14 Facts About William Goldsmith

William Goldsmith was born on July 4,1972 and is an American drummer who is a member of Sunny Day Real Estate and Assertion, and a former member of Foo Fighters.

William Goldsmith has toured with Mike Watt and IQU, and played live with several bands and artists.

William Goldsmith began playing drums as a child, after being introduced by his older brother to bands such as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Elvis Costello and the Attractions, and Talking Heads.

William Goldsmith has stated that he wanted to be John Lennon, but a drummer, and has cited Keith Moon of The Who as his biggest influence on the instrument.

In high school, William Goldsmith formed a duo called the 13 with John Atkins, and later formed the hardcore punk band Reason for Hate with his friend Jeremy Enigk, whom he had previously invited to be the bassist for the 13.

William Goldsmith expanded his tastes in music, becoming a fan of post-hardcore bands such as Fugazi, and of Nirvana's debut album Bleach.

In 1992, William Goldsmith was invited by bassist Nate Mendel and singer-guitarist Dan Hoerner to play with their band.

William Goldsmith called him back, and Grohl invited both William Goldsmith and Mendel to join his new band, Foo Fighters, along with former Germs and touring Nirvana guitarist Pat Smear, during late October 1994.

William Goldsmith stated that while he enjoyed the smaller venues, "pretty much everything after that blew," saying that as the band got bigger "it turned into a world-domination thing that became really creatively stifling" and he grew tired of reproducing songs he had no input composing.

William Goldsmith was replaced by Taylor Hawkins and the finished album, The Colour and the Shape, was released on May 20,1997.

William Goldsmith drummed with Sunny Day Real Estate on their subsequent live album, which was their last recording for Sub Pop, and their 2000 studio album The Rising Tide.

Around the same time, William Goldsmith joined guitarist Billy Dolan, who had played on the Fire Theft album and tour, for a project called Varicocele.

In 2008, William Goldsmith formed Brawley Banks with Justin Schwartz and Jorum Young from Cobra High.

William Goldsmith has played with DW, Yamaha, Pearl, Craviotto, Slingerland, and Vistalite kits.