London May

Gretsch Artist Since: 2011

Country: US

Band or Affiliations: Samhain, Danzig Legacy, Ritual

Current Kit Setup:
USA Custom Black Piano Gloss finish
16x24 BD, 16x18 FT, 16x16 FT, 11x13 RT, 10x12 RT
8x14 Hammered Brass Snare

Influences:
Lars Ulrich, John Bonham, Chuck Biscuits, Bill Stevenson, Max Weinberg

We asked...Why Gretsch?:
"It’s all about tone, Tone, TONE!! Gretsch drums are magical and they seem to actually vibrate with energy! You won’t find a better sounding or more responsive drum anywhere."

Advice to aspiring musicians?:
"When in doubt, leave the roll out!"

Bio:
May was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA, but raised in Baltimore, MD. He is best known for playing drums (and subsequently bass) in Glenn Danzig's post-Misfits/pre- Danzig punk/goth band Samhain, which he joined in the summer of 1985. May played on the group's best known release, “November-Coming-Fire” as well as “Samhain Live '85–'86” and the bonus tracks on the 2001 re-release of the band's last album “Final Descent.” During his long and continuing music career he has also recorded and performed with such popular artists as Lol Tolhurst (of The Cure), Tiger Army, Son Of Sam (w/Davey Havoc of AFI), Dag Nasty, Lee Ving (of Fear), Pat Smear (Of Nirvana, Germs), Exene Cervenka (of X), Cold Cave, Reptile House, Jackass star Chris Pontius, and Distorted Pony. In 2016 London celebrated the release of "Devilution: The Early Years" on Cleopatra Records. This deluxe CD/LP chronicles the first 12 years of London's illustrious career behind the drum set and contains 15 remastered tracks from 11 different bands, all featuring London's signature bashing. In 2017 London joined the legendary Black Metal group, Ritual.