Bobby Jarzombek.com

BOBBY JARZOMBEK, best known as the time-keeper for British metal legend Rob Halford, is the epitome of a laid back, good natured, friendly Texan. But put a pair of drum sticks in this man's hands and watch Dr. Jeckyl turn into Mr. Hyde. Jarzombek's skill level behind the kit is truly frightening and anyone that's ever seen or heard him play can only echo the Metal God's sentiments who calls Bobby "the best heavy metal drummer I know."

Jarzombek was born and raised in San Antonio, TX and grew up in a very musical family. Picking up the drums at age 10 ("my mom bought me a $14.- kit from Sears for Christmas..."), Bobby soon started jamming with his two brothers, Ralph and Ronnie, and eventually hit the club scene by the time he was a high school senior. Quickly developing into one of the hottest drummers in town, he then joined local up-and-comers, JUGGERNAUT, with whom he made his official recording debut, aptly titled 'Baptism Under Fire', in 1986. A second album followed but by then Bobby had already been tapped to join seminal New York metal band RIOT for their CBS comeback release, 'Thundersteel', a power metal milestone that also yielded an MTV video in 'Bloodstreets.'

As a member of Riot, Jarzombek toured throughout the US, Europe and Japan and recorded a total of 5 studio and 2 live albums, including 'The Privilege Of Power', an eclectic semi-concept album featuring the Tower Of Power horns and other special guests, 'Nightbreaker' ('94), which signaled the arrival of new vocalist Mike DiMeo, and 1998's 'Shine On!', recorded live in Japan. During that time, Bobby's signature drum style, a unique blend of absolute power, dazzling chops, imagination, and creativity, became an integral part of the Riot sound, so much so that after departing the band early into the 'Brethren Of The Long House' sessions, he was persuaded to rejoin in time for 1997's 'Inishmore.'

In the mid 90's, Bobby also reconnected with his younger brother, cult guitar hero Ron Jarzombek of WatchTower fame. Joined by Riot bassist Pete Perez, the duo formed SPASTIC INK (as in "crazy, written-out music"), a post-progressive all-instrumental outfit whose 'anything goes'-approach - as evident on their highly touted 1997 debut disc, 'Ink Complete' - owes as much to the spirit of Zappa and Carl Stalling as it does to the brothers' early prog heroes such as UK and Rush. It is also a reflection of Bobby Jarzombek's philosophy as someone who has always considered himself "a musician first - without regard for stylistic boundaries."

However, it was his prowess as a metal drummer that would elevate Bobby's career to a whole new level when in the fall of 1999 he was asked to submit a package to former Judas Priest vocalist Rob Halford whose new project was deep into the pre-production phase but lacked that last vital link. HALFORD was more than impressed after what the singer later described as "seeing a videotape of the sickest drum solo I've seen in my life. It takes a lot to impress me because I've been around the block! I knew Bobby from Riot but had never seen him play live. He's like an illusionist on the drum kit. It's effortless and entertaining, and he's just brilliant." A few weeks later, Jarzombek found himself at a Los Angeles recording studio laying down drum tracks for what would become the Metal God's triumphant, Roy Z produced return to former glory with 'Resurrection.'

In the wake of 'Resurrection', Bobby experienced the highs of touring big venues in North and South America as support to Iron Maiden, including a sold out show at New York's Madison Square Garden, jamming with Bruce Dickinson and Geoff Tate in London and Rudolf Schenker in Hanover, and delivering the goods in front of 250,000 crazed fans at 'Rock In Rio III' in Brazil - since documented on Halford's 'Live Insurrection' double CD. He was also voted '#1 Drummer 2000' by the readers of Japanese metal bible Burrn! in recognition of his work on 'Rez.' And then there was that surreal rock star moment of being rushed to a Sting concert in Chile with a full police escort and blaring sirens.

Halford's blazing sophomore release, 'Crucible', gave Bobby a chance to stretch creatively in ways its predecessor 'Resurrection' only hinted at. America's foremost authority on all things percussion, Modern Drummer Magazine, called the album "a stunning slab of metal, and Bobby Jarzombek's drumming is a prime reason. On propulsive scorchers like 'Betrayal' (which begins with a dazzling mini-solo), 'Heretic' and 'Handing Out Bullets', the drummer shows astonishing power and precision. The Metal God knows how to pick 'em." The drumming community also took notice of Bobby's talents as he was invited to co-headline both the 'DrumFest' in Mexico City in 2002 and the 'International Percussion Festival' in Poland the following year.

After the demise of the Halford band following their Japan-only 'Fourging The Furnace' EP and short-lived '2003 Metal Gods' US Tour, Jarzombek forged ahead with band mate/guitarist Mike Chlasciak in the newly formed PAINMUSEUM whose debut album 'Metal For Life' hit stores in the fall of '04. 2004 also saw the release of the highly anticipated second Spastic Ink CD, 'Ink Compatible', a high-intensity prog/tech metal maelstrom, with guest spots by such luminaries as Marty Friedman, Jens Johansson, and Michael Manring among others, that had reviewers slack-jawed. Drum! Magazine raved: "Bobby Jarzombek is a monster to pull off this kind of dexterous drumming. He wades through the breathtaking linear patterns and riffs of 'Just A Little Bit', and the ridiculous 11/16 grooving and instrumental call-and-answers of 'Multi-Masking'."

Bobby also began a project near and dear to his heart, 'Performance & Technique', his first ever drum video, put together over the span of several months in San Antonio and his new home, Los Angeles. 'P&T' spotlights Bobby's unique approach to drumming and features two free-form solos, footage of a Riot-era drum solo performed live in Japan, and full-length performances of the Latin-flavored 'So It Ain't!' as well as 'Peppered Cancer' and 'School', two new songs co-written and recorded with Ron Jarzombek on guitar. An expanded DVD version with additional footage offering a behind-the-scenes look into other related areas, including 'Selecting Cymbals at Paiste', 'In the Studio', 'Soundchecking the Drumset', and a 'Photo Gallery', was released in early 2005 via Warner Bros. Publications.

Bobby's next stop would turn out to be the mighty ICED EARTH, led by guitarist Jon Schaffer and featuring, ironically enough, former Judas Priest vocalist, Tim Owens. Handpicked by the band's former drummer, Richard Christy, who has since become shock jock Howard Stern's new sidekick (replacing current 'Tonight Show' announcer 'Stuttering' John Melendez who once toiled in a band with Bobby's former Riot mate Mike DiMeo - can you say small world!?), Jarzombek was asked to step in 'on the fly' and quickly earned the respect of his new colleagues and fans alike. Bobby's concert year was highlighted with a couple of major overseas Iced Earth headline appearances at Belgium's 'Graspop Metal Meeting' and the prestigious 'Bang Your Head!!!' festival in Southern Germany in front of ten of thousands of fans.

Back on home soil, Bobby recorded drums at Morrissound Studios in Florida for the second DEMONS & WIZARDS disc, 'Touched By The Crimson King', a high profile project between Iced Earth mainman Jon Schaffer and Blind Guardian vocalist Hansi Kuersch, and propelled ROB ROCK's monsterous 'Holy Hell', produced by Halford band mate/guitarist Roy Z, making Jarzombek the pounding force behind two of the hottest metal releases of the summer of 2005.

After crossing paths at 'Bang Your Head!!!' the previous year, Bobby also caught the attention of former Skid Row frontman, SEBASTIAN BACH, who enlisted his services for the duration of his '05 festival trek, an engagement that has since turned into a full-time gig. Appearing at numerous major festivals and opening arena and stadium shows for the new Guns N'Roses by special invitation of mainman Axl Rose, 2006 saw Bobby crisscrossing the globe and rocking massive crowds from the UK to Japan, China to Australia, and virtually every place in between. Jarzombek also moved from long-time drum endorser Pearl to DW (Drum Workshop) / PDP (Pacific Drums and Percussion), and made his Hollywood movie debut providing several Dave Sardy (Slayer, Helmet) produced drum tracks for the Oscar-nominated animated feature, 'Monster House.' Bobby was also enlisted by famed producer Joe Barresi (Tool, Queens Of The Stone Age) to record drums and cymbals for sample library project, 'Platinum Samples Joe Barresi Evil Drums for BFD', released in 2007.

To be continued.