Brandon Saller
| Brandon Saller | |
|---|---|
|
Saller with Atreyu in 2006 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | June 24, 1983 |
| Origin | Orange County, California, United States |
| Genres | Post-hardcore, melodic metalcore |
| Occupation(s) | Drummer, vocalist |
| Instruments | Drums, Percussion, Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Keyboard, Programming, Strings |
| Labels | Hollywood |
Brandon Kyle Saller (born June 24, 1983) is a multi instrumentalist and song writer. He is the drummer and vocalist of metalcore band Atreyu. He is responsible for the melodic singing found in the band's music. He is the band's primary songwriter, along with guitarist Dan Jacobs. Following Atreyu's hiatus in 2011, Saller brought his side project, the Black Cloud Collective, into the media, renaming it as Hell or Highwater, who released a full length album, entitled Begin Again, in 2011. The band released an EP entitled The Other Side in August 2013. In Hell or Highwater, Saller serves as the band's frontman.
Atreyu
At 13, Saller was invited by his older brother Ryan to join a band started by some of his friends, Dan Jacobs and Alex Varkatzas. The three of them formed a street punk band called Retribution, which by 1998, had adapted a heavier sound and changed names to Atreyu after the main character of The Neverending Story. The band signed to Victory Records in 2001 and released 3 albums under the label, Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses in 2002, The Curse in 2004, and A Death-Grip on Yesterday in 2006. The band later joined major label Hollywood Records and released 2007's Lead Sails Paper Anchor and 2009's Congregation of the Damned. After over 10 years of worldwide success, the band embarked on hiatus, but returned in 2014. They released their sixth studio album, Long Live in 2015. [1][2][3]
Vocal duties
Saller did not sing on the band's 1998 EP, Visions, as he only played drums for the band at that time. Between Visions and Fractures in the Facade of Your Porcelain Beauty, Saller learned to sing while playing drums and became the band's clean vocalist. On Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses, his vocals were largely confined to choruses, however, as Atreyu's career went on, Saller's vocals would get more and more frequent, and they would become a major part of Atreyu's sound.
Hell or Highwater
Formerly the Black Cloud Collective, Hell or Highwater resulted out of Saller's solo material and eventually became a full band. He is solely the band's vocalist. The band released their debut album, Begin Again, independently on iTunes in 2011. After touring for over a year, the band recouped and released an EP, entitled The Other Side in August 2013.
Equipment
Early days
In the early days of Atreyu, Saller used Spaun Custom Drums and Zildjian cymbals. He would later become endorsed by Istanbul cymbals in late 2004.[4]
Drums
22x20 Kick
12x8 Rack Tom
16x16 Floor Tom
13x7 Snare Drum
Cymbals
14" A New Beat Hi Hats
18" A Custom Projection Crash
19" A Custom Projection Crash
20" A Custom Projection Ride
18" China Boy High
Brandon also used a set of 14" A Custom Mastersound Hi Hats, an 18" oriental China Trash, a 6" Zil Bel, and two 19" Z Custom crashes throughout the early days of Atreyu. With Istanbul, Saller used the Alchemy series. He used a set of 15" hi hats, two 20" crashes, a 20" ride, and a 20" china.
2006 to 2010
In 2006, Saller became endorsed by Truth Custom Drums and Zildjian cymbals, of which he had an iconic black acrylic drum kit that featured three bass drums.[5][6]
Drums
22x20 Bass Drum (3x)
10x7 Rack Tom (added on in 2009)
12x8 Rack Tom (added on in 2007)
13x9 Rack Tom
16x16 Floor Tom
18x16 Floor Tom
14x8 Snare Drum
Cymbals
15" A New Beat Hi Hats
19" A Custom Medium Crash
20" A Custom Medium Crash
19" K Custom Hybrid Crash
20" A Custom Projection Ride
12" A Custom Splash
20" China Boy High
2014-present
When Atreyu reformed in 2014, Truth created a new drum kit for Saller for use on the Aftershock and Knotfest festivals, as well as to record Atreyu's 2015 album, Long Live
24x16 Kick Drums (3x)
10x7 Rack Tom
12x8 Rack Tom
13x9 Rack Tom
16x16 Floor Tom
18x16 Floor Tom
14x8 Brandon Saller Signature Snare
Saller also uses Remo Drumheads, DW hardware, DW 9000 pedals, and Vic Firth drumsticks.
References
- ↑ "Fright Exclusive Interview with Atreyu's "Big Dan" Jacobs!! : Icons of Fright – Horror News | Horror Interviews | Horror Reviews & More!". Iconsoffright.com. 2013-07-16. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
- ↑ Atreyu (band)
- ↑ A Death-Grip on Yesterday
- ↑ "Atreyu interview by Toazted". YouTube. 2012-07-27. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
- ↑ Category: Who Plays What. "Atreyu - Brandon Saller Drum Kit Gear and Equipment". Uberproaudio.com. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
- ↑ "Truth Custom Drums » Atreyu/ Hell or Highwater". Truthdrums.com. 2011-08-09. Retrieved 2013-09-03.