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

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. 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. The band eventually settled in 1983 with a lineup including Ian and Lilker, lead vocalist Neil Turbin (who joined in August 1982), drummer Charlie Benante and lead guitarist Dan Spitz.

After signing with Jon Zazula's new thrash metal label Megaforce Records later in the year, Anthrax recorded its debut album Fistful of Metal. 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. He was replaced by Frank Bello (Benante's nephew). Tensions continued to grow between Turbin and the rest of the group as they toured throughout 1984, leading to his eventual departure in August. Turbin was briefly replaced by Matt Fallon, before Joey Belladonna joined later in the year. 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.

1992 onwards

Dan Spitz left Anthrax in 1995 to become a professional watchmaker. Guitars on Stomp 442 were recorded by Ian, Benante, Paul Crook and Pantera's Dimebag Darrell. Crook remained with Anthrax for touring and recording after the release of Stomp 442, although never became an official member. He was replaced in August 2001 by former Boiler Room guitarist Rob Caggiano. Bello briefly left in March 2004, with Joey Vera temporarily taking his place. It was announced in September 2005 that Spitz, Bello and Belladonna would return to Anthrax for a reunion tour and potentially new recordings. 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.

By the end of 2007, the group had enlisted Dan Nelson as its new lead vocalist and brought back Caggiano. However, after recording a new album with the band, Nelson left in July 2009 and was replaced for future tour dates by Bush. 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. Caggiano left the band in January 2013, with Shadows Fall lead guitarist Jon Donais taking his place a week later.

Members

Current

Image	Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
	Scott Ian	1981–present	rhythm guitar backing vocals bass (studio only) lead guitar (1981, occasionally afterwards)	all Anthrax releases
	Charlie Benante	1983–present	drums percussion additional lead guitar (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 guitar backing vocals	Chile on Hell (2014) For All Kings (2016) Kings Among Scotland (2018) XL (2022)

Former

Image	Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
	Dan Lilker	1981–1984 (touring 2024)	bass rhythm guitar (1981–1982) backing vocals	Fistful of Metal (1984)
	David Weiss	1981	drums	none
	John Connelly		lead vocals
	Paul Kahn		bass
	Kenny Kushner
	Dirk Kennedy	1981	lead vocals
	Greg Walls	1981–1983	lead guitar	Fistful of Metal (1984) uncredited songwriting
	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 guitar 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)
	Rob Caggiano	2001–2005 2007–2013	lead guitar backing vocals	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
	Paul Crook	1995–2000	lead guitar backing vocals	Crook joined the band as Dan Spitz's guitar tech in 1989, he took on live guitar duties after Spitz's departure in 1995. He played lead guitar on select tracks on Stomp 442 (1995) and Volume 8: The Threat Is Real (1998) the latter of which he co-produced. He also served as an understudy in 2022.
	Dave Sabo	2000		Sabo toured with Anthrax during 2000, when regular guitarist Crook was touring with Sebastian Bach.
	Joey Vera	2004–2005 2008 2012	bass backing vocals	Vera toured with Anthrax after Bello's departure in 2004, and again in 2008 and 2012.
	Jason Bittner	2006 2012	drums	Bittner first filled in for Benante on the final two shows of the "Among the Living" lineup reunion tour in January 2006 when Benante's daughter was born, and two more in February 2012. Bittner also did the entire summer 2012 Rockstar Mayhem tour and subsequent fall 2012 tour until Benante returned in October after another battle with Carpal tunnel.
	Andreas Kisser	2011	rhythm guitar backing vocals	Kisser substituted for Ian at eleven shows in July 2011, following the birth of the founding guitarist's first child.
	Gene Hoglan	2012 2018	drums	Hoglan filled in for Benante, who was spending time with his terminally ill mother, at shows in January 2012. He filled in again in 2018 when Benante was forced to take a break from touring due to his carpal tunnel syndrome.
	Jon Dette	2012 2013 2015 2017 2018		Dette has substituted for Benante on various tours between November 2012 and May 2017. Dette filled in for Benante again in 2018 when Benante was forced to take a break from touring due to his carpal tunnel syndrome.
	Derek Roddy	2023		Roddy substituted for Benante in 2023 for medical reasons.

Timeline

Lineups

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.
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11. Rivadavia, Eduardo (October 24, 2015). "How Anthrax Moved With the Times on 'Stomp 442'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
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14. ^ "It's Official: Anthrax Part Ways With Bassist Frank Bello". Blabbermouth.net. March 4, 2004. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
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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. Schaffner, Lauryn (March 28, 2024). "Classic Anthrax Member Returning After 40 Years for Limited Tour Dates". Loudwire. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
23. Blabbermouth (January 13, 2023). "PAUL CROOK Says His Tour With JOHN BUSH Performing ANTHRAX Material Will Be 'F***ing Badass'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
24. Joy, Aaron (October 13, 2011). "THE ROCK INTERVIEWS OF AARON JOY: "A Walking Jukebox" An Interview With PAUL CROOK of ANTHRAX, SEBASTIAN BACH, MEAT LOAF". THE ROCK INTERVIEWS OF AARON JOY. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
25. Childers, Chad (August 16, 2022). "Anthrax Tapped Familiar Face to 'Understudy' for Their Summer Tour". Loudwire. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
26. Mancini, Rob (February 2, 2000). "Anthrax And Sebastian Bach Swap Guitarists". MTV. Archived from the original on September 27, 2017. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
27. "Joey Vera: 'My Time With Anthrax Is Done'". Blabbermouth.net. March 29, 2005. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
28. "Anthrax Bassist Bello Forced To Sit Out Heavy MTL Festival; Joey Vera Steps In". Blabbermouth.net. June 20, 2008. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
29. "Anthrax Bassist To Sit Out Next Few Shows; Armored Saint's Joey Vera Steps In". Blabbermouth.net. February 2, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
30. "Shadows Fall Drummer To Play With Anthrax". Blabbermouth.net. January 18, 2006. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
31. "Anthrax Taps Shadows Fall Drummer For Argentina Dates". Blabbermouth.net. February 9, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
32. Sciarretto, Amy (July 1, 2012). "Shadows Fall Drummer Jason Bittner Filling in for Anthrax's Charlie Benante on Mayhem Fest". Loudwire. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
33. "Sepultura's Andreas Kisser Says Playing With 'Big Four' Has Been 'Amazing'". Blabbermouth.net. July 31, 2011. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
34. "Gene Hoglan Is 'Honored' To Be Filling In For Anthrax's Charlie Benante". Blabbermouth.net. January 28, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
35. Kennelty, Greg (May 24, 2018). "Watch TESTAMENT's Gene Hoglan Fill In With ANTHRAX Live". Metal Injection. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
36. "Anthrax Taps Former Slayer/Testament Drummer Jon Dette For European Tour (Video)". Blabbermouth.net. November 6, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
37. "Anthrax Drummer Forced To Miss Australian Tour; Jon Dette To Step In". Blabbermouth.net. February 19, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
38. "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.
39. "Charlie Benante Sitting Out Anthrax's European Tour Dates; Jon Dette Once Again Steps In". Blabbermouth.net. October 27, 2015. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
40. "Anthrax: Drum Cam Footage Of Jon Dette From Kansas City, Missouri". Blabbermouth.net. May 12, 2017. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
41. "Anthrax: Drum-Cam Footage of Jon Dette Performing 'Be All, End All' in 2018". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. September 24, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
42. "Watch: ANTHRAX Plays First Concert With Drummer DEREK RODDY". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. January 21, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
43. "Anthrax "Victim of Changes" live 1982". YouTube. January 29, 2013. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
44. Lawson, Dom (July 11, 2022). "Anthrax's XL live album is a dive into one of metal's greatest back catalogues". loudersound. Retrieved May 12, 2023.

External links

• Anthrax official website

• Anthrax (American band) members
• Lists of members by band