Dez Fafara
Encyclopedia
Bradley James 'Dez' Fafara (born May 12, 1966) is the current vocalist for DevilDriver
and the recently reformed Coal Chamber
.
, was a child actor on the Leave It to Beaver
sitcom, playing the character "Tooey Brown."
Dez's wife is named Anahstasia, and she appears on the cover of the second Coal Chamber
album Chamber Music
. Dez has three sons: Tyler, Simon and Kaleb. "Tyler's Song", from the album Chamber Music, was written for Tyler. Simon, age twelve, added backing growls on DevilDriver
's third album, The Last Kind Words
(2007), on the song "Tirades Of Truth", during the last two lines of the chorus.
. Three of the albums, Coal Chamber
(1997), which went gold
, Chamber Music
(1999), and Dark Days (2002), consisted of new material. An album of remixes, rarities, and b-sides, titled Giving the Devil His Due
(2003) and a "Best Of"
(2004) were also released. Coal Chamber disbanded in 2003, shortly after Dez formed his current band DevilDriver
.
Contrary to some reports, Dez has often spoken freely of his time in Coal Chamber, although he has given no indication of any desire to reform the band. In a recent interview Meegs Rascon indicated he will miss performing Coal Chamber songs.
On September 26, 2011, it was announced that Coal Chamber would reunite for Australian's Soundwave Festival, which will take place in early 2012. Despite this, the band has no plans to record new material or tour extensively.
(2003), The Fury of Our Maker's Hand
(2005), The Last Kind Words
(2007), Pray For Villains
(2009) and Beast
, which was released February 22, 2011. DevilDriver was also nominated for a Golden Gods Award in 2008 for the best break-through metal band.
, which also went gold
. He also collaborated with Ozzy Osbourne
for a remake of "Shock the Monkey
", a song originally by Peter Gabriel
, that was released on the Coal Chamber album Chamber Music
. This song propelled this record to debut 22 on the Billboard charts upon release.
Fafara recorded and provided vocals for the song "Baptized In The Redemption" on Roadrunner Records
' 25th year anniversary compilation album Roadrunner United
, alongside Dino Cazares
(Fear Factory
), Andreas Kisser
(Sepultura
), Paul Gray (Slipknot
) and Roy Mayorga
(Stone Sour
, ex-Soulfly
). Dez worked with Nikki Sixx
(Mötley Crüe
) on a song called "Where is God Tonight?" Dez has also worked with Phil Anselmo
(Pantera
, Down
, Superjoint Ritual
) on an early side project Viking Crown
. In November 2011 it was announced that Fafara was appearing on a track in Soulfly
's upcoming 8th studio album.
tattoo on his chest, the DevilDriver logo on his upper arm, and the Coal Chamber logo on his forearm. He also has a tattoo reading DEZ on his knuckles, similar to Ozzy Osbourne.
DevilDriver
DevilDriver is an American heavy metal band from Santa Barbara, California, formed in 2002. The band was originally named Deathride, however, due to copyright issues and the name being taken by several bands, Deathride changed its name to DevilDriver, which refers to bells Italian witches used to...
and the recently reformed Coal Chamber
Coal Chamber
Coal Chamber is an American alternative metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1993. Prior to Coal Chamber, Dez Fafara and Meegs Rascón formed the band She's In Pain in 1992. The two decided to create Coal Chamber. They disbanded in 2003 after ten years together, but announced a reunion in...
.
Personal life
Dez is of Portuguese and Italian, specifically Sicilian descent. His father, Tiger FafaraTiger Fafara
Lucas "Tiger" Fafara II cheese is a former child actor on the Leave It to Beaver sitcom, amongst others, appearing in eighteen episodes between 1957 and 1960. He was born in San Francisco, California....
, was a child actor on the Leave It to Beaver
Leave It to Beaver
Leave It to Beaver is an American television situation comedy about an inquisitive but often naïve boy named Theodore "The Beaver" Cleaver and his adventures at home, in school, and around his suburban neighborhood...
sitcom, playing the character "Tooey Brown."
Dez's wife is named Anahstasia, and she appears on the cover of the second Coal Chamber
Coal Chamber
Coal Chamber is an American alternative metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1993. Prior to Coal Chamber, Dez Fafara and Meegs Rascón formed the band She's In Pain in 1992. The two decided to create Coal Chamber. They disbanded in 2003 after ten years together, but announced a reunion in...
album Chamber Music
Chamber Music (Coal Chamber album)
Chamber Music is the second studio album by Californian alternative metal band Coal Chamber, released on Roadrunner Records on September 7, 1999....
. Dez has three sons: Tyler, Simon and Kaleb. "Tyler's Song", from the album Chamber Music, was written for Tyler. Simon, age twelve, added backing growls on DevilDriver
DevilDriver
DevilDriver is an American heavy metal band from Santa Barbara, California, formed in 2002. The band was originally named Deathride, however, due to copyright issues and the name being taken by several bands, Deathride changed its name to DevilDriver, which refers to bells Italian witches used to...
's third album, The Last Kind Words
The Last Kind Words
*Note: Dez Fafara's 9 year old son Simon Fafara provides guest vocals in "Tirades of Truth".-Personnel:* Dez Fafara – Vocals* Mike Spreitzer – Guitar* Jeff Kendrick – Guitar* Jon Miller – Bass* John Boecklin – Drums...
(2007), on the song "Tirades Of Truth", during the last two lines of the chorus.
Coal Chamber
Dez released a total of 3 albums with Coal ChamberCoal Chamber
Coal Chamber is an American alternative metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1993. Prior to Coal Chamber, Dez Fafara and Meegs Rascón formed the band She's In Pain in 1992. The two decided to create Coal Chamber. They disbanded in 2003 after ten years together, but announced a reunion in...
. Three of the albums, Coal Chamber
Coal Chamber (album)
Coal Chamber is the eponymous debut album by Coal Chamber. It was released on February 11, 1997 by Roadrunner Records and contains the single "Loco"....
(1997), which went gold
RIAA certification
In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets. Other countries have similar awards...
, Chamber Music
Chamber Music (Coal Chamber album)
Chamber Music is the second studio album by Californian alternative metal band Coal Chamber, released on Roadrunner Records on September 7, 1999....
(1999), and Dark Days (2002), consisted of new material. An album of remixes, rarities, and b-sides, titled Giving the Devil His Due
Giving the Devil His Due
Giving the Devil His Due is a 2003 compilation album of remixes and previously unreleased songs by the nu metal band Coal Chamber. "Blisters" and "Wishes" had been on soundtrack albums prior to this album.-Track listing:...
(2003) and a "Best Of"
The Best of Coal Chamber
-Personnel:Coal Chamber*Dez Fafara - Vocals*Miguel Rascón - Guitar*Nadja Peulen - Bass guitar*Rayna Foss - Bass guitar*Mikey Cox - DrumsProduction*Josh Abraham - Producer*Aimee Echo - Backing vocals*Jay Baumgardner - Mixing...
(2004) were also released. Coal Chamber disbanded in 2003, shortly after Dez formed his current band DevilDriver
DevilDriver
DevilDriver is an American heavy metal band from Santa Barbara, California, formed in 2002. The band was originally named Deathride, however, due to copyright issues and the name being taken by several bands, Deathride changed its name to DevilDriver, which refers to bells Italian witches used to...
.
Contrary to some reports, Dez has often spoken freely of his time in Coal Chamber, although he has given no indication of any desire to reform the band. In a recent interview Meegs Rascon indicated he will miss performing Coal Chamber songs.
On September 26, 2011, it was announced that Coal Chamber would reunite for Australian's Soundwave Festival, which will take place in early 2012. Despite this, the band has no plans to record new material or tour extensively.
DevilDriver
Currently, Dez, as part of DevilDriver, has released five studio albums, DevilDriverDevilDriver (album)
-Personnel:*Dez Fafara - vocals*Evan Pitts - guitar*Jeff Kendrick - guitar*Jon Miller - bass*John Boecklin - drums*Mike Doling- guitar on "Devil's Son"...
(2003), The Fury of Our Maker's Hand
The Fury of Our Maker's Hand
-Notes:* "Unlucky 13" and "Guilty As Sin" were tracks recorded during the sessions for The Fury of Our Maker's Hand.* "Digging Up the Corpses" is an outtake from their self-titled DevilDriver album...
(2005), The Last Kind Words
The Last Kind Words
*Note: Dez Fafara's 9 year old son Simon Fafara provides guest vocals in "Tirades of Truth".-Personnel:* Dez Fafara – Vocals* Mike Spreitzer – Guitar* Jeff Kendrick – Guitar* Jon Miller – Bass* John Boecklin – Drums...
(2007), Pray For Villains
Pray for Villains
-Notes:* "Self-Affliction" and "Dust Be the Destiny" were recorded during the album's sessions.* "Damning the Heavens" is a bonus track from The Last Kind Words that was available on the US Hot Topic Only Edition of that album....
(2009) and Beast
Beast (DevilDriver album)
Beast is the fifth studio album by groove metal band DevilDriver. It was released on February 22, 2011 in the US. It is also their last album to feature longtime bassist Jon Miller who left in 2011.-Recording and production:...
, which was released February 22, 2011. DevilDriver was also nominated for a Golden Gods Award in 2008 for the best break-through metal band.
Compilations/Collaborations
Dez has appeared on more than twelve soundtrack records, including Scream 3: The AlbumScream 3: The Album
Scream 3: The Album is the original soundtrack album to the film Scream 3. The Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds song "Red Right Hand" is played in the film, having been heard in all three films. Nick Cave actually wrote a "sequel" to the song just for the film, which can be heard in the closing credits....
, which also went gold
RIAA certification
In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets. Other countries have similar awards...
. He also collaborated with Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...
for a remake of "Shock the Monkey
Shock the Monkey
"Shock the Monkey" is a 1982 song by Peter Gabriel. It was released as a single and peaked at number 29 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 1 on the Billboard Top Tracks chart. The song was Gabriel's first Top 40 hit in the US. In the UK, the song charted at number 58. It was included on...
", a song originally by Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
, that was released on the Coal Chamber album Chamber Music
Chamber Music (Coal Chamber album)
Chamber Music is the second studio album by Californian alternative metal band Coal Chamber, released on Roadrunner Records on September 7, 1999....
. This song propelled this record to debut 22 on the Billboard charts upon release.
Fafara recorded and provided vocals for the song "Baptized In The Redemption" on Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is an American record label that concentrates primarily on heavy metal bands. It is currently a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.-History:...
' 25th year anniversary compilation album Roadrunner United
Roadrunner United
Roadrunner United was a project organized by the heavy metal record label Roadrunner Records to celebrate its 25th anniversary. It culminated in an album released worldwide on October 11, 2005, entitled The All-Star Sessions...
, alongside Dino Cazares
Dino Cazares
Dino Cazares, born in El Centro, California, is a Mexican-American musician and the guitarist for Los Angeles-based industrial metal group Fear Factory. He also plays in the metal bands Divine Heresy and Asesino.-Biography:...
(Fear Factory
Fear Factory
Fear Factory is an American industrial metal band. Formed in 1989, they have released seven full-length albums and a number of singles and remixes. Over the course of their career they have evolved from a succession of styles, as well as steadily pioneered a combination of the styles death metal,...
), Andreas Kisser
Andreas Kisser
Andreas Rudolf Kisser is the lead guitarist for the metal band Sepultura as well as the rock supergroup HAIL!-Biography:...
(Sepultura
Sepultura
Sepultura is a Brazilian heavy metal band from Belo Horizonte, formed in 1984. The band was a major force in the death metal, thrash metal and ultimately groove metal realms during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with their later experiments melding nu metal, hardcore punk and industrial.Sepultura...
), Paul Gray (Slipknot
Slipknot (band)
Slipknot is an American heavy metal band from Des Moines, Iowa. Formed in 1995, the group was founded by percussionist Shawn Crahan and bassist Paul Gray...
) 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:...
(Stone Sour
Stone Sour
Stone Sour is an American rock band from Des Moines, Iowa. Since 2006, the group has been composed of Corey Taylor , Jim Root , Josh Rand, , Shawn Economaki and Roy Mayorga . Original drummer Joel Ekman left the group in 2006...
, ex-Soulfly
Soulfly
Soulfly is a heavy metal band formed in 1997 based in Phoenix, Arizona. The original lyrical content revolved around spirituality and religious themes, with later albums encompassing other themes including war, violence, aggression, hatred and anger. Soulfly is led by former Sepultura frontman Max...
). Dez worked with Nikki Sixx
Nikki Sixx
Nikki Sixx is an American musician, songwriter, author, fashion designer, radio host, and photographer, best known as the co-founder and bassist of the band Mötley Crüe. Prior to forming Mötley Crüe, Sixx was a member of Sister before going on to form London with his Sister band mate Lizzie Grey...
(Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981. The group was founded by bass guitarist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, who were later joined by lead guitarist Mick Mars and lead singer Vince Neil...
) on a song called "Where is God Tonight?" Dez has also worked with Phil Anselmo
Phil Anselmo
Philip Hansen "Phil" Anselmo is an American musician who is best known as the lead singer for the heavy metal band Pantera. He is currently the frontman for the Louisiana-based metal act Down. He is also the owner of Housecore Records....
(Pantera
Pantera
Pantera was an American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas. Formed by the Abbott brothers, Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell in 1981, bassist Rex Brown would join in late 1981 with vocalist Terry Glaze. Looking for a new and heavier sound, Pantera had Terry replaced in 1987 with Phil Anselmo as...
, Down
Down (band)
Down is an American heavy metal supergroup that formed in 1991 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The band's current lineup consists of vocalist Phil Anselmo, guitarist Pepper Keenan, guitarist Kirk Windstein, bassist Pat Bruders and drummer Jimmy Bower. Since their formation, Down has gone on hiatus twice...
, Superjoint Ritual
Superjoint Ritual
Superjoint Ritual was an American heavy metal band formed by Phil Anselmo, Joe Fazzio, and Jimmy Bower in the early 1990s, later to be joined by Hank Williams III, and Kevin Bond. Their style can be considered a mix of Pantera's style of groove metal and hardcore punk. A small trace of black metal...
) on an early side project Viking Crown
Viking Crown
Viking Crown was a side project started by Phil Anselmo in the mid 90's. The first Viking Crown release was an EP recorded in 1994 titled Unorthodox Steps of Ritual which featured Phil, credited as Anton Crowley, on guitar, bass, drums and vocals. The two later Viking Crown releases would feature...
. In November 2011 it was announced that Fafara was appearing on a track in Soulfly
Soulfly
Soulfly is a heavy metal band formed in 1997 based in Phoenix, Arizona. The original lyrical content revolved around spirituality and religious themes, with later albums encompassing other themes including war, violence, aggression, hatred and anger. Soulfly is led by former Sepultura frontman Max...
's upcoming 8th studio album.
Tattoos
Dez got his first tattoo at the age of 16. He has a large assortment of tattoos, including a tribal tattoo on his chin, a Nightmare Before ChristmasThe Nightmare Before Christmas
The Nightmare Before Christmas, often promoted as Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, is a 1993 stop motion musical fantasy film directed by Henry Selick and produced/co-written by Tim Burton. It tells the story of Jack Skellington, a being from "Halloween Town" who opens a portal to...
tattoo on his chest, the DevilDriver logo on his upper arm, and the Coal Chamber logo on his forearm. He also has a tattoo reading DEZ on his knuckles, similar to Ozzy Osbourne.