Ray Luzier

Infobox musical artist
Name = Ray Luzier


Img_capt = Ray Luzier's instructional DVD
Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
Birth_name = Raymond Luzier
Born = 1970
Pennsylvania
Died =
Instrument = drums
Genre = Nu metal
Alternative metal
Industrial metal
Hard rock
Occupation = drummer
Years_active = 1990 - present
Label = Columbia Records
Associated_acts = Korn
Army of Anyone
David Lee Roth
The Nixons
The Hideous Sun Demons
URL = [http://www.korn.com www.korn.com]

Ray Luzier (born 1970 in Pennsylvania) is an American rock drummer. He was the drummer for Army of Anyone, a rock band composed of Filter frontman Richard Patrick and brothers Dean DeLeo and Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots. Since November 1, 2007, Ray has been the touring drummer for the nu-metal band Korn (according to the Musicians Institute website).

Career

Ray Luzier was raised in West Newton, Pennsylvania, a small town an hour outside of Pittsburgh. He began to play drums at the age of five, and although basically self-taught, participated in his high school jazz, concert, and marching bands. After his graduation 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 MI (1992–2001), where he taught rock-style drumming classes and private lessons.

Luzier is best known for his work with David Lee Roth, with whom 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 is available through Amazon.com and Hal Leonard Publishing Co.

In January 2006, Luzier appeared at the NAMM convention in Anaheim, California with Billy Sheehan and Toshi Hiktea. The DeLeo brothers of Stone Temple Pilots appeared at the same NAMM venue as part of an impromptu band put togehter by Steve Ferrone, the drummer for Tom Petty and Average White Band featuring, among others, Keb Mo, Brian Auger, and Alex Ligertwood. After seeing Luzier's performance, the DeLeo brothers invited Luzier to join the band Army of Anyone that they were putting together with vocalist Richard Patrick of the band Filter.

Luzier completed tracking for Tracy G's newest Goaded record in May 2007. [http://www.myspace.com/goaded] Beginning in late May 2007, Luzier and former DLR Band/Hideous Sun Demons guitarist Toshi Hiketa will embark on a two-week tour of Japan, performing various clinics at music schools. [http://www.myspace.com/hideoussundemons]

In 2007, drummer Joey Jordison's time with KoRn was coming to an end because his band Slipknot was preparing for the recording of a new studio album. Consequently, KoRn started looking for a new drummer. Having been a fan of Army Of Anyone, Jonathan Davis had mentioned to Luzier the possibility of working together. Luzier reportedly flew to Seattle to audition for Korn with Munky and Fieldy during a soundcheck for a show scheduled for that evening. KoRn invited Luzier to join the band after a very impressive audition.

Luzier played his first show with KoRn on January 13, 2008 in Dublin, IR and played throughout the bands Bitch We Have a Problem Tour. Currently the members of KoRn have taken a break to focus on different sideprojects, but are scheduled to record their ninth studio album together with Ray and their original producer Ross Robinson. Recently, Ray made UltimateRockGods.com's Artist Of The Month for July 2008. [http://www.ultimaterockgods.com/index.php?topic=3953.0]

Right now Ray helps out KoRn singer Jonathan Davis to record his solo record.

Kit setup

Ray's kit is often changed slightly to fit the style of the band or artist that he performs or records with. He is currently endorses ddrum, Sabian cymbals, Remo drumheads, Pro-mark Drumsticks, DW hardware and Factory Metal Percussion Cymbals. Listed is Ray's basic setup.

Drums
* 6x14" OCDP Modern Classic Snare
* 7x8" OCDP Rack Tom
* 14x14" OCDP Floor Tom
* 9x10" OCDP Rack Tom
* 10x12" OCDP Rack Tom
* 16x16" OCDP Floor Tom
* 22x20" OCDP Bass Drum

Cymbals:
* 18" Sabian AAXplosion Crash
* 10" Sabian AAXplosion Splash
* 18" Sabian AA Medium Crash
* 14" Sabian AA Regular or HHX Groove Hats
* 18" Sabian AA Chinese
* 14" Sabian Vault Chrash
* 21" Sabian AA Rock Ride
* 18" Sabian Evolution Ozone crash
* 18" Sabian HH medium Crash
* 12" Sabian Radia
* 10" Factory Metal Percissuion Celtic Bell
* 12" Factory Metal Percussion Cross Chrasherz

Percussion:
* LP Ridge Rider Cowbell

Drumheads:
* Toms: Remo Clear Emperor over Remo Clear Ambassador
* Bass: Remo Clear Powerstroke 3 over Remo Ebony Ambassador with OCDP logo

Drumsticks:
* Pro-Mark 5B Hickory Sticks

Despite the fact he endorses ddrum, he has been spotted playing Orange County Drums & Percussion (OCDP) drums.

Sponsors

* Sabian
* Ddrum
* Remo Drumheads
* Pro-Mark
* Factory metal percussion
* Orange County Drum & Percussion

Album credits

* 2009: "Korn's ninth studio album", KoRn
* 2008: Debut album, Jonathan Davis and the SFA
* 2008: Goaded "To Die is Gain"
* 2006: "Army Of Anyone", Army of Anyone
* 2005: Goaded "Goaded"
* 2003: David Lee Roth "Diamond Dave (album)"
* 2003: "Hideous Sun Demons"
* 2002: "Honky MoFo" (featuring Ricky Wolking)
* 2002: Tracy G "Deviating From the Setlist"
* 2001: Tracy G "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 G's "Driven"
* 1998: David Lee Roth "DLR Band"
* 1998: David Lee Roth "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. Lee
* 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: Concrete Foundations Forum Compilation
* 1992: Darren Housholder
* 1990: 9.0 "Too Far Gone"

Performed, toured, or recorded with

* Billy Sheehan (David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, Steve Vai)
* The Nixons
* John 5 (Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie)
* James LoMenzo (Black Label Society, Megadeth)
* Rafael Moreira (P!nk, Christina Aguilera)
* Slash (musician) (Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver)
* Seal (musician)
* Kirk Hammett (Metallica)
* Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society)
* Toshi Hiketa (David Lee Roth, The Hideous Sun Demons)
* Todd Jensen (Alice Cooper, David Lee Roth)
* Tracy G (Dio, WWIII)
* Jake E. Lee (Ozzy Osbourne, Badlands)
* KoRn
* Driven
* Zac Maloy
* Edgar Winter
* Goaded
* The Hideous Sun Demons
* Freak Power Ticket
* Coma
* Wicked Alliance
* Matt Kramer (Coma, Saigon Kick)
* Medicine Wheel
* The Howling Iguanas
* Tony Fredianelli (Third Eye Blind)
* Toby Knapp (Onward)
* Arcade (w/Stephen Pearcy)
* Ricky Wolking (Edgewater, The Nixons)
* Brian Young (David Lee Roth)
* Michael Lee Firkins
* Doug Aldrich
* George Lynch
* Mandy Lion (WW III, Wicked Alliance)
* Scott Bush (Dolt, The Nixons)
* Keisuke Nishimoto (HSD Japan, Kelly Simonz)
* Jeff Scott Soto (Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Soul Sirkus)
* Sean Dailey
* Darren Housholder
* The Boston Pops Orchestra

External links

* [http://www.rayluzier.com The Official Website of Ray Luzier]
* [http://www.armyofanyone.com Army Of Anyone's Official Website]
* [http://www.mi.edu Musician's Institute official website]
* [http://www.ocdrum.com Orange County Drum & Percussion]

References

* [http://www.rayluzier.com/bio.htm Ray Luzier biography]