Atom Willard: Difference between revisions

Adam "Atom" Willard (born August 15, 1973), is the current drummer of the bands Angels and Airwaves and The Special Goodness. Atom is also mentioned as "Drum God" in Weezer's Green Album. This is because he was Patrick Wilson's drum tech in the post-Pinkerton and Green Album eras.

Adam plays Orange County Drums and Percussion custom drums. He uses Zildjian cymbals (a combination of K Customs and A Customs), Drum Workshop 9000 pedals and stands, Remo drumheads and Zildjian sticks.

John Reis formed Rocket from the Crypt in 1990 after the breakup of his original band, Pitchfork, and gave himself the stage name of "Speedo". Other original band members included N.D. (Andy Stamets), guitar; Petey X (Pete Reichert), bass. Atom (Adam Willard) joined as drummer after Rocket's first drummer 'Sean' departed following the release of their debut LP Paint as a Fragrance. Citing disagreements between members over the band's direction, Atom left RFTC in early 2000.

Atom also played drums in other obscure San Diego bands on the side throughout the early-'90s, starting out in Crankshaft with Davin Newbacher and Tod Swank; and Custom Floor with former pro skaters Garry Davis on guitar and Phil Esbenshade on bass.

Atom Willard was the drummer for The Offspring between 2003 and 2007. Although he is rumored to have left the band, it was reported on their official website that he is still happy to be part of the band. The Offspring is currently in the studio with Bob Rock completing their as-yet-untitled eighth studio album, which is due for release sometime in 2007. It will also be their only official studio release with Willard.

Willard joined The Offspring in 2003, replacing the popular Ron Welty on drums during the sessions of their seventh album Splinter. However, Welty or Willard both remain absent on the credits. Josh Freese actually handled the drum tracks.

Although Willard recorded The Offpsring's still-untitled follow-up to Splinter, he left the band in July 2007 to concentrate on his work with Angels and Airwaves. He has been replaced by then-face to face drummer Pete Parada.

In 2006, when The Offspring was on a "touring hiatus" Atom joined Angels and Airwaves, a band created by former blink-182 guitarist/vocalist Tom DeLonge alongside Hazen Street and former Box Car Racer guitarist David Kennedy, and The Distillers bassist Ryan Sinn. According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, DeLonge trademarked "Angels and Airwaves" on June 24, 2005 amidst the lingering confusion of blink-182's abruptly announced hiatus. Their debut album, We Don't Need to Whisper, was released on May 23rd, 2006. Their announced first single, "Valkyrie Missile", was set for a March/April release, but following the subsequent leaking of the song "The Adventure", the label has chosen to release it in its place. DeLonge personally claims that his new project will be "the best music made in decades" as well as being "much more powerful, emotional and melodic than Box Car Racer and blink put together."

• The Official Rocket from the Crypt Website
• The Official Angels and Airwaves Website
• The Official Angels and Airwaves MySpace
• The Official Angels and Airwaves Forum
• The Official Offspring Website