Brad Wilk was born on September 5, 1968, in Portland Oregon. He lived in Chicago during his childhood, and then later settled in Southern California. Wilk started to play the drums when he was 13 years old.
Wilk's success as the drummer of Rage Against the Machine came from the failure of a different band; he once auditioned for a band called Lock Up, who released one album (titled Something 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 contacted Wilk, who was playing with the band Greta, 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 Rage Against the Machine was born. After frequenting the L.A. club circuit, Rage Against the Machine signed a record deal with Epic Records in 1992. That same year, the band released their self titled debut. They achieved a phenomenal amount of mainstream success and released three more studio albums.
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 Rage Against the Machine was born. After frequenting the L.A. club circuit, Rage Against the Machine signed a record deal with Epic Records in 1992. That same year, the band released their self titled debut. They achieved a phenomenal amount of mainstream success and released three more studio albums.
Brad is probably the most well rounded member of the band, emotionally and socially speaking, and the least political. He was interested in playing with Rage more for the music than the politics, although his experience with the band's career was one of mutual education, and he certainly is politically conscious. His father died during the Lollapalooza tour in 1994, which was troubling for Brad. He'll never put alot of value on money, because his father was obsessed with it which caused him to never see what really mattered in life. Wilk moved around alot as a child with his father's changing jobs. He is most likely, the one of the band who cares alot about others feelings, not just his own. He says, "I just wish sometimes I could be a f**king asshole."
He is notorious for smoking marijuana, and, along with Tim, uses the herb to create one of the tightest rhythm sections of all time. One of the best things to do is watch Brad when he is high; Such as this photograph at the Grammys.
This is the drum that Brad ever played with :
Rage Against the Machine (1991–2000)
Premier Signia Marquis Drums and Zildjian Cymbals
- 12x9" Tom
- 16x16" Floor Tom
- 14x6.5 Tama Bell Brass Snare or 14x5.5" Pork Pie Snare
- 22x18" Bass Drum
- LP Cowbell (x2)
- 14" New Beat Hi-Hats
- 20" A Medium Ride
- 18" Z Custom Crash
- 19" A Custom Projection Crash
- 18" Zildjian China or 19" Zildjian Crash (Only used until 1995)
Gretsch USA Maple Custom Drums and Paiste Cymbals
- 12x10" Tom
- 16x16" Floor Tom
- 18x16" Floor Tom
- 14x6.5" Tama Bell Brass Snare
- 22x18" Bass Drum
- LP Cowbell
- 14" Paiste Signature Sound Edge Hi-Hats
- 18" Paiste Signature Power Crash
- 19" Paiste Signature Power Crash
- 19" Dimensions Power Crash
- 22" Paiste 2002 Ride
Rage Against The Machine (2007–present)
Gretsch USA Maple Custom Drums and Paiste Cymbals
- 12x10" Tom
- 16x16" Floor Tom
- 14x6.5" Tama Bell Brass Snare
- 22x18" Bass Drum
- LP Cowbell[x2]
- 14" Paiste Signature Sound Edge Hi-Hats
- 18" Paiste Signature Power Crash
- 19" Dimensions Power Crash
- 22" Paiste 2002 Ride
See Also :
