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Vincent Paul Abbott, also known as "Vinnie Paul" (born on March 11, 1964) is a hard rock drummer and producer who is currently a member of supergroup Hellyeah, but is best known for being a member, and co-founder, of the heavy metal band Pantera. He also co-founded the heavy metal band Damageplan in 2003 with his late younger brother, Dimebag Darrell.
Biography edit:
Early life edit:
This section requires expansion. (May 2013)
Vincent Paul Abbott was born in Abilene on March 11, 1964. His parents are Jerry, a country music songwriter and producer, and Carolyn Abbott. He recorded and performed in the groups Pantera (1981-2003) and Damageplan (2003-2004) alongside his late brother, guitarist Dimebag Darrell.
Personal life edit:
Abbott was raised Protestant.
In December 2008, he handpicked several of his most memorable drum parts to demonstrate in a promotional video for the drum company ddrum: "Use My Third Arm", "Primal Concrete Sledge," "13 Steps to Nowhere", "Domination" and "Becoming".
Abbott is a businessman.
Career edit:
Pantera edit:
Main article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantera
Vinnie Paul formed the heavy metal band Pantera in 1981 with his brother Dimebag Darrell (then known as Diamond Darrell) and Terry Glaze on guitars, bassist Tommy D. Bradford, and vocalist Donnie Hart. Upon Hart's departure, Glaze assumed vocal duties. In the summer of 1982, Bradford left the band and was replaced by Rex Brown and the band released three albums with that lineup.
Pantera recruited vocalist Phil Anselmo to replace Glaze in 1988. By 1990 the band had been signed to Atco Records and released Cowboys from Hell which proved to be the band's turning point. Over the course of four more studio records, a live album and a greatest hits compilation, Anselmo and Pantera were nominated for four best metal performance Grammys, for the songs "I'm Broken", "Suicide Note Pt. I", "Cemetery Gates" and "Revolution Is My Name".
In 2001, Anselmo decided to put Pantera on hold because of back pain while he toured and recorded with his side projects. Pantera's official disbandment took place in 2003 for several reasons, but mainly because of the ongoing dispute between Anselmo and the rest of the band, although Rex Brown remained neutral. In the years to follow bad blood would stir up between Paul and Anselmo. To this day, Anselmo announced publicly he wishes Paul to forgive him, and reform a friendship. However Paul has stated he will never talk to Anselmo again.
Damageplan edit:
Main article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damageplan
After the breakup of Pantera, the Abbott brothers formed the heavy metal band Damageplan with, a former tattoo artist Bob Zilla on bass, and former Halford guitarist Pat Lachman on lead vocals. Damageplan recorded one album, New Found Power, which was released on February 10, 2004. On December 8, 2004, while on tour to support Damageplan's album, his brother Dimebag Darrell was shot dead onstage by former US marine Nathan Gale at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio. Damageplan disbanded shortly thereafter.
Latest projects and Hellyeah edit:
After burying Dimebag, Vinnie Paul formed Big Vin Records in February 2006 and released Rebel Meets Rebel and a DVD, Dimevision, Volume 1. Paul writes a monthly question-and-answer column in Revolver. Paul maintains endorsement deals with ddrum, Sabian cymbals, and Vic Firth drumsticks. He previously endorsed Tama, Pearl drums, and Remo drumheads and hardware. Paul has also recently been on tour playing drums for Dethklok, playing a show in Philadelphia with Metalocalypse creator Brendon Small.
Around this time in his career, he was a one time spokesperson for the Arby's fast food restaurant.
In June 2006, after the death of his brother and an 18 month hiatus, Vinnie Paul was unsure if he would return to music, but eventually joined in with the supergroup Hellyeah, which also features vocalist Chad Gray and guitarist Greg Tribbett from Mudvayne, guitarist Tom Maxwell from Nothingface, and bassist Bob Zilla from Damageplan, who was called on to replace original bassist .
Setup edit:
This is Vinnie Paul's current setup for Hellyeah, taken from the Modern Drummer September 2010 issue:
Drums: ddrum Vinnie Paul signature series (All drums in his custom dragon finish modeled after the design on his hat)
24x24 bass drum x2,
14x14 tom,
15x15 tom,
18x18 floor tom,
14x8 signature snare drum,
Cymbals: Sabian
12" Ice bell,
14" AAX Metal Hi-Hats,
18" Hand Hammered Rock Crash,
20" AA Chinese,
19" AA Rock Crash,
19" AA Metal-X Crash,
22" Hand Hammered Power Bell Ride,
20" AA Chinese,
14" AA Rock Hi-Hats,
20" AA Metal-X Crash,
Sticks: Vic Firth Signature Series: Vinnie Paul (SVP)
Vinnie Paul also uses Evans drum heads, ddrum hardware, ddrum and Roland electronics, Danmar red wood beaters and kick pads, and Shure microphones.
Influences edit:
Vinnie has said that his biggest drum influences are Peter Criss of KISS and Tommy Aldridge. He has also listed John Bonham, Mikkey Dee, Alex Van Halen, and Neil Peart as influences.
