Biography
Kevin's Biography
The combination of charisma, showmanship, power, and consistency are elements that made Kevin's drumming recognizable in the industry today. As a professional touring and studio drummer, Kevin Talley, has been playing for over 20 years and has been featured in Modern Drummer, DRUM, Sick Drummer, and other international magazines. Kevin has proven versatility and has toured with numerous internationally known acts and recorded over 300 songs in the studio for artists all over the world, including North and South America, Asia, Europe, and the Western Pacific. The reputation he has built for more than a decade makes him one of the most sought after drummers in the industry and among artists across the globe, recording well over 300 songs in the studio.
Below is a summary of Kevin’s professional history. Also, check out Kevin’s discography and testimonials.
· DEITY: 1996 - 1997
o Kevin’s first death metal band and records “The Resurrected” demo on cassette tape
o Deity opens for Cannibal Corpse and many other international acts
o Deity opens for Dying Fetus in May 1997 and offers Kevin the drum gig
· DYING FETUS: 1997 - 2001
o Kevin relocates from Texas to Maryland August 1997 to join the band
o DF opens for Suffocation in March of 1998 and later offer Kevin a drum gig
o Kevin records “Killing On Adrenaline” in April 1998
o Kevin records the “Grotesque Impalement” EP in 1999
o Kevin records “Destroy The Opposition” album in 2000
o Kevin parts with DF after his last show at New England Metal Fest 2001
o Kevin offered to re join the band in 2006 when Drummer Erik Seyenga parted with DF
o Unfortunately the timing was not right and Kevin did not re join
· SUFFOCATION: 1998 May and June
o Doug Cerrito calls Kevin - “A lot of people say they can play our stuff. Can you really play our stuff?”
o Kevin drives to Long Island for several rehearsals
o Doug Cerrito has the original “Pierced From Within” artwork on his wall. It’s huge!
o Kevin fills in for the last Suffocation tour before the band’s hiatus
· MOD (METHOD OF DESTRUCTION): 2001 May - July
o Kevin parties with Dimebag and Vinnie while in Dallas for rehearsals
o Dime does donuts in Kevin’s car (the tank of flames) in Billy Milano’s backyard
o Kevin also recruits Sparky Voyles (DF) to play bass on the tour
o Kevin fills in for a tour in the summer and has a blast
· MISERY INDEX: 2001 - 2002
o Kevin records the “Overthrow” EP
o MI plays several shows on the east coast
o Kevin leaves MI and moves to Atlanta for an experimental project that never solidified
· SOILS OF FATE: 2002
o Kevin travels to Sweden to rehearse and record the “Crime Syndicate” album
o SUFFOCATION cover song “Devoid Of Truth” appears on this album
· SLAYER AUDITION: 2002
o Kevin jams 3 songs with Slayer in March at the Warfield while the band was on tour
o 2nd audition was jamming with Slayer for 2 days in their rehearsal studio
o Kevin is a favorite but former drummer Dave Lombardo rejoins Slayer
o 2 years later in 2004 Kerry King recommends Kevin Talley to Chimaira
· MISERY INDEX: 2004
o Kevin tours and records the “Dissent” EP
o Kevin parts with MI to join CHIMAIRA in June 2004
o Hellfest 2004 was Kevin’s last show with Misery Index
· CHIMAIRA: 2004 - 2006
o Kevin tours and records the “Chimaira” self titled black album
o Kevin plays the 2005 Sounds of the Underground tour
o Kevin plays Download Festival and opens for the original lineup of BLACK SABBATH
o Kevin parts when original drummer Andy Herrick rejoins the band in 2006
· THE RED CHORD: 2006 - Jan thru April
o Kevin travels to Boston to rehearse 5 days with the band
o During rehearsals, Kevin visits the Zildjian factory where they make the cymbals
o 1st leg of tour Kevin plays with The Red Chord
o 2nd leg of the tour, Kevin plays with The Red Chord and Black Dahlia Murder
· THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER: 2006 March and April
o Kevin receives call from Brian Eschbach 3 days before the first show
o Kevin learns and charts out the songs on cardboard paper and reads them during shows
o Kevin plays double duty for The Red Chord and The Black Dahlia Murder
· HATE ETERNAL: 2006 April and May
o Kevin receives call from Erik Rutan
o Kevin rehearses with the band for 8 hours
o The first show is the first time the band plays the full set together
· CATTLE DECAPITATION: 2006 October and November
o Kevin travels to San Diego to for rehearsals
o Kevin plays double duty with Cattle Decapitation and also Daath
· DEVILDRIVER: 2008 OZZFEST
o Kevin receives call to fill in for drummer John Boecklin
o Kevin rehearses 3 days with the band and plays 2 warm-up shows and OZZFEST 2008
· DAATH: 2006 - present
o Kevin records 2 songs on “The Hinderers” in 2005 while in Chimaira
o First toured with the band while pulling double duty with Daath and Cattle Decapitation
o Performs OZZFEST 2007 with Daath
o Wrote and recorded “The Concealers” album in 2008
o Upcoming album in 2010