Paul Wandtke

Paul Wandtke (born December 20, 1985) is an American musician, songwriter and producer who is the current drummer of heavy metal band Bedlem. In addition, Wandtke is lead vocalist and lead guitarist of grunge band Dead Original. He is a former drummer for Trivium and previously toured with Kill Hannah. Wandtke has been to over 48 countries as a professional drummer.

Paul Wandtke
Wandtke live at Novarock, 2016
Background information
Birth namePaul Wandtke
Born (1985-12-20) December 20, 1985
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
GenresHeavy metal, grunge
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • songwriter
  • producer
Instrument(s)
Years active2007–present
Labels
Websitepaulwandtke.com

Early life

Wandtke was born December 20, 1985, and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.

Music career

Early career

Wandtke has previously drummed for the hit musical Rock of Ages and as touring drummer for Kill Hannah during the band's main-support run with the Smashing Pumpkins.[1]

Trivium

He joined Trivium on December 5, 2015, by playing a debut show in front of 40,000 people in Mexico at Slipknot's "Knotfest" Festival.[2] He was referred to Trivium via Dream Theater's Mike Mangini when Trivium had asked John Petrucci if they knew any drummers they could check out for a new replacement.[1][3][4] In early 2017, Wandtke left Trivium.[5]

Bedlem

In 2017, Wandtke launched the band Bedlem with lead vocalist Mike Petrasek, lead guitarist Joey Trace Brassal and bassist Brian Ahern after his departure from Trivium. Bedlem released their debut single "Triumph" on February 6, 2017.[6][7] Their debut album was released on October 31, 2018.

Dead Original

In 2017, Wandtke formed the grunge band Dead Original with bassist Dina Simone and drummer Rob Lerner. Dead Original released their debut single "Bored Again" on December 28, 2017. Their debut album, Bought and Sold, is set to be released on November 13, 2020.

Side projects

He also sings and plays guitar for a national touring Nirvana tribute band called Smells Like Nirvana, which is based in Chicago and have performed fly-in casino dates as well as many midwest dates with plans to do some tours in 2017. Paul Wandtke has said that Nirvana is the reason he got into music so that's why Smells Like Nirvana was created, also because it was an attempt to gain some experience as a frontman to later start his own original band.[8][9]

Equipment

He is endorsed by Tama drums, Meinl cymbals, Evans drum heads, Vic Firth drum sticks, Pure Fix cycles, Vratim shoes and Humes and Berg cases.[10][11][12]

Discography
Bedlem
  • Back to Bedlem (2018)
Dead Original
  • Bored Again (2018)

References
  1. "Trivium Recruit". Metal Temple. Retrieved September 6, 2016
  2. "New TRIVIUM Drummer PAUL WANDTKE: More Video Footage Of Live Debut". Blabbermouth. December 12, 2015. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  3. "Trivium Debut New Drummer Paul Wandtke | Music News @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com". www.ultimate-guitar.com. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  4. McGauley, Mark (January 19, 2016). "Trivium Destroys A Sold Out Lost Horizon". NYS Music. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  5. "Trivium Name New Drummer, Paul Wandtke Comments on Exit". Loudwire. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  6. "Paul Wandtke Confirms He's Exited Trivium, New Touring Drummer Announced". Screaming Guitars. January 23, 2017. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  7. "Ex-Trivium Drummer Paul Wandtke's New Band Bedlem is Groovy as Hell". www.metalinjection.net. February 15, 2017. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  8. "Smells Like Nirvana – Chicago's grungiest tribute to Nirvana". www.smellslikenirvanatribute.com. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  9. "Smells Like Nirvana – Paul Wandtke drummer for Trivium". www.paulwandtke.com. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  10. "Evans Drumheads : Artist Detail : Paul Wandtke". daddario.com. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  11. LTD., HOSHINO GAKKI CO. "Paul Wandtke | TAMA Drums". Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  12. Cymbals, MEINL. "Paul Wandtke". MEINL Cymbals – Artists. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
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