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Brad Wilk

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Brad Wilk
Wilk performing at Optimus Alive '08 in Lisbon, Portugal
Wilk performing at Optimus Alive '08 in Lisbon, Portugal
Background information
Born(1968-09-05)September 5, 1968(age 55)
Portland, Oregon,U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)Drummer
Years active1990–present
Labels
Formerly of

Bradley Joseph Wilk(born September 5, 1968)[1]is an American drummer. He is best known as a member of the rock bandsRage Against the Machine(1991–2000, 2007–2011, 2019–2024),Audioslave(2001–2007, 2017), andProphets of Rage(2016–2019).

Wilk started his career as a drummer forGretain 1990, and helped co-found Rage Against the Machine withTom MorelloandZack de la Rochain August 1991. Following that band's breakup in October 2000, Wilk, Morello, Rage Against the Machine bassistTim CommerfordandSoundgardenfrontmanChris Cornellformed the supergroup Audioslave, which broke up in 2007. From 2016 to 2019, he played in the band Prophets of Rage, with Commerford, Morello,Chuck D,B-RealandDJ Lord.He has played with Rage Against the Machine since their reunion.

Wilk has also performed drums on English metal bandBlack Sabbath's final album13,released in June 2013. He briefly played withPearl Jamshortly after the release of their debut albumTenand had previously been in the band Indian Style withEddie Vedder.[2]

Early life

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Wilk was born on September 6, 1968, inPortland, Oregon.[3]He was raised inChicago, Illinois,before his family settled inSouthern California.He started to play the drums when he was thirteen years old. He has citedJohn Bonham,Keith Moon,Neil Peart,andElvin Jonesas his greatest influences.[4]Wilk was a fan ofVan Halenin his youth.[5]

Career

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Rage Against the Machine (1991–2000, 2007–2011, 2019–2024)

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Wilk (second from right) with Rage Against the Machine in 2007

Wilk's success as the drummer ofRage Against the Machinecame from the failure of a different band; he once auditioned for a band calledLock Up,who released one album (titledSomething Bitchin' This Way Comes) through Geffen records in 1989 and broke up when the album received little media attention upon release. Former Lock Up guitaristTom Morellowas looking to pick up where Lock Up left off and start a new band, and contacted Wilk, who was playing with the bandGreta,to see if he was interested in playing the drums. A short while after, the duo metZack de la Rochawhile he was rapping freestyle in a club, and through him, bassistTim Commerford(a childhood friend of de la Rocha). The band played two shows in 1991, and spent 1992 frequenting the L. A. club circuit, during which they signed a record deal withEpic Records,and released theirself-titled debut albumthat November. They quickly achieved commercial success and would go on to release three more studio albums–Evil Empirein 1996,The Battle of Los Angelesin 1999, andRenegadesin 2000– before disbanding in October 2000.

Rage Against the Machine reunited to play at theCoachella Music FestivalinCoachella,California on January 22, 2007. On April 29, 2007, Rage Against the Machine reunited at the Coachella Music Festival (Rage Against the Machine reunion tour). The band played in front of an EZLN backdrop to the largest crowds of the festival. Initially thought to be a one-time event, the band played seven more shows that year in the United States (including their first non-festival concert in seven years at theAlpine Valley Music TheaterinEast Troy,Wisconsin), and in January 2008, they played their first shows outside of the U.S. as part of the Big Day Out Festival in Australia and New Zealand. The band continued to tour around the world, headlining many large festivals in Europe and the United States, including Lollapalooza in Chicago. After a brief South America tour in 2010, they created their own festival, LA Rising, which they headlined on July 30, 2011. In November 2012, they released aXX anniversary boxsetof their first album. In April 2014, Wilk indicated LA Rising would be Rage's final show.[6]

On November 1, 2019, it was reported that Rage Against the Machine would be reuniting a second time, and were to perform at the 2020Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festivalbefore it was canceled due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[7]On February 10, 2020, the band announced dates and locations for their worldwidePublic Service Announcement Tour,[8]which was postponed due to the pandemic.[9]On January 3, 2024 Wilk announced that the band will not be touring or playing live again.[1]Confirming the band had once again disbanded.

Audioslave (2001–2007, 2017)

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Wilk performing withAudioslaveat theMontreux Jazz Festivalin 2005

After de la Rocha left Rage Against the Machine in October 2000, the remaining members formedAudioslavewith formerSoundgardenfrontmanChris Cornell.[10]The band released theirself-titled debut albumin 2002. Their second album,Out of Exile,was released in 2005 and debuted at the number one position on theBillboard 200.[11]It was followed byRevelationsin 2006. Compared to Rage Against the Machine, the majority of Audioslave's music was apolitical. After several months of inactivity, Audioslave formally disbanded in February 2007 when Cornell left to focus on his solo career.[12]

Audioslave reunited for a single show in 2017.

Prophets of Rage (2016–2019)

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In 2016, Wilk reunited with Morello and Commerford, joiningChuck D,B-RealandDJ Lordto form the supergroupProphets of Rage.The band played original material as well as covers of songs byRage Against the Machine,Public EnemyandCypress Hill.Their debut tour was entitled "Make America Rage Again" to protestDonald Trump's policiesand the 2016 American presidential election.[13]

During its three years, the band released one EP in 2016,The Party's Over,[14]and oneeponymous full-length studio albumin 2017.[15]Prophets of Rage disbanded in 2019 with the confirmation of the2020 reunionof Rage Against the Machine.[16]

Other projects

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Wilk and bandmateTom Morellojoined withMaynard James KeenanofToolandBilly GouldofFaith No More—in a lineup that was billed as Shandi's Addiction—to record the song "Calling Dr. Love"for the 1994 Kiss tribute albumKiss My Ass: Classic Kiss Regrooved.Wilk and bandmate Tim Commerford contributed in Keenan's side projectPusciferand his album"V" Is for Vaginaon the track "Momma Sed". Wilk also contributed drums to rap groupCypress Hill's albumSkull and Bones.In addition, Wilk composed the song "Snoop Bounce (Roc N Roll Remix)" forSnoop Dogg'sDeath Row's Greatest HitsCD.

In 2005, Wilk played the lead role in the independent short movieSleeping Dogs Lieby writer Chumahan Bowen and director Stuart Lessner. The film also features Tool lead singer Maynard James Keenan as Deputy Lance. Wilk played drums onJosh Homme's tracks on the soundtrack toDangerous Lives of Altar Boys.Wilk performed live with Tom Morello's side project,Street Sweeper Social Club,at the 2010 Coachella music and arts festival. In 2013, Wilk and Commerford contributed drums and bass, respectively, forDave Grohl'sSound Citysoundtrack, on the song "Time Slowing Down". Wilk played several shows with theSound City Players.

Having established himself as a session musician, Wilk has also contributed drums on theBlack Sabbathalbum13,which was released in June 2013.[17]In late 2013, Wilk joined the bandThe Last Internationaleand recently recorded their debut album calledWe Will Reignwith producer Brendan O'Brien. The record was released in August 2014.[18]

To the end of 2014 until June 2015, Brad Wilk was playing drums on tour with theSmashing Pumpkinsalong withBilly Corgan,Jeff Schroederand alsoMark Stoermeron bass. On February 26, 2015, while touring Australia with the band, he joined theFoo Fighterson stage at Sydney's Olympic (ANZ) stadium playing drums for aVan HalencoverAin't Talkin' 'bout Love.On August 3, 2015, Wilk sat-in with The 8G Band onLate Night with Seth Meyers.[19]He's also been drumming forJuliette Lewison various tours and shows.

Personal life

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Wilk was diagnosed withtype 1 diabetesin 1997, and is active in raising money for diabetes awareness.[20]He has donated about $12,000 to the Orange County chapter of theJuvenile Diabetes Research Foundation(JDRF).[21]

Wilk developedOlade,a sugar-free lemonade, whichFood and Drug Administrationin 2009 approved as a non-dietary supplement.[22]

Wilk was married toSelene Vigil,whom he had two children with. She filed for divorce in 2013.[23]

Discography

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References

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  1. ^"Brad Wilk".December 11, 2023.
  2. ^Childers, Chad (July 27, 2018)."TOM MORELLO: 'IT'S A MIRACLE' RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE MADE FOUR ALBUMS".Loudwire.RetrievedJuly 27,2018.
  3. ^Larkin, Colin(2011).The Encyclopedia of Popular Music(5th concise ed.).Omnibus Press.p. 2163.ISBN978-0-85712-595-8.
  4. ^"Profile".Drummersrepublic.com. September 10, 2013. Archived fromthe originalon November 29, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 1,2014.
  5. ^"Brad Wilk on Prophets of Rage, Sabbath and Alex Van Halen's swing".MusicRadar.January 31, 2017.
  6. ^"RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE Drummer BRAD WILK Says Band May Have Already Played Its Last Show".Blabbermouth.net.April 30, 2014.RetrievedMarch 22,2021.
  7. ^Yoo, Noah (June 10, 2020)."Coachella 2020 Canceled Due to COVID-19".Pitchfork.RetrievedMarch 22,2021.
  8. ^Martoccio, Angie (February 10, 2020)."Rage Against the Machine Announce 2020 Tour".Rolling Stone.RetrievedMarch 22,2021.
  9. ^Kreps, Daniel (March 13, 2020)."Rage Against the Machine Postpone First Half of Reunion Tour Due to Coronavirus".Rolling Stone.RetrievedMarch 22,2021.
  10. ^Erlewine, Stephen Thomas."Audioslave – Audioslave".AllMusic.RetrievedMarch 22,2021.
  11. ^Harris, Chris (June 1, 2005)."Audioslave Rage To First Billboard #1".MTV.Archived fromthe originalon January 11, 2016.RetrievedMarch 22,2021.
  12. ^Harris, Chris (February 15, 2007)."Chris Cornell Talks Audioslave Split, Nixes Soundgarden Reunion".MTV.Archived fromthe originalon February 15, 2015.RetrievedMarch 22,2021.
  13. ^Petrusich, Amanda (June 9, 2016)."An Election-Year Supergroup to" Make America Rage Again "".The New Yorker.RetrievedMarch 22,2021.
  14. ^"PROPHETS OF RAGE To Release 'The Party's Over' Five-Song EP".Blabbermouth.net.August 15, 2016.RetrievedMarch 22,2021.
  15. ^Leight, Elias (June 1, 2017)."Prophets of Rage Prep Debut Album, Release Fiery, Michael Moore-Directed Video".Rolling Stone.RetrievedMarch 22,2021.
  16. ^"Rage Against the Machine Reunion Means Prophets of Rage Are Done".MetalSucks.November 2, 2019.RetrievedMarch 22,2021.
  17. ^"Black Sabbath: New Album Title Announced; Recording Drummer Revealed".Blabbermouth.net. January 12, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 12,2012.
  18. ^Archived atGhostarchiveand theWayback Machine:"The Last Internationale – Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Indian Blood – YouTube".YouTube.RetrievedSeptember 17,2014.
  19. ^Hoffman, Michael."This Week's 'Late Night with Seth Meyers' Guests: Miles Teller; Craig Robinson; Jason Segel".tvimpluse.com.RetrievedNovember 4,2015.
  20. ^Sistrunk, Jeff."Rock Drummer Brad Wilk on Type 1 and Touring | Diabetes Forecast Magazine".Forecast.diabetes.org. Archived fromthe originalon July 9, 2012.RetrievedOctober 31,2011.
  21. ^"Brad Wilk Biography".dLife. November 28, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon March 6, 2012.
  22. ^"ASW – Olade Juice Beverages".Artsupplywarehouse.com.April 17, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon February 3, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 1,2014.
  23. ^"Rage Against the Machine Drummer's Marriage Ended Because of Juliette Lewis Affair, Claims Wife".
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