Tom Maxwell (guitarist)

Tom Maxwell (born June 25, 1968), is an American musician, best known as the rhythm guitarist of heavy metal supergroup Hellyeah and the lead guitarist of alternative metal band Knives Out!. Previous bands include Nothingface in which he was a founding member. After Nothingface he was involved in a band with Skrape vocalist Billy Keeton. In the 1980s he was in thrash metal band Have Mercy. His style of playing and writing relies more on grooves and hooks rather than shredding and fast soloing.

Not to be confused with Tom Maxwell (singer).

Tom Maxwell
Maxwell performing in 2013
Background information
Born (1968-06-25) June 25, 1968
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
Instruments
  • Guitar
Years active1988–present
Associated acts

Early life

Maxwell was born on June 25, 1968 in Baltimore, Maryland. He got his first guitar, a 1969 Gibson Les Paul, when he was eight years old. According to Maxwell, he still owns it.

Career

Nothingface

The band started when drummer Chris Houck put an ad out in a local magazine called Rox Magazine in Baltimore. Tom Maxwell, who was living in Baltimore at the time, contacted Chris about the ad, and said he was interested in getting together and jamming. Tom sent a tape with music that he had been working on. Chris, who was living with Bill Gaal at the time in Damascus, Maryland, got the tape and they were both impressed with what Tom had sent. From there they got together and jammed on covers of Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Jane's Addiction and clicked.[1]

Hellyeah
Maxwell performing in 2014

Maxwell became friends with Mudvayne's lead vocalist Chad Gray, and they talked about the possibility of forming a supergroup.[2] The following year, Nothingface toured with Mudvayne and talks to form the supergroup continued, although were constantly put on hold due to scheduling conflicts. At this time, Gray and Maxwell had brainstormed five band names.[3]

Mudvayne guitarist Greg Tribbett approached Maxwell "out of the blue" and wanted to join the band. Nothingface drummer Tommy Sickles originally helmed the drum kit for the band's demo, however, things did not work out and the search for a new drummer began.[4] The band knew former Pantera and Damageplan drummer Vinnie Paul, and tried to persuade him to join the band as their drummer. Originally, Paul was not sure if he would return to music after the death of his brother, Dimebag Darrell and an 18-month hiatus: "It was one of those things that I didn't think I'd be a part of this ever again without him, and after about a year and a half had gone by, these guys called me up, Chad [Gray] and Tom [Maxwell], they were like, 'We're thinking about putting this band together, would you be into it?' First couple of times, I told them, 'No, I don't think I'm ready to do this yet.' And they just were real persistent, they kept calling me. And one night, I had been drinking some red wine and listening to some KISS on 12" vinyl record and I said, 'You know what, lets take a shot at this, lets see what happens.'"[5]

The band's persistence paid off and Paul joined the project. Paul commented about joining the project: "Everybody had their head in the right place and that let's-tear-the-world-a-new-ass attitude".[6]

Personal life

When not touring, he resides in Maryland with his wife and son.

Discography

With Nothingface
Main article: Nothingface (band) § Discography

With Hellyeah
Main article: Hellyeah discography

With Knives Out!
  • The Rough Cuts EP (2010)
  • Black Mass Hysteria (2012)
  • Left in the Lurch (2016)

References
  1. "Nothingface - Biography - Metal Storm".
  2. "Hellyeah - Hellyeah". Allmusic.
  3. "Mudvayne 'On Hiatus' For At Least Two More Years". Blabbermouth.net. November 21, 2011. Archived from the original on January 23, 2012. Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  4. Jon Wiederhorn, "Hellyeah: Night Riders", Revolver, March 2007, p. 60-64 (link to Revolver back issues Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine)
  5. Williams, Jenna (May 16, 2011). "The Scream Queen Interviews Vinnie Paul of HELLYEAH and Pantera!". TheScreamQueen.com. Archived from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  6. Florino, Rick (May 4, 2007). "Hellyeah – interview with Vinnie Paul – May 2007". maximumink.com. Archived from the original on November 6, 2007. Retrieved November 16, 2007.
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