Tim Commerford

Early life

Commerford was born on February 26, 1968, in Irvine, California. Growing up, he was a fan of Rush, Gene Simmons, Sid Vicious, Steve Harris, and Geddy Lee.

Career

Audioslave (2001–2007)

Main article: Audioslave

After de la Rocha left Rage Against the Machine, music producer Rick Rubin suggested the three remaining members of Rage get together with then-former Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell, and "see what happens". The newly formed Audioslave later released their eponymous debut album in November 2002, which would attain triple platinum status.

Future User, Wakrat and 7D7D (2014–present)

Commerford co-founded the band Future User, together with Jordan Tarlow (keys), Jon Knox (drums) and producer Brendan O'Brien (guitars). Commerford plays bass and is the vocalist of the band. Commerford hid several months under the S.W.I.M persona on the first music videos, before unmasking himself in the "Mountain Lion" video. The "Mountain Lion" video featured road racing cyclist Lance Armstrong, a close friend of Commerford, while a skateboarding Commerford appears to inject himself with a steroid.

In 2015, he formed "punk and hardcore-influenced band", named Wakrat. The band also features drummer Mathias Wakrat and guitarist Laurent Grangeon. The band debuted their first single, "Knucklehead", in September 2015.

In 2022, Commerford launched a new project, 7D7D, with Mathias Wakrat and Jonny Polonsky. The group debuted their first single, "Capitalism", in November.

Other contributions

Commerford and drummer Brad Wilk contributed to Maynard James Keenan's side project Puscifer and his album "V" Is for Vagina on the track "Momma Sed". Both have taken part in the production of Dave Grohl's 2013 Sound City soundtrack, with the track "Time Slowing Down". In 2010, Commerford was interviewed and appeared in the documentary Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage.

Personal life

In 2001, Commerford married his longtime girlfriend, Aleece Dimas. They have two sons together. In November 2018, the couple announced they were divorcing, finalizing their divorce five years later in 2024.

Commerford is a self-described "conspiracy theorist". In a Rolling Stone interview in 2015, he claimed that the Moon landing was faked and he confronted Buzz Aldrin about it at a John Cusack movie premiere. In the same interview, Commerford also stated that he does not believe ISIS is real and cast doubt upon the ISIS beheading videos:

In December 2022, Commerford revealed he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer earlier in the year, and had undergone surgery prior to going on tour with Rage Against the Machine that summer.

Artistry

Technique

Commerford plays bass with his fingers and prefers not to use a pick, explaining, "I don't play with a pick at all. Chris Squire is the only pick player that I like. I don't even consider using a pick on the bass as bass playing; that's more like playing guitar on the bass. But (Squire) had that that kind of pick/thumb together that made this just unbelievable sound. Like 'Roundabout,' the bass sound on that is still one of my favorite bass sounds of all time, just the tone of it. But fingers are the only way to fly for me, man."

Equipment

Commerford has been using various Music Man StingRay basses since 2016, a brand he has liked since his beginnings with Rage Against The Machine. MusicMan released several custom Artist Series basses in 2021 and 2024. He previously used Fender Jazz Basses with Fender Precision Bass necks and Lakland basses.

Discography

Rage Against the Machine Main article: Rage Against the Machine discography

• Rage Against the Machine (1992)
• Evil Empire (1996)
• Live & Rare (1998)
• The Battle of Los Angeles (1999)
• Renegades (2000)
• Live at the Grand Olympic Auditorium (2003)

Audioslave Main article: Audioslave discography

• Audioslave (2002)
• Out of Exile (2005)
• Revelations (2006)

Future User

• SteroidsOrHeroin (2015)

Wakrat

• Wakrat (2016)

Prophets of Rage

• Prophets of Rage (2017)

References

References

1. "CLOCKWORK". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.
2. Barrett, John. (July 9, 2014). "The 20 Most Underrated Bass Guitarists".
3. Larkin, Colin. (2011). "The Encyclopedia of Popular Music". [[Omnibus Press]].
4. Graff, Gary. (June 14, 2015). "FBPO Exclusive Interview with Tim Commerford". For Bass Players Only.
5. Irwin, Corey. (November 18, 2022). "20 Years Ago: Audioslave Arrives With Powerhouse First Album". Ultimate Classic Rock.
6. Albano, Ric. (February 25, 2015). "Review: Audioslave". Modern Rock Review.
7. Porche, Brent. (November 18, 2022). "Audioslaves Debut Album Turns 20!". [[WMMR.
8. Tilles, Jay. (January 27, 2015). "Who is Future User? New Band Reveals Identities in Exclusive Interview". [[CBS Corporation]].
9. Andriakos, Jacqueline. (January 27, 2015). "Lance Armstrong Makes Cameo in New Drug-Related Music Video". [[Time Inc.]].
10. (January 27, 2015). "Lance Armstrong Talks Trash in RATM Offshoot Future User's 'Mountain Lion' Video". [[Rolling Stone]].
11. Mandell, Nina. (January 27, 2015). "Lance Armstrong makes cameo in new music video about PEDs". [[USA Today]].
12. Bowar, Chad. (September 25, 2015). "Rage Against the Machine Bassist Tim Commerford Forms New Band Wakrat Read More: Rage Against the Machine Bassist Forms New Band Wakrat". [[Loudwire]].
13. Hadusek, Jon. (November 28, 2022). "RATM Bassist Tim Commerford's 7D7D Unveil Debut Single "Capitalism": Stream".
14. Greene, Andy. (June 16, 2010). "Rush "Fired Up" By Career-Spanning Documentary".
15. Bell, Sadie. (January 10, 2024). "Tim Commerford of Rage Against the Machine's Divorce Finalized over 5 Years After His Wife Filed".
16. Hartmann, Graham. (October 2, 2015). "Rage Against the Machine's Tim Commerford: 'I Don't Believe ISIS Is Real' Read More: RATM's Tim Commerford: 'I Don't Believe ISIS Is Real'". [[Loudwire]].
17. Newman, Jason. (October 2, 2015). "Rage Against the Machine Bassist Gives Band Update, Talks ISIS, Trump".
18. (December 13, 2022). "Rage Against the Machine bassist Tim Commerford reveals prostate cancer". BBC News.
19. (June 15, 2015). "FBPO Exclusive Interview with Tim Commerford".
20. (October 18, 2016). "Rig Rundown - Tim Commerford".
21. (July 29, 2021). "Ernie Ball Music Man: Tim Commerford Artist Series StingRay Bass".
22. (November 20, 2024). "Ernie Ball Music Man: Tim Commerford Artist Series StingRay Bass".
23. (September 18, 2009). "Tim Commerford – Fender News & Tech Talk".