Chad Szeliga


Chad Szeliga is an American drummer and percussionist from Elyria, Ohio. Formerly the drummer for the band Breaking Benjamin, he joined Black Label Society in 2013, replacing Mike Froedge. In 2017, he replaced Jimmy DeGrasso in Black Star Riders.

Breaking Benjamin

While with Another Path, Szeliga recorded an audition video for Breaking Benjamin playing drums for the song "So Cold". The video submitted happened to be the only VHS tape submitted. Ben Burnley was forced to borrow a VCR from his neighbor to view the tape. After Burnley reviewed the tape, the band decided he was the right guy for the job. His first official recording with the band was for the full-band version of the song "Rain" from We Are Not Alone in mid-2005, which was sent to modern radio, and later appeared on the band's cover of Queen's "Who Wants to Live Forever". He recorded with Breaking Benjamin on their 2006 album Phobia, which was released August 8, 2006. He also joined the band on their tour supporting that album.
Szeliga left Breaking Benjamin in April 2013 due to creative differences and notified his fans via a on April 22, 2013. He went on to drum with Black Label Society until 2014 and also recorded and toured briefly with Scott Stapp.
On 5 May 2017, Szeliga was announced as the new drummer for Black Star Riders, replacing Jimmy DeGrasso.

Equipment

Chad currently endorses Tama Drums, Evans drumheads, Paiste cymbals as of 2020, and Vic Firth drumsticks. He currently uses new line of tama S.L.P Dymanic Kapur kit and has a tendency to put the mid rack tom to the left of his kit preceding the high rack tom, claiming that it encourages him to be more creative with his fills.His previous endorsements were Yamaha Drums, DW Drums, Vater drumsticks Remo drumheads and Zildjian cymbals.
Drums: Tama Starclassic Performer B/B in blue nebula blaze finish w/ chrome hardware:
Heads: Evans:
Sticks: Vic Firth:
Cymbals: Paiste:
With Breaking Benjamin
With Black Label Society
With Switched
With Forever Oeuvre
With Casey Honig
With Black Star Riders