Brad Wilk
Encyclopedia
Brad Wilk is an American
musician
, best known as the drummer
of the American rock bands Rage Against the Machine
and Audioslave
.
to a family of German
and Russian
Jewish descent.
He lived in Chicago
during his childhood, and then later settled in Southern California
. Wilk started to play the drums when he was 13 years old.
came from the failure of a different band; he once auditioned for a band called Lock Up
, who released one album (titled Something Bitchin' This Way Comes
) through Geffen records in 1989 and broke up when the album received little media attention upon release. Former Lock Up guitarist Tom Morello
was looking to pick up where Lock Up left off and start a new band, and contacted Wilk, who was playing with the band Greta
, to see if he was interested in playing the drums. A short while after, the duo met Zack de la Rocha
, a rapper, and through de la Rocha met bassist Tim Commerford
(a childhood friend of Zack's) and Rage Against the Machine was born. After frequenting the L.A. club circuit, Rage Against the Machine signed a record deal with Epic Records in 1992. That same year, the band released their self titled debut. They achieved a phenomenal amount of mainstream success and released three more studio albums.
in Los Angeles
, California
. The remaining members formed Audioslave
with former Soundgarden
frontman Chris Cornell
. The band released theirs selftitled debut album
in 2002, which was followed by Out of Exile
in 2005 and the bands final studio album Revelations in 2006. Audioslave disbanded when Cornell formally left the band in February 2007 to focus on his solo career..
). The band played in front of an EZLN backdrop to the largest crowds of the festival. The performance was initially thought to be a one-off, this turned out not to be the case. The band played 7 more shows in the United States in 2007 (including their first non-festival concert in 7 years at the Alpine Valley Music Theater in East Troy, Wisconsin), and in January 2008, they played their first shows outside the US as part of the Big Day Out Festival in Australia and New Zealand.
The band has since continued to tour around the world, headlining many large festivals in Europe and the United States, including Lollapalooza in Chicago.
of Tool
and Billy Gould
of Faith No More
to record the song "Calling Dr Love" for the 1994 Kiss tribute album Kiss My Ass. The lineup was billed as Shandi's Addiction. Wilk also contributed drums to rap group Cypress Hill
's album Skull and Bones
. Wilk and bassist Tim Commerford contributed in Keenan’s side project Puscifer
and his album "V" Is for Vagina on the track "Momma Sed". In addition, Wilk composed the song "Snoop Bounce (Roc N Roll Remix)" for Snoop Dogg
's Death Row's Greatest Hits CD.
In 2005, Wilk played the lead role in the independent short movie Sleeping Dogs Lie
by writer Chumahan Bowen and director Stuart Lessner. The film also features Tool
lead singer Maynard James Keenan
as Deputy Lance.
Wilk played drums on Josh Homme's tracks on the soundtrack
to Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys
. Wilk has also performed live with band mate Tom Morello
's sideproject Street Sweeper Social Club
at the 2010 Coachella music and arts festival.
Over time he also started a new drink line that are completely sugar free drinks that is intended for those who suffer with diabetes.
s used by Brad Wilk during his musical career:
Rage Against the Machine (1991–2000) era
Premier
Signia Marquis Drums and Zildjian Cymbals
Audioslave (2002–2006) era
Gretsch
USA Maple Custom Drums and Paiste
Cymbals
Rage Against the Machine (2007–present) era
Gretsch
USA Maple Custom Drums and Paiste
Cymbals
Wilk also uses DW
Hardware (9000 Series), Remo
drum heads (Emperors & Ambassadors) and Vic Firth
5B sticks (hickory with wood tips).
Audioslave studio albums
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, best known as the drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
of the American rock bands Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1991, the group's line-up consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist and backing vocalist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello and drummer Brad Wilk...
and Audioslave
Audioslave
Audioslave was an American rock supergroup that formed in Los Angeles, California in 2001. It consisted of former Soundgarden lead singer/rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell and the former instrumentalists of Rage Against the Machine: Tom Morello , Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk...
.
Family and early life
Wilk was born on September 5, 1968, in Portland, OregonPortland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
to a family of German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
and Russian
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
Jewish descent.
He lived in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
during his childhood, and then later settled in Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
. Wilk started to play the drums when he was 13 years old.
Rage Against the Machine
Wilk's success as the drummer of Rage Against the MachineRage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1991, the group's line-up consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist and backing vocalist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello and drummer Brad Wilk...
came from the failure of a different band; he once auditioned for a band called Lock Up
Lock Up (US band)
Lock Up was a rock band that featured Tom Morello on guitar before Rage Against the Machine was formed.The band was founded by the original guitar player Mike Livingston and Kevin Wood on bass. They had previously played together in the band Ella and the Blacks, which also included Brian Grillo...
, who released one album (titled Something Bitchin' This Way Comes
Something Bitchin' this Way Comes
Something Bitchin' This Way Comes is the sole album by Lock Up, released in July 1989. It is the first label-released album to feature Tom Morello....
) through Geffen records in 1989 and broke up when the album received little media attention upon release. Former Lock Up guitarist Tom Morello
Tom Morello
Thomas Baptiste "Tom" Morello is a Grammy Award-winning American guitarist best known for his tenure with the bands Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, his acoustic solo act The Nightwatchman, and his newest group, Street Sweeper Social Club...
was looking to pick up where Lock Up left off and start a new band, and contacted Wilk, who was playing with the band Greta
Greta (band)
Greta was an American hard rock band formed in 1992 by Paul Plagens, Kyle Baer, Josh Gordon, and Brad Wilk. Wilk left the band to join Rage Against the Machine...
, to see if he was interested in playing the drums. A short while after, the duo met Zack de la Rocha
Zack de la Rocha
Zacarías Manuel "Zack" de la Rocha is an American rapper, musician, poet, and activist best known as the vocalist and lyricist of Rage Against the Machine.-Early life and childhood:...
, a rapper, and through de la Rocha met bassist Tim Commerford
Tim Commerford
Timothy Robert Commerford , also known by his various monikers/stage names is the bassist/backing vocalist for American alternative metal band Rage Against The Machine and the now-defunct supergroup Audioslave.-Biography:Tim Commerford was born on February...
(a childhood friend of Zack's) and Rage Against the Machine was born. After frequenting the L.A. club circuit, Rage Against the Machine signed a record deal with Epic Records in 1992. That same year, the band released their self titled debut. They achieved a phenomenal amount of mainstream success and released three more studio albums.
Audioslave
In late 2000, de la Rocha quit the band. On September 13, 2000, Rage Against the Machine performed their last concert at the Grand Olympic AuditoriumGrand Olympic Auditorium
The Grand Olympic Auditorium is the former name of a sports venue in Los Angeles, California, United States. Located at 1801 S. Grand Avenue, the venue was built in 1924 specifically for the 1932 Summer Olympics, which saw the boxing, weightlifting, and wrestling events held there. At the time it...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The remaining members formed Audioslave
Audioslave
Audioslave was an American rock supergroup that formed in Los Angeles, California in 2001. It consisted of former Soundgarden lead singer/rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell and the former instrumentalists of Rage Against the Machine: Tom Morello , Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk...
with former Soundgarden
Soundgarden
Soundgarden is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1984 by singer Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto...
frontman Chris Cornell
Chris Cornell
Chris Cornell is an American rock musician best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for Soundgarden and as the former lead vocalist for Audioslave. He is also known for his numerous solo works and soundtrack contributions since 1998...
. The band released theirs selftitled debut album
Audioslave (album)
Audioslave is the eponymous debut studio album by the American rock supergroup Audioslave and was released on November 19, 2002 . The album's music features Chris Cornell providing his familiar classic rock-esque wails and croons to the songs. It features the hit singles "Cochise", "Show Me How to...
in 2002, which was followed by Out of Exile
Out of Exile
Out of Exile is the second studio album by the American rock supergroup Audioslave, first released on May 23, 2005 internationally and a day later in the United States. It is the band's only number one album on the Billboard 200. Four singles were released: "Be Yourself", "Your Time Has Come",...
in 2005 and the bands final studio album Revelations in 2006. Audioslave disbanded when Cornell formally left the band in February 2007 to focus on his solo career..
Rage Against the Machine reunion
Rumors of a Rage Against the machine reunion were first heard on January 22, 2007. On April 29, 2007, Rage Against the Machine reunited at the Coachella Music Festival (see Rage Against the Machine reunion tourRage Against the Machine reunion tour
-Songs played:*Testify*Bulls on Parade*People of the Sun*Bombtrack*Know Your Enemy*Bullet in the Head*Born Of A Broken Man*Clampdown *Vietnow*Without A FacePlayed once in Portugal.*Down Rodeo*Kick Out the Jams...
). The band played in front of an EZLN backdrop to the largest crowds of the festival. The performance was initially thought to be a one-off, this turned out not to be the case. The band played 7 more shows in the United States in 2007 (including their first non-festival concert in 7 years at the Alpine Valley Music Theater in East Troy, Wisconsin), and in January 2008, they played their first shows outside the US as part of the Big Day Out Festival in Australia and New Zealand.
The band has since continued to tour around the world, headlining many large festivals in Europe and the United States, including Lollapalooza in Chicago.
Other projects
Wilk and bandmate Tom Morello joined with Maynard James KeenanMaynard James Keenan
Maynard James Keenan is an American rock singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, winemaker, and actor. Originally from Ohio, Keenan spent his high school and college years in Michigan. After serving in the Army in the early 1980s, he attended Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids...
of Tool
Tool (band)
Tool is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1990, the group's line-up has included drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones, and vocalist Maynard James Keenan. Since 1995, Justin Chancellor has been the band's bassist, replacing their original bassist Paul D'Amour...
and Billy Gould
Billy Gould
Billy Gould is an American musician and producer. He is noted for playing bass in the band Faith No More.- Faith No More :...
of Faith No More
Faith No More
Faith No More is an American rock band from San Francisco, California, formed originally as Faith No Man in 1981 by bassist Billy Gould, keyboardist Wade Worthington, vocalist Michael Morris and drummer Mike Bordin. A year later when Worthington was replaced by keyboardist Roddy Bottum, and Mike...
to record the song "Calling Dr Love" for the 1994 Kiss tribute album Kiss My Ass. The lineup was billed as Shandi's Addiction. Wilk also contributed drums to rap group Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill is an American hip hop group from South Gate, California. Cypress Hill was the first Latino hip-hop group to have platinum and multi-platinum albums, selling over 18 million albums worldwide...
's album Skull and Bones
Skull and Bones
Skull and Bones is an undergraduate senior or secret society at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut. It is a traditional peer society to Scroll and Key and Wolf's Head, as the three senior class 'landed societies' at Yale....
. Wilk and bassist Tim Commerford contributed in Keenan’s side project Puscifer
Puscifer
Puscifer is a side project of Maynard James Keenan from the bands Tool and A Perfect Circle. As Keenan is the only permanent member and he considers the project to be his "creative subconscious", Puscifer could also be considered a pseudonym for his solo work....
and his album "V" Is for Vagina on the track "Momma Sed". In addition, Wilk composed the song "Snoop Bounce (Roc N Roll Remix)" for Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
's Death Row's Greatest Hits CD.
In 2005, Wilk played the lead role in the independent short movie Sleeping Dogs Lie
Sleeping Dogs Lie (2005 film)
Sleeping Dogs Lie is an independent film by writer Chumahan Bowen and director Stuart Lessner, starring Rage Against the Machine drummer Brad Wilk, and Ed Asner...
by writer Chumahan Bowen and director Stuart Lessner. The film also features Tool
Tool (band)
Tool is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1990, the group's line-up has included drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones, and vocalist Maynard James Keenan. Since 1995, Justin Chancellor has been the band's bassist, replacing their original bassist Paul D'Amour...
lead singer Maynard James Keenan
Maynard James Keenan
Maynard James Keenan is an American rock singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, winemaker, and actor. Originally from Ohio, Keenan spent his high school and college years in Michigan. After serving in the Army in the early 1980s, he attended Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids...
as Deputy Lance.
Wilk played drums on Josh Homme's tracks on the soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
to Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys
The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys (soundtrack)
The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys is the soundtrack to the movie The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys.Soundtrack 2002Music by Marco BeltramiAdditional Music By Joshua Homme, Nick Oliveri, Brad Wilk1. The Atomic Trinity - Joshua Homme, Nick Oliveri, Brad Wilk...
. Wilk has also performed live with band mate Tom Morello
Tom Morello
Thomas Baptiste "Tom" Morello is a Grammy Award-winning American guitarist best known for his tenure with the bands Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, his acoustic solo act The Nightwatchman, and his newest group, Street Sweeper Social Club...
's sideproject Street Sweeper Social Club
Street Sweeper Social Club
Street Sweeper Social Club is an American Rap Rock supergroup, formed in Los Angeles, California in 2006. The band primarily consists of guitarist Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine and vocalist/emcee Boots Riley of The Coup. The band has been testing songs out during Tom Morello's...
at the 2010 Coachella music and arts festival.
Outside interests
Wilk, having been diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic in 1997, offers help and support to other young sufferers.Over time he also started a new drink line that are completely sugar free drinks that is intended for those who suffer with diabetes.
Equipment
The following are the drum kitDrum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
s used by Brad Wilk during his musical career:
Rage Against the Machine (1991–2000) era
Premier
Premier Percussion
Premier Percussion Limited is an English manufacturer of drums and percussion instruments.The company was founded in 1922 as the Premier Drum Company by London drummer Albert Della Porta and drum builder George Smith...
Signia Marquis Drums and Zildjian Cymbals
- 12x9" Tom
- 16x16" Floor Tom
- 14x6.5 Tama Bell Brass Snare or 14x5.5" Pork Pie Snare
- 22x18" Bass Drum
- LP Cowbell (x2)
- 14" New Beat Hi-Hats
- 20" A Medium Ride
- 18" Z Custom Crash
- 19" A Custom Projection Crash
- 18" Zildjian China or 19" Zildjian Crash (Only used until 1995)
Audioslave (2002–2006) era
Gretsch
Gretsch
The Gretsch Company was founded in 1883 by Friedrich Gretsch, a twenty-seven year old German immigrant recently arrived in the US. Friedrich Gretsch manufactured banjos, tambourines, and drums, until his death in 1895. His son, Fred, moved operations to Brooklyn, New York in 1916...
USA Maple Custom Drums and Paiste
Paiste
Paiste, a Swiss manufacturer and designer, is the world's third largest manufacturer of cymbals, gongs, and metal percussion. Paiste is an Estonian/Finnish word which means "shine"...
Cymbals
- 12x10" Tom
- 16x16" Floor Tom
- 18x16" Floor Tom
- 14x6.5" Tama Bell Brass Snare
- 22x18" Bass Drum
- LP Cowbell
- 14" Paiste Signature Sound Edge Hi-Hats
- 18" Paiste Signature Power Crash
- 19" Paiste Signature Power Crash
- 19" Dimensions Power Crash
- 22" Paiste 2002 Ride
Rage Against the Machine (2007–present) era
Gretsch
Gretsch
The Gretsch Company was founded in 1883 by Friedrich Gretsch, a twenty-seven year old German immigrant recently arrived in the US. Friedrich Gretsch manufactured banjos, tambourines, and drums, until his death in 1895. His son, Fred, moved operations to Brooklyn, New York in 1916...
USA Maple Custom Drums and Paiste
Paiste
Paiste, a Swiss manufacturer and designer, is the world's third largest manufacturer of cymbals, gongs, and metal percussion. Paiste is an Estonian/Finnish word which means "shine"...
Cymbals
- 12x10" Tom
- 16x16" Floor Tom
- 14x6.5" Tama Bell Brass Snare
- 22x18" Bass Drum
- LP Cowbell[x2]
- 14" Paiste Signature Sound Edge Hi-Hats
- 18" Paiste Signature Power Crash
- 19" Dimensions Power Crash
- 22" Paiste 2002 Ride
Wilk also uses DW
Drum Workshop
Drum Workshop is a drum and hardware manufacturing company based in Oxnard, California. Their slogan is "The Drummer's Choice".-History:...
Hardware (9000 Series), Remo
Remo
Remo is a male given name of Latin origin - see Romulus and Remus.Remo may also refer to:* Remo, an American drum skin company* Remo , another name for the German wine grape Riesling* Remo language, a Panoan language of Brazil and Peru...
drum heads (Emperors & Ambassadors) and Vic Firth
Vic Firth
Vic Firth is an American musician and is the founder of Vic Firth Company , a percussion stick and mallet manufacturing company that he started in 1963. The company bills itself as the world's largest manufacturer of drum sticks and mallets...
5B sticks (hickory with wood tips).
Discography
Rage Against the Machine studio albums| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 1992 | Rage Against the Machine Rage Against the Machine (album) Rage Against the Machine is the debut studio album by rap metal band Rage Against the Machine. The album was released on November 10, 1992...
|
| 1996 | Evil Empire Evil Empire (album) -Track listing:All songs written and arranged by Rage Against the Machine and all lyrics by Zack de la Rocha.#"People of the Sun" – 2:30#"Bulls on Parade" – 3:49#"Vietnow" – 4:39#"Revolver" – 5:30#"Snakecharmer" – 3:56#"Tire Me" – 3:00#"Down Rodeo" – 5:20... |
| 1999 | The Battle of Los Angeles The Battle of Los Angeles (album) -Track listing:All songs written and arranged by Rage Against the Machine and all lyrics by Zack de la Rocha.#"Testify" – 3:30#"Guerrilla Radio" – 3:26#"Calm Like a Bomb" – 4:58#"Mic Check" – 3:33#"Sleep Now in the Fire" – 3:25#"Born of a Broken Man" – 4:41... |
| 2000 | Renegades
|
Audioslave studio albums
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2002 | Audioslave Audioslave (album) Audioslave is the eponymous debut studio album by the American rock supergroup Audioslave and was released on November 19, 2002 . The album's music features Chris Cornell providing his familiar classic rock-esque wails and croons to the songs. It features the hit singles "Cochise", "Show Me How to...
|
| 2005 | Out of Exile Out of Exile Out of Exile is the second studio album by the American rock supergroup Audioslave, first released on May 23, 2005 internationally and a day later in the United States. It is the band's only number one album on the Billboard 200. Four singles were released: "Be Yourself", "Your Time Has Come",... |
| 2006 | Revelations
|