Chad Szeliga
Encyclopedia
Chad Szeliga is an American
professional drummer
born in Elyria, Ohio
and now from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
. He is best known for being the drummer for the bands Breaking Benjamin
, OurAfter
, and Black Label Society
.
, a hard rock band from Cleveland, Ohio. He was released from the band sometime during 2001. After his release from Switched, Chad played drums for another Cleveland band called Another Path. Chad now plays in Black Label Society, alongside Zakk Wylde, Nick Catanese, and John Deservio.
". The video submitted happened to be the only VHS tape submitted. Ben Burnley was forced to borrow a VCR from his neighbor to view the tape. After Ben reviewed the tape, the band decided he was the right guy for the job. His first official recording with the band was for the full-band version of the song "Rain
" from We Are Not Alone in mid 2005, which was sent to modern radio, and later appeared on the band's cover of Queen
's "Who Wants to Live Forever
". He recorded with Breaking Benjamin on their 2006 album Phobia, which was released August 8, 2006. He also joined the band on their tour supporting that album.
He is still with Breaking Benjamin at this point, and was the full-time drummer on their fourth album entitled Dear Agony
, which released on September 29, 2009. Due to multiple personnel changes and other issues however, Breaking Benjamin is currently inactive.
due to their drummer Eli Hludzik's departure. Chad filled in with several shows while opening for rock band Red
. This caused a lot of speculation that Chad was quitting Breaking Benjamin or the band was breaking up. Chad said on his MySpace that he had no intention of leaving the band and that OurAfter was a side project.
OurAfter is currently writing new material for their next album and plan on recording a new album May 2011.
rockers Hourcast as their fill-in drummer on the Inked Magazine
Tour for the summer. The band was on the tour supporting headliners The Damned Things
. Chad joined the group for the stint, though the tour was cut short by the promoters after the August 26th New York City
date, for fears of problems in the northeastern US from incoming Hurricane Irene
.
Chad was asked by Drummer and founding member of Hourcast Jerry Clews to fill in for him on Inked Magazine Tour.
introduced Chad as Black Label Society
's new drummer. Replacing Mike Froedge. They are currently on tour with Judas Priest
.
Chad denied these rumors on his official Facebook stating:
Later that day Mike Portnoy announced that he is no longer working for Avenged Sevenfold. When asked again about joining Chad had no comment.
Chad was endorsed by Yamaha Drums for many years. All of the "Sw1tched" albums were recorded using various models of Yamaha drums, as well as Breaking Benjamin's "Rain" (full band version), the entire "Phobia" album, as well as "Dear Agony", in its entirety. Chad switched to DW Drums, pedals, and hardware in the middle of the "D.A." Tour. The DW kit is in a "regal to royal fade" lacquer finish.
Cymbals: Zildijan
Heads: Remo
Others
(DW Drums), Remo drum heads
, Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth Drumsticks
and Vestal.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional 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...
born in Elyria, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
and now from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. He is best known for being the drummer for the bands Breaking Benjamin
Breaking Benjamin
Breaking Benjamin is an American rock band from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, currently consisting of Benjamin Burnley and Chad Szeliga. The band has released four studio albums to date and a greatest hits album that was released on August 16, 2011. The group initially went on indefinite hiatus due...
, OurAfter
OurAfter (band)
OurAfter is an American Rock band from Scranton, Pennsylvania. OurAfter is also the side project of Breaking Benjamin's Chad Szeliga. They have done shows with such acts as Papa Roach, Flyleaf, Panic At the Disco, Red, 10 Years, 12 Stones, Smile Empty Soul, Plain White T's...
, and 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 :...
.
Switched
Chad Szeliga started out with SwitchedSwitched (band)
Switched were a nu metal/hard rock music group from Cleveland, Ohio.-History:Forming in 1999 as Sw1tch, the band played shows around Ohio and released a demo entitled Fuckin' Demo...
, a hard rock band from Cleveland, Ohio. He was released from the band sometime during 2001. After his release from Switched, Chad played drums for another Cleveland band called Another Path. Chad now plays in Black Label Society, alongside Zakk Wylde, Nick Catanese, and John Deservio.
Breaking Benjamin
While with Another Path, Chad recorded an audition video for Breaking Benjamin playing drums for the song "So ColdSo Cold (song)
-Chart position:-So Cold EP:So Cold EP is an EP which was released on November 23, 2004. It was originally going to be titled the So Cold EP. The EP contains 5 songs, three were recorded live, "So Cold ", "Away" and "Breakdown" and two were studio recorded material, "Blow Me Away" and "Lady Bug"...
". The video submitted happened to be the only VHS tape submitted. Ben Burnley was forced to borrow a VCR from his neighbor to view the tape. After Ben reviewed the tape, the band decided he was the right guy for the job. His first official recording with the band was for the full-band version of the song "Rain
Rain (Breaking Benjamin song)
-Reception:On sputnikmusic the song was looked down upon, stating "The entire time this song was on, I couldn't shake that image of Christina Aguilera standing in front of that mirror in Beautiful, an image more than likely created by the incessant whining the singer was doing"...
" from We Are Not Alone in mid 2005, which was sent to modern radio, and later appeared on the band's cover of Queen
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
's "Who Wants to Live Forever
Who Wants to Live Forever
"Who Wants to Live Forever" is a song by the English rock band Queen. The song is the sixth track on the album A Kind of Magic, released in June 1986, and was written by guitarist Brian May for the soundtrack to the film Highlander, directed by Russell Mulcahy...
". He recorded with Breaking Benjamin on their 2006 album Phobia, which was released August 8, 2006. He also joined the band on their tour supporting that album.
He is still with Breaking Benjamin at this point, and was the full-time drummer on their fourth album entitled Dear Agony
Dear Agony
-Personnel:Production list acquired from AllMusicBreaking Benjamin*Benjamin Burnley - Lead vocals, rhythm guitar*Aaron Fink - Lead guitar*Mark Klepaski - bass*Chad Szeliga - drums, percussionsAdditional musicians...
, which released on September 29, 2009. Due to multiple personnel changes and other issues however, Breaking Benjamin is currently inactive.
OurAfter
December 2009, Chad started filling in for drums with Scranton based band OurAfterOurAfter (band)
OurAfter is an American Rock band from Scranton, Pennsylvania. OurAfter is also the side project of Breaking Benjamin's Chad Szeliga. They have done shows with such acts as Papa Roach, Flyleaf, Panic At the Disco, Red, 10 Years, 12 Stones, Smile Empty Soul, Plain White T's...
due to their drummer Eli Hludzik's departure. Chad filled in with several shows while opening for rock band Red
Red (band)
Red is an American rock band from Nashville, Tennessee, formed in 2004. The band's lineup consists of singer Michael Barnes, guitarist Anthony Armstrong, bassist Randy Armstrong and drummer Joe Rickard. They are known for their Christian rock music which incorporates other sounds such as...
. This caused a lot of speculation that Chad was quitting Breaking Benjamin or the band was breaking up. Chad said on his MySpace that he had no intention of leaving the band and that OurAfter was a side project.
OurAfter is currently writing new material for their next album and plan on recording a new album May 2011.
Hourcast
In Spring 2011, after a lineup change, Chad was asked by lead singer Patrick McBride to join Los AngelesLos 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...
rockers Hourcast as their fill-in drummer on the Inked Magazine
Inked (magazine)
Inked is a high-end glossy tattoo lifestyle magazine that debuted in late 2004 and was published quarterly for one year. In 2006, the magazine was purchased by Downtown Media Group but never published an issue. Donald Hellinger, president of Nylon Holding, Inc. publisher of Nylon magazine, acquired...
Tour for the summer. The band was on the tour supporting headliners The Damned Things
The Damned Things
The Damned Things are a heavy metal supergroup consisting of Joe Trohman and Andy Hurley of Fall Out Boy, Scott Ian and Rob Caggiano of Anthrax, Keith Buckley of Every Time I Die and Josh Newton formally of Every Time I Die The band's name is inspired by the lyrics in Ram Jam's '70s version of...
. Chad joined the group for the stint, though the tour was cut short by the promoters after the August 26th New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
date, for fears of problems in the northeastern US from incoming Hurricane Irene
Hurricane Irene (2011)
Hurricane Irene was a large and powerful Atlantic hurricane that left extensive flood and wind damage along its path through the Caribbean, the United States East Coast and as far north as Atlantic Canada in 2011...
.
Chad was asked by Drummer and founding member of Hourcast Jerry Clews to fill in for him on Inked Magazine Tour.
Black Label Society
On September 14, 2011, in a hand-written letter, Zakk WyldeZakk 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,...
introduced Chad as 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 :...
's new drummer. Replacing Mike Froedge. They are currently on tour with Judas Priest
Judas Priest
Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band from Birmingham, England, formed in 1969. The current line-up consists of lead vocalist Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis. The band has gone through several drummers over the years,...
.
Avenged Sevenfold rumors
In the summer of 2010 there were rumors circulating on the internet regarding Chad joining Avenged SevenfoldAvenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold is an American heavy metal band from Huntington Beach, California. Formed in 1999, the group consists of vocalist M. Shadows, lead guitarist Synyster Gates, rhythm guitarist Zacky Vengeance, bassist Johnny Christ....
Chad denied these rumors on his official Facebook stating:
Later that day Mike Portnoy announced that he is no longer working for Avenged Sevenfold. When asked again about joining Chad had no comment.
Instructional DVD
Chad posted in the summer of 2010 that he was planning on recording a drum DVD. In Late March 2011 Chad recorded the drum DVD in California with DW Drums.Chad was endorsed by Yamaha Drums for many years. All of the "Sw1tched" albums were recorded using various models of Yamaha drums, as well as Breaking Benjamin's "Rain" (full band version), the entire "Phobia" album, as well as "Dear Agony", in its entirety. Chad switched to DW Drums, pedals, and hardware in the middle of the "D.A." Tour. The DW kit is in a "regal to royal fade" lacquer finish.
Equipment
Drums: DW Drums (May 2010)- 20"x18" Bass Drum w/ 20"x8" Bass Drum Woofer
- 10"x5" Short Tom
- 8"x5" Short Tom
- 12"x6" Short Tom
- 14"x11" Floor Tom
- 16"x12" Floor Tom
- 14"x11" Floor Tom (left side)
- 13"x6.5" Edge Snare
- 10"x6" Side Snare
Cymbals: Zildijan
- 12" A Custom Mastersound Hi-Hats
- 13" A Custom Mastersound Hi-Hats
- 19" K China
- 8" ZXT Trashformer Splash
- 6" A Custom Splash
- 15" A Custom ReZo Crash
- 17" A Custom Projection Crash w/ 6" Zil-Bel on top
- 8" A Custom Splash
- 11" Oriental Splash
- 20" A Brilliant Earth Ride (Custom Brilliant Coating)
- 16" Oriental China w/ K Hybrid Splash on top
- 18" Classic China
- 19" A Custom ReZo Crash
- 19" K Custom Hybrid China
Heads: Remo
- Toms: Clear Emperor over Clear Ambassador
- Snare: Coated Emperor-X over Clear Ambassador
- Side Snare: Coated Emperor over Clear Ambassador
- Bass: Clear Powerstoke 3 over Ebony Powerstroke 3
Others
- Vic FirthVic FirthVic 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...
American Swinger SD10 Sticks - LP Jam Block, Medium Pitch, Red (mounted near side snare)
Sponsorship
Chad is now sponsored by the popular energy drink company Liquid Lightning. He was slated to appear in ads for the company sometime in 2010. He is also sponsored by Remetee, Skull Candy. Instrumentally, he is sponsored by Drum WorkshopDrum Workshop
Drum Workshop is a drum and hardware manufacturing company based in Oxnard, California. Their slogan is "The Drummer's Choice".-History:...
(DW Drums), Remo drum heads
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...
, Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth Drumsticks
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...
and Vestal.