David Draiman

Last updated

David Draiman
Disturbed - Rock am Ring 2016 -2016155182402 2016-06-03 Rock am Ring - Sven - 1D X - 0147 - DV3P9519 mod.jpg
Draiman performing in 2016
Background information
Birth nameDavid Michael Draiman
Born (1973-03-13) March 13, 1973 (age 51)
New York City, U.S.
Origin Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active1996–present
Member of Disturbed
Formerly of Device
Website disturbed1.com

David Michael Draiman (born March 13, 1973) is an American musician. Noted for his distorted baritone voice and percussive singing style, he has been the lead vocalist of heavy metal band Disturbed since 1996. He has written some of the band's most successful singles, such as "Stupify", "Down with the Sickness", "Indestructible", and "Inside the Fire". In 2006, he was ranked at No. 42 on the Hit Parader list of "Top 100 Metal Vocalists of All Time". During Disturbed's hiatus from 2011 to 2015, he worked on an industrial metal project with Geno Lenardo, which was later named Device. They released one self-titled album in 2013. Disturbed returned with the album Immortalized in 2015, Evolution in 2018, and Divisive in 2022.

Contents

Early life

David Michael Draiman was born to Jewish parents in the Brooklyn borough of New York City on March 13, 1973. [2] His father, YJ, had worked as a real estate developer and small-business owner before he was arrested for embezzlement and sent to prison when Draiman was 12 years old. [2] YJ would later become a candidate in the races for Mayor of Los Angeles in 2013, [3] 2017, [4] and 2022. Draiman's brother, Benjamin, [5] is an ambient musician who lives in Israel. [6] [7] His grandmother Ziona is a Yemenite Jew whose family immigrated to Israel in the early 1900s. [8]

While not personally observant of their Jewish faith, Draiman's parents sent him to Orthodox schools, where he believed he was on the path to receiving rabbinic ordination. He frequently spent time in Israel during his early life. [6] He attended five Jewish day schools, including Valley Torah High School in Los Angeles, where he formed his first band; Fasman Yeshiva High School in Skokie, Illinois, a near north suburb of Chicago; and the Wisconsin Institute for Torah Study in Milwaukee. [6] During his freshman year at the latter, he was asked to leave as he "rebelled against the conformity" and "just wanted to be a normal teenage kid", adding that he "couldn't really stomach the rigorous religious requirements of the life [there]". [6] He has admitted to being "a bit resentful" about his time at Jewish day schools, but nevertheless became trained as a hazzan (cantor) and encouraged his family to observe Shabbat. [6]

Draiman later enrolled at Ida Crown Jewish Academy, located in the West Ridge neighborhood of Chicago, and graduated from high school in 1991. [6] From 1991 to 1992, he became romantically involved with a girl who used heroin and eventually killed herself, which would inspire the Disturbed song "Inside the Fire". At the age of 18, on New Year's Day 1992, he attempted to kill himself but says that he instead woke up later to find himself nearly frozen to death underneath a parked 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass. After detoxing, he described having a "moment of clarity" and never used heroin again. [2] After high school, he spent a year studying at the Yeshivas Neveh Zion in Kiryat Ye'arim on the outskirts of Jerusalem. [6]

After returning to the U.S. in 1992, Draiman commenced pre-law studies at Loyola University Chicago. [6] In 1996, he graduated with a BA in Political Science and Government, Philosophy, and Business Administration. [9] Initially considering offers to study at law school, he realized that criminal defense law was the only area of law that interested him, which made him unwilling to pursue law because he knew he would not be able to "really look at [himself] in the mirror and say 'I'm going to lie for a living and protect criminals'". [6] During his university studies, he also worked as a bank teller and in phone sales. [6] After graduating, he worked as an administrative assistant in a healthcare facility. [6] A year later, he earned an administrator's license and ran his own healthcare facility for five years before joining Disturbed. [6] Leaving that position strained his relationship with his grandfather, who was a traditional Hasidic Jew. [10]

Career

Draiman with Disturbed in 2009 David Draiman.jpg
Draiman with Disturbed in 2009

Draiman became the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Disturbed when its original lead singer left in 1996, two years after it had been formed under a different name. He auditioned and was asked to join the band after answering an advertisement the other members had placed in a local music publication in Chicago, which he later revealed was one of around 20 auditions for other bands he had attended that month. [11] Guitarist Dan Donegan said of Draiman's audition, "You know, out of all the singers that we had talked to or auditioned, he was the only singer who was ready to go with originals. And that impressed me, just to attempt that. After a minute or two, he just starts banging out these melodies that were huge... I'm playing my guitar and I'm grinning from ear to ear. [...] I was so psyched. Chill up my spine." [11]

Draiman has written some of Disturbed's most successful singles, such as "Stupify", "Down with the Sickness", "Indestructible", and "Inside the Fire". In 2006, he was ranked at No. 42 on the Hit Parader list of "Top 100 Metal Vocalists of All Time". [12]

During Disturbed's hiatus from 2011 to 2015, Draiman worked on an industrial metal project with Geno Lenardo, which was later named Device. [13] They released one self-titled album in 2013. Disturbed returned with the album Immortalized in 2015 and Evolution in 2018.

Artistry

Draiman has said of his influences, "The first record I ever bought was Kiss' Destroyer. And those classic bands like Black Sabbath were my first loves. [...] I focused on the seminal metal bands like Metallica, Iron Maiden, Pantera and Queensrÿche. But I could also appreciate the hair metal bands – When you hear Whitesnake, you can't deny their greatness. Then I went in the direction of punk and new wave, groups like the Sex Pistols, The Ramones, The Misfits and later The Smiths and The Cure – that was my '80s. [...] And then when the grunge revolution happened, it was like a wakeup call. I'll never forget getting my first Nirvana, Soundgarden and Alice in Chains records." [6]

Personal life

On September 25, 2011, Draiman married model and actress Lena Yada. Their son was born in September 2013. [14] [15] [16] They divorced in 2023. [17] As of January 2024, he is in a relationship with model Sarah Uli. [18]

Draiman is fluent in Hebrew. [19]

Draiman said of his political views in 2015, "I'm liberal about everything that is issue-based as far as ideology, but I'm also of the opinion of a very small government. I don't agree with the fiscal policies of the Democrats, but I certainly don't agree with the right-wing craziness of the Republicans." [20] He supported Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign. [20] In March of 2022, Draiman and Avenged Sevenfold frontman M. Shadows criticized the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act. [15]

He has also described himself as "a very, very strong supporter of Israel". In 2019, he described former Pink Floyd member Roger Waters and other activists seeking to boycott Israel for alleged human rights abuses as "Nazi comrades". [21] In October 2023, he denounced the attacks on Israel by the Palestinian group Hamas as acts of terrorism. [22] In June 2024, during the Israel–Hamas war, Draiman uploaded a video to his Instagram, where he signs an Israel Defense Forces artillery shell with "Fuck Hamas". This drew polarized reactions from his fans online. [23]

Discography

Draiman in 2004 David Draiman at Starland Ballroom 2004.jpg
Draiman in 2004

Disturbed

Device

Guest appearances

As producer

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disturbed (band)</span> American heavy metal band

Disturbed is an American heavy metal band from Chicago, formed in 1994. The band includes guitarist Dan Donegan, drummer Mike Wengren, lead vocalist David Draiman and bassist John Moyer. Donegan and Wengren have been involved in the band since its inception, with Draiman replacing original lead vocalist Erich Awalt in 1996 and Moyer replacing original bassist Steve "Fuzz" Kmak in 2004.

<i>The Sickness</i> 2000 studio album by Disturbed

The Sickness is the debut studio album by American heavy metal band Disturbed. It was released on March 7, 2000, by Giant and Reprise Records. The album peaked at number 29 on the US Billboard 200, and spent a total of 106 weeks on the chart. It was Disturbed's only album to not hit number one on the US Billboard 200 until their seventh album Evolution debuted at number 4 in 2018. In 2018, The Sickness was certified five times platinum by the RIAA for shipments of over five million copies in the US, making it the band's most successful album.

<i>Believe</i> (Disturbed album) 2002 studio album by Disturbed

Believe is the second studio album by American heavy metal band Disturbed, released on September 17, 2002 via Reprise Records. Produced by the band and Johnny K, it focuses heavily on religious and spiritual themes inspired by recent tragedies. With greater emphases on melodic dynamics, it also demonstrates a broadening in the band's musical range compared to their 2000 debut The Sickness. Believe was the last studio album to feature original bassist Steve "Fuzz" Kmak before he was fired from the band in 2003.

<i>Ten Thousand Fists</i> 2005 studio album by Disturbed

Ten Thousand Fists is the third studio album by American heavy metal band Disturbed. It was released on September 20, 2005 by Reprise Records and became Disturbed's second consecutive number 1 debut on the Billboard 200 in the United States, shipping around 239,000 copies in its opening week. It has been certified 2x platinum by the RIAA and was also the band's second number 1 release in New Zealand. It is also the first Disturbed album to not have the Parental Advisory label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Wengren</span> American drummer

Michael Wengren is an American drummer, best known for his work with heavy metal band Disturbed. He is one of the founding members of the band, which was formed in 1994. Wengren is known for his bass drum techniques that have become a staple of Disturbed's music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Down with the Sickness</span> 2000 single by Disturbed

"Down with the Sickness" is a song by American heavy metal band Disturbed. It was recorded in 1999 and released as the second single from the band's debut studio album, The Sickness. "Down with the Sickness" is one of Disturbed's best-known songs and is a concert staple, usually played as the last song. This was Disturbed's first single to be certified platinum in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stupify</span> 2000 single by Disturbed

"Stupify" is a song by American heavy metal band Disturbed. It was released on April 12, 2000, as the first single from their debut album, The Sickness. It peaked at No. 12 on the United States Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and No. 10 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. The song was used in an English adaptation of the Dragon Ball Z movie, Lord Slug, in the trailer for the film Swimfan, and remixed for the movie Little Nicky as "Stupify ", and even Little Scarlet. Unlike many other Disturbed songs, "Stupify" features mostly synthesizers throughout the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Voices (Disturbed song)</span> 2000 single by Disturbed

"Voices" is a song by American heavy metal band Disturbed. It was released in November 2000, as the third single from their debut album, The Sickness. The song charted at number 16 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks and number 18 on the Modern Rock Tracks. It is also available for sale on the Rock Band music store.

<i>Indestructible</i> (Disturbed album) 2008 studio album by Disturbed

Indestructible is the fourth studio album by American heavy metal band Disturbed. A self-produced effort, Indestructible is the first Disturbed album that did not feature Johnny K, the producer of Disturbed's previous three albums, The Sickness, Believe, and Ten Thousand Fists. Indestructible was recorded at Groovemaster Studios in Chicago, Illinois. The album features two songs, "Perfect Insanity" and "Divide", that were written by Disturbed prior to their first album, The Sickness, but were never previously released.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disturbed discography</span>

The discography of American heavy metal band Disturbed includes eight studio albums, two live albums, one compilation album, one extended play, 31 singles, three video albums, and 27 music videos. The band formed when guitarist Dan Donegan, drummer Mike Wengren and bassist Steve "Fuzz" Kmak hired vocalist David Draiman in 1996. A demo tape led to their signing to Giant Records, which released their debut album, The Sickness, in March 2000. The album reached the top 30 on the United States' Billboard 200, and the Australian ARIA Charts. Since its release, The Sickness was certified 5× platinum, a measure of its high sales volume, in the US by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), 3× platinum in Canada by Music Canada, and platinum in Australia by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Four singles were released from the album, "Stupify", "Voices", "The Game", and "Down with the Sickness"; the latter of which was the most successful, having been certified platinum by the RIAA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inside the Fire (song)</span> 2008 single by Disturbed

"Inside the Fire" is a song by American heavy metal band Disturbed. The song was released as the lead single from the band's fourth studio album, Indestructible (2008), on March 25, 2008, as a digital download. The song features suicidal themes, and, in May 2008, a music video was unveiled for the song. However, due to the involvement of suicidal themes in the uncensored music video, an edited version of the song and music video was released, in which these themes are absent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indestructible (Disturbed song)</span> 2008 single by Disturbed

"Indestructible" is a song by American heavy metal band Disturbed, released as the third single from their studio album of the same name. The single peaked at No. 2 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and No. 10 on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart. The music video for the song appeared on Disturbed's website on August 20, 2008, and the single was released on September 29, 2008. "Indestructible" is meant to encourage troops going into battle, and boost their morale. It is also meant to represent Disturbed's success in the music industry. It is one of Disturbed's best known songs. The song appeared in the video game Midnight Club: Los Angeles.

<i>Live & Indestructible</i> 2008 EP by Disturbed

Live & Indestructible is an extended play (EP) by American heavy metal band Disturbed. It was released on September 30, 2008 exclusively through iTunes Store and on October 7, 2008 via other online retailers. It features three live tracks from Disturbed's first online concert at Deep Rock Drive and includes the music video for Indestructible's third official single and title track, "Indestructible". The EP was also sold at Hot Topic stores exclusively in CD format, featuring an alternative cover. This version features an extra song, "Stupify", and lacks the music video for "Indestructible".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Night (Disturbed song)</span> Single by Disturbed

"The Night" is a song by American heavy metal band Disturbed. It was released on 31 March 2009, as the fourth single from their studio album, Indestructible. The song was the first from Indestructible to be completed musically. It is lyrically meant to portray the night as a living entity. Musically, "The Night" is dark and textural. Disturbed guitarist Dan Donegan was almost universally praised for his work on this song, specifically during the guitar solo. A music video to correspond with the song was filmed in January 2009 and later released in late March 2009.

<i>Asylum</i> (Disturbed album) 2010 studio album by Disturbed

Asylum is the fifth studio album by American heavy metal band Disturbed. It was released on August 31, 2010, in the United States through Reprise Records. The album is meant to take a fresh direction in the band's music career, while remaining consistent with the band's previous albums. Most of the lyrical content was inspired by aspects of frontman David Draiman's life prior to making the album. Asylum is also the third consecutive Disturbed album to not feature the Parental Advisory label. A tour in support of the album, titled the Asylum Tour, started in late August 2010.

Device was an American industrial metal band started by David Draiman, frontman of the heavy metal group Disturbed, and Geno Lenardo, former guitarist of Filter. They released one album, Device, in 2013.

<i>Device</i> (Device album) 2013 studio album by Device

Device is the only studio album by American industrial metal band Device, a side project featuring David Draiman of Disturbed and former Filter guitarist Geno Lenardo. It was released on April 9, 2013, with their first single, "Vilify", out on digital download on February 19, 2013. The second single, "You Think You Know", was released on June 11, 2013.

<i>Immortalized</i> (Disturbed album) 2015 studio album by Disturbed

Immortalized is the sixth studio album by American heavy metal band Disturbed. The album was released on August 21, 2015, by Reprise Records, and is Disturbed's first studio album since Asylum (2010), marking the longest gap between two studio albums in their career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Vengeful One</span> 2015 single by Disturbed

"The Vengeful One" is a song by heavy metal band Disturbed, from their sixth album Immortalized. It was released on June 23, 2015, and is the band's first released song in 4 years, since the release of The Lost Children. The song is featured as the background music in the opening for Ferrall on the Bench, Scott Ferrall's CBS Sports Radio show.

"The Light" is a song by American heavy metal band Disturbed, from their sixth album Immortalized. It was released as a single on October 5, 2015. Upon its release, the song was noted by many critics for its uplifting lyrics, unusual within the band's discography.

References

  1. ↑ "10 Best Nu-Metal Vocalists of All Time". July 26, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Draiman, David (interview), Hartmann, Graham (interviewer) (August 19, 2015). Disturbed's David Draiman – Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction? (Part 1). Loudwire . Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  3. ↑ Melnicoff, Mars (April 6, 2011). "YJ Draiman, Dad to Disturbed's Lead Singer: Top 5 Reasons Unknown Underdog 2013 L.A. Mayoral Candidate Is Freaking Interesting". LA Weekly. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
  4. ↑ Kandel, Jason (March 4, 2013). "8 Vie for Los Angeles Mayor in Upcoming City Primary". NBC Southern California.
  5. ↑ Ouellette, Mary (October 16, 2013). "David Draiman's Brother Ben Draiman Performs Disturbed's "Stricken"". Loudwire.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Brinn, Davd (January 2, 2011). "The hazan who became disturbed". The Jerusalem Post.
  7. ↑ "David Draiman's Brother Ben Covers Disturbed's "Sticken"". Blabbermouth.net. October 10, 2013.
  8. ↑ @davidmdraiman (January 20, 2022). "My Savta, Ziona Draiman. A Yemenite Jew whose family immigrated to Israel in the early 1900s. Tough as nails. Love…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. ↑ Ellerbee, Jacob (December 30, 2011). "Before They Were Famous". Metal Mentality. Archived from the original on January 18, 2014.
  10. ↑ Draiman, David (interview), Hartmann, Graham (interviewer) (August 19, 2015). Disturbed's David Draiman – Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction? (Part 2). Loudwire . Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  11. 1 2 M.O.L. (Media notes). Nathan "Karma" Cox. 2002.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ↑ "BLABBERMOUTH.NET – ROB HALFORD, ROBERT PLANT, BON SCOTT, OZZY Are Among 'Heavy Metal's All-Time Top 100 Vocalists'". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Disturbed's Draiman on Band's Hiatus: 'It's the Right Time to Step Away'". Billboard . July 29, 2011.
  14. ↑ "Disturbed's David Draiman: Still Angry After All These Years". Yahoo. August 20, 2015.
  15. 1 2 "David Draiman and M. Shadows Speak Out Against Florida's 'Don't Say Gay Bill'". Loudwire. March 12, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Disturbed (band)". David Draiman. May 7, 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  17. ↑ "DISTURBED's DAVID DRAIMAN Opens up About His Recent Divorce: 'I Need the Music Right Now More Than I Ever Have'". April 15, 2023.
  18. ↑ Schaffner, Lauryn (January 11, 2024). "Disturbed's David Draiman Shares Photo With His New Girlfriend". Loudwire . Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Disturbed's David Draiman sings national anthem in Israel, calls Roger Waters "a very sick man"". NME . July 4, 2019.
  20. 1 2 "DISTURBED's DAVID DRAIMAN Throws His Support Behind BERNIE SANDERS". Blabbermouth. December 16, 2015.
  21. ↑ Bandler, Aaron (June 4, 2019). "Disturbed Lead Singer Criticizes Roger Waters, BDS". Jewish Journal . Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  22. ↑ Blabbermouth (October 16, 2023). "DISTURBED's DAVID DRAIMAN: 'I've Been In A Perpetual State Of Shock And I Can't Shake It'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  23. ↑ "Disturbed's David Draiman Draws Mixed Reaction For Signing An IDF Artillery Shell With An Expletive For Hamas". ThePRP. June 18, 2024.
  24. ↑ "Mainstream Rock Songs – Week of January 15, 2022". Billboard. January 11, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Mainstream Rock Songs – Week of October 5, 2024". Billboard. October 2, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.