Scott Ian

  • Los Angeles, CA
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  • Rock
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  • 1981
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About Scott Ian


The main ingredient of Anthrax's sound is the group's crunchy guitar riffs, courtesy of Scott Ian. Funny enough, though, it has been drummer Charlie Benante who has penned the lion's share of Anthrax's music, but it's Scott who has been the lyric writer since early on. Born Scott Rosenfeld and raised in Queens, New York, Scott fell under the spell of Kiss early on, resulting in an interest in guitar, and by the early '80s, the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement (Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Motörhead, etc.). Looking to form a band in that style, Scott formed Anthrax. Although he would become the only original member to remain in attendance (countless musicians passed through their ranks during the first year or two alone), the group built a large local following amongst metalheads, and along with Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth, helped create the style now known as thrash metal. It was not until well after the release of Anthrax's debut album, 1984's Fistful of Metal, that the group found a somewhat stable lineup who would remain together throughout the early '90s -- singer Joey Belladonna, Scott (who had now changed his last name from Rosenfeld to 'Ian'), lead guitarist Dan Spitz, bassist Frank Bello, and drummer Benante. Anthrax would soon become one of the world's top thrash bands, on the strength of a string of classic metal releases -- 1985's Spreading the Disease, 1987's Among the Living, 1988's State of Euphoria, and 1990's Persistence of Time. Ian and his bandmates also soon became all about breaking down musical barriers previously thought to be 'off-limits' -- first merging metal and hardcore together in Ian's side project, S.O.D. (1985's cult classic Speak English or Die), and combining metal with rap (I'm the Man and a collaboration with Public Enemy, "Bring the Noise") -- two metal subgenre's that would be commonplace by the late '90s. But just as Ian and co. seemed to be ready to take the mainstream head-on, lineup hiccups occurred. Former Armored Saint vocalist John Bush replaced Belladonna for 1993's Sound of White Noise, and shortly thereafter, Spitz exited, as well. While the group's ensuing albums, 1995's Stomp 442, 1998's Volume 8: The Threat Is Real, and 2003's We've Come for You All, failed to match their earlier work's commercial success, Anthrax managed to retain their loyal cult following -- especially as a touring band. Although he still records and tours with Anthrax, Ian found himself the focus of attention for extracurricular activities during this time, including penning another S.O.D. album, 1999's Bigger Than the Devil, hosting the heavy metal TV program Rock Show on VH1, guesting on Tricky's 1998 release, Angels With Dirty Faces, and landing a bit part in the movie Run Ronnie Run. But there has been an 'accomplishment' or two he's undoubtedly not exactly proud of, such as drunkenly breaking into a training facility of the New York Yankee's and being arrested in 1997. Regardless, Ian's contributions to the world of heavy metal remain quite significant. ~ Greg Prato, Rovi

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Interviews & Exclusives

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  • Pre Show Rituals with Scott Ian and Jack Russell
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    Pre Show Rituals with Scott Ian and Jack Russell
  • That Metal Show Season 4 Episode 5: Scott Ian & Pearl Aday (Part 2)
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    That Metal Show Season 4 Episode 5: Scott Ian & Pearl Aday (Part 2)
  • That Metal Show Season 4 Episode 5: Scott Ian & Pearl Aday (Part 2)
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    That Metal Show Season 4 Episode 5: Scott Ian & Pearl Aday (Part 2)
  • That Metal Show Season 4 Episode 5: Scott Ian & Pearl Aday (Part 3)
    scott-ian-1
    video
    That Metal Show Season 4 Episode 5: Scott Ian & Pearl Aday (Part 3)
  • That Metal Show Season 4 Episode 5: Scott Ian & Pearl Aday (Part 1)
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    That Metal Show Season 4 Episode 5: Scott Ian & Pearl Aday (Part 1)

Photos

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  • Scott Ian and Flavor Flav perform at the VH1 Hip Hop Honors October 3, 2004 in New York City.
    Scott Ian
    Scott Ian and Flavor Flav perform at the VH1 Hip Hop Honors October 3, 2004 in New York City.
    Scott Gries/Getty Images
  • Scott Ian and Amanda Aday at the VH1 Classic Rock Autism Celebrity Bowl-Off
    Scott Ian
    Scott Ian and Amanda Aday at the VH1 Classic Rock Autism Celebrity Bowl-Off
    Stephen Knight
  • Scott Ian and Slash perform during the VH1 Rock Honors at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on May 25, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
    Scott Ian
    Scott Ian and Slash perform during the VH1 Rock Honors at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on May 25, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
    Kevin Winter/Getty Images

News

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  • Scott Ian
    25 Things We Know So Far About Season 3 Of 'Teen Wolf'
    Remote Control
    May 15, 2013
    We know, we know -- you've been waiting an eternity for the " Teen Wolf " Season 3 premiere, but we should warn you: It's gonna hit like a ton of br...
    Read More

Tour Dates

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  • May 24 Friday
    Oxford, UK O2 Academy Oxford
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  • May 25 Saturday
    Cardiff, UK The Gate Arts & Community Centre
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  • May 26 Sunday
    Gloucester, UK Gloucester Guildhall
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  • May 27 Monday
    Plymouth, UK White Rabbit
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  • May 28 Tuesday
    York, UK The Duchess
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  • May 29 Wednesday
    Rugby, UK Vault Rugby
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  • May 31 Friday
    Liverpool, UK O2 Academy Liverpool
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  • Jun 1 Saturday
    Manchester, UK Sound Control
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  • Jun 2 Sunday
    Stoke On Trent, UK The Underground
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  • Jun 3 Monday
    Manchester, UK Sound Control
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  • Jun 4 Tuesday
    Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK The Cluny 2
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  • Jun 5 Wednesday
    Glasgow, UK The Arches
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  • Jun 6 Thursday
    Belfast, UK Limelight Belfast
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  • Jun 6 Thursday
    Cork, Ireland Cyprus Avenue
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  • Jun 7 Friday
    Cork, Ireland Cyprus Avenue
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  • Jun 7 Friday
    Belfast, UK Limelight 2
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  • Jun 8 Saturday
    Dublin, Ireland Button Factory
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  • Jun 10 Monday
    Bournemouth, UK O2 Academy Bournemouth
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  • Jun 11 Tuesday
    London, UK The Garage
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  • Aug 1 Thursday
    Wacken, Germany Wacken Open Air
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