Black Star Riders have announced the addition of new drummer Chad Szeliga. The former Breaking Benjamin and Black Label Society sticksman's appointment follows the departure of Jimmy DeGrasso last month.
Photo: Press.
By Eamon O'Neill On 5th May 2017.
Black Star Riders have announced the addition of new drummer Chad Szeliga. The former Breaking Benjamin and Black Label Society sticksman's appointment follows the departure of Jimmy DeGrasso last month.
Chad first came to the attention of front man Ricky Warwick, and guitarists Scott Gorham & Damon Johnson in 2012, when Thin Lizzy were touring North America with Judas Priest, and Black Label Society were also on the bill. Auditions were held in Los Angeles in April, with Chad chosen from a number of hopefuls to take up the drum stool position for Black Star Riders.
Commenting on the news, Ricky Warwick said; "I'm delighted to welcome Chad Szeliga to the Black Star Riders family. Chad is an amazing drummer, a great guy and will powerfully strengthen BSR's resolve going forward."
Scott Gorham meanwhile offered; "Just wanted to say that I'm really looking forward to getting up onto the stage with our new drummer Chad. This guy is one killer player. See you all on tour"
Damon Johnson added: “Chad is a monster musician and a quality human being. I couldn't be more excited to welcome him to our band and to show off his skills to Black Star Riders fans worldwide."
Speaking about his appointment, Chad said: “First, I'm so stoked for one to play with Scott Gorham, an iconic guitar player! Second, I can’t wait to play with Damon who is a bad ass on guitar. Lastly, I can't wait to jam with Robbie on bass and we all know who the star is... Ricky who can command a fantastic show and is an amazing front man. Let’s light them up boys!”
Chad joins Black Star Riders in time for the start their summer European Tour in Dusseldorf on May 24th. 2017. A full list of dates can be viewed below.
Black Star Riders 2017 European Tour Dates:
May 24, Wednesday Dusseldorf, Germany - Mitsubishi-Electric Hall
May 25, Thursday Frankfurt, Germany - Jahrhunderthalle
May 27, Saturday Jelling, Denmark - Jelling Festival
May 28, Sunday Berlin, Germany - Tempodrome
May 29, Monday Dresden, Germany - Junge Garde
May 30, Tuesday Leipzig, Germany - Parkbuhne
May 31, Wednesday Nuremberg, Germany – Hirsch
June 1, Thursday Leiden, Holland - Nobel
June 2, Friday Rostock, Germany - Messehalle
June 3, Saturday Hamburg, Germany - Mehr Theater
June 5, Monday Gothenburg, Sweden - Pustervik
June 7, Wednesday Solvesborg, Sweden - Sweden Rock Festival
June 10, Saturday Twistringen, Germany - Ziegelei Open Air
June 16, Friday Dessel, Belgium - Graspop Festival
June 17, Saturday Nickelsdorf, Austria - Nova Rock Festival
June 18, Sunday Clisson, France – Hellfest
June 21, Wednesday Freiburg, Germany - Jazzhouse
June 23, Friday Copenhagen, Denmark - Copenhell Festival
June 24, Saturday Fredrikstag, Norway - Tons of Rock Festival
June 25, Sunday Hinwil, Switzerland - Rock the Ring Festival
July 2, Sunday Barcelona, Spain - Barcelona RockFest 2017
July 8, Saturday Weert, Holland - Bospop Festival
July 23, Sunday Stuttgart, Germany - Winterbach Festival
July 29, Saturday Maidstone, U.K. - Ramblin’ Man Fair
Black Star Riders have announced the addition of new drummer Chad Szeliga. The former Breaking Benjamin and Black Label Society sticksman's appointment follows the departure of Jimmy DeGrasso last month.
Chad first came to the attention of front man Ricky Warwick, and guitarists Scott Gorham & Damon Johnson in 2012, when Thin Lizzy were touring North America with Judas Priest, and Black Label Society were also on the bill. Auditions were held in Los Angeles in April, with Chad chosen from a number of hopefuls to take up the drum stool position for Black Star Riders.
Commenting on the news, Ricky Warwick said; "I'm delighted to welcome Chad Szeliga to the Black Star Riders family. Chad is an amazing drummer, a great guy and will powerfully strengthen BSR's resolve going forward."
Scott Gorham meanwhile offered; "Just wanted to say that I'm really looking forward to getting up onto the stage with our new drummer Chad. This guy is one killer player. See you all on tour"
Damon Johnson added: “Chad is a monster musician and a quality human being. I couldn't be more excited to welcome him to our band and to show off his skills to Black Star Riders fans worldwide."
Speaking about his appointment, Chad said: “First, I'm so stoked for one to play with Scott Gorham, an iconic guitar player! Second, I can’t wait to play with Damon who is a bad ass on guitar. Lastly, I can't wait to jam with Robbie on bass and we all know who the star is... Ricky who can command a fantastic show and is an amazing front man. Let’s light them up boys!”
Chad joins Black Star Riders in time for the start their summer European Tour in Dusseldorf on May 24th. 2017. A full list of dates can be viewed below.
Black Star Riders 2017 European Tour Dates:
May 24, Wednesday Dusseldorf, Germany - Mitsubishi-Electric Hall
May 25, Thursday Frankfurt, Germany - Jahrhunderthalle
May 27, Saturday Jelling, Denmark - Jelling Festival
May 28, Sunday Berlin, Germany - Tempodrome
May 29, Monday Dresden, Germany - Junge Garde
May 30, Tuesday Leipzig, Germany - Parkbuhne
May 31, Wednesday Nuremberg, Germany – Hirsch
June 1, Thursday Leiden, Holland - Nobel
June 2, Friday Rostock, Germany - Messehalle
June 3, Saturday Hamburg, Germany - Mehr Theater
June 5, Monday Gothenburg, Sweden - Pustervik
June 7, Wednesday Solvesborg, Sweden - Sweden Rock Festival
June 10, Saturday Twistringen, Germany - Ziegelei Open Air
June 16, Friday Dessel, Belgium - Graspop Festival
June 17, Saturday Nickelsdorf, Austria - Nova Rock Festival
June 18, Sunday Clisson, France – Hellfest
June 21, Wednesday Freiburg, Germany - Jazzhouse
June 23, Friday Copenhagen, Denmark - Copenhell Festival
June 24, Saturday Fredrikstag, Norway - Tons of Rock Festival
June 25, Sunday Hinwil, Switzerland - Rock the Ring Festival
July 2, Sunday Barcelona, Spain - Barcelona RockFest 2017
July 8, Saturday Weert, Holland - Bospop Festival
July 23, Sunday Stuttgart, Germany - Winterbach Festival
July 29, Saturday Maidstone, U.K. - Ramblin’ Man Fair
