Chad Szeliga

Chad Szeliga (born December 11, 1976) is an American drummer and percussionist from Elyria, Ohio. Formerly the drummer of Breaking Benjamin, he joined Black Label Society in 2013, replacing Mike Froedge.[1] In 2017, Szeliga replaced Jimmy DeGrasso in Black Star Riders. Szeliga looks up to Vinnie Colaiuta, John Bonham, Steve Gadd, Dennis Chambers, Tony Williams, Manu Katche, Stewart Copeland and Neil Peart as his main influences.

Chad Szeliga
Szeliga performing with Black Star Riders at Nova Rock 2017
Background information
Born (1976-12-11) December 11, 1976
Genres
Occupation(s)Musician
Instruments
  • Drums
  • percussion
Years active1999–present
LabelsHollywood
Associated acts

Breaking Benjamin

While with Another Path, Szeliga recorded an audition video for Breaking Benjamin playing drums for the song "So Cold".[2] 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 Burnley reviewed the tape, the band decided he was the right guy for the job.[3] 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.[4]

Szeliga left Breaking Benjamin in April 2013 due to creative differences and notified his fans via a Facebook post on April 22, 2013. He went on to drum with Black Label Society until 2014 and also recorded and toured briefly with Scott Stapp.

On 5 May 2017, Szeliga was announced as the new drummer for Black Star Riders, replacing Jimmy DeGrasso.[5]

In 2018, Szeliga announced the start of a new project, Walking with Lions, in collaboration with guitarist Kevin Hicklin of 3 By Design. In 2020, it was announced that Szeliga had joined rock act Weapons of Anew sometime after the release of their debut album, replacing Chris Manfre.

Equipment

[6]

As of July 2020, Szeliga endorses Tama Drums, Evans drumheads, Paiste cymbals, and Vic Firth drumsticks. He uses a new line of tama S.L.P Dymanic Kapur kit and has a tendency to put the mid rack tom to the left of his kit preceding the high rack tom, claiming that it encourages him to be more creative with his fills. His previous endorsements were Yamaha Drums, DW Drums, Vater drumsticks Remo drumheads and Zildjian cymbals.

Discography

With Breaking Benjamin

With Black Label Society

With Switched

With Forever Oeuvre

  • EP Unfinished (2008)

With Casey Honig

  • Tragic Uprise EP (2016)[7]

With Black Star Riders

References
  1. "BLACK LABEL SOCIETY Recruits BREAKING BENJAMIN Drummer". Blabbermouth.net. September 14, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
  2. "Chad Szeliga Video Audition for Breaking Benjamin So Cold Elyria Ohio". YouTube. Retrieved 2011-10-29.
  3. "Breaking Benjamin Underground". The Shallow Bay. Archived from the original on 2007-11-10. Retrieved 2011-10-29.
  4. "Breaking Benjamin – Chad Szeliga". Archived from the original on 2009-03-27. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
  5. "Black Star Riders joined by ex-Black Label Society drummer Chad Szeliga". Blabbermouth. 5 May 2017.
  6. "Chad Szeliga July 28, 2020". facebook.com. 2020-07-28. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  7. Casey Honig - Tragic Uprise - Amazon.com Music
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