Atom Willard: Difference between revisions

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Adam David Willard (born August 15, 1973), better known by his stage name Atom Willard, is an American drummer. Active since 1990, Willard is known for his stints in the bands Rocket from the Crypt (1990-2000) and The Offspring (2003-2007) as well as his current stint in the Angels & Airwaves (2005-present), which features former blink-182 singer/guitarist Tom DeLonge. He has also played in other projects such as MOTH and The Special Goodness, actually with Overflow-Crowds

John Reis started 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 recorded several albums while a member of the band, one of which was the band's 1995 major label debut Scream, Dracula, Scream!, which was thought by many to be the "breakthrough" album for the band. Atom's final record with Rocket from the Crypt was the band's 1998 release, RFTC.

Atom Willard drummed for MOTH on their 3rd album Provisions, Fiction and Gear released on Virgin Records in 2002. After the band was dropped from their major-label, he departed for The Offspring and was replaced by Kevin Hogle.

Atom Willard was the drummer for The Offspring between 2003 and 2007.

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.

While a member of the band, Willard participated in several tours around the globe, including the 2005 Vans Warped Tour, in support of two of the band's records, Splinter, and Greatest Hits.

Despite Offspring shows with Willard, he had not recorded drums for their upcoming eighth studio album Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace and left the band in July 2007 to concentrate on his work with Angels & Airwaves and was replaced by former Saves the Day and Face to Face drummer Pete Parada.

In 2006, when The Offspring were on a "touring hiatus" Atom joined Angels & 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 who has been replaced by now bassist Matt Wachter, former bassist for 30 Seconds to Mars. According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, DeLonge trademarked "Angels & 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 23, 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 chose to release that in its place.

We Don't Need To Whisper/I-Empire Recordings

We Don't Need To Whisper: OCDP Drums White Marine Pearl Wrap w/ Tube Lugs 26x18" Kick 14x6.5" Brass Snare 12x7" Snare 6x6" Rack Tom 13x9" Rack Tom 16x16" Floor Tom 18x16" Floor Tom

Zildjian Cymbals (FLTR) 18" ZHT Prototype Crash 14" K Custom Session HiHat Top/New Beat Brilliant Bottom 19" A Custom Projection Crash 22" K Custom Ride 20" A Custom Projection Crash 22" K Custom Medium Ride

DW Hardware & Pedals 5000 Series Boom and Straight Stands, 9000 Series Single Pedal, 9000 Series HiHat Stand, 9000 Snare Stands

Zildjian Super 5B Wood Tip

Remo Emperor Coated, Powerstroke 3, and Sound Control on the snares.

I-Empire: OCDP Drums Clear Acrylic w/ Large Tear Drop Lugs. 26x20" Kick 24x20" Kick (Studio Use Only) 14x6.5" Hybrid Snare: Black Beauty Middle, Mahogany Edegs 12x7" Acrylic Snare with Full Tube Lugs 8x6" Rack Tom 12x8" Rack Tom 13x9" Rack Tom (Studio Only) 16x14" Floor Tom 18x16" Floor Tom

Zildjian Cymbals (FLTR) 20" A Custom EFX Crash Prototype (Only One Made) 14" Avedis New Beat HiHats (Brilliant Top, Traditional Bottom) 20" A Custom Projection Crash 22" A Custom Ride 21" Avedis Sweet Ride Brilliant 24" Orchestral Ride Brilliant Top, Tradition Bottom 6" Zil Bel

LP Percussion Low Pitched Gawk Block (Gray) Cyclops Tambourine Wood Block (Nailed To Bass Drum Hoop)

Kat Electronics (except where noted) 2 Bass Triggers with DW 5000 Single Pedals Several Drum Tubes & Triggers 8 Pad Controller ROLAND Membrane

DW Hardware & Pedals (except where noted) 5000 Series Boom and Straight Stands, 5000 Series Single Pedal, 5000 Series HiHat Stand, 9000 Snare Stands Roc N' Soc Tractor Throne in Black with BUTT KICKER controller

Zildjian Super 5B Wood Tip

Moon Gel Pads

Remo Emperor Coated, Powerstroke 3, and Sound Control on the snares.

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