Nick Menza
Background information
Born	July 23, 1968 (1968-07-23) (age 39), Munich, Germany
Genre(s)	Thrash Metal Heavy Metal Speed metal
Occupation(s)	Drummer
Instrument(s)	Drums
Years active	1988 – present
Label(s)	Capital Records Combat Records Shrapnel Records EMI Music Greece
Associated acts	Megadeth Marty Friedman Memorain

Nick Menza (born 23 July 1968 in Munich, Germany) is a drummer best known for his work in Megadeth. is the 204th day of the year (205th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Germany. ... For other uses, see Munich (disambiguation). ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music, one of the extreme metal subgenres that is characterised by its signature high speed and aggression. ... Heavy metals, in chemistry, are chemical elements of a particular range of atomic weights. ... Speed metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal that spawned in the early 1980s and was the direct musical progenitor of thrash metal[1] [2]. When Speed metal first emerged as a genre, it innovatively increased the tempo of the music template set forth by Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin... A drummer in Action A drummer is a person who plays the drums, particularly the drum kit, marching percussion, or hand drums. ... A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified with the purpose of making music. ... A drum kit (or drum set or trap set) is a collection of drums, cymbals and sometimes other percussion instruments arranged for convenient playing by a single drummer. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Capitol Records is a major United States-based record label, owned by EMI. // The Capitol Records company was founded by the songwriter Johnny Mercer in 1942, with the financial help of movie producer Buddy DeSylva and the business acumen of Glenn Wallichs, (1910-1971) (owner of Music City, at the... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... A guitar-oriented music label formed out of Mike Varneys Guitar Spotlight column in the back of Guitar Player magazine, which featured a photograph and a little paragraph write-up of various guitarists whove sent in snippets of their playing. ... The EMI Group is a major record label, based in Kensington in London, in the United Kingdom. ... Megadeth is an American heavy metal band led by founder, frontman, and songwriter Dave Mustaine. ... Marty Friedman was the lead guitarist for the thrash metal band Megadeth for a period of almost twelve years (1988 to 2000). ... Memorain is a speed/thrash metal band from Greece, formed by guitarist/vocalist Ilias Papadakis in 1999. ... is the 204th day of the year (205th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Munich: Frauenkirche and Town Hall steeple Munich (German: München pronunciation) is the state capital of the German Bundesland of Bavaria. ... A drummer in Action A drummer is a person who plays the drums, particularly the drum kit, marching percussion, or hand drums. ... Megadeth is an American heavy metal band led by founder, frontman, and songwriter Dave Mustaine. ...

Early life

As the son of jazz musician Don Menza (who is famous for playing the saxophone in "The Pink Panther Theme"), Nick began playing drums at the age of two, at which age he performed at his first public concert when during the intermission someone sat him down on Jack DeJohnette's drums and he proceeded to play. His influences stem from being nurtured around the tutelage of such notables as Buddy Rich, Steve Gadd, Nick Ceroli, Jeff Porcaro and Louie Bellson. The Pink Panther Theme is an instrumental composition by Henry Mancini written as the theme for the 1963 film The Pink Panther and subsequently nominated for the 1964 Academy Award for Original Music Score. ... Bass drum made from wood, rope, and cowskin A drum is a musical instrument in the percussion group that can be large, technically classified as a membranophone. ... Jack DeJohnette (b. ... Bernard Buddy Rich (September 30, 1917 Brooklyn, New York – April 2, 1987) was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. ... Steve Gadd (born April 9, 1945 in Rochester, New York) is a very well known session drummer, mainly known for work with Paul Simon, Steely Dan, Joe Cocker, Stuff, Bob James, Chick Corea, Eric Clapton, James Taylor, Jim Croce, Eddie Gomez, The Manhattan Transfer, Michal Urbaniak, Steps Ahead, Al Di... Jeffrey Thomas Porcaro (April 1, 1954 – August 5, 1992) was a highly regarded session drummer and a founding member of the Grammy Award winning band Toto. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Beginning his professional musical career at the age of 18 drumming in the band Rhodes featuring singer Kelly Rhoads, brother of the late Randy, Nick released his first record with Rhoads called "Into The Future" in Europe. The band hit the road with Foghat for a short time. Randall William Randy Rhoads (December 6, 1956 – March 19, 1982) was an American heavy metal guitarist who is best known for playing with Ozzy Osbourne. ... World map showing the location of Europe. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this articles infobox may require cleanup. ...

Career musician

Moving on to session playing including styles ranging from R&B to Gospel, Funk and Heavy Metal recording with the likes of John Fogerty, Nick caught the attention of then Megadeth drummer Chuck Behler and became his tech. When Megadeth needed a drummer, Nick Menza was asked by Dave Mustaine to join the band in 1989. Dave noted that Nick previously filled in on drums when Chuck was unable to. This prior experience and personal relationship led to the invitation to join Megadeth for the 1990 recording Rust in Peace (produced by Mike Clink). For the next ten years, Nick became associated with Megadeth's "classic" and most profitable era. With his Greg Voelker Rack System he was known as an impressive showman with trademark drumming. This included a double bass drumset with the Tom-Tom's mounted on a lower chrome rack and all cymbal crashes mounted on a higher rack, which was supported by two chrome bars behind the drummer. This was later adopted by Megadeth in 2004's The System Has Failed, which a similar rack system was used. Gospel music is a musical genre characterized by dominant vocals (often with strong use of harmony) referencing lyrics of a religious nature, particularly Christian. ... Funk is an African American musical style. ... Heavy metal (sometimes referred to simply as metal) is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s. ... John Cameron Fogerty (born May 28, 1945) is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist, best known for his time with the swamp rock or roots rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival. ... Megadeth is an American heavy metal band led by founder, frontman, and songwriter Dave Mustaine. ... Chuck Behler played drums for the heavy metal band Megadeth from 1987 through 1988, recording the album So Far, So Good… So What! with the group in 1988. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Mike Clink started his career as an engineer at the famed Record Plant, recording such bands as Metallica (including tracks found on “Garage, Inc. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The System Has Failed is the first Megadeth album to be released after the break-up of the band in 2002. ...

By 1998, the band was still touring on the 1997 album "Cryptic Writings," Nick was having knee problems and sought medical advice. He was informed he had a tumor, which was later found to be benign, and had it removed. As a result, Megadeth hired a temporary replacement by former Suicidal Tendencies, Alice Cooper, and MD.45 drummer Jimmy DeGrasso rather than cancel any dates. When it became time to record a follow up album, Nick was not allowed back and Jimmy continued. Menza has said in several interviews that while in the hospital recovering from knee surgery he received a phone call from Mustaine that simply said "Your services are not needed anymore". Yet, in the subsequent years Dave had personal problems which led to two replacement guitarists and the sacking of Jimmy. During his departure he began work on "Menza: Life After Deth" with guitarist Anthony Gallo (former Suicidal Tendencies), bassist Jason Levin, and guitarist Ty Longley (Samantha 7 and Great White). The album was supposed to have a 2002 release date and tour to follow, but beforehand, Ty hit the road with his other band, Jack Russell's Great White. Unfortunately, Ty was among the 100 people (and the only Jack Russell's Great White band member) killed in The Station nightclub fire in Rhode Island. The "Life After Deth" album was never released and a tour was never announced. Supposedly Nick Menza sent refunds to those who purchased the CD online and through money order, but many claim this was not the case. Look up Benign in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Suicidal Tendencies are a hardcore punk band formed in 1982 in Venice, California. ... Alice Cooper (born Vincent Damon Furnier, February 4, 1948), is a rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans four decades. ... MD.45 was a side project of Megadeth guitarist/frontman Dave Mustaine, Fear guitarist/vocalist Lee Ving on singing duties, bassist Kelly LeMieux and former Suicidal Tendencies member Jimmy DeGrasso on drums. ... Jimmy DeGrasso (born March 16, 1963 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania) is a American heavy metal drummer. ... Ty Longley (September 4, 1971 – February 20, 2003) was an American guitarist and vocalist. ... Samantha 7 was a short-lived band composed of guitarist C.C. Deville, guitarist Ty Longley, bassist Krys Baratto and drummer Francis Ruiz. ... Great White is an American blues-based rock and heavy metal band. ... The Station Nightclub Fire on the evening of Thursday, February 20, 2003, was the fourth-deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. history, killing 100 people and injuring more than 200. ...

Following the reissue of the entire Megadeth catalog, Nick was invited to reunite with Megadeth in Fall 2004 . Days after a reunion was announced Nick was fired after rehearsals and replaced with Megadeth's 4th new drummer who was the brother of Megadeth 5th guitarist. Dave Mustaine said that this was because Nick "just wasn't prepared". [1]

In April 2006 Menza joined the Los Angeles-based metal band Orphaned To Hatred. [2] The group describe their sound as "a continuation of the heavy style of '90s Pantera". Pantera was an American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas, that formed in 1981. ...

Discography

• 1989 - Megadeth - "Shocker" (Movie Soundtrack)
• 1990 - Megadeth - Rust in Peace
• 1992 - Megadeth - Countdown to Extinction
• 1992 - Marty Friedman - Scenes
• 1994 - Megadeth - Youthanasia
• 1994 - Marty Friedman - Introduction
• 1994 - Nativity in Black - Tribute to Black Sabbath
• 1995 - Megadeth - Hidden Treasures
• 1996 - Marty Friedman - True Obsession
• 1997 - Megadeth - Cryptic Writings
• 1999 - Fireball Ministry - "Ou Est la Rock?"
• [No Date] Menza "Life After Deth" (Note: This CD was said to be released in 2002. While Menza's website listed it for sale and accepted money, the CD was never pressed and made available.)
• 2006 - Memorain - "Reduced To Ashes"

Megadeth is an American heavy metal band led by founder, frontman, and songwriter Dave Mustaine. ... Megadeth is an American heavy metal band led by founder, frontman, and songwriter Dave Mustaine. ... Rust in Peace is the fourth album by American thrash metal band Megadeth. ... Megadeth is an American heavy metal band led by founder, frontman, and songwriter Dave Mustaine. ... Countdown to Extinction is the fifth studio album by Megadeth, released in 1992 (see 1992 in music). ... Marty Friedman was the lead guitarist for the thrash metal band Megadeth for a period of almost twelve years (1988 to 2000). ... Scenes is a music album by Marty Friedman, released in 1992 (see 1992 in music). ... Megadeth is an American heavy metal band led by founder, frontman, and songwriter Dave Mustaine. ... Youthanasia is the sixth studio album by thrash metal band Megadeth, released on November 1, 1994. ... Marty Friedman was the lead guitarist for the thrash metal band Megadeth for a period of almost twelve years (1988 to 2000). ... Introduction is a music album by Marty Friedman, released in 1988 (see 1988 in music). ... Nativity in Black is the name of a series of Black Sabbath tribute albums that came out in the 1990s and 2000s. ... Megadeth is an American heavy metal band led by founder, frontman, and songwriter Dave Mustaine. ... Hidden Treasures is an album by Megadeth, released in 1995. ... Marty Friedman was the lead guitarist for the thrash metal band Megadeth for a period of almost twelve years (1988 to 2000). ... Track listing Rio - 4:33 Espionage - 4:30 Last September - 4:22 Rock Box - 2:38 The Yearning - 3:48 Live and Learn - 4:03 Glowing Path - 6:22 Intoxicated - 5:57 Farewell - 5:29 Thunder March - 3:52 Categories: | ... Megadeth is an American heavy metal band led by founder, frontman, and songwriter Dave Mustaine. ... Cryptic Writings is the seventh studio album by heavy metal band Megadeth, released in June of 1997, with a remixed and remastered version released in 2004. ... Fireball Ministry Fireball Ministry is a stoner metal band. ... Memorain is a speed/thrash metal band from Greece, formed by guitarist/vocalist Ilias Papadakis in 1999. ... Reduced To Ashes (2006) is an album by Memorain. ...

External links

• Nick Menza's Official Website
• Memorain Official Website Current band
• Orphaned To Hatred Current band
• Former band Megadeth Official Website Former band
• Megadeth World Megadeth Brazilian Site
• Marty Friedman Official Website Former bandmate
• Shrapnel Records Former label for Friedman solo albums