Dave Witte Lays Waste to Drums

Fate figuratively and literally led Monmouth County native Dave Witte to a career as a prominent heavy metal drummer.

Witte said that he was 9 or 10 and riding his BMX bike to a friend’s house when a discarded cassette tape lying in the road caught his eye. The tape, wrapped in four one-dollar bills, included the classic metal band Mercyful Fate’s album, “The Oath,” and Metallica’s legendary debut, “Kill ‘Em All.”

Witte, who was already playing drums – his uncle Victor introduced him to the instrument – was immediately drawn to the thunderous and frenzied rhythms and high-speed tempo of metal drumming.

“I was blown away,” said Witte, 40, who now lives in Richmond, Va. and is the drummer for thrashers Municipal Waste. “It was a chance discovery and it all steamrolled from there.”

The 1990 graduate of Raritan High School and former Red Bank resident today is known as one of the most precise, inventive and fastest drummers in thrash metal, a lofty stature considering that the demanding genre requires great physical and mental toughness.

“He’s always in the pocket technically and knows just when to add his percussion to make for a better song,” said Municipal Waste guitarist Ryan Waste. “On top of his drumming skills, he’s one of the most easy-going guys to get along with.

“His calm demeanor and professionalism rubs off on everyone around him.  it's always a pleasure to be in Dave's company.”

Municipal Waste’s fifth album, “The Fatal Feast,” will be released on April 10 on Nuclear Blast Records. The band plays a hometown show at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville on Sunday, March 18. Municipal Waste also includes singer Tony Foresta and bassist Philip “Landphil” Hall.

The band took a year off to write “The Fatal Feast,” marking the first extended break from touring for Municipal Waste in five years. Witte said the time off was a great idea that allowed the band members “to be human” again and resulted in a Municipal Waste masterpiece.

“We were able to rehearse the songs constantly and make changes here and there,” Witte said. “There were no deadlines and that was a tremendous help.

“Everybody says their new album is their best but I really think this one is great,’ he said. “It has every element of every Municipal Waste album. We pulled off a great performance.”

Witte cut his stage teeth as a teenager playing Asbury Park staples such as the Stone Pony, the Brighton Bar and Café Air. Witte credits local promoter Jack “Jacko” Monahan for giving him a chance to ply his trade at an early age and singer Scott Ruth of the local band Ripping Corpse for inspiration.

“If it wasn’t for those two guys who knows what may have happened,” Witte said. “Ripping Corpse was the biggest local metal band. They were so good and so intense that it blew my mind. I wanted to be that good. It was the ultimate learning experience.”

Witte would later form Burnt By the Sun, whose dynamic show at the Asbury Park Convention Hall in 2000 earned the band an album deal with Relapse Records. Witte left the group to move to Richmond in 2003 to be with a then-girlfriend. He saw Municipal Waste perform at a local club and was asked to join the band when its drummer departed a few weeks later.

“I admired Dave’s drumming long before I had met him,” said Municipal Waste singer Tony Foresta.  “His work with Burnt By The Sun was groundbreaking. I’m honored to be playing in a band with him.”

As Municipal Waste prepares for another long touring cycle, Witte said he is excited to hit the road once again. He said he feels lucky to play the music he loves as a full-time career and is especially grateful for the band’s fans.

“Whether I’m in Italy or North Carolina, when there are people coming to see me do what I love to do, and care about it and support it, it doesn’t get any better,” Witte said. “It’s great to have that connection. It’s an amazing achievement for me.”     

Municipal Waste performs on Sunday, March 18 at the Starland Ballroom, 570 Jernee Mill Road, Sayreville. Doors open at 6 p.m. and tickets are $19 in advance, $23 the day of the show. For more information visit www.starlandballroom.com or call (732) 238-5500.