| Billy Graziadei | |
| Occupation: | Musician |
| Instrument: | Guitar, vocals |
| Birth Date: | 28 July 1969 |
| Birth Place: | Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Genre: | Hardcore punk, rap metal, groove metal, alternative metal, thrash metal, crossover thrash |
| Years Active: | 1987–present |
| Current Member Of: | Biohazard, Powerflo, BillyBio |
| Past Member Of: | Suicide City, Museum of Corruption |
William Graziadei (born July 28, 1969) is an American musician who is the rhythm guitarist, one of the vocalists and a founding member of the hardcore/metal band Biohazard.[1] He is also the rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist of the band Powerflo and frontman for BillyBio, his latest solo project. In addition, he is the former rhythm guitarist for Suicide City.[2] [3] [4] [5] Graziadei also performed as part of the Roadrunner United project in 2005[6] as well as Blood for Blood in 2010.[7]
Additionally, through his music, Graziadei frequently speaks about the realities of inner city life in New York City, while promoting tolerance, speaking out against racism and opposing drug abuse. Graziadei is the owner of Los Angeles-based Firewater Studios.[8] [9] [10]
See main article: Biohazard (band). In 1987, Graziadei became a member of Biohazard alongside Evan Seinfeld, Anthony Meo and Bobby Hambel.[11] Through their music, the band has promoted tolerance, opposed racism, spoken out against drug abuse all while speaking about the realities of inner city life.[12] [13] [14]
In 2000, the band renovated their rehearsal space creating a digital recording studio in Downtown Brooklyn, New York[15] named Rat Piss Studios.[16] In 2005, while working on Means to an End, their eighth studio album, the band opened the larger and less expensive Underground Sound Studios in South Amboy, New Jersey, leaving Rat Piss Studios behind. In 2010, Graziadei moved his recording space to Los Angeles changing its name to Firewater Studios.[17]
Graziadei briefly formed a trip hop project named Blu with Jenifer Bair of the Ohio band Hilo.[18] After writing and recording approximately twenty songs for the project, Bair relocated to Los Angeles to continue an art career and the project dissolved with all material, save for three demo tracks, remaining unreleased.
See main article: Suicide City. In 2004, Graziadei started Suicide City with Groovenics singer Karl Bernholtz, Groovenics/Ghost Fight guitarist A. J. Marchetta, Kittie bassist Jennifer Arroyo and New York drummer Danny Lamagna.[19]
See main article: Roadrunner United. In December 2005, Graziadei and Evan Seinfeld performed Biohazard's "Punishment" with Dino Cazares of Fear Factory, Andreas Kisser of Sepultura, Adam Duce of Machine Head and Joey Jordison of Slipknot. This recording was released on the Roadrunner United: The Concert DVD three years later.[20]
See main article: Blood for Blood. In 2010, Graziadei was selected by Boston hardcore band Blood for Blood to fill in for their former guitarist Rob Lind.[21]
See main article: Powerflo. In 2017, Graziadei formed Powerflo, featuring lead vocalist Senen Reyes, better known as Sen Dog from Cypress Hill, lead guitarist Roy Lozano, bassist Christian Olde Wolbers, and drummer Fernando Schaefer. Graziadei is the band's rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist.[22] The band's self-titled debut LP was released on June 23, 2017. A follow-up EP titled Bring That Shit Back followed in June 2018.
In June 2018, it was announced that Graziadei was working on a studio album for his first solo project, BillyBio. The album, titled Feed the Fire, was released on November 30, 2018. BillyBio was asked to be the opening act for Life of Agony's Rise of the Underground tour in Europe October 2018.[23] BillyBio joined Madball on tour for a few shows in early 2019. Graziadei and his solo project will head off to Europe at the end of May 2019 to play club dates and festivals, such as Antwerp Metal Fest in Belgium and Full Force Festival in Germany.
In October 2019, the industrial crossover project Viral released their first single Disorder. The band, formed around Graziadei and singer Frankie Cassara, embarked on a European tour as a support act for the German Industrial Metal band Die Krupps.[24]
See also: Biohazard (band), Blood for Blood, Roadrunner United and Suicide City.
Graziadei has been training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for several years, holding a black belt in the art. He trains under UFC co-founder Rorion Gracie and his sons Ryron and Rener at their school in Torrance, California.[26]