When The Big Four (Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax), the four bands that defined the Speed/Thrash/Metal music genre - play Yankee Stadium on September 14, the concert will be a celebratory and emotional experience for the five New York born-and-bred members of Anthrax, the only New York band on the bill. To begin with, Anthrax's hometown gig will be preceded by the 9/13 release of "Worship Music", the band's first new album in eight years, and already called "the Metal album of the year" by numerous music critics.
Drummer Charlie Benante, bassist Frank Bello, and guitarist Rob Caggiano are all from the Bronx, guitarist Scott Ian was born in Queens, and vocalist Joey Belladonna is an Oswego native.
Bello is a self-proclaimed, diehard Yankees fan who attended games at the original Stadium while growing up. Ian, also a lifelong Yankees fan who frequented Yankees games as a kid, was at the Stadium in '77 when Reggie Jackson hit three home runs in Game 6 of the World Series against the L.A. Dodgers.
"We're a New York band, I'm a crazy Yankee fan, and we're playing Yankee Stadium, those three things add up to a perfect storm of insanity." - Scott Ian
Benante's father, who was scouted by the majors, would regale a four-year-old Charlie with all the stats and facts about the Yankee players while the two played catch in the backyard.
"My dad was a huge Yankees fan, I remember he always had the TV or radio on, listening to every Yankees game he could. He died when I was five, so he never knew about my success as a musician, but I know he would have been so proud of me playing Yankee Stadium. I know that in some way, he'll be there, giving me the power I'll need to knock it out of the park." - Charlie Benante
Related links:
The Big Four
Click here to purchase Worship Music and to be part of Anthrax's "Secret" Show
Click here to Download "Fight'em 'til You Can't."
Anthrax Official Site
Anthrax on MySpace
Anthrax on Twitter
