Jeff Hanneman
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2008-07-09T21:59:07Z
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{{Infobox musical artist
| Name = Jeff Hanneman
| Img = JeffHanneman.jpg
| Img_capt =
| Img_size = 180
| Landscape =
| Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| Birth_name = Jeffrey Hanneman
| Born = {{birth date and age|1964|01|31}} [[Oakland, California]],[[USA]]
| Died =
| Origin = [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]], [[California]] <br />[[United States]]
| Instrument = [[Guitar]]
| Genre = [[Thrash metal]]<br>[[Heavy metal]]<br>[[Speed metal]]
| Occupation = [[Guitarist]],[[Songwriter]]
| Years_active = 1981 – present
| Label = [[American Recordings|American]]
| Associated_acts = [[Slayer]]
| URL =
| Notable_instruments = [[ESP Jeff Hanneman (guitar)|ESP Jeff Hanneman Signature model]]<br>[[Jackson Soloist]]
}}
'''Jeff Hanneman''' (born [[January 31]], [[1964]], in [[Oakland, California]]) is a [[guitarist]] and a founding member of the [[United States|American]] [[thrash metal]] band [[Slayer]]. Hanneman grew up in [[Los Angeles]] in a family of [[war veteran]]s, and his fascination with [[war]]fare is attributed to his upbringing. His interest in the subject of war pertains to much of his lyrical material including the song "[[Angel of Death (song)|Angel of Death]]".
Influenced by [[punk music]] growing up, Hanneman stated that the genre influenced Slayer's sound to make and create a faster and more aggressive approach. Hanneman has contributed both lyrical and musical material to every Slayer album and wrote the songs "[[Raining Blood]]", "War Ensemble", "[[Seasons in the Abyss]]" and "[[Angel of Death (song)|Angel of Death]]", which are played at almost every live Slayer show. He has his own signature guitar, the [[ESP Jeff Hanneman (guitar)|ESP Jeff Hanneman Signature model]].
== Biography ==
Hanneman was born in Oakland and grew up in [[Long Beach, California]], in a family containing several war veterans: his father fought in [[Battle of Normandy|Normandy]] during [[World War II]] and his brothers in [[Vietnam War|Vietnam]]; so warfare was a common conversation topic at the dinner table. War films were popular on TV at the time, and Hanneman often joined his brothers in constructing and coloring [[tank]] and [[plane]] models. His interest in warfare and military history is attributed to his upbringing.<ref name="Knac.com interview with Jeff Hanneman" />
Hanneman approached [[Kerry King]] in 1981, when King was auditioning for a band. After the try-out session, the two guitarists started talking and playing [[Iron Maiden]] and [[Judas Priest]] songs. [[Slayer]] was born when King asked "Why don't we start our own band?", to which Hanneman replied "...Fuck yeah!".<ref name="Knac.com interview with Jeff Hanneman" /> In 1982, Hanneman, [[Dave Lombardo]] and [[Suicidal Tendencies]]'s guitarist [[Rocky George]] had a brief [[punk rock|punk]] side project called "Pap Smear" - the band due to start recording when Hanneman was advised to avoid the side project by Slayer's producer, [[Rick Rubin]], who is quoted as saying "Ahhhh, don’t do it, man — this is the kind of thing that breaks bands up!"<ref name="Knac.com interview with Jeff Hanneman" /> Hanneman took Rubin's advice, and later used two of the songs on Slayer's 1996 album ''[[Undisputed Attitude]]''.<ref name="Knac.com interview with Jeff Hanneman" />
In 1997 Hanneman married Kathryn <!-- surname? -->,<ref name="Rock N Roll Experience interview with Jeff Hanneman ">{{cite web
| title = Rock N Roll Experience interview with Jeff Hanneman
| author =
| publisher = Slayersaves.com
| date =
| url = http://www.slayersaves.com/interviews_jeff1.htm
| accessdate = 2006-01-09 }}</ref> whom he had met in the early 1980s. The couple have no children and live in [[Los Angeles]], forty minutes away from King.<ref name="Knac.com interview with Jeff Hanneman" /> Kathryn stays at home when Slayer tour; Hanneman claims to prefer this, saying that when he comes home, she's "all brand new again". Kathryn has toured with the band twice in twenty years.<ref name="Rock N Roll Experience interview with Jeff Hanneman " />
Hanneman and Slayer vocalist [[Tom Araya]] are reformed [[cocaine]] and pill abusers.<ref name="Rock N Roll Experience interview with Jeff Hanneman " /> They decided to quit when they realised "this can lead to only death or something, this is going too far". Both Araya and Hanneman restrict themselves to drinking [[beer]].<ref name="Rock N Roll Experience interview with Jeff Hanneman " /> Hanneman's favorite brand is [[Heineken]] lager; he can often be seen with the drink backstage and in publicity photos.<ref name="An exclusive oral history of Slayer" /> During [[The Unholy Alliance (tour)|The Unholy Alliance]] Chapter II tour, Hanneman was seen playing a guitar with a Heineken logo(but it says Hanneman instead of Heineken) as a custom finish.<ref name="SLAYER: le foto esclusive dell'Unholy Alliance a Milano">{{cite web
| title = SLAYER: le foto esclusive dell'Unholy Alliance a Milano
| author =
| publisher = Musica Metal
| date = [[2006-09-20]]
| url = http://musicametal.blogosfere.it/2006/10/slayer_le_foto_esclusive_dellunholy_alliance_a_mil.html
| accessdate = 2006-12-13 }}</ref>
== Interest in Nazi History ==
[[Image:Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oakleaves, Swords, and Diamonds.png|thumb|120px|right|Hanneman's most prized medal, The Knights cross]]
Hanneman's interest in [[Nazism|Nazi]] war medals and [[Nazi Germany]] is illustrated by many of his [[lyrics]]. <br> Hanneman's interest in the Nazis began with medals given to him by his father, including some taken from a dead Nazi soldier.<ref name="SLAYER - Jeff Hanneman" /> His most prized medal is his [[Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross|Knight’s Cross]], which he bought from a Slayer fan for [[USD|$]]1000.<ref name="SLAYER - Jeff Hanneman" /> While touring with [[Motörhead]], Hanneman discovered Motörhead vocalist [[Lemmy]]'s interest in medals, and the two discussed medal designs, weapons and tactics used by the Nazis.<ref name="Knac.com interview with Jeff Hanneman" />
Hanneman's lyrics for the song "Angel of Death" led to accusations of Slayer being Nazi sympathizers.<ref name="An exclusive oral history of Slayer">{{cite web
| title = An exclusive oral history of Slayer
| author =
| publisher = Decibel Magazine
| date =
| url = http://www.decibelmagazine.com/features_detail.aspx?id=4566
| accessdate = 2006-12-03 }}</ref> The track details the actions of Nazi doctor [[Josef Mengele]] at the [[Auschwitz concentration camp]] during World War II.<ref name="moreorless: heroes & killers of the 20th century - Josef Mengele">{{cite web
| title = moreorless: heroes & killers of the 20th century - Josef Mengele
| author =
| publisher = Moreorless.com
| date = [[2001-04-30]]
| url = http://www.moreorless.au.com/killers/mengele.html
| accessdate = 2006-12-01 }}</ref> Hanneman has defended himself with "nothing I put in the lyrics that says necessarily he was a bad man, because to me - well, isn't that obvious? I shouldn't have to tell you that."<ref name="Knac.com interview with Jeff Hanneman" /> The band have stated numerous times that they do not condone Nazism and are merely interested in the subject.<ref name="Slayer’s Tom Araya on Satanism, serial killers and his lovable kids">{{cite web
| title = Slayers Tom Araya on Satanism, serial killers and his lovable kids
| author = Cummins, Johnson
| publisher = MontrealMirror.com
| date =
| url = http://www.montrealmirror.com/ARCHIVES/2002/012402/music1.html
| accessdate = 2006-12-02}}</ref>
== Style and influences ==
Hanneman's interest in music appears to be derived primarily from [[punk rock]] and some heavy metal music, which led to Slayer's 1996 album ''[[Undisputed Attitude]]''. He cites Black Sabbath, [[Iron Maiden]], [[Judas Priest]], [[Led Zeppelin]], [[Exploited]], [[Verbal Abuse]], [[Black Flag (band)|Black Flag]], [[Dead Kennedys]] and [[T.S.O.L]] as influential bands.<ref name="Knac.com interview with Jeff Hanneman">{{cite web
| title = Knac.com interview with Jeff Hanneman
| author = Davis, Brian
| publisher = Knac.com
| date =
| url = http://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=3153
| accessdate = 2006-12-13 }}</ref> [[Yngwie J. Malmsteen]] and [[Michael Schenker]] from the [[Scorpions (band)|Scorpions]] have influenced his style of play;<ref name="SLAYER - Jeff Hanneman">{{cite web
| title = SLAYER - Jeff Hanneman
| author = Lahtinen, Luxi
| publisher = Metal-rules.com
| date = [[2006-12-18]]
| url = http://www.metal-rules.com/zine/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=737&Itemid=60
| accessdate = 2006-12-27 }}</ref> Yngwie uses the advanced style of play called [[Shred guitar|shredding]], which involves [[tapping]] and [[tremolo picking]].<ref name="Knac.com interview with Jeff Hanneman" />
Hanneman’s and King’s dual [[guitar solos]] have been called "wildly chaotic",<ref name="Reign in Blood">{{cite web
| title = Reign in Blood
| author = Huey, Steve
| publisher = [[Allmusic]]
| date =
| url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:gc91z8hajyvo
| accessdate = 2006-01-24 }}</ref> and "twisted genius".<ref name="Slayer - Reign In Blood">{{cite web
| title = Slayer - Reign In Blood
| author = Horatio
| publisher = Kickedintheface.com
| date =
| url = http://www.kickedintheface.com/reviews/Slayer-Reign_In_Blood.htm
| accessdate = 2006-01-18 }}</ref> Early albums, such as ''[[Hell Awaits]]'' and ''[[Reign in Blood]]'', featured a "wailing style" and "demented soloing often mimicking the screams of the song's victims".<ref name="Reign in Blood" /><ref name="Reign In Blood CD">{{cite web
| title = Reign In Blood CD
| author =
| publisher = CDuniverse.com
| date =
| url = http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/2984457/a/Reign+In+Blood.htm
| accessdate = 2006-01-24 }}</ref> ''[[South of Heaven]]'' featured "more technical" [[guitar riff]]s, utilizing the aforementioned [[tremolo]] picking and down-picked notes, improving musicianship while retaining a melodic sense.<ref name="Slayer - South Of Heaven">{{cite web
| title = Slayer - South Of Heaven
| author =
| publisher = Metal-Observer.com
| date =
| url = http://www.metal-observer.com/articles.php?lid=1&sid=1&id=3478
| accessdate = 2006-01-24 }} </ref> Both Hanneman and King were ranked #10 on [[Guitar World]]s "100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of All Time".
== Lyrics and music ==
Hanneman wrote the music for most of the band's fan favorites, songs such as "South of Heaven",, "War Ensemble", "[[Raining Blood]]", "Angel of Death", "Mandatory Suicide" and "Seasons in the Abyss", which have all become staples for live performance at Slayer shows. Hanneman's favorite album is ''[[Reign in Blood]]'', and he enjoys performing the songs "Raining Blood" and "Angel of Death".<ref name="Knac.com interview with Jeff Hanneman" /> He has contributed lyrics and music to every Slayer album, forming a music and lyric writing partnership with Araya, which sometimes overshadows King's creative input.<ref name="An exclusive oral history of Slayer" />
When writing new material, the band writes the music before the lyrics.<ref name="Knac.com interview with Jeff Hanneman" /> Hanneman often composes riffs at his house, using a [[Multitrack recording|24-track]] and a [[drum machine]] and then gathers opinions from the other band members; King and Lombardo make suggestions of alterations. The band will play the riff to get the basic song structure, and then figure out where the lyrics and solos go.<ref name="Knac.com interview with Jeff Hanneman" /> Hanneman has stated that writing lyrics and music is a "free for all"; "It’s all just whoever comes up with what. Sometimes I’ll be more on a roll and I’ll have more stuff, same with Kerry — it’s whoever’s hot, really. Anybody can write anything; if it’s good we use it, if not we don’t."<ref name="Knac.com interview with Jeff Hanneman" />
== Equipment ==
Hanneman uses Marshall JCM-800 amplifiers, modded Marshall 4x12 Cabs with an unconfirmed model of Celestion speakers (may be G12T-75), MXR Super Comp,MXR Smart Gate, MXR 10 band EQ, EMG 81/85 Pick-ups with EMG SPC Mid-Boost circuit, Jackson Custom Shop Soloist with 2 EMG Pickups, D'Addario .009-.042 Strings, Shure Wireless System, Eventide H3000S Harmonizer, Dunlop Crybaby From Hell Wah-Wah Pedal, Monster Cable, [[Kahler Pro Tremolo System|Kahler]] bridges, and his own signature guitar, the [[ESP Jeff Hanneman (guitar)|ESP Jeff Hanneman Signature model]].<ref name="Jeff Hanneman">{{cite web
| title = Jeff Hanneman
| author =
| publisher = Slayersaves.com
| date =
| url = http://www.slayersaves.com/jeffhanneman.htm
| accessdate = 2006-01-09 }}</ref> When touring, Hanneman carries six guitars due to the different tunings required. Early albums such as ''[[Haunting the Chapel]]'' - ''[[Divine Intervention (album)|Divine Intervention]]'' have [[E-flat]] tuning, while later albums such as ''[[Diabolus in Musica]]'' - ''[[Christ Illusion]]'' feature [[alternate tunings]], the first album ''[[Show No Mercy]]'' was recorded in [[Standard tuning]], while live performances of the respective songs are being played in E-flat since about 1984. Extra guitars are also brought in in case a string snaps or a guitar sustains damage.<ref name="Rock N Roll Experience interview with Jeff Hanneman " />
== References ==
{{reflist|2}}
{{Slayer}}
{{Persondata
| NAME=Hanneman, Jeff
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES= Jeffrey John
| SHORT DESCRIPTION=Guitarist in the thrash metal band [[Slayer]]
| DATE OF BIRTH=[[January 31]], [[1964]]
| PLACE OF BIRTH=[[Oakland, California]]
| DATE OF DEATH=
| PLACE OF DEATH=
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hanneman, Jeff}}
[[Category:Slayer members]]
[[Category:American heavy metal guitarists]]
[[Category:People from Los Angeles, California]]
[[Category:California musicians]]
[[Category:1964 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
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