Jeff Hanneman
From Metapedia
Jeff Hanneman (born January 31, 1964, in Oakland, California) is the guitarist and a founding member of the American thrash metal band Slayer. Hanneman grew up in Los Angeles in a family of war veterans, and his fascination with warfare is attributed to his upbringing.
Hanneman grew up in Oakland, California, in a family containing several war veterans: his father fought in Normandy during World War II and his brothers in 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.
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!".In 1984, Hanneman, Dave Lombardo and Suicidal Tendencies's guitarist Rocky George had a brief 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!" Hanneman took Rubin's advice, and later used two of the songs on Slayer's 1996 album Undisputed Attitude.
In 1997 Hanneman married Kathryn , whom he had met in the early 1980s. The couple have no children and live in Los Angeles, forty minutes away from King. 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.
Hanneman and Slayer vocalist Tom Araya are reformed cocaine and pill abusers. They decided to quit when they realized "this can lead to only death or something, this is going too far". Both Araya and Hanneman restrict themselves to drinking beer. Hanneman's favorite brand is Heineken lager; he can often be seen with the drink backstage and in publicity photos. During 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.
Hanneman's interest in German war medals and National Socialist Germany is illustrated by many of his lyrics. These have been taken as evidence that Hanneman, as well as the rest of Slayer, are sympathizers. Hanneman's interest in the Nationalist Germany began with medals given to him by his father, including some taken from a dead soldier. His most prized medal is his Knight’s Cross, which he bought from a Slayer fan for $1000. 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 Germans.
Hanneman's lyrics for the song "Angel of Death" led to accusations of Slayer being NSDAP sympathizers. The track details the actions of doctor Josef Mengele at the Auschwitz labour camp during World War II. 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."
The band have stated numerous times that they do not condone National Socialism and are merely interested in the subject.
