Nick Menza

Just wanted to say Nick's posthumous autobiography was an awesome (not to mention funny as hell) read.

Really informative on his early life, drum setup and influences, along with a healthy dose of whacked-out conspiracy theories and (in some cases well-deserved) Mustaine bashing.

He actually says at the end of one of the chapters "I hope I die on my drumset" (got his wish unfortunately).
 

Attachments

  • Nick Menza.jpg
    Nick Menza.jpg
    167 KB · Views: 238
RollTheBones said:
We're talking about a guy who, after finding God and all that crap and supposedly "cleaning up," posted a public video excoriating his guitar tech as a "waste of skin and life" and essentially wished he would die.
Click to expand...

I was at that gig! Up on the balcony and I clearly saw him look stage left and mouth the words "You're a fking a$$hole- I hate you" to said guitar tech and acted pissed off the rest of the night.

So yeah I'd believe Nick over Dave any day too!
 
spelman said:
The Rust In Peace Kit:

(2) 24" Noble & Cooley kicks
14" Ludwig Black Beauty Snare (used on 6 or 7 of the tracks)
14" Custom Brass Snare (rest of the tracks )
10", 12", 14", 16", 18" Gretsch Rosewood Toms
24" Zildjian Megabell Ride
(2) 18", (2) 19", (2) 20" Zildjian Z Crashes
15" Zildjian K-Brilliant Hi-hats

Source:


https://sickdrummermagazine.com/new...enza-megadeth-holy-wars-isolating-the-throne/
Click to expand...
Interesting stuff- I'd always assumed he used the Yammy's he used for gigs/ videos around that period
 
spelman said:
The Rust In Peace Kit:

(2) 24" Noble & Cooley kicks
14" Ludwig Black Beauty Snare (used on 6 or 7 of the tracks)
14" Custom Brass Snare (rest of the tracks )
10", 12", 14", 16", 18" Gretsch Rosewood Toms
24" Zildjian Megabell Ride
(2) 18", (2) 19", (2) 20" Zildjian Z Crashes
15" Zildjian K-Brilliant Hi-hats

Source:


https://sickdrummermagazine.com/new...enza-megadeth-holy-wars-isolating-the-throne/
Click to expand...

Nice! I suspected that he was using something with a strong bell, but I didn't think it was a Mega Bell ride. Rust in Peace has such a strong drum sound overall. I wish that they had documented with video the recording for Rust in Peace. I would like to have seen that.

And come to think of it, I actually liked the drums, and generally how forward they are on the early recordings. All the rides up to Rust sound good to me.
 
spelman said:
The Rust In Peace Kit:

(2) 24" Noble & Cooley kicks
14" Ludwig Black Beauty Snare (used on 6 or 7 of the tracks)
14" Custom Brass Snare (rest of the tracks )
10", 12", 14", 16", 18" Gretsch Rosewood Toms
24" Zildjian Megabell Ride
(2) 18", (2) 19", (2) 20" Zildjian Z Crashes
15" Zildjian K-Brilliant Hi-hats

Source:


https://sickdrummermagazine.com/new...enza-megadeth-holy-wars-isolating-the-throne/
Click to expand...

Oh, I totally forgot about that article. I remember it was a shock to me because I thought he used Yamaha all the way through studio and live :D
 
toddmc said:
Interesting stuff- I'd always assumed he used the Yammy's he used for gigs/ videos around that period
Click to expand...

That does explain why I always thought it was a little odd his K's in the video didn't sound like K's.

As for the drums, it's pretty common that when a band/producer hires the Drum Doctor service, they bring in their drums, not just use what the drummer uses.
 
While we're on the subject of Nick's kits, I always thought this pic was a bit strange in that I don't think I've ever seen drums with the cymbal brand name (as opposed to the drum brand/ band name) on their bass drums.

Possibly just a promotional shot for Soultone?
 

Attachments

  • nickmenza.jpg
    nickmenza.jpg
    265 KB · Views: 160
toddmc said:
While we're on the subject of Nick's kits, I always thought this pic was a bit strange in that I don't think I've ever seen drums with the cymbal brand name (as opposed to the drum brand/ band name) on their bass drums.

Possibly just a promotional shot for Soultone?
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's kinda cheesy. This particular kit set up is the excitement equivalent to a casino or fairground tour. He played uglier kits still in his post Megadeth days.
 
toddmc said:
While we're on the subject of Nick's kits, I always thought this pic was a bit strange in that I don't think I've ever seen drums with the cymbal brand name (as opposed to the drum brand/ band name) on their bass drums.

Possibly just a promotional shot for Soultone?
Click to expand...

Well, he was a Soultone endorser.
Not sure what the deal was with DC drums.

I think he went with Yamaha because Rust in peace record. The fans wanted to see him behind Yamaha more than any other kit. (I'd choose Tama Artstar if you ask me :) )
 
Will there ever be a Nick Menza "Mega Drumming" DVD? I got the impression it was all ready for release.

Nick Menza DVD promo.jpg
 
Road Bull said:
Yeah, that's kinda cheesy. This particular kit set up is the excitement equivalent to a casino or fairground tour. He played uglier kits still in his post Megadeth days.
Click to expand...

You're not kidding- guess things could be worse! : )

DangerousDave said:
Well, he was a Soultone endorser.
Not sure what the deal was with DC drums.

I think he went with Yamaha because Rust in peace record. The fans wanted to see him behind Yamaha more than any other kit. (I'd choose Tama Artstar if you ask me :) )
Click to expand...

Couldn't agree more (at least he saw the light and went over to Tama by the next album)

spelman said:
Will there ever be a Nick Menza "Mega Drumming" DVD? I got the impression it was all ready for release.
Click to expand...

Can only hope so- he released a few vids of play-through's (mostly drums only) on Youtube before his passing but would be nice to have an official dvd
 
I have a question on the 24" Zildjian mega bell ride cymbal. Do you know if that was made custom by Zildjian? To my knowledge, there was never a 24" version of that cymbal produced at the time. There was only the 21" size. There was a 24" heavy power ride produced at the time, however. I've always loved the sound of the ride cymbal on the RIP album and have really wanted to replicate that sound. I had previously thought that he was using one of the Zildjian K rides (seeing the music videos), but the ping is so strong on the records, I couldn't think of which one of the K's it would be.
 
calvolutionaryanimal said:
I have a question on the 24" Zildjian mega bell ride cymbal. Do you know if that was made custom by Zildjian? To my knowledge, there was never a 24" version of that cymbal produced at the time. There was only the 21" size. There was a 24" heavy power ride produced at the time, however. I've always loved the sound of the ride cymbal on the RIP album and have really wanted to replicate that sound. I had previously thought that he was using one of the Zildjian K rides (seeing the music videos), but the ping is so strong on the records, I couldn't think of which one of the K's it would be.
Click to expand...
That sickdrummer interview was made so long after the Rust In Peace recording, maybe Nick wasn't 100 % on the details. In Nicks interview with Modern Drummer in '92, the ride was a 24" (A) Rock.
 
DangerousDave said:
Too bad this guy's not in Megadeth anymore. Great talent, groove, energy. Great showman also. Basically, he defined Megadeth's heavy sound, among all those heavy riffs. Nobody could kick ass like Nick did. Now he's with Memorain or whatever. Too bad.
He inspired me to have my cymbals hang from above because I like to get 100% outta them. But ofcourse, I didn't do that until I saw someone of the guys admired did that :D
And the rack system he used, the Greg Voelker system, geeez I want that.
What do you think of him? He certainly is an inspiration to me.
Click to expand...
I agree Nick and Marty was Megadeth's sound
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top