Brad Wilk

Brad Wilk, (born September 5, 1968 in Portland, Oregon) is the drummer for the popular rock band Audioslave, and was the drummer of controversial hard rock band Rage Against the Machine until the band's break-up in 2000. He is influenced by Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham. Growing up, Brad watched money ruin his father and when his father died in 1994 Brad vowed not to put much meaning in material things.

Related Topics:
September 5 - 1968 - Portland, Oregon - Audioslave - Rage Against the Machine - 2000 - Led Zeppelin - John Bonham - 1994

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Brad's success as the drummer of Rage came from the failure of a different band; he once auditioned for a band called Lock Up, who released one album (titled Somethin' 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 called up Brad 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 RATM was born.

Related Topics:
Rage - Lock Up - Somethin' Bitchin' This Way Comes - 1989 - Tom Morello - Zack de la Rocha - Tim Commerford

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Brad has mentioned a weird connection to the number 3 throughout his life, and little 3's are plastered all over his drumkit. He also thanked the number 3 in the liner notes to the 1999 RATM release The Battle of Los Angeles, and even has a black-and-gray half-sleeve of the numeral 3 tattooed on his upper left arm. He also has a lion's head on his upper right arm.

Related Topics:
1999 - RATM - The Battle of Los Angeles

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Along with other fomer members of RATM, Brad is now a member of the band Audioslave Brad Wilk also played with Eddie Vedder, the frontman of Pearl Jam.

Related Topics:
RATM - Pearl Jam

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Brad Wilk uses:

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Gretsch Drums (with a finish by Pork Pie Percussion)

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Paiste Cymbals

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dw hardware

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Vic Firth Sticks

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Remo Heads

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He performed as an actor for the first time as star of Sleeping Dogs Lie with Maynard James Keenan and Ed Asner.

Related Topics:
Sleeping Dogs Lie - Maynard James Keenan - Ed Asner

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