by “Permanent Vacation,” which hit record stores in 1987. This was the first in a string of releases that brought Aerosmith more fame, success and accolades than ever before. Their videos tormented the senses and raised the bar for music video excellence with “Dude Looks Like a Lady,” “Angel” and “Rag Doll.”  

The band succeeded “Permanent Vacation” with 1989’s “Pump,” which spawned hits;  “Love in an Elevator,” “Janie’s Got a Gun,” “The Other Side” and “What it Takes.”

The groups’ strong showing continued into the 1990s at it released “Get a Grip” in 1993 that featured radio slam dunks “Livin’ on the Edge,” “Cryin,” “Eat the Rich,”  “Crazy” and “Amazing.” “Nine Lives” was released in 1997, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard charts and boasted the hit singles, “Pink” and “Falling in Love is Hard on the Knees.” They closed out the decade with their first No. 1 hit single “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” from the 1998 movie “Armageddon” soundtrack.

More recently the band made “Just Push Play” in 2001 and “Honkin’ on Bobo” in 2004.

After the band released “Just Push Play,” Joey went back into the studio with producer Marti Frederiksen to work on a different type of solo project. “Drum Loops and Samples” entailed laying down a comprehensive array of drum tracks for artists of all skill levels to be able to utilize. The two-disc piece has over 340 loops and samples with a range of beats per minute from 71 to 148.

Kramer and Aerosmith have enjoyed tremendous success through their career. The group has sold over 100 million albums and have had concert dates sold out, not only North America, but in Japan, Australia, South America and Israel. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. The group has received two People’s Choice Awards, six Billboard Music Awards, eight American Music Awards, 23 Boston Music Awards, 12 MTV Video Awards, four Grammys, and an Academy Award nomination for Best Song, “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.”  They were selected as one of the Best Rock Bands by Rolling Stone and Hit Parader magazines and were chosen as the first rock band to be honored as MTV Icons.

Kramer extends his rock n’ roll lifestyle off the stage to his appreciation for cars. To get him from place to place, Joey relies on the fastest, strongest and most powerful cars available. He owns some of the most beautiful automobiles in the world and can often be seen cruising in his lamborghini. He is a partner in a specialty automobile dealership, Corvette Mike New England, in Plymouth, MA. His need for speed transfers back into his playing.  

Tico Torres biography

Tico "The Hitman" Torres is best known as the internationally famed drummer in iconic rock band, bon jovi. The group has been recording and touring for the past twenty plus years, with record sales well in excess of one hundred million and still growing.

Prior to joining Bon Jovi at the band's inception in 1983, Tico's musical expertise was parlayed in a solid career with live and studio drum and percussion experience performing with such greats as; miles davis, cher, alice cooper, chuck berry, leslie gore, Cyndi lauper, pen benatrar, stevie nicks and franke and the knockouts.

As well as an accomplished talent in music, tico excels as a creative visual artist. His artwork has been exhibited with a resounding success since 1994 in galleries and museums around the world. Most paintings and sculptures have been inspired by his vast life experiences and world travels. Unable to linger long with one style or medium, Torres has mastered all areas of the arts. Not limiting his creativity exclusively to painting, Tico has created works in bronze, ceramics and glass.

Tico is an incredibly versatile painter; his styles change and evolve as his talent grows. Many of his works are reminiscent of the German Expressionist painters of the 30's, while others range from classical to abstract in nature.

Among tico's favorite pastimes is his passion for golf, consistently participating in celebrity pro-ams locally and internationally. His affinity for the sport is exquisitely showcased with his 1996 creation, "The Majors Collection;" a group of professional golfer's life cast hand grips including; Arnold palmer, gary player, jack Nicklaus, ernie else, nick faldo, nick price, seve ballesteros and john daly. This collection expanded to professional tennis and billy jean king uses her grip as her tournament trophy to this day. The revenue generated from all sales benefits charity.

In 2001, Torres created children's hip clothing and apparel line, Rock Star Baby, which accredited him with a vh-1 new designer of the year award. Rock Star Baby is manufactured in Germany and sold internationally.

In 2008, the Tico Torres Children Foundation was formed. This Not-for-profit 501 (c) 3 charity was developed to assist children in need to fight hunger, disease, homelessness, neglect, abuse and illness.

Tico resides in south Florida with his wife and son.

Mike Mangini biography

Mike Mangini started playing the drums when he was five years old. He would practice six to ten hours a day and by the time he was nine he was already mimicking Buddy Rich performances. By high school, he was performing in school bands and participating in the prestigious All-County, All-State, and all Eastern United States ensembles.

After graduating from Waltham Senior High School in 1981, Mangini put aside his music studies to pursue a Computer Science major atBentley College. After graduating Mike started programming software for the Patriot Missile program. At the same time, he was working on a program that studied the links between the human brain and body. These two experiences have helped Mike in the development of hisRhythm Knowledge learning systems.

In 1987, Mangini scored one of his first 'high-profile' gigs - playing drums for the Rick Berlin Band in Boston, where he worked with bassistPhilip Bynoe (who would later go on to work with Mike in sessions for Journey's Steve Perry and more notably during Mike's time in the Steve Vai band). He also taught drums privately in Boston during this time.

In 1991, Mangini began working for a thrash metal band named Annihilator. Mike performed on the drums on several tracks for the studio album, Set the World on Fire. He went on to tour with the band in support of this album up until 1994. In 1994 he was asked to play with the band Extreme, replacing original drummer Paul Geary. Mike Mangini had been friends with noted Extreme guitarist Nuno Bettencourt since the 1980s. His time in Extreme included recording several tracks for their 1995 album, Waiting For The Punchline. During this time, he also made an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman. While on tour with Extreme in 1995, Mike recorded songs for Nuno on his 4-track tape machine. Those songs ended up on Schizophonic after Nuno left Extreme to pursue a solo career.

After Extreme dissolved in 1996, Mike was informed through drummer Jonathan Mover that guitarist Steve Vai was auditioning drummers for his live band. Mike successfully auditioned for Steve Vai's band and relocated to Los Angeles.

From late 1996 to early 2000, Mangini was the highly regarded drummer of Vai's live ensemble, which also included bassist Philip Bynoe, guitar wizard Mike Keneally and (in 2000) guitarist Dave Weiner. Mike also recorded several drum tracks for Steve's Fire Garden and Ultrazone albums.

Following the initial suspension of the South American leg of the Ultrazone Tour in 2000, Mangini moved back home to Boston and began teaching at Berklee College as an associate professor. He began working with former Extreme frontman Gary Cherone and bassist Pat Badger in the short-lived band, Tribe of Judah. He also continued to work with Dale Bozzio(formerly of the new wave band, Missing Persons), and recorded several more records. Among these records was a Rush tribute record (entitled Subdivisions) and a second full-length album with Annihilator titled All for You. He also recorded tracks for artists Sal DiFusco, Bill Lonero and Chris Emerson.

In 2005, he accepted a full-time teaching position at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and today he is a prominent faculty member in the school's percussion department.

In 2007 Mike did the album Metal by Annihilator.

One of Mike's current projects is Chix n' Stix.

Matt Sorum biography

Matt Sorum (born Matthew Sorum, November 19, 1960, in Mission Viejo, California) is a hard rock drummer and percussionist. He is currently the drummer for Velvet Revolver.

Sorum is most famous for his time spent in Guns N' Roses, (1990-1997). He also played drums on a couple of songs with Johnny Crash in 1989 with their one and only album, Neighbourhood Threat and with The Cult and Hawk.

Sorum started out in Mission Viejo as a local hot musician. Wearing trademark "Union Jack" shorts and nothing else, he used to pound a huge acrylic drumset and overpower his first band "Prophecy", where he stood out and the rest of the band just disappeared. A local songwriter, Stephen Douglas, pulled him from the band and joined him with other talented musicians in the area to form "Chateau", a wall-of-sound band with grandiose themes and sounds in their songs. Chateau played the Hollywood circuit, appearing at Gazzarri's and almost getting into a fight with the original members of the band "Ratt", which at the time was known as "Mickey Ratt".

Sorum's work with Chateau produced a four song set that was covered by local radio stations for a short time, but the music scene changed from grandiose rock to punk and alternative new wave music. Sorum left and went to Hollywood to play with a series of bands, including "Population Five", with the bassist from The Knack ("My Sharona"). He then left on a tour around the country with a blues guitarist, playing nightclubs and bars.

In 1988, he was recruited to play on the debut album of Y Kant Tori Read, a band fronted by a then unknown Tori Amos. In the wake of that project, he joined The Cult as their live drummer for the 1989 tour in support of Sonic Temple.

In 1989, after Slash saw him live with The Cult on their Sonic Temple tour, he was impressed with Sorum and consequently he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990 as Steven Adler's replacement. Sorum can be heard on Use Your Illusion I, Use Your Illusion II, The Spaghetti Incident? and the 1994 cover of the Rolling Stones track, "Sympathy For The Devil". In 1995 with Slash and Gilby Clarke he formed Slash's Snakepit.

He was fired from Guns N' Roses in 1997 after defending departed lead guitarist Slash in an argument with Axl Rose.

In 2003, he got back together with Slash and bassist Duff McKagan for a charity benefit. Realizing that they still had chemistry together, they formed a new band called Velvet Revolver with former STP frontman, Scott Weiland and rhythm guitarist Dave Kushner. After the 2004 release of their debut album Contraband, they embarked on a worldwide tour that continued through December 2005. In August 2005, Sorum broke his wrist in a boating accident, stalling the tour temporarily.

Currently taking some time off, Velvet Revolver is preparing to record their second album, Libertad, which is scheduled to be released early 2007. Sorum is also guest recording in his studio with a new project called Circus Diablo. He is handling the drums and co-producing the recordings. In April 2006, ten years after leaving Guns N' Roses, Sorum has re-established his friendship with Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose.

Sorum also has a solo album entitled Hollywood Zen. This album is a musical statement about his life, touring, relationships, etc. It is available on his website.

In addition to this, Sorum also lent his drumming skills in the theme song for the 1995 20th Century Fox film, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie.

Sorum is also a member of Camp Freddy.

He currently endorses Drum Workshop drums, he endorsed Yamaha when he was with Guns N' Roses. Sorum is the first drummer who pioneered the Easton Ahead sticks in the early 90s during the Use Your Illusion Tour, sticks which are now played by many metal drummers, including Lars Ulrich of Metallica and Joey Jordison of Slipknot. Now, however, he uses Zildjian wood sticks. Matt has endorsed Zildjian cymbals for the past 18 years and has featured in numerous sweepstakes involved with Zildjian.

Chad Smith biography

Chad Smith was born to Curtis and Joan Smith in Richfield, Minnesota. He has two older siblings, Bradley and Pamela. He grew up inHomewood, Illinois or Flossmoor, Illinois where he attended Homewood-Flossmoor High School for two years. He then moved to Oakland County in Southeast Michigan and graduated from Lahser High School.^[1] Prior to joining Red Hot Chili Peppers, Smith was in a local Detroit band called Toby Redd, playing on their second album In The Light.

In 1989, he joined RHCP in time for them to put out the album Mother's Milk. Three weeks prior to the beginning of recording, the band was still without a drummer. Philip "Fish" Fisher from fellow LA based Punk-Funk band Fishbone briefly joined the band and is featured on the track "Taste the Pain". Eventually, a friend of the band told them about a drummer she knew, Chad Smith, who was so proficient on the drums he "ate [them] for breakfast".[39] Kiedis had qualms about allowing Smith to try out; however, he agreed to give him a chance. At his audition, Smith overwhelmed the band by not only matching Flea's intricate and complex rhythm, but even beginning to lead him. After this successful jam session, Kiedis, Frusciante and Flea admitted Smith into the band. Smith was told to shave his head to show commitment to the band, but was nonetheless still allowed into the band when he showed up the next day with the same bandana.

In an interview he stated that he had been influenced by many of the musicians who came from those British bands in the 60s and early 70s, including John Bonham, Mitch Mitchell, Ginger Baker, Ian Paice, Roger Meddows-Taylor, Keith Moon, and Bill Ward.

In 1991, Smith had a small role in the short film Session Man, which won an Academy Award for Best Short Subject.^[2]

In 1995, Smith and Dave Navarro formed a side project, called Honeymoon Stitch. They recorded one song for a Joy Division tribute album and produced a successful remix of the Traci Lords single, Fallen Angel.^[3]

Smith has released an instructional DVD with Hal Leonard entitled Eastern Rim, which includes footage from his clinics in Melbourne and Tokyo, footage from various live performances, and interviews.

From 2004 to 2008, Chad played drums on one live album and three studio albums by Black Sabbath and Deep Purple bassist/vocalist, Glenn Hughes.

In 2008, Chad formed Chad Smith's Bombastic Meatbats, a jazz instrumental funk-rock band. The band released their second album, More Meat on October 19, 2010.^[4]

Smith is involved in a supergroup/side project called Chickenfoot. He is joined by guitarist Joe Satriani, as well as former Van Halen members Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony. Their album was released by Best Buy in the U.S. on June 5, 2009.^[5][6] Smith plans on recording a second album with Chickenfoot sometime in late 2010 after the next Chili Peppers album and tour are finished.^[7]

In the May 2006 issue of Doell & Ford Magazine, Smith was named the number one rock drummer alive.^[8]

In 2006, Chad played drums on the Dixie Chicks album, Taking the Long Way. The album won five Grammy Awards including album of the year.

Smith was a judge for the 7th annual Independent Music Awards.^[9]

Many consider Smith and actor Will Ferrell to bear a striking resemblance. Smith was seen to be wearing a t-shirt bearing the slogan, "I am not Will Ferrell" when Chickenfoot appeared on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien in 2009.^[10]

In April 2010, Chad teamed up with singer, Leslie Bixler and legendary actor, Dick Van Dyke to record a children's album, titled Rhythm Train. Van Dyke raps on the album and plays various characters including a pirate. Smith too plays numerous characters, the drums, several instruments and sings.^[11] In April 2010, Rhythm Train was named by MTV as one it's all time favorite children's records and in June 2010 RED/Sony began distributing Rhythm Train. Smith's son Cole was the inspiration for the project. In June 2010 Rhythm Train performed at the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation's, A Time For Heroes celebrity family picnic which benefits the Foundation. Rhythm Train is scheduled to headline a PS ARTS fundraiser in November 2010. A portion of all proceeds from Rhythm Train go to Children's Hospitals in The United States benfiting uncompensated care. A follow up project is much anticipated both by the media and the public. No word as to a release date.

On September 13, 2010, after eleven months of writing, Smith along with his Chili Peppers bandmates entered the studio to begin work on their tenth studio album, which is due out in 2011.^[12]

On October 15, 2010, Chad talked about his future with Chickenfoot during a interview and stated that he planned on recording the second album with the band around January 2011 after his work is complete on the next Chili Peppers record (which he said is due out by the summer of 2011). Chad mentioned that because he will be touring with the Chili Peppers in support of their new album, he would be unable to tour with Chickenfoot, so the latter band is planning on finding a replacement touring drummer.^[13]

Ian Haugland biography

Hakan Jan "Ian" Haugland (born August 13, 1964) is the drummer in the Swedish hard rock band Europe. When he was eight months old, he and his family moved to the Swedish suburb Marsta. He joined Europe in the summer of 1984, replacing Tony Reno. Previously Haugland had played in a number of bands, including Trilogy, where Candlemass bassist Leif Edling sang, and Yngwie J. Malmsteen's band Rising Force. 

After Europe went on hiatus in 1992, Haugland recorded and toured with bands like Brazen Abbot, Clockwise, Last Autumn's Dream, Europe colleague John Norum and former Black Sabbath / Deep Purple vocalist Glenn Hughes. In 1998 Haugland recorded a cover version of the Black Sabbath song "Changes", for the Ozzy Osbourne tribute album Ozzified. When he's not on the road or in the studio, he works as a host on the radio channel 106.7 Rockklassiker in Stockholm and every now and then he plays drums in the studio.

Ian Paice biography

Born: June 29, 1948 

Although not as renowned as Ginger Baker or John Bonham, Deep Purple's Ian Paice was one of hard rock/heavy metal's early standout drummers, and like the other two, influenced countless other skinsmen in the process. Born on June 29, 1948 in Nottingham, England, Paice started off playing violin before switching to drums at the age of 15. From the mid- to late '60s, Paice played in a variety of obscure local bands, including such names as Georgie & the Rave Ons, the Shindigs, the MI 5, the Maze, Soul Brothers, and Boz, as well as future guitar hero Albert Lee. It was while playing with one of these groups in Hamburg, Germany that respected session guitarist Ritchie Blackmore took note of Paice and arranged the drummer to audition for his group, Roundabout, in early 1968. Paice got the gig, as Roundabout soon transformed into Deep Purple, along with additional members Rod Evans (vocals), Jon Lord (keyboards), and Nick Simper (bass). It was this lineup that recorded such albums as 1968's Shades of Deep Purple and Book of Taliesyn, plus 1969's self-titled release, but aside from scoring a massive worldwide hit with "Hush," this early lineup of Purple failed to truly ignite. 

Both Evans and Simper were excused from the band shortly before the dawn of the '70s, replaced by Ian Gillan and Roger Glover, respectively. The new lineup got off to a rocky start with the experimental Concerto for Group and Orchestra, but soon after, it was this version of Purple that would be considered the group's definitive one. Along with Blackmore's fluid guitar playing and Gillan's vocals, it was Paice's powerful drumming that served as an important ingredient to Purple's new harder-rocking direction. Over the course of five albums, 1970's In Rock, 1971's Fireball, 1972's Machine Head and Made in Japan, plus 1973's Who Do You Think We Are, Deep Purple became one of the world's top rock bands, but a grueling touring schedule and interband friction led to Gillan and Glover's departure. Between 1974 and 1976, numerous lineup changes occurred, with Paice and Lord being the only original members left in attendance. Four more albums appeared during this turbulent time (1974's Burn and Stormbringer, 1975's Come Taste the Band, and 1976's Made in Europe), before Purple was finally laid to rest. 

Throughout his tenure with Deep Purple, Paice indulged steadily in session work, playing on albums by such artists as the Velvet Underground, Eddie Hardin, Pete York, Elf, and Bobby Harrison, among others. With Purple now dormant, Paice was allowed to play on even more artists' recordings during the late '70s and early '80s, including releases by Maggie Bell, Kirby, Bernie Marsden, and Ken Hensley. Paice also accepted several invitations to join bands full-time, as evidenced by brief stints in the trio Paice, Ashton & Lord (1977's Malice in Wonderland), Whitesnake (1980's Ready an' Willing, 1981's Come an' Get It, and 1982's Saints and Sinners), and Gary Moore's band (1982's Corridors of Power, 1983's Victims of the Future, 1983's Rockin' Every Night, and 1984's We Want Moore!). Rumors of an impending re-formation of the classic Gillan/Glover Deep Purple lineup had been surfacing for several years by this point, and in 1984, the reunion was finally confirmed. The same year saw a new album by the quintet, the surprisingly strong Perfect Strangers, as well as a sold-out supporting tour. Unfortunately, it didn't take long before the same old problems that broke up the band initially appeared once more, as the lineup only managed one more release, the lackluster House of Blue Light, in 1987. 

1989 saw Paice drum on several songs recorded by ex-Beatle George Harrison for the soundtrack to the movie Lethal Weapon II, before returning back to Deep Purple. Purple continued on throughout the '90s, with such further releases as 1990's Slaves and Masters, 1993's The Battle Rages On, 1996's Purpendicular, and 1998's Abandon, despite continued lineup juggling. In 1999, Paice had the opportunity to play alongside another ex-Beatle, Paul McCartney, on the mostly covers outing, Run Devil Run, as well as the live home video/DVD, Live at the Cavern Club. Paice has also recorded a few instructional videos for fellow drummers over the years, including an episode of the '80s TV program Rock School, and in 2002, the DVD Not for the Pros. Greg Prato, Rovi