William Goldsmith
Encyclopedia
William Goldsmith is an American
drummer
best known for being the drummer of the popular Seattle Alternative
band Sunny Day Real Estate
and for his tenure as the drummer of the alternative rock
band Foo Fighters
. Currently drumming for Brawley Banks and a reunited Sunny Day Real Estate, he has toured with Mike Watt
, IQU, and has recorded and played live with many other bands and artists.
of the Who
as his biggest influence.
and Dan Hoerner
on guitar and vocals. The band soon recruited Jeremy Enigk
, a high school friend of Goldsmith's as their new frontman. They recorded two studio albums, both released on the well-known independent label Sub Pop
, that were greeted with positive critical reviews and brought about newfound popularity for the emo genre before they disbanded in 1995.
member Dave Grohl
's new band, Foo Fighters, along with former Germs guitarist Pat Smear
. In 1995, they embarked on a tour in support of the band's already-released debut album
(Grohl had recorded nearly all instruments for the album by himself). The album was a massive hit, spawning five hit singles.
After touring through the spring of 1996, the full lineup entered a Seattle studio with producer Gil Norton
to record the band's second album. With the sessions nearly complete, Grohl took the rough mixes with him on a trip home to Virginia. While there, Grohl realized that he wasn't happy with how the mixes were turning out, and began demoing newer songs by himself at a studio in Washington, DC. "Everlong
" and "Walking After You" were recorded by Grohl with him playing all instruments, and this version of "Walking After You" was the one used for the album. The band regrouped in Los Angeles in February 1997 and almost completely re-recorded the album, this time with Grohl on drums, not telling Goldsmith about the session at all. Goldsmith later found out through bassist Mendel. Feeling betrayed and suffering the onset of carpal tunnel syndrome
, he decided to leave the band soon thereafter; he was replaced on drums by Taylor Hawkins
. The finished album, The Colour and the Shape
, was released on May 20, 1997.
As a result of this, Goldsmith actually recorded little material that would be released by Foo Fighters in spite of being a member of the band from 1995 through 1997. Most of what little material he recorded with them was discarded. In fact, he can only be heard on three tracks from The Colour and the Shape: "Doll", "Up in Arms" (the slow beginning), and the verses of "My Poor Brain". Additionally, he also played on "Dear Lover", the song "The Colour and the Shape", and the Gary Numan
cover "Down in the Park
", as well as on various live bootlegs and demos.
. While Goldsmith, who had by this time left Foo Fighters, took part in the reunion, Mendel remained with Foo Fighters. Goldsmith also drummed with Sunny Day Real Estate on their subsequent live album, which was their last recording for Sub Pop, and their 2000 studio album The Rising Tide (for Time Bomb Recordings
). After completing an extensive tour of the United States, the band hoped to tour Europe for the first time, but Time Bomb could not afford to support such a tour; the label soon ceased operations, resulting in the band's 2001 breakup.
with original Sunny Day bassist Nate Mendel
. An album and tour followed.
Around the same time, Goldsmith joined guitarist Billy Dolan, who had played on the Fire Theft album and tour, for a project called Varicocele. The band recorded about 30 songs, and presented them to Jonathan Poneman at Sub Pop, who declined to release them.
In 2008, Goldsmith formed Brawley Banks with Justin Schwartz and Jorum Young from Cobra High. In 2009 they played their first show.
In June 2009, it was confirmed that Sunny Day Real Estate
would be reuniting once again with the original line-up. A tour began later that year. In early 2010, guitarist Dan Hoerner stated that a new album is in the works.
drum kit with Zildjian cymbals. His exact setup was as follows:
He has also played with DW
, Yamaha
, Pearl
, Slingerland
, and Vistalite kits.
During the Fire Theft tour, he played with a massive 30" Zildjian K ride.
(1994–95; 98; 99-00)
Jeremy Enigk
Foo Fighters
Mary Lou Lord
Replikants
The Fire Theft
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
best known for being the drummer of the popular Seattle Alternative
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band Sunny Day Real Estate
Sunny Day Real Estate
Sunny Day Real Estate is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington. In the 1990s, the group expanded upon the grunge style that was popular in the local scene to make a more melodic sound. While not the first band to be classified as emo, they were instrumental in establishing the genre. In...
and for his tenure as the drummer of the alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters is an American alternative rock band originally formed in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the dissolution of his previous band. The band got its name from the UFOs and various aerial phenomena that were reported by Allied aircraft pilots in World War...
. Currently drumming for Brawley Banks and a reunited Sunny Day Real Estate, he has toured with Mike Watt
Mike Watt
Michael David Watt is an American bassist, singer and songwriter.He is best known for co-founding the rock bands Minutemen, dos, and Firehose; , he is also the bassist for the reunited Stooges and a member of the art rock/jazz/punk/improv group Banyan as well as many other post-Minutemen...
, IQU, and has recorded and played live with many other bands and artists.
Early years
Goldsmith was born in Seattle, Washington to Hugh and Skitty Goldsmith. He began playing drums as a child, citing Keith MoonKeith Moon
Keith John Moon was an English musician, best known for being the drummer of the English rock group The Who. He gained acclaim for his exuberant and innovative drumming style, and notoriety for his eccentric and often self-destructive behaviour, earning him the nickname "Moon the Loon". Moon...
of the Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
as his biggest influence.
Sunny Day Real Estate (1992-1995)
In 1992, Goldsmith founded the band Sunny Day Real Estate in Seattle with bassist Nate MendelNate Mendel
Nathan Gregor "Nate" Mendel is an American bassist for the bands Foo Fighters, The Jealous Sound, Sunny Day Real Estate, and The Fire Theft.-Biography:...
and Dan Hoerner
Dan Hoerner
Dan Hoerner is the guitarist and former lead vocalist for the band Sunny Day Real Estate. However, the band was not yet named Sunny Day Real Estate at the time he was lead vocalist....
on guitar and vocals. The band soon recruited Jeremy Enigk
Jeremy Enigk
Jeremy Enigk is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist known for being the front man of the Seattle band Sunny Day Real Estate.-Biography:...
, a high school friend of Goldsmith's as their new frontman. They recorded two studio albums, both released on the well-known independent label Sub Pop
Sub Pop
Sub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene...
, that were greeted with positive critical reviews and brought about newfound popularity for the emo genre before they disbanded in 1995.
Foo Fighters (1995-1997)
Goldsmith and Mendel then joined former NirvanaNirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
member Dave Grohl
Dave Grohl
David Eric "Dave" Grohl is an American rock musician, multi-instrumentalist, and singer-songwriter who is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter for Foo Fighters; the former drummer for Nirvana and Scream; and the current drummer for Them Crooked Vultures...
's new band, Foo Fighters, along with former Germs guitarist Pat Smear
Pat Smear
Pat Smear is a rock musician who has been a guitarist in several well-known bands including The Germs and Nirvana. He is currently a guitarist for the Foo Fighters...
. In 1995, they embarked on a tour in support of the band's already-released debut album
Foo Fighters (album)
Foo Fighters is the debut album by the Foo Fighters. At the time, the only official member of the Foo Fighters was Dave Grohl, who wrote and recorded the entire album himself at Robert Lang Studios in Seattle, Washington in 1994, prior to organizing the band...
(Grohl had recorded nearly all instruments for the album by himself). The album was a massive hit, spawning five hit singles.
After touring through the spring of 1996, the full lineup entered a Seattle studio with producer Gil Norton
Gil Norton
Gil Norton is a British record producer known for his work with such bands as Pixies, Echo & the Bunnymen, Foo Fighters, Tribe, Jimmy Eat World, Dashboard Confessional, Feeder, The Distillers, Maxïmo Park, Counting Crows, Terrorvision, The Triffids, Del Amitri, James, The Feelers, The Beekeepers,...
to record the band's second album. With the sessions nearly complete, Grohl took the rough mixes with him on a trip home to Virginia. While there, Grohl realized that he wasn't happy with how the mixes were turning out, and began demoing newer songs by himself at a studio in Washington, DC. "Everlong
Everlong
"Everlong" is the second single released from the Foo Fighters' second album The Colour and the Shape, released in 1997. The song was conceived when Dave Grohl returned home to Washington, DC following the initial recording sessions for the album...
" and "Walking After You" were recorded by Grohl with him playing all instruments, and this version of "Walking After You" was the one used for the album. The band regrouped in Los Angeles in February 1997 and almost completely re-recorded the album, this time with Grohl on drums, not telling Goldsmith about the session at all. Goldsmith later found out through bassist Mendel. Feeling betrayed and suffering the onset of carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is an entrapment idiopathic median neuropathy, causing paresthesia, pain, and other symptoms in the distribution of the median nerve due to its compression at the wrist in the carpal tunnel. The pathophysiology is not completely understood but can be considered compression...
, he decided to leave the band soon thereafter; he was replaced on drums by Taylor Hawkins
Taylor Hawkins
Oliver Taylor Hawkins is an American musician, best known as the drummer of the rock band Foo Fighters....
. The finished album, The Colour and the Shape
The Colour and the Shape
-Track information:DollGrohl stated that is "basically a song about being afraid to enter into something you're not prepared for."Monkey WrenchGrohl stated that it was "a song about realising that you are the source of all of the problems in a relationship and you love the other person so much, you...
, was released on May 20, 1997.
As a result of this, Goldsmith actually recorded little material that would be released by Foo Fighters in spite of being a member of the band from 1995 through 1997. Most of what little material he recorded with them was discarded. In fact, he can only be heard on three tracks from The Colour and the Shape: "Doll", "Up in Arms" (the slow beginning), and the verses of "My Poor Brain". Additionally, he also played on "Dear Lover", the song "The Colour and the Shape", and the Gary Numan
Gary Numan
Gary Numan is an English singer, composer, and musician, most widely known for his chart-topping 1979 hits "Are 'Friends' Electric?" and "Cars". His signature sound consisted of heavy synthesizer hooks fed through guitar effects pedals.Numan is considered a pioneer of commercial electronic music...
cover "Down in the Park
Down in the Park
"Down in the Park" is a 1979 single written and recorded by Gary Numan with his band Tubeway Army. The first cut from the album Replicas, it was not a hit when released but has long been a critical and fan favourite and for many years was described by Numan as his best composition.-Style:Like the...
", as well as on various live bootlegs and demos.
Back with Sunny Day Real Estate (1997-2001)
In 1997, Sub Pop had approached Hoerner and Enigk about releasing a compilation of Sunny Day Real Estate rarities. Instead, the band decided to reunite and release a new studio album, 1998's How It Feels To Be Something OnHow It Feels to Be Something On
How It Feels to Be Something On is the third studio album by American alternative rock band Sunny Day Real Estate, and the first since their 1997 comeback. It was released September 8th, 1998...
. While Goldsmith, who had by this time left Foo Fighters, took part in the reunion, Mendel remained with Foo Fighters. Goldsmith also drummed with Sunny Day Real Estate on their subsequent live album, which was their last recording for Sub Pop, and their 2000 studio album The Rising Tide (for Time Bomb Recordings
Time Bomb Recordings
Time Bomb Recordings is a Laguna Beach, California based record label founded by Social Distortion manager Jim Guerinot in a 1994 joint-venture agreement with Arista Records...
). After completing an extensive tour of the United States, the band hoped to tour Europe for the first time, but Time Bomb could not afford to support such a tour; the label soon ceased operations, resulting in the band's 2001 breakup.
After Sunny Day Real Estate, other projects, and reunion (2001-present)
After Sunny Day Real Estate disbanded for a second time, Goldsmith and Enigk formed The Fire TheftThe Fire Theft
The Fire Theft is an indie rock band from Seattle, Washington. It was formed in 2001 by vocalist/guitarist Jeremy Enigk, bassist Nate Mendel, and drummer William Goldsmith, all of whom were previously members of Sunny Day Real Estate...
with original Sunny Day bassist Nate Mendel
Nate Mendel
Nathan Gregor "Nate" Mendel is an American bassist for the bands Foo Fighters, The Jealous Sound, Sunny Day Real Estate, and The Fire Theft.-Biography:...
. An album and tour followed.
Around the same time, Goldsmith joined guitarist Billy Dolan, who had played on the Fire Theft album and tour, for a project called Varicocele. The band recorded about 30 songs, and presented them to Jonathan Poneman at Sub Pop, who declined to release them.
In 2008, Goldsmith formed Brawley Banks with Justin Schwartz and Jorum Young from Cobra High. In 2009 they played their first show.
In June 2009, it was confirmed that Sunny Day Real Estate
Sunny Day Real Estate
Sunny Day Real Estate is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington. In the 1990s, the group expanded upon the grunge style that was popular in the local scene to make a more melodic sound. While not the first band to be classified as emo, they were instrumental in establishing the genre. In...
would be reuniting once again with the original line-up. A tour began later that year. In early 2010, guitarist Dan Hoerner stated that a new album is in the works.
Equipment
During the bulk of his time with Sunny Day Real Estate and Foo Fighters, William played an AyotteAyotte Drums
Ayotte Drums is a custom drum company based in Bedford, Quebec, Canada. It was founded in 1982 in Vancouver, BC by Ray Ayotte, who was forced out of the company after losing majority control to his investors. Ayotte is especially well-known for their use of wooden drum hoops, instead of diecast...
drum kit with Zildjian cymbals. His exact setup was as follows:
Cymbals
- 15" Zildjian A Rock Hi-Hat
- 20" Zildjian K Crash/Ride
- 22" Zildjian A Crash/Ride
- 24" Zildjian A Medium Ride
He has also played with DW
Drum Workshop
Drum Workshop is a drum and hardware manufacturing company based in Oxnard, California. Their slogan is "The Drummer's Choice".-History:...
, Yamaha
Yamaha
Yamaha may refer to:* Yamaha Corporation, a Japanese company with a wide range of products and services** Yamaha Motor Company, a Japanese motorized vehicle-producing company...
, Pearl
Pearl Drums
Founded in 1952, the is a multinational corporation based in Japan with a wide range of products, predominately percussion instruments.-History:Pearl was founded by Katsumi Yanagisawa, who began manufacturing music stands in Sumida, Tokyo on April 2, 1946...
, Slingerland
Slingerland Drum Company
-History:The Slingerland Drum Company is a historic drum company that is linked to the rich history of jazz drumming. The company was founded by Henry Heanon "H.H." Slingerland in 1912. Slingerland had won a correspondence school of music in a card game aboard one of the gaming boats that once...
, and Vistalite kits.
During the Fire Theft tour, he played with a massive 30" Zildjian K ride.
Discography
Sunny Day Real EstateSunny Day Real Estate
Sunny Day Real Estate is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington. In the 1990s, the group expanded upon the grunge style that was popular in the local scene to make a more melodic sound. While not the first band to be classified as emo, they were instrumental in establishing the genre. In...
(1994–95; 98; 99-00)
- Diary (1994)
- Sunny Day Real EstateSunny Day Real Estate (album)Sunny Day Real Estate is the second studio album by emo band Sunny Day Real Estate. The band's label, Sub Pop, distributed the album under the title LP2....
(1995) (also known as LP2 or The Pink Album) - How It Feels to Be Something OnHow It Feels to Be Something OnHow It Feels to Be Something On is the third studio album by American alternative rock band Sunny Day Real Estate, and the first since their 1997 comeback. It was released September 8th, 1998...
(1998) - LiveLive (Sunny Day Real Estate album)Live is a live album by American emo band Sunny Day Real Estate. A set list from the How it Feels to Be Something On tour, it was recorded on May 26, 1999, in Eugene, OR and released in the same year through Sub Pop...
(1999) - The Rising Tide (2000)
Jeremy Enigk
Jeremy Enigk
Jeremy Enigk is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist known for being the front man of the Seattle band Sunny Day Real Estate.-Biography:...
- Return of the Frog QueenReturn of the Frog QueenReturn of the Frog Queen is a solo album recorded by Jeremy Enigk while on hiatus from his post as singer of Sunny Day Real Estate. It was recorded with a 21-piece orchestra and released in 1996...
(1996) (plays drums on "Abegail Anne")
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters is an American alternative rock band originally formed in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the dissolution of his previous band. The band got its name from the UFOs and various aerial phenomena that were reported by Allied aircraft pilots in World War...
- The Colour and the ShapeThe Colour and the Shape-Track information:DollGrohl stated that is "basically a song about being afraid to enter into something you're not prepared for."Monkey WrenchGrohl stated that it was "a song about realising that you are the source of all of the problems in a relationship and you love the other person so much, you...
(1997) – (plays drums on "Doll", "Up in Arms" (credited only for slow intro), verses of "My Poor Brain" (uncredited), "The Colour and the Shape", and "Down In The Park" (10th Anniversary Edition) (uncredited))
Mary Lou Lord
Mary Lou Lord
Mary Lou Lord is an indie folk musician, busker and recording artist.-Biography:Mary Lou Lord first gained notice playing acoustic guitar and singing in and around Boston's subway stations Lord became friends with...
- Got No ShadowGot No ShadowGot No Shadow is an album by Mary Lou Lord, released in early 1998."His Lamest Flame" is a reference to the Elvis Presley song " His Latest Flame"....
(1998) (plays drums on "Subway")
Replikants
- Slickaphonics (1999)
The Fire Theft
The Fire Theft
The Fire Theft is an indie rock band from Seattle, Washington. It was formed in 2001 by vocalist/guitarist Jeremy Enigk, bassist Nate Mendel, and drummer William Goldsmith, all of whom were previously members of Sunny Day Real Estate...
- The Fire TheftThe Fire Theft (album)The Fire Theft is the self titled, debut album of Seattle, Washington band, The Fire Theft. This album was released September 23, 2003 through the independent label Rykodisc.-Track listing:# "Uncle Mountain" - 4:03# "Waste Time Segue" - 1:02...
(2003)