David Draiman

David Draiman

Draiman singing with Disturbed, April 17, 2009
Background information
Birth name David Michael Draiman
Born (1973-03-13) March 13, 1973
Genres
Occupation(s) Vocalist, music producer
Instruments Vocals
Years active 1996–present
Labels Giant, Reprise, Intoxication
Associated acts
Website disturbed1.com

David Michael Draiman (born 13 March 1973) is an American songwriter and the vocalist for the band Disturbed as well as for the band Device. Draiman is known for his distorted voice and percussive singing style. In November 2006, Draiman was voted number 42 on the Hit Parader’s "Top 100 Metal Vocalists of All Time".[1] Draiman has written some of Disturbed's most successful singles, such as "Stupify", "Down with the Sickness", "Indestructible", and "Inside the Fire".

In October 2011, Disturbed entered a hiatus.[2] Draiman announced in the following year that he was working on an industrial rock/metal project with Geno Lenardo, formerly of Filter, which was later named Device.[3][4] In June 2015, Disturbed released their first single since their hiatus, named "The Vengeful One". They produced it over a year before, and along with it announced a new album, Immortalized.

Early life and education

Draiman was born to Miriam and YJ Draiman. His father, who is currently running for mayor of Los Angeles, [5] is a former real estate developer, small-business owner, and elected member of the Northridge East Neighborhood Council, among other roles.[6] Draiman's brother, Benjamin [7] is an ambient/folk rock musician who lives in Israel and performs in Jerusalem.[8][9] Draiman's grandmother also lives in Israel.[8][10][11]

His parents were observant, religious Jews (dati). They intended for Draiman to receive semikhah, and Draiman frequently spent time in Israel during his early life.[8] Draiman attended five Jewish day schools, including Wisconsin Institute for Torah Study in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Valley Torah High School in Los Angeles, California, where he formed his first band; and Fasman Yeshiva High School in Chicago, Illinois.[8] During his freshman year at Wisconsin Institute for Torah Study he was asked to leave, as he "rebelled against the conformity" and "just wanted to be a normal teenage kid", adding that he "couldn't really stomach the rigorous religious requirements of the life [there]".[8] Of his study at Jewish day schools, Draiman stated that he "was a bit resentful"; but he later encouraged his family to observe Shabbat, and was trained as a hazzan.[8]

Draiman later enrolled at Ida Crown Jewish Academy in Chicago, Illinois, where he graduated from high school in 1991.[8] From there, in 1991–1992, he spent a year after high school studying at the Yeshivas Neveh Zion in Kiryat Ye'arim, on the outskirts of Jerusalem, Israel.[8]

After returning to the US in 1992, Draiman commenced pre-law studies at Loyola University Chicago.[8] In 1996, he graduated from the University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government, Philosophy, and Business Administration.[12][13] Initially considering offers to matriculate and study at law school, Draiman realized that although criminal defense law was the only area of law that interested him, he could not "really look at myself in the mirror and say 'I'm going to lie for a living and protect criminals'".[8] During his university studies, Draiman also worked as a bank teller and in phone sales.[8]

Career

Main article: Disturbed (band)

Early career and influences

After graduating from college, Draiman worked as an administrative assistant in a healthcare facility.[8] After his first year, he earned an administrator's licence and commenced running his own healthcare facility.[8] For five years before joining Disturbed and the band's signing with Giant Records, Draiman was a healthcare administrator.[8]

Draiman said, "the first record I ever bought was Kiss’ Destroyer. And those classic bands like Black Sabbath were my first loves...I focused on the seminal metal bands like Metallica, Iron Maiden, Pantera and Queensrÿche".[8]

Draiman continues, "But I could also appreciate the hair metal bands – When you hear Whitesnake, you can’t deny their greatness. Then I went in the direction of punk and new wave, groups like the Sex Pistols, The Ramones, The Misfits and later The Smiths and The Cure – that was my '80s".[8]

"And then when the grunge revolution happened, it was like a wakeup call. I’ll never forget getting my first Nirvana, Soundgarden and Alice in Chains records".[8]

Draiman has cited James Hetfield of Metallica, Rob Halford of Judas Priest, and Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden as the three biggest influences on his singing.

Personal life

Draiman is married to former WWE Diva Lena Yada; they have a child, Samuel Bear Isamu Draiman,[14] born in 2013.[15]

Discography

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For a more comprehensive list, see Disturbed discography Disturbed

Device

Guest appearances

As Producer

Awards and nominations

Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards

Year Nominee/work Award Result
2014 David Draiman King Of The Internet Nominated

Loudwire Music Awards

Year Nominee/work Award Result
2015 David Draiman Best Vocalist Nominated
2015 Rock Titan Nominated

References

Bibliography

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