Chad Szeliga
Drummer Chad “Chadillac” Szelgia attended NAMM this year. NAMM is a big musical reunion and I ran into Chadillac this year who I met at a prior NAMM. He was happy to catch up on camera so be sure to watch the video interview for way more info than what’s written here.
Previously known for his work with Black Label Society and Breaking Benjamin, Szelgia is now making music behind his kit Tama Kit using Paiste Symbols in the band Black Star Riders.
In case you are wondering how the heck to pronoun Chad’s last name, its: Suh-lee-guh. A name that everyone, including me butchers, but Chad if you’re reading this, I got it down now! Thanks for being a good sport!
Black Star Riders is a super group with Thin Lizzy roots that’s been going on seven years now. Current line up along with Chad Szelgia on drums is Ricky Warwick on vocals (Thin Lizzy, The Almighty), Scott Gorham, guitars (Thin lizzy), Robert “Robbie” Crane, bass (Ratt), and newest member Christian Martucci, guitars (Stone Sour) who joined a year ago in January 2019. Murtucci replaced Damon Johnson who was a Thin Lizzy and Black Star Rider member as well as Alice Cooper and Brother Cain guitarist. Johnson left on positive terms to pursue his solo project. The BSR members wish him the best on his new venture.
2019 was a great year for BSR and their fans. September brought the release of their new album entitled “Another State Of Grace”, on Nuclear Blast Records. Followed by a tour of the UK and Europe in October and November. This hardworking band of professionals toured for two months straight, with only two days off. That’s dedication and results of their efforts are right there with them. The album hit the number one spot in the UK. This is the 4th album for Black Star Riders and the first tour that the band didn’t play any of the old Thin Lizzy tunes live like “Boys are Back in Town” or “Jailbreak”
Being that they now have four albums of material they are playing all BSR music and fans have been really respectful to the transition.
Black Star Riders
I asked Szelgia how he got the gig with BSR and he said it was “from the man above” He feels very blessed to he part of this band because he been into Thin Lizzy for a long time and because it’s a group of great guys, no prima donnas in the band. They are very humble musicians. He met the guys while on tour with Black Label Society and Judas Priest. Anyone who meets Chad will instantly feel his great spirit and attitude of gratitude. I’m certain he made a great impression on the guys in many ways including his drumming. Around Easter of 2017, Chad received an invitation to come audition for BSR. They wanted to fly him in for an audition, however because he had plans with his family for Easter, he asked if he could send a video instead. He sent the video of him playing on his dad’s kit while visiting family in Cleveland and landed the gig replacing Jimmy Degrasso who left the band in March of 2017 because he was also working with the band RATT.
Pretty cool since Szelgia born in the end of ’76 grew up listening to Thin Lizzy with his drummer dad. I’m sure Chad’s dad is very proud the man his son has become.
We at Backstage 360, wish Chad and everyone in BSR the best in this upcoming year. 2020 will be a busy one for these guys. Plans are to continue to support the new album, do some summer festivals, and tour the United States. Check out the new single “In the Shadow of the War Machine” and the title track “Another State of Grace” better yet check out the whole album and you’ll hear why it reached the #1 spot in the UK. Now on to the US, so when you get the opportunity to see these guys live, make sure to go. You’ll get a modern version of Thin Lizzy with the classic vocals and new lyrics that could only come from the one and only Ricky Warrick, along with outstanding guitars and spot on rhythm section and all the passion you can handle.
Drummers may be able to sign up for Skype drum lessons with Szeliga because he offers them when time allows. Go to www. Chadszeliga.com for more info.
As a final note, wanted to throw out the name WALKING WITH LIONS . Another band that Chad is involved with that is slowly developing that was formed at NAMM two years ago. I don’t have much information to share with you now dear readers, but in time I surely will.