Suicidal Tendencies - Drummer History & Gear | MetalForge
Suicidal Tendencies, formed in 1980, pioneered the crossover thrash genre.
Complete history of Suicidal Tendencies drummers.
Suicidal Tendencies History
Suicidal Tendencies formed in Venice, California in 1980, led from the start by vocalist Mike Muir, and quickly became one of the pioneering acts of crossover thrash — the fusion of hardcore punk's speed and aggression with thrash metal's musicianship. The band's self-titled 1983 debut, featuring the enduring anthem "Institutionalized," predates much of the thrash movement's commercial breakthrough and helped define the skate-punk-meets-metal aesthetic of 1980s Venice Beach.
Few bands in metal or hardcore have cycled through as many drummers as Suicidal Tendencies, with well over a dozen behind the kit since 1980, including R.J. Herrera through the band's classic Join the Army (1987) era, Jimmy DeGrasso, Brooks Wackerman, Eric Moore, and former Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo, who recorded World Gone Mad (2016). Despite that turnover, Mike Muir has kept the band a going concern for over four decades, with former bassist Robert Trujillo (1989-1995) going on to join Metallica.
Suicidal Tendencies' fusion of hardcore's rawness with metal's technicality directly influenced the crossover thrash scene, and the band is frequently cited alongside D.R.I. and Cro-Mags as a founder of the subgenre. The band remains active, with former Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg and, most recently, Xavier Ware (from January 2026) continuing that drumming lineage.
Suicidal Tendencies's Place in Metal Drumming
The revolving cast of respected metal and hardcore drummers who have passed through Suicidal Tendencies — from R.J. Herrera's foundational crossover-thrash groove to Dave Lombardo's extreme-metal pedigree and Jay Weinberg's technical precision — reflects how central the band's rhythm section has always been to defining the crossover-thrash sound: fast enough to satisfy hardcore purists, but tight and structured enough to hold up alongside thrash metal's most demanding rhythm sections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the drummer for Suicidal Tendencies?
Xavier Ware became Suicidal Tendencies' drummer in January 2026, replacing Jay Weinberg. Ware also played drums on frontman Mike Muir's Cyco Miko solo album.
Has Suicidal Tendencies had many drummers?
Yes — Suicidal Tendencies has had one of the most extensive drummer successions in metal/hardcore, with well over a dozen drummers since forming in 1980, including Amery Smith, R.J. Herrera, Jimmy DeGrasso, Brooks Wackerman, Eric Moore, Dave Lombardo, and Jay Weinberg.
Did Dave Lombardo and Jay Weinberg overlap as Suicidal Tendencies' drummer?
No, they did not overlap. Dave Lombardo (formerly of Slayer) drummed from 2016 to 2021. He was followed by Brandon Pertzborn (2021-2023) and Greyson Nekrutman (2023-2024) before Jay Weinberg (formerly of Slipknot) took over in 2024.
Who drummed on Suicidal Tendencies' classic late-1980s albums?
R.J. Herrera drummed on Join the Army (1987), How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can't Even Smile Today (1988), and Lights...Camera...Revolution! (1990), helping define the band's transition from hardcore punk to crossover thrash.
Who played drums on Suicidal Tendencies's "Suicidal Tendencies"?
Amery Smith played drums on "Suicidal Tendencies" (1983).
Who played drums on Suicidal Tendencies's "World Gone Mad"?
Dave Lombardo played drums on "World Gone Mad" (2016).