Chad Szeliga

Chad Szeliga
Szeliga performing on stage at a Breaking Benjamin concert
Background information
Genres	Heavy metal, post-grunge, hard rock, Jazz, Fusion, Gospel, Funk, Hip hop, Bebop
Instruments	Drums
Years active	1999–present
Labels	Hollywood
Associated acts	Breaking Benjamin, Switched, Leo, Forever Oeuvre, APG, OurAfter, Crystal Bowersox, Hourcast, Black Label Society

Chad Szeliga is an American drummer and percussionist from Elyria, Ohio. He is best known as the former drummer for the band Breaking Benjamin. In 2013, Zakk Wylde introduced Szeliga as Black Label Society's new drummer, replacing Mike Froedge.^[1]

Breaking Benjamin

While with Another Path, Chad recorded an audition video for Breaking Benjamin playing drums for the song "So Cold".^[2] The video submitted happened to be the only VHS tape submitted. Ben Burnley was forced to borrow a VCR from his neighbor to view the tape. After Ben reviewed the tape, the band decided he was the right guy for the job.^[3] His first official recording with the band was for the full-band version of the song "Rain" from We Are Not Alone in mid-2005, which was sent to modern radio, and later appeared on the band's cover of Queen's "Who Wants to Live Forever". He recorded with Breaking Benjamin on their 2006 album Phobia, which was released August 8, 2006. He also joined the band on their tour supporting that album.^[4] Szeliga left Breaking Benjamin in April 2013 due to creative differences and notified his fans via a Facebook post on April 22, 2013. He went on to drum with Black Label Society until 2014 and also recorded and toured briefly with Scott Stapp.

Equipment

Chad currently plays dw drums, Evans drumheads, Zildjian cymbals, and Vic Firth drumsticks. He has, in the past, also used Yamaha drums, Remo drumheads, and Vater drumsticks. He also uses Extreme isolation headphones.

Discography

With Breaking Benjamin

• We Are Not Alone (full-band version of "Rain" only) (2004)
• Phobia (2006)
• Dear Agony (2009)

With Black Label Society

• Catacombs of the Black Vatican (2014)

With Switched

• Subject to Change (2002)
• Ghosts in the Machine (2006)

With Forever Oeuvre

• EP Unfinished (2008)

References

1. "BLACK LABEL SOCIETY Recruits BREAKING BENJAMIN Drummer". Blabbermouth.net. September 14, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
2. "Chad Szeliga Video Audition for Breaking Benjamin So Cold Elyria Ohio". YouTube. Retrieved 2011-10-29.
3. "Breaking Benjamin Underground". The Shallow Bay. Retrieved 2011-10-29.
4. "Breaking Benjamin – Chad Szeliga". Retrieved 2009-04-07.