PHIL DEMMEL / MACHINE HEAD

Machine Head simply obliterates in the world of brutal, no-holds barred metal, and Jackson artist Phil Demmel has been contributing his hard-hitting, lighting-fast licks to the thrash- and groove-metal outfit since joining the lineup in 2003.

Demmel has also been a Jackson endorser since his late-1980s days with Bay Area metal band Vio-lence, but his roots with the metal brand go back even further – to July 4, 1981 to be exact. It was then that Demmel took in his first ever concert at the Oakland Coliseum, where he saw Randy Rhoads wielding his Jackson axe during the Day on the Green concert. It was only 10 in the morning when Rhoads took the stage and even at that early morning hour, his charisma left a lasting impression on Demmel, who has been both a Rhoads and a Jackson fan ever since.

Born:

Walnut Creek, California

Fun Facts:

Demmel paid $42 for his first guitar, half of which he earned via a newspaper delivery route. His parents spotted him the other half.

Demmel has a tattoo of Randy Rhoads on his right thigh.

He is a huge fan of the Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Phillies and Philadelphia Flyers.