James Lomenzo
Encyclopedia
James "JLo" LoMenzo is a metal
bassist
known for his roles as a former member of White Lion
and Megadeth
. He is also known for his work in Black Label Society
.
He played bass with Clockwork
, his first original hard rock band in 1980 to 1983. He then went on to play in the band Rondinelli with Ray Gillen
before joining White Lion in 1984.
He played bass
with White Lion
from 1984 to 1991, and later with Zakk Wylde
's side-project Lynyrd Skynhead who evolved into Pride & Glory
and released one 1994 album. Although he left the band during their 1994 tour, he returned to play on Zakk Wylde's 1996 solo album Book of Shadows
. He had a brief stint in the recording studio with Ozzy Osbourne in 1994 but the sessions were not used, and Ozzmosis
was re-recorded by different musicians the next year. In 1995, James, along with Pride & Glory drummer Brian Tichy
joined Slash's Snakepit
as touring musicians.He was a member of David Lee Roth
's band in the late '90s and early '00s and performed on his album Diamond Dave.
In 2004, James rejoined Zakk Wylde in his band Black Label Society
until October 2005 when he was replaced by Black Label Society's original bassist John DeServio
.
James is also part of the band "Hideous Sun Demons."
In 2010 he played bass for Lynch Mob
.
band Megadeth
. He and the band released United Abominations
with Guitarist/Singer Dave Mustaine
, then Guitarist Glen Drover
and his brother, Shawn Drover
, on drums. Lomenzo also recorded bass for Megadeth's 12th album, Endgame featuring guitarist Chris Broderick
in place of Glen Drover. Lomenzo was also featured on Megadeth's live DVD Blood in the Water: Live in San Diego
filmed during Gigantour 2008. On February 8, 2010, it was announced that former Megadeth bassist Dave Ellefson would replace LoMenzo.
's solo album Rubber
in 1998. LoMenzo is also a member of a tribute band called "HAIL!". HAIL!'s rotating cast of members include Andreas Kisser
, Tim "Ripper" Owens, Paul Bostaph
, David Ellefson
, Mike Portnoy
, Jimmy DeGrasso
and Roy Mayorga
. Ripper, DeGrasso, Ellefson and Kisser formed the band in late 2008. The band, toured Europe
in 2009 and in June 2010 HAIL! is on their second European tour with the following line-up: Andreas Kisser
, Tim "Ripper" Owens, Paul Bostaph
and James LoMenzo. Due to the death of previously announced Slipknot bassist Paul Gray, LoMenzo agreed on only one day’s notice to fly to Portugal and play the Rock In Rio Festival where HAIL! was scheduled to perform on May 30, 2010. Lomenzo also joined Lynch Mob
in late July 2010, replacing Marco Mendoza. James previously jammed with Lynch Mob drummer Brian Tichy in both Pride & Glory
and Slash's Snakepit
.
Buzzard bass and Warwick
Stryker bass. His amplification section is dominated by Ashdown
amps and cabinets. His effects pedals include Dunlop
Crybaby, MXR Chorus, MXR Distortion, and Aphex Punch as well as other pedals. He has his own signature pedal, the Ashdown Lomenzo Hyperdrive. Interestingly, his rig bears a strong resemblance to that of John Entwistle
, who also used Ashdown amps and Buzzard basses (which he designed himself). LoMenzo's live rig can be seen
here. He is an endorser of RotoSound
bass strings. He is also known to play Alembic
bass guitar, or more specifically the spyder model. He was also seen playing a Fender Marcus Miller Jazz Bass for the entirety of the 2007 Megadeth Tour of Duty. As of September 2008, James has been seen playing a Yamaha BB Custom Shop model; which in itself, has a slightly smaller body than a standard BB, two pairs of P bass pick-ups (one reversed), a neck pick-up based on a Gibson Model One, a maple neck and a Hipshot D-Tuner.
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
known for his roles as a former member of White Lion
White Lion
White Lion is an American/Danish hard rock/heavy metal band that was formed in New York City in 1983 by Danish vocalist Mike Tramp and American guitarist Vito Bratta. Mainly active in the 1980s and early 1990s, the band achieved double platinum status with their #8 hit "Wait" and #3 hit "When the...
and Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
. He is also known for his work in Black Label Society
Black Label Society
Black Label Society is a heavy metal band formed by Zakk Wylde, with nine studio albums, one live album, two compilation albums, one EP, and three video albums released since formation of the band.-Formation and Sonic Brew :...
.
Past bands and other works (1977-2005)
In the late 1970s, he started in a band called "Empty Sky," a rock band with hints of jazz. The band was based out of Brooklyn and was one of the biggest up-and-coming young bands. James was the lead singer and bass guitarist. The band consisted of Robert Littera at lead guitar, Julie Pontecorvo on Trumpet, Marco Lagana on trombone, Frank Bonanno on tenor saxophone, Oscar Olivera on drums, Vincent Chirico on rhythm guitar and John Buccellato on electric piano. The band broke up as the members began to mature and take their separate career paths.He played bass with Clockwork
Clockwork
A clockwork is the inner workings of either a mechanical clock or a device that operates in a similar fashion. Specifically, the term refers to a mechanical device utilizing a complex series of gears....
, his first original hard rock band in 1980 to 1983. He then went on to play in the band Rondinelli with Ray Gillen
Ray Gillen
Raymond A. "Ray" Gillen was an American rock singer, best known for his work with Badlands, in addition to his stint with Black Sabbath in the mid-1980s and recording most of the vocals on Phenomena's classic Dreamrunner album....
before joining White Lion in 1984.
He played bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
with White Lion
White Lion
White Lion is an American/Danish hard rock/heavy metal band that was formed in New York City in 1983 by Danish vocalist Mike Tramp and American guitarist Vito Bratta. Mainly active in the 1980s and early 1990s, the band achieved double platinum status with their #8 hit "Wait" and #3 hit "When the...
from 1984 to 1991, and later with Zakk Wylde
Zakk Wylde
Zachary Phillip Wylde , best known by the stage name Zakk Wylde, is an American musician, songwriter, and occasional actor who is best known as the former guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne and founder of the heavy metal band Black Label Society. He was the lead guitarist and vocalist in Pride & Glory,...
's side-project Lynyrd Skynhead who evolved into Pride & Glory
Pride and Glory (band)
Pride and Glory was a side project for Black Label Society guitarist Zakk Wylde. This was Zakk's first self-fronted project, then he released his solo-album Book of Shadows in 1996...
and released one 1994 album. Although he left the band during their 1994 tour, he returned to play on Zakk Wylde's 1996 solo album Book of Shadows
Book of Shadows (album)
Book of Shadows is the first solo album by the heavy metal guitarist Zakk Wylde. The album was first released in 1996, and was reissued by Spitfire in 1999 with the bonus disc containing "Evil Ways" , "The Color Green", and "Peddlers of Death" Book of Shadows is the first solo album by the heavy...
. He had a brief stint in the recording studio with Ozzy Osbourne in 1994 but the sessions were not used, and Ozzmosis
Ozzmosis
-Personnel:Musicians*Ozzy Osbourne – vocals*Zakk Wylde – guitar*Geezer Butler – bass*Deen Castronovo – drums*Rick Wakeman – keyboardsAdditional personnel*Michael Beinhorn – production, keyboards...
was re-recorded by different musicians the next year. In 1995, James, along with Pride & Glory drummer Brian Tichy
Brian Tichy
Brian Tichy is a drummer, guitar player, vocalist and songwriter. He is currently the drummer with Whitesnake. Previously he was the drummer for Foreigner from 2009 until 2010, when he was replaced by Jason Sutter. Tichy began playing drums at age eight and started playing guitar at age 12...
joined Slash's Snakepit
Slash's Snakepit
Slash's Snakepit were an American rock supergroup from Los Angeles, California, formed by then-Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash in 1993. Though often described as a solo or side project, Slash stated that Snakepit was a band, with equal contributions by all members...
as touring musicians.He was a member of David Lee Roth
David Lee Roth
David Lee Roth is an American rock vocalist, songwriter, actor, author, and former radio personality. Roth was ranked nineteenth by Hit Parader on their list of the 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Singers of All Time....
's band in the late '90s and early '00s and performed on his album Diamond Dave.
In 2004, James rejoined Zakk Wylde in his band Black Label Society
Black Label Society
Black Label Society is a heavy metal band formed by Zakk Wylde, with nine studio albums, one live album, two compilation albums, one EP, and three video albums released since formation of the band.-Formation and Sonic Brew :...
until October 2005 when he was replaced by Black Label Society's original bassist John DeServio
John DeServio
John "JD" DeServio, is the current bass guitarist in Black Label Society, joining after the departure of James Lomenzo in 2005.JD was also a member of Pride & Glory, Wylde's southern rock trio for a short time in December 1994 , and was also Black Label Society's original bass guitarist, playing on...
.
James is also part of the band "Hideous Sun Demons."
In 2010 he played bass for Lynch Mob
Lynch Mob (band)
Lynch Mob is an American band featuring former Dokken guitarist George Lynch, who has been the band's only permanent member. The rest of the original band which featured Oni Logan, Anthony Esposito and Mick Brown have come and gone, and in some cases, come back.-1989 Formation:Lynch Mob was formed...
.
Megadeth (2006-2010)
From February 10, 2006 up until February 8, 2010, LoMenzo was the bassist of thrash metalThrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
band Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
. He and the band released United Abominations
United Abominations
United Abominations is the eleventh studio album by the American heavy metal band Megadeth. Released on May 8, 2007, United Abominations is the first Megadeth release distributed through Roadrunner Records, and was recorded with an all new lineup excluding the band's singer, guitarist, songwriter,...
with Guitarist/Singer Dave Mustaine
Dave Mustaine
David Scott "Dave" Mustaine is the founder, main songwriter, guitarist, and lead vocalist for the American heavy metal band Megadeth. Prior to Megadeth, Mustaine was the first lead guitarist and a co-songwriter of the heavy metal band Metallica until he was fired from the band in 1983. In 2009, he...
, then Guitarist Glen Drover
Glen Drover
Glen Drover is a heavy metal guitarist from Missisauga, Ontario, Canada. He currently resides in MississaugaOntario. Drover is best known as the former lead guitarist in Megadeth and King Diamond, as well as his own band Eidolon, along with his brother Shawn Drover.-History:Glen Drover began...
and his brother, Shawn Drover
Shawn Drover
Shawn Drover is a Canadian drummer, best-known for his work with the heavy metal band Megadeth....
, on drums. Lomenzo also recorded bass for Megadeth's 12th album, Endgame featuring guitarist Chris Broderick
Chris Broderick
Christopher Broderick is the virtuoso guitarist of the American thrash metal band Megadeth. He currently resides in Sherman Oaks, California...
in place of Glen Drover. Lomenzo was also featured on Megadeth's live DVD Blood in the Water: Live in San Diego
Blood in the Water: Live in San Diego
Blood in the Water: Live in San Diego is a live DVD from American thrash metal band Megadeth. It features a live concert recorded at Cox Arena in San Diego filmed during Gigantour 2008 on May 20, 2008. The band decided to release it as a full concert due to the other acts on the bill declining...
filmed during Gigantour 2008. On February 8, 2010, it was announced that former Megadeth bassist Dave Ellefson would replace LoMenzo.
Other
LoMenzo is also a graphic artist and did the art work for Gilby ClarkeGilby Clarke
Gilbert "Gilby" Clarke is an American guitarist and record producer best known for a 3-year tenure as the rhythm guitarist of Guns N' Roses, replacing Izzy Stradlin in 1991 during the Use Your Illusion Tour...
's solo album Rubber
Rubber (Gilby Clarke album)
Rubber is the third solo album by former Guns N' Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke, released in 1998.-Track listing:# "Kilroy Was Here" – 2:55# "The Haunting" – 2:57# "Something's Wrong With You" – 3:38...
in 1998. LoMenzo is also a member of a tribute band called "HAIL!". HAIL!'s rotating cast of members include Andreas Kisser
Andreas Kisser
Andreas Rudolf Kisser is the lead guitarist for the metal band Sepultura as well as the rock supergroup HAIL!-Biography:...
, Tim "Ripper" Owens, Paul Bostaph
Paul Bostaph
Paul Bostaph is a heavy metal drummer. His drumming career began in 1984, when he was 20 years old, and he had since worked with bands like Slayer, Forbidden, Exodus and Systematic. He is from Newark, California and currently drums for Testament...
, David Ellefson
David Ellefson
David Warren "Dave" Ellefson is a bassist and founding member of the American thrash metal band Megadeth. He also goes by "Junior." He currently resides in Scottsdale, Arizona...
, Mike Portnoy
Mike Portnoy
Michael Stephen "Mike" Portnoy is an American drummer primarily known as the former drummer, backing vocalist, and a co-founder of the progressive metal band Dream Theater, as well as the temporary drummer for the hard rock band Avenged Sevenfold. Known for his drumming prowess and technical...
, Jimmy DeGrasso
Jimmy DeGrasso
Jimmy DeGrasso is an American heavy metal drummer. He is currently the drummer for F5.DeGrasso was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and graduated from Liberty High School in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in 1981....
and Roy Mayorga
Roy Mayorga
Roy Maurice Mayorga is the drummer for the hard rock band Stone Sour. He is of Ecuadorian and Cuban descent.-Musical history:...
. Ripper, DeGrasso, Ellefson and Kisser formed the band in late 2008. The band, toured Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
in 2009 and in June 2010 HAIL! is on their second European tour with the following line-up: Andreas Kisser
Andreas Kisser
Andreas Rudolf Kisser is the lead guitarist for the metal band Sepultura as well as the rock supergroup HAIL!-Biography:...
, Tim "Ripper" Owens, Paul Bostaph
Paul Bostaph
Paul Bostaph is a heavy metal drummer. His drumming career began in 1984, when he was 20 years old, and he had since worked with bands like Slayer, Forbidden, Exodus and Systematic. He is from Newark, California and currently drums for Testament...
and James LoMenzo. Due to the death of previously announced Slipknot bassist Paul Gray, LoMenzo agreed on only one day’s notice to fly to Portugal and play the Rock In Rio Festival where HAIL! was scheduled to perform on May 30, 2010. Lomenzo also joined Lynch Mob
Lynch Mob (band)
Lynch Mob is an American band featuring former Dokken guitarist George Lynch, who has been the band's only permanent member. The rest of the original band which featured Oni Logan, Anthony Esposito and Mick Brown have come and gone, and in some cases, come back.-1989 Formation:Lynch Mob was formed...
in late July 2010, replacing Marco Mendoza. James previously jammed with Lynch Mob drummer Brian Tichy in both Pride & Glory
Pride and Glory (band)
Pride and Glory was a side project for Black Label Society guitarist Zakk Wylde. This was Zakk's first self-fronted project, then he released his solo-album Book of Shadows in 1996...
and Slash's Snakepit
Slash's Snakepit
Slash's Snakepit were an American rock supergroup from Los Angeles, California, formed by then-Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash in 1993. Though often described as a solo or side project, Slash stated that Snakepit was a band, with equal contributions by all members...
.
Gear
James LoMenzo is best known for his frequent use of the WarwickWarwick (bass guitar)
-Overview:Warwick basses were originally a premium brand offering a small range of models built from high quality and exotic tonewoods with 'Neck-through' design...
Buzzard bass and Warwick
Warwick (bass guitar)
-Overview:Warwick basses were originally a premium brand offering a small range of models built from high quality and exotic tonewoods with 'Neck-through' design...
Stryker bass. His amplification section is dominated by Ashdown
Ashdown Engineering
Ashdown Engineering is a British manufacturer of instrument amplifiers, particularly for bass, but also developed a range of guitar amps for a number of years...
amps and cabinets. His effects pedals include Dunlop
Dunlop Manufacturing
Dunlop Manufacturing, Inc., known colloquially as Jim Dunlop, is a manufacturer of musical accessories based in Benicia, California. Originally founded in 1965 by Jim Dunlop, Sr., the company has grown from a small home operation to being a large manufacturer of music gear for over 40 years.- Way...
Crybaby, MXR Chorus, MXR Distortion, and Aphex Punch as well as other pedals. He has his own signature pedal, the Ashdown Lomenzo Hyperdrive. Interestingly, his rig bears a strong resemblance to that of John Entwistle
John Entwistle
John Alec Entwistle was an English bass guitarist, songwriter, singer, horn player, and film and record producer who was best known as the bass player for the rock band The Who. His aggressive lead sound influenced many rock bass players...
, who also used Ashdown amps and Buzzard basses (which he designed himself). LoMenzo's live rig can be seen
here. He is an endorser of RotoSound
RotoSound
-History of Rotosound:Started in the late 1950's by James How -a musician and engineer by trade. How started manufacturing music strings for many famous artists across the world. Still a family run business all Rotosound strings are made in England....
bass strings. He is also known to play Alembic
Alembic Inc
Alembic was founded in 1969 and is a manufacturer of high-end electric basses, guitars and preamps.-History:Ron and Susan Wickersham founded Alembic, Inc. in 1969...
bass guitar, or more specifically the spyder model. He was also seen playing a Fender Marcus Miller Jazz Bass for the entirety of the 2007 Megadeth Tour of Duty. As of September 2008, James has been seen playing a Yamaha BB Custom Shop model; which in itself, has a slightly smaller body than a standard BB, two pairs of P bass pick-ups (one reversed), a neck pick-up based on a Gibson Model One, a maple neck and a Hipshot D-Tuner.
With White Lion
- Pride (1987)
- Big GameBig Game (album)Big Game is the third studio album by the hard rock band White Lion. It was released on August 10, 1989 by Atlantic Records, reaching #19 on The Billboard 200 album chart.- Overview :...
(1989) - Mane AttractionMane AttractionMane Attraction was the fourth studio album by the hard rock band White Lion. It was released in 1991 by Atlantic Records, and reached #61 on The Billboard 200.- Overview :...
(1991) - The Best of White LionThe Best of White LionThe Best of White Lion is the first greatest hits compilation album from the Hard rock band White Lion, released in September of 1992...
(1992)
With Black Label Society
- Hangover Music Vol. VIHangover Music Vol. VIHangover Music, Vol VI is the fifth studio album by heavy metal band Black Label Society, released April 20, 2004. This album is a much more mellow affair than any other Black Label Society album, and some fans have recognized it as a nod back to Zakk Wylde's solo effort, Book of Shadows, from...
(2004) - Mafia (2005)
With Megadeth
- United AbominationsUnited AbominationsUnited Abominations is the eleventh studio album by the American heavy metal band Megadeth. Released on May 8, 2007, United Abominations is the first Megadeth release distributed through Roadrunner Records, and was recorded with an all new lineup excluding the band's singer, guitarist, songwriter,...
(2007) - Endgame (2009)
- Blood in the Water: Live in San DiegoBlood in the Water: Live in San DiegoBlood in the Water: Live in San Diego is a live DVD from American thrash metal band Megadeth. It features a live concert recorded at Cox Arena in San Diego filmed during Gigantour 2008 on May 20, 2008. The band decided to release it as a full concert due to the other acts on the bill declining...
(2010)