Ray Luzier
Encyclopedia
Raymond Lee "Ray" Luzier (born June 14, 1970 in Pennsylvania
) is an American
drummer. He is currently the drummer of the band Korn
, becoming a full-time member of the band in April 2009.
, a small town an hour outside of Pittsburgh. He began to playing drums at age five, and although basically self-taught, he participated in high school jazz, concert, and marching bands. After graduating in 1988, Luzier moved to Hollywood, California
to pursue an education at the renowned Musicians Institute
. He graduated in 1989 with a degree from MI's Percussion Institute of Technology. Luzier later returned as an instructor at Musicians Institute (1992–2001), where he taught rock-style drumming classes and gave private lessons.
Luzier is well known for his work with David Lee Roth
, who he played drums for from 1997-2005. Luzier has also played with The Hideous Sun Demons, a progressive-rock/fusion trio formed with DLR bandmembers Toshi Hiketa (guitar) and James LoMenzo
(bass). In 2004, Luzier released an instructional DVD. It features a wide variety of lessons, including double-bass technique, drum fills, motion exercises, and warm-ups. It was released through Hal Leonard Publishing Co
.
In January 2006, Luzier appeared at the NAMM
in Anaheim, California
with Billy Sheehan
and Toshi Hiketa. Robert DeLeo
and Dean DeLeo
of Stone Temple Pilots
appeared at the same NAMM venue as part of an impromptu band put together by Steve Ferrone
. After seeing Luzier's performance, the DeLeo brothers invited Luzier to join Army of Anyone
, the band they were putting together with vocalist Richard Patrick
of the band Filter
.
In 2007, after original drummer David Silveria
had left (in 2006), Korn
hired many touring drummers including Joey Jordison
of Slipknot
.
Jordison left due to preparation for the recording of Slipknot's new album All Hope Is Gone. Consequently, Korn was then looking for a new drummer; and Luzier reportedly flew to Seattle to audition for Korn with Munky
and Fieldy
. When told to learn only five of their songs, Luzier learned thirty. After an amazing audition, Ray was immediately invited to join Korn.
Luzier played his first show with Korn
on January 13, 2008 in Dublin, Ireland and played with the band throughout 2008. Korn
recorded their ninth studio album together with Ray and their original producer Ross Robinson
. Korn frontman Jonathan Davis
revealed that Luzier is now an official member of the band. Ray made "UltimateRockGods" Artist Of The Month for July.
Luzier also played live with Stone Temple Pilots
for a couple of the band's shows on their reunion tour
in October filling in for drummer Eric Kretz
, who took time off due to the death of his father.
In November 2010, Ray played drums for the immensely popular Japanese band, Kat-Tun on their song 'Change UR World'. It was Kat-Tun's 13th number 1 single on the Oricon charts.
, Sabian cymbals, Remo
drumheads, DW
hardware, Pro-mark drumsticks, and Factory Metal Percussion Cymbals.
Drums: Pearl Drums
Reference Series Granite Sparkle
Cymbals:
Percussion:
Drumheads:
Drumsticks:
Hardware
Others:
Despite the fact he endorses Pearl, he has been spotted playing ddrum
and Orange County Drums & Percussion (OCDP), companies he has previously endorsed.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
drummer. He is currently the drummer of the band Korn
Korn
Korn is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The current band line up includes four members: Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, and Ray Luzier. The band was formed as an expansion of L.A.P.D.The band released their first demo album,...
, becoming a full-time member of the band in April 2009.
Life and career
Ray Luzier was raised in West Newton, PennsylvaniaWest Newton, Pennsylvania
West Newton, located southeast of Pittsburgh, is a borough in Westmoreland County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Formerly, the manufacture of radiators and boilers were the chief industries. In 1900, the people living there numbered 2,467. In 1910, 2,880 people lived there...
, a small town an hour outside of Pittsburgh. He began to playing drums at age five, and although basically self-taught, he participated in high school jazz, concert, and marching bands. After graduating in 1988, Luzier moved to Hollywood, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
to pursue an education at the renowned Musicians Institute
Musicians Institute
Musicians Institute is a privately owned for-profit music vocational school located in Hollywood, California. Although not a regionally accredited school, the school offers a variety of unaccredited Bachelor Degree, Associate Degree and Certificate programs in fields including contemporary music...
. He graduated in 1989 with a degree from MI's Percussion Institute of Technology. Luzier later returned as an instructor at Musicians Institute (1992–2001), where he taught rock-style drumming classes and gave private lessons.
Luzier is well known for his work with David Lee Roth
David Lee Roth
David Lee Roth is an American rock vocalist, songwriter, actor, author, and former radio personality. Roth was ranked nineteenth by Hit Parader on their list of the 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Singers of All Time....
, who he played drums for from 1997-2005. Luzier has also played with The Hideous Sun Demons, a progressive-rock/fusion trio formed with DLR bandmembers Toshi Hiketa (guitar) and James LoMenzo
James Lomenzo
James "JLo" LoMenzo is a metal bassist known for his roles as a former member of White Lion and Megadeth. He is also known for his work in Black Label Society .-Past bands and other works :...
(bass). In 2004, Luzier released an instructional DVD. It features a wide variety of lessons, including double-bass technique, drum fills, motion exercises, and warm-ups. It was released through Hal Leonard Publishing Co
Hal Leonard Publishing Co
Founded in 1947, Hal Leonard Corporation is the world’s largest music print publisher as well as the world’s largest educational music publisher, producing songbooks, sheet music, educational publications, reference books, DVDs, CD-ROMs, children’s music products and more...
.
In January 2006, Luzier appeared at the NAMM
NAMM Show
The NAMM Show is one of the largest music product trade shows in the world, founded in 1901. It is held every January in Anaheim, California, USA, at the Anaheim Convention Center...
in Anaheim, California
Anaheim, California
Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
with Billy Sheehan
Billy Sheehan
William "Billy" Sheehan is an American bassist known for his work with Talas, Steve Vai, David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, and Niacin. Sheehan has won the "Best Rock Bass Player" readers' poll from Guitar Player Magazine five times for his "lead bass" playing style...
and Toshi Hiketa. Robert DeLeo
Robert DeLeo
Robert Emile DeLeo is an American bass player, songwriter, and harmony vocalist for the rock band Stone Temple Pilots. He has also played in Talk Show and Army of Anyone...
and Dean DeLeo
Dean DeLeo
Dean DeLeo is an American guitarist for the rock band Stone Temple Pilots.He is also known for his role in the short-lived bands Talk Show and Army of Anyone, which featured his younger brother Robert DeLeo, Filter frontman Richard Patrick, and session drummer Ray Luzier...
of Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots is an American rock band from San Diego, California that consists of Scott Weiland , brothers Robert DeLeo and Dean DeLeo , and Eric Kretz ....
appeared at the same NAMM venue as part of an impromptu band put together by Steve Ferrone
Steve Ferrone
Steven "Steve" Ferrone is a British drummer.He was a member of the Average White Band, and has recorded and performed with numerous other high-profile acts, including Slash, Chaka Khan, Eric Clapton, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Scritti Politti...
. After seeing Luzier's performance, the DeLeo brothers invited Luzier to join Army of Anyone
Army of Anyone
Army of Anyone was a supergroup formed by Filter frontman Richard Patrick with two of the then-former members of rock band Stone Temple Pilots. In addition to Patrick on vocals, the band featured Dean DeLeo and Robert DeLeo on guitars and bass, respectively, and Ray Luzier on drums...
, the band they were putting together with vocalist Richard Patrick
Richard Patrick
Richard Patrick is an American rock musician. He is the frontman for the band Filter, a founding member of the supergroup Army of Anyone, and has served as a touring guitarist for Nine Inch Nails....
of the band Filter
Filter (band)
Filter is a rock group formed in 1993 in Cleveland by singer Richard Patrick and guitarist/programmer Brian Liesegang. Filter has released five studio albums, the most recent being The Trouble with Angels, which was released on August 17, 2010....
.
In 2007, after original drummer David Silveria
David Silveria
David Randall Silveria is a former-drummer, best known as the drummer for the band Korn from early 1993 until leaving the band in late 2006.-1993 to 2006: Korn:...
had left (in 2006), Korn
Korn
Korn is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The current band line up includes four members: Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, and Ray Luzier. The band was formed as an expansion of L.A.P.D.The band released their first demo album,...
hired many touring drummers including Joey Jordison
Joey Jordison
Joey Jordison , is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer, best known for his work as the drummer for the nu metal band Slipknot. He grew up in Waukee, Iowa with his parents and two sisters, and was given his first drum kit at the age of 8...
of 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...
.
Jordison left due to preparation for the recording of Slipknot's new album All Hope Is Gone. Consequently, Korn was then looking for a new drummer; and Luzier reportedly flew to Seattle to audition for Korn with Munky
James Shaffer
James Christian 'Munky' Shaffer is the guitarist for the nu metal band Korn . According to Korn's video "Who Then Now?", The nickname 'Munky' is a reference to his feet which resemble monkey's hands when spread...
and Fieldy
Reginald Arvizu
Reginald Quincy "Fieldy" Arvizu is the bassist for the nu metal band Korn, and guitarist for the hard rock band StillWell.-Musical career:...
. When told to learn only five of their songs, Luzier learned thirty. After an amazing audition, Ray was immediately invited to join Korn.
Luzier played his first show with Korn
Korn
Korn is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The current band line up includes four members: Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, and Ray Luzier. The band was formed as an expansion of L.A.P.D.The band released their first demo album,...
on January 13, 2008 in Dublin, Ireland and played with the band throughout 2008. Korn
Korn
Korn is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The current band line up includes four members: Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, and Ray Luzier. The band was formed as an expansion of L.A.P.D.The band released their first demo album,...
recorded their ninth studio album together with Ray and their original producer Ross Robinson
Ross Robinson
Ross Robinson, son of Byron Katie, is an American multi-platinum music producer, who has discovered successful acts such as Korn, At the Drive-In, Glassjaw, Repeater, Slipknot and Limp Bizkit. Robinson has also worked with Machine Head, Vanilla Ice, The Cure, Sepultura and many others...
. Korn frontman Jonathan Davis
Jonathan Davis
Jonathan Houseman Davis is the lead vocalist and frontman for the nu metal band Korn. Davis was ranked 16th on Hit Parader 's list of "Heavy Metal's All-Time Top 100 Vocalists".-Early life:...
revealed that Luzier is now an official member of the band. Ray made "UltimateRockGods" Artist Of The Month for July.
Luzier also played live with Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots is an American rock band from San Diego, California that consists of Scott Weiland , brothers Robert DeLeo and Dean DeLeo , and Eric Kretz ....
for a couple of the band's shows on their reunion tour
2008 Stone Temple Pilots Reunion Tour
The 2008 Stone Temple Pilots Reunion Tour was a 75-date reunion tour for the popular American rock band Stone Temple Pilots, who originally disbanded in 2003. The tour, which kicked off on May 17, 2008 in Columbus, Ohio at the Rock on the Range festival, ran throughout the summer and ended on...
in October filling in for drummer Eric Kretz
Eric Kretz
Eric Kretz is an American musician and producer, known as the drummer for the rock band Stone Temple Pilots, one of the most successful rock bands of the 1990s and early 2000s that reunited in 2008. He has also played for Talk Show, and most recently Spiralarms...
, who took time off due to the death of his father.
In November 2010, Ray played drums for the immensely popular Japanese band, Kat-Tun on their song 'Change UR World'. It was Kat-Tun's 13th number 1 single on the Oricon charts.
Equipment
Ray Luzier's kit is often changed slightly to fit the style of the artist he performs or records with. He currently endorses Pearl DrumsPearl 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...
, Sabian cymbals, Remo
Remo
Remo is a male given name of Latin origin - see Romulus and Remus.Remo may also refer to:* Remo, an American drum skin company* Remo , another name for the German wine grape Riesling* Remo language, a Panoan language of Brazil and Peru...
drumheads, DW
Drum Workshop
Drum Workshop is a drum and hardware manufacturing company based in Oxnard, California. Their slogan is "The Drummer's Choice".-History:...
hardware, Pro-mark drumsticks, and Factory Metal Percussion Cymbals.
Drums: Pearl Drums
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...
Reference Series Granite Sparkle
- 24x16" Bass Drum
- 24x16" Bass Drum
- 6.5x14" Snare
- 12x8" Tom
- 13x9" Tom
- 14x14" Floor Tom (mounted as gong drum)
- 16x16" Floor Tom (left)
- 18x16" Floor Tom
Cymbals:
- 18" Sabian AAXplosion Crash
- 16" Zildjian A Custom Projection Crash
- 18" Sabian AA Medium Crash
- 14" Sabian AA Regular or HHX Groove Hats
- 18" Sabian AAX Chinese
- 14" Sabian Vault Crash
- 21" Sabian AA Rock Ride
- 18" Sabian Evolution Ozone crash
- 18" Sabian HH medium Crash
- 12" Sabian Radia
- 10" Factory Metal Percussion Celtic Bell
- 12" Factory Metal Percussion Cross Chrasherz
Percussion:
- LP Ridge Rider Cowbell
Drumheads:
- Snare: Remo Coated Emperor X or Coated Emperor over Remo Ambassador Hazy
- Toms: Remo Clear Emperor over Remo Clear Ambassador
- Bass: Remo Clear Powerstroke 3 over Remo Ebony Ambassador with Korn logo
Drumsticks:
- Pro-MarkPro-MarkPro-Mark is a Houston, Texas-based American drumstick company owned by founder Herb Brochstein. It is a widely known stick company generally played in drum set, drum and bugle corps and concert bands.-History:...
TX757W Ray Luzier Autograph sticks
Hardware
- Drum WorkshopDrum WorkshopDrum Workshop is a drum and hardware manufacturing company based in Oxnard, California. Their slogan is "The Drummer's Choice".-History:...
9000 series pedals - DW Equipment
Others:
- Moongels
- YamahaYamahaYamaha 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...
Electronics
Despite the fact he endorses Pearl, he has been spotted playing ddrum
Ddrum
ddrum is a division of Armadillo Enterprises, Inc. that manufactures drums, percussion, and electronic drum triggers.-Acoustic drums:ddrum is a sister company to Dean guitars and produces drums that fall into one of several series, each following a motif of beginning with the letter "d" and grouped...
and Orange County Drums & Percussion (OCDP), companies he has previously endorsed.
Discography
- 2011: The Path to Totality, KornKornKorn is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The current band line up includes four members: Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, and Ray Luzier. The band was formed as an expansion of L.A.P.D.The band released their first demo album,...
- 2011: Debut studio album, Jonathan Davis and the SFAJonathan Davis and the SFAJonathan Davis and the SFA is the solo band of Korn frontman Jonathan Davis.-History:Jonathan Davis and the SFA went on their first tour in the United States in November 2007, and a European tour in May 2008. Their debut album is planned for a release sometime in 2011 and a North American tour is...
- 2010: Korn III: Remember Who You Are, KornKornKorn is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The current band line up includes four members: Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, and Ray Luzier. The band was formed as an expansion of L.A.P.D.The band released their first demo album,...
- 2010: Change Ur World - Kat-Tun with Ray on drums
- 2009: A Song for ChiA Song for Chi"A Song for Chi" is an instrumental alternative metal song recorded by several high profiled rock and metal musicians to raise money for poet and Deftones bassist Chi Cheng who was involved in a car accident in Santa Clara, CA, on November 4, 2008 which left Cheng in a coma, later it was revealed...
, Various artists - 2008: Billy Sheehan "Holy Cow"
- 2008: Repo! The Genetic OperaRepo! The Genetic OperaRepo! The Genetic Opera is a 2008 horror-rock opera musical film directed by Darren Lynn Bousman. The film is based on a play written and composed by Darren Smith and Terrance Zdunich....
Official Soundtrack - 2008: Nightmare RevisitedNightmare Revisited- Personnel :1. "Overture"2. "Opening"3. "This Is Halloween"4. "Jack's Lament"- Personnel :1. "Overture": Produced by DeVotchKa: Mixed by Greg Macrae2. "Opening": Produced by Danny Elfman: Narration recorded and mixed by Noah Snyder...
, (track 10 "Kidnap the Sandy Claws" (KornKornKorn is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The current band line up includes four members: Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, and Ray Luzier. The band was formed as an expansion of L.A.P.D.The band released their first demo album,...
) – 3:37) - 2008: Goaded "To Die is Gain"
- 2006: Billy Sheehan "Cosmic Troubadour"
- 2006: Army Of AnyoneArmy of Anyone (album)Army of Anyone was the debut and lone album by Army of Anyone, an American rock band featuring Richard Patrick of Filter, the DeLeo brothers from Stone Temple Pilots , and David Lee Roth's former drummer, Ray Luzier of KoRn. The album was released on November 14, 2006 in America, December 4, 2006...
, Army of AnyoneArmy of AnyoneArmy of Anyone was a supergroup formed by Filter frontman Richard Patrick with two of the then-former members of rock band Stone Temple Pilots. In addition to Patrick on vocals, the band featured Dean DeLeo and Robert DeLeo on guitars and bass, respectively, and Ray Luzier on drums... - 2005: Goaded "Goaded"
- 2003: Diamond DaveDiamond Dave (album)Diamond Dave is the sixth full-length studio album by David Lee Roth, vocalist of Van Halen. It was recorded at Henson Studios in Hollywood, California and released in 2003. It consists mostly of covers of classic rock and blues songs and has an overall laid back bluesy sound...
, David Lee RothDavid Lee RothDavid Lee Roth is an American rock vocalist, songwriter, actor, author, and former radio personality. Roth was ranked nineteenth by Hit Parader on their list of the 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Singers of All Time.... - 2003: "Hideous Sun Demons"
- 2002: "Honky MoFo" (featuring Ricky Wolking)
- 2002: Tracy GTracy GTracy G is an American heavy metal guitarist best known for his time with Dio from 1993 to 1999.His first band was with his father. It was called the Grijalva Brothers....
"Deviating From the Setlist" - 2001: Tracy GTracy GTracy G is an American heavy metal guitarist best known for his time with Dio from 1993 to 1999.His first band was with his father. It was called the Grijalva Brothers....
"Katt Gutt" - 2001: Zac Maloy Band
- 2001: Jason Becker Tribute CD
- 2001: Freak Power Ticket "Rock Hard Compilation"
- 2000: Driven 4 Song Promo Cd With Tracy G
- 1999: Tracy GTracy GTracy G is an American heavy metal guitarist best known for his time with Dio from 1993 to 1999.His first band was with his father. It was called the Grijalva Brothers....
's "Driven" - 1998: David Lee RothDavid Lee RothDavid Lee Roth is an American rock vocalist, songwriter, actor, author, and former radio personality. Roth was ranked nineteenth by Hit Parader on their list of the 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Singers of All Time....
"DLR Band" - 1998: David Lee RothDavid Lee RothDavid Lee Roth is an American rock vocalist, songwriter, actor, author, and former radio personality. Roth was ranked nineteenth by Hit Parader on their list of the 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Singers of All Time....
"Slam Dunk" single - 1998: Medicine Wheel "Small Talk"
- 1998: Mike Hartman "Black Glue"
- 1998: Freak Power Ticket
- 1997: Medicine Wheel "Immoral Fabric"
- 1996: Jeffology (Tribute to Jeff Beck) with Jake E. LeeJake E. LeeJakey Lou Williams , commonly known as Jake E. Lee, is an American guitarist best known for playing with Ozzy Osbourne in the mid-1980s and later in his own band Badlands.- Musical education :...
- 1995: Darren Housholder "Symphonic Aggression"
- 1994: Hard Rock Magazine Compilation CD. Band: Medicine Wheel
- 1994: Howling Iguanas
- 1994: Metal Edge Compilation "Best of L.A."
- 1994: Medicine Wheel "First Things First"
- 1993: T.J. Martell Foundation Benefit CD. Band: Ivory Tower
- 1993: Darren Housholder "Generator Man"
- 1993: Toby Knapp "Guitar Distortion"
- 1993: Tony Fredianelli "Breakneck Speed"
- 1993: Shrapnel Guitar Greats Compilation
- 1993: ConcreteConcrete MarketingConcrete Marketing is an independent marketing company based in New York, USA, founded by Bob Chiappardi and Walter O'Brien in 1984. is known mainly for its work with cutting edge rock and heavy metal, having amassed a client roster that features bands such as Metallica, Megadeth, Korn, Limp...
Foundations ForumFoundations ForumFoundations Forum was the first exclusively heavy metal music industry convention, held annually from 1988 - 1997 in Los Angeles. The convention was set up by Concrete Marketing who had in January 1988 created the first industry trade magazine for the heavy metal world - Foundations...
Compilation - 1992: Darren Housholder
- 1990: 9.0 "Too Far Gone"