Kelly Shaefer
Kelly Shaefer | |
|---|---|
| Born | 13 September 1968 Norwood, Ohio, U.S. |
| Genres | Technical death metal, progressive metal, thrash metal |
| Occupations | Lead vocalist, Guitarist |
| Instruments | Vocals, Guitar |
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Labels | Active Records, Music for Nations, Metal Blade Records, Relapse Records |
Kelly Shaefer (born September 13, 1968),[1] is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is the founder and frontman of Atheist, Neurotica and Till the Dirt .
Biography
Kelly was born in Norwood, Ohio to Sandra McGowan. His parents divorced when he was young and moved to Florida with his mother and sister. Kelly decided he wanted to become a musician after watching his sisters boyfriend play the guitar. Kelly learned how to write music after his mother bought him an electic guitar[2] Shaefer attended Sarasota High School and Booker High School in Sarasota, Florida.[3] Kelly started peforming in 1983 and by 1985 he had a band called R.A.V.A.G.E. now known as Atheist and previously called Oblivion. Kelly had his first experience toruing with a band called Candlemass. Despite Shaefer saying the tour was great he said it ended in tragedy with the death of a best friend who died in a car accident on a highway in Los Angeles. Shaefer was also in the van and said it took years to recover mentally from the incident[4] Since 2023 Shaefer has been the only constant member in Atheist due to the departure of drummer Steve Flynn. In 2025 Shaefer announced that Atheist would be releasing their first album in 15 years.[5]
Personal life
Shaefer has one son[6] Despite the name of his band and stating he doesn't believe in God from the bible Shaefer does believe in God and believes that God is pure love[7]
Discography
Albums
- Piece of Time (30 August 1989, US) with Atheist
- Unquestionable Presence (30 August 1991, US) with Atheist
- Elements (August 1993, US) with Atheist
- Seed (1998) with Neurotica
- Living in Dog Years (1999) with Neurotica
- Neurotica (2002) with Neurotica
- Unquestionable Presence: Live At Wacken (21 July 2009, US) with Atheist
- Jupiter (8 November 2010 US) with Atheist
- Outside The Sprial (2023) with Till The Dirt
References
- ^ "Kelly Shaefer". metal-archives.com. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ^ "Metal Muthas Mondays: Atheist's Kelly Shaefer". decibelmagazine. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ^ "Kelly R Shaefer". facebook.com. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ^ "Metal Muthas Mondays: Atheist's Kelly Shaefer". voicesfromthedarkside. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ^ "Technical metal pioneers ATHEIST are working on their first new album in 15 years". arrowlordsofmetal.nl. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ^ "ATHEIST's KELLY SHAEFER Goes Beyond Technical Death Metal In New Band TILL THE DIRT: 'It's A Totally Different Animal'". blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ^ "Interview with Kelly Shaefer and Steve Flynn of Atheist". adkoi.com. Retrieved 7 July 2025.