List of Anthrax members

Anthrax is an American heavy metal band from New York City, New York. Formed in 1981, the group was originally a trio consisting of guitarist and vocalist Scott Ian, bassist Dan Lilker and drummer Dave Weiss. The band has been through many personnel changes, and currently includes rhythm guitarist Ian, drummer Charlie Benante (since 1983), bassist Frank Bello (since 1984), vocalist Joey Belladonna (from 1984–1992, 2005–2007 and since 2010) and lead guitarist Jonathan Donais (since 2013).

Anthrax performing live in 2017.

History

1981–1992

Anthrax was originally formed in 1981 by Scott Ian, Dan Lilker and Dave Weiss. A few months later, John Connelly and Paul Kahn took over on vocals and bass, respectively, and Lilker switched to rhythm guitar.[1][2] The band went through many lineup changes in its early stages – Connelly was replaced by Dirk Kennedy, followed by Ian's brother Jason Rosenfeld, then Tommy Wise; Greg Walls spent two years with the group on lead guitar (Ian switched to rhythm guitar), followed briefly by Bob Berry; Kahn was replaced by Kenny Kushner, before Lilker took over on bass when Walls joined; and Weiss was replaced by Greg D'Angelo.[2] The band eventually settled in 1983 with a lineup including Ian and Lilker, lead vocalist Neil Turbin (who joined in August 1982),[3] Dan Spitz (lead guitar, backing vocals) and Charlie Benante (drums).[4]

After signing with Jon Zazula's new thrash metal label Megaforce Records later in the year, Anthrax recorded its debut album Fistful of Metal.[4] Shortly after its January 1984 release, Turbin fired Lilker without consulting with the other members of the band, although Ian has since admitted that "there were issues" with the bassist.[5] He was replaced by Frank Bello.[6] Tensions continued to grow between Turbin and the rest of the group as they toured throughout 1984, leading to his eventual departure in August.[3][7] The vocalist was briefly replaced by Matt Fallon, before Joey Belladonna joined later in the year.[8] After recording four studio albums with the band, Belladonna was fired from Anthrax in 1992 due to stylistic changes the group intended to take, with John Bush taking his place.[9]

1992 onwards

Dan Spitz left Anthrax in 1995 to become a professional watchmaker.[10] Guitars on Stomp 442 were recorded by Ian, Benante, Paul Crook and Pantera's Dimebag Darrell.[11] Crook remained with Anthrax for touring and recording after the release of Stomp 442, although never became an official member.[12] He was replaced in August 2001 by former Boiler Room guitarist Rob Caggiano.[13] Bello briefly left in March 2004 to join Helmet, with Joey Vera temporarily taking his place.[14] It was announced in April 2005 that Belladonna, Spitz and Bello would return to Anthrax for a reunion tour and potentially new recordings.[15] Alive 2 was recorded on the tour, but by January 2007 the reunion had fallen through as Belladonna had reportedly chosen not to continue working with the other members.[16]

By the end of 2007, the group had enlisted Dan Nelson as its new lead vocalist and brought back Caggiano.[17] However, after recording a new album with the band, Nelson left in July 2009 and was replaced for future tour dates by Bush.[18] Belladonna returned to Anthrax the following year, making his first appearance at June's "big four" show and re-recording vocals on the album Worship Music.[19] Caggiano left the band in January 2013,[20] with Shadows Fall guitarist Jon Donais taking his place a week later.[21]

Members

Current

Image	Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
	Scott Ian	1981–present	rhythm and lead guitars backing vocals bass (studio only) lead vocals (early 1981)	all Anthrax releases
	Charlie Benante	1983–present	drums percussion rhythm and lead guitars (studio only)
	Frank Bello	1984–2004 2005–present	bass backing vocals	all Anthrax releases from Armed and Dangerous (1985) onwards
	Joey Belladonna	1984–1992 2005–2007 2010–present	lead vocals	all Anthrax releases from Armed and Dangerous (1985) to Live Noize (1992) Live: The Island Years (1994) Alive 2 (2005) all Anthrax releases from The Big Four: Live from Sofia, Bulgaria (2010) onwards
	Jonathan Donais	2013–present	lead and rhythm guitars	Chile on Hell (2014) For All Kings (2016)

Former

Image	Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
	Dan Lilker	1981–1984	bass rhythm guitar (1981)	Fistful of Metal (1984)
	David Weiss	1981	drums	none
	John Connelly		lead vocals
	Paul Kahn		bass
	Kenny Kushner
	Greg Walls	1981–1983	lead guitar
	Dirk Kennedy	1981	lead vocals
	Greg D'Angelo	1981–1983	drums	Fistful of Metal (1984) (one track only)
	Jason Rosenfeld	1981–1982	lead vocals	none
	Tommy Wise	1982
	Neil Turbin	1982–1984		Fistful of Metal (1984)
	Bob Berry	1983	lead guitar	none
	Dan Spitz	1983–1995 2005–2007	lead and rhythm guitars backing vocals	all Anthrax releases from Fistful of Metal (1984) to Sound of White Noise (1993) Alive 2 (2005)
	Matt Fallon	1984	lead vocals	none
	John Bush	1992–2005 2009–2010		all Anthrax releases from Sound of White Noise (1993) to The Greater of Two Evils (2004)
	Paul Crook	1995–2001	lead and rhythm guitars backing vocals	Stomp 442 (1995) Volume 8: The Threat Is Real (1998) Session and touring member
	Rob Caggiano	2001–2005 2007–2013		We've Come for You All (2003) The Greater of Two Evils (2004) The Big Four: Live from Sofia, Bulgaria (2010) Worship Music (2011) Anthems (2013)
	Dan Nelson	2007–2009	lead vocals	none (songwriting credits only)

Touring

Image	Name	Years active	Instruments	Notes
	Dave Sabo	2000	lead guitar backing vocals	Sabo toured with Anthrax during 2000, when regular guitarist Crook was touring with Sebastian Bach.[22]
	Joey Vera	2004–2005 2008 2012	bass	Vera toured with Anthrax after Bello's departure in 2004,[14][23] and again in 2008 and 2012.[24][25]
	Jason Bittner	2006 2012	drums	Bittner substituted for Benante at two shows in January 2006,[26] and two more in February 2012.[27]
	Andreas Kisser	2011 2018	rhythm guitar (2011) lead guitar (2018) backing vocals	Kisser substituted for Ian at eleven shows in July 2011, following the birth of the regular guitarist's first child.[28] He also substituted for Donais in 2018.
	Gene Hoglan	2012 2018	drums	Hoglan filled in for Benante, who was spending time with his terminally ill mother, at shows in January 2012.[29]
	Jon Dette	2012 2013 2015 2017		Dette has substituted for Benante on various tours between November 2012 and May 2017.[30][31][32][33][34]

Timeline

Lineups

Period	Members	Releases
Timeline of early lineups unclear
September 1983 – early 1984	Neil Turbin – lead vocals Dan Spitz – lead guitar, backing vocals Scott Ian – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Dan Lilker – bass Charlie Benante – drums	Fistful of Metal (1984)
Early – August 1984	Neil Turbin – lead vocals Dan Spitz – lead guitar, backing vocals Scott Ian – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Frank Bello – bass, backing vocals Charlie Benante – drums	none
Late 1984	Matt Fallon – lead vocals Dan Spitz – lead guitar, backing vocals Scott Ian – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Frank Bello – bass, backing vocals Charlie Benante – drums
Late 1984 – late 1992	Joey Belladonna – lead vocals Dan Spitz – lead guitar, backing vocals Scott Ian – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Frank Bello – bass, backing vocals Charlie Benante – drums	Armed and Dangerous (1985) Spreading the Disease (1985) Among the Living (1987) I'm the Man (1987) State of Euphoria (1988) Penikufesin (1989) Persistence of Time (1990) Live: The Island Years (1994) Caught in a Mosh: BBC Live in Concert (2007)
Late 1992 – early 1995	John Bush – lead vocals Dan Spitz – lead guitar, backing vocals Scott Ian – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Frank Bello – bass, backing vocals Charlie Benante – drums	Sound of White Noise (1993)
Early 1995 – August 2001	John Bush – lead vocals Scott Ian – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Frank Bello – bass, backing vocals Charlie Benante – drums, lead guitar Paul Crook - lead guitar, backing vocals	Stomp 442 (1995) Volume 8: The Threat Is Real (1998) Inside Out (1999)
August 2001 – March 2004	John Bush – lead vocals Rob Caggiano – lead guitar, backing vocals Scott Ian – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Frank Bello – bass, backing vocals Charlie Benante – drums	We've Come for You All (2003) Music of Mass Destruction (2004) The Greater of Two Evils (2004)
March 2004 – April 2005	John Bush – lead vocals Rob Caggiano – lead guitar, backing vocals Scott Ian – rhythm guitar, bass, backing vocals Charlie Benante – drums	none
April 2005 – January 2007	Joey Belladonna – lead vocals Dan Spitz – lead guitar, backing vocals Scott Ian – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Frank Bello – bass, backing vocals Charlie Benante – drums	Alive 2 (2005)
December 2007 – July 2009	Dan Nelson – lead vocals Rob Caggiano – lead guitar, backing vocals Scott Ian – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Frank Bello – bass, backing vocals Charlie Benante – drums	none
September 2009 – May 2010	John Bush – lead vocals Rob Caggiano – lead guitar, backing vocals Scott Ian – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Frank Bello – bass, backing vocals Charlie Benante – drums
May 2010 – January 2013	Joey Belladonna – lead vocals Rob Caggiano – lead guitar, backing vocals Scott Ian – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Frank Bello – bass, backing vocals Charlie Benante – drums	The Big Four: Live from Sofia, Bulgaria (2010) Worship Music (2011) Anthems (2013) Chile on Hell (2014)
January 2013 – present	Joey Belladonna – lead vocals Jonathan Donais – lead guitar Scott Ian – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Frank Bello – bass, backing vocals Charlie Benante – drums	For All Kings (2016) Kings Among Scotland (2018)

References

1. Falina, Melanie (June 21, 2016). "Anthrax to celebrate 35th anniversary with global tour". AXS. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
2. Ian, Scott (October 14, 2014). I'm the Man: The Story of That Guy from Anthrax. Boston, Massachusetts: Da Capo Press. pp. 59–62. ISBN 978-0306823343. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
3. "Neil Turbin Talks About Split With Anthrax, Musical Differences". Blabbermouth.net. September 13, 2009. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
4. Dome, Malcolm (September 22, 2016). "The story behind Anthrax's Fistful Of Metal". Metal Hammer. TeamRock. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
5. Roche, Jason (October 8, 2014). "Scott Ian Describes His Worst Moment in Anthrax's History". LA Weekly. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
6. Morton, Luke (August 15, 2016). "Famous Firsts: Anthrax's Frank Bello on surviving smelly tours and loving Kiss". Metal Hammer. TeamRock. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
7. Syrjala, Marko (February 20, 2007). "Neil Turbin (Deathriders, ex-Anthrax) - Sets The Record Straight!". Metal-Rules.com. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
8. "Early Recordings From Former Skid Row And Anthrax Singer Matt Fallon Released On CD". Blabbermouth.net. November 19, 2015. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
9. Bowar, Chad (July 2, 2015). "Joey Belladonna On His '90s Ouster From Anthrax: 'It Sucks That We Had To Spend 13 Years' Apart". Loudwire. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
10. "Dan Spitz: 'The Same Passion That I Have For Anthrax I Have For Watchmaking'". Blabbermouth.net. October 22, 2005. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
11. Rivadavia, Eduardo (October 24, 2015). "How Anthrax Moved With the Times on 'Stomp 442'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
12. Phelps, Matt (January 14, 2010). "Paul Crook - Interview Exclusive". Über Röck. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
13. "Anthrax Debut New Axe!". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. August 15, 2001. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
14. "It's Official: Anthrax Part Ways With Bassist Frank Bello". Blabbermouth.net. March 4, 2004. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
15. "It's Official: Anthrax's 'Among The Living' Lineup To Reunite". Blabbermouth.net. March 24, 2005. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
16. "Anthrax Guitarist Scott Ian: 'The Reunion Is Over'". Blabbermouth.net. January 24, 2007. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
17. "It's Official: Anthrax Taps Former Devilsize Singer". Blabbermouth.net. December 10, 2007. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
18. "Anthrax Splits With Singer Dan Nelson; John Bush To Fill In For U.K.'s Sonisphere". Blabbermouth.net. July 21, 2009. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
19. "It's Official: Joey Belladonna Rejoins Anthrax For Tour, Studio Album". Blabbermouth.net. May 10, 2010. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
20. "Guitarist Rob Caggiano Quits Anthrax". Blabbermouth.net. January 4, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
21. "Anthrax Taps Shadows Fall Guitarist For Upcoming Tour". Blabbermouth.net. January 11, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
22. Mancini, Rob (February 2, 2000). "Anthrax And Sebastian Bach Swap Guitarists". MTV. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
23. "Joey Vera: 'My Time With Anthrax Is Done'". Blabbermouth.net. March 29, 2005. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
24. "Anthrax Bassist Bello Forced To Sit Out Heavy MTL Festival; Joey Vera Steps In". Blabbermouth.net. June 20, 2008. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
25. "Anthrax Bassist To Sit Out Next Few Shows; Armored Saint's Joey Vera Steps In". Blabbermouth.net. February 2, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
26. "Shadows Fall Drummer To Play With Anthrax". Blabbermouth.net. January 18, 2006. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
27. "Anthrax Taps Shadows Fall Drummer For Argentina Dates". Blabbermouth.net. February 9, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
28. "Sepultura's Andreas Kisser Says Playing With 'Big Four' Has Been 'Amazing'". Blabbermouth.net. July 31, 2011. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
29. "Gene Hoglan Is 'Honored' To Be Filling In For Anthrax's Charlie Benante". Blabbermouth.net. January 28, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
30. "Anthrax Taps Former Slayer/Testament Drummer Jon Dette For European Tour (Video)". Blabbermouth.net. November 6, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
31. "Anthrax Drummer Forced To Miss Australian Tour; Jon Dette To Step In". Blabbermouth.net. February 19, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
32. "Anthrax Drummer Charlie Benante To Miss Few Weeks Of Volbeat Tour; Jon Dette To Step In". Blabbermouth.net. April 23, 2015. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
33. "Charlie Benante Sitting Out Anthrax's European Tour Dates; Jon Dette Once Again Steps In". Blabbermouth.net. October 27, 2015. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
34. "Anthrax: Drum Cam Footage Of Jon Dette From Kansas City, Missouri". Blabbermouth.net. May 12, 2017. Retrieved November 1, 2017.

External links

• Anthrax official website