Tony Hajjar

Infobox musical artist
Name = Tony Hajjar

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Img_capt = Tony Hajjar in 2006
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Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
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Born = August 17, 1974
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Origin = Beirut, Lebanon
Instrument = drum kit Samplers
Genre = Post-hardcore Alternative rock Electronica
Occupation = Drummer
Years_active = 1997-Present
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Associated_acts = Sparta At the Drive-In Nakia
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Tony Hajjar (born Tony Hajjar August 17 1974 in Beirut, Lebanon) is the drummer for two well-known bands, At the Drive-In and Sparta.

Playing style

Tony is an aggressive drummer, giving spectacular spasmodic displays regardless of the song being performed. On one occasion, he broke a snare head just halfway through the first song of a set.

Biography

During breaks in At the Drive-In's touring schedule, Hajjar taught chemistry.

After At the Drive-In, he co-started the band Sparta, which he is with to this day. He has also helped with some other bands, like Jimmy Eat World's "Disintegration" off their EP "Stay On My Side Tonight"

He, like former bandmate Paul Hinojos, cites Metallica's album Master of Puppets as being most influential on him as a musician.

Tony uses Tama drums, Zildjian cymbals, and Vater drumsticks

Tony also has a musical side project called "Nakia".

More recently (2006) Tony Hajjar is releasing a 16-minute short film entitled "Eme Nakia" as part of a special edition of Sparta's new album, Threes. The movie is about Tony's remarkable personal history during the Lebanese civil war of 1975-1990. He fled at the age of 5 to the United States, settling in the sprawling west Texas border town of El Paso. When Hajjar was fourteen his mother died after a bout with cancer and his father, who had been distant, left the family. His brother, only 18 years old at the time, assumed responsibility for the family and raised Tony and his sister. The film follows Hajjar's early life story, showing his challenges and ending with him in the present day.

The word "Eme" means Mother in Arabic, and "Nakia" was the name of Tony's mother.

Discography

With At the Drive-In

* El Gran Orgo (1997)
* In/Casino/Out (1998)
* Vaya (1999)
* Relationship of Command (2000)
* This Station Is Non-Operational (2005)

With Sparta

* Austere (2002)
* Wiretap Scars (2002)
* Live at La Zona Rosa 3.19.04 (2004)
* Porcelain (2004)
* Threes (2006)

With Nakia

* Nakia (2004)