Metal Family Tree

This is a project aimed at making it easy to see who inspired the bands you love or even hate. For this I try not to use any influences that the band don’t claim themselves. There will be a focus on predecessors but successors will be added as they site the band. These trees become more and more interactive as new bands are added, allowing you to click any band that has a tree and jump to it.

We want our lists to be better. If you know something that belongs on this list, let us know. When in doubt we will leave it out, so we need reliable sources.

Sevendust started as a nu metal band but became more of a alternative metal band. The band has managed to have a consistent line up over the years with vocalist Lajon Witherspoon, guitarist John Connolly, bassist Vince Hornsby, drummer Morgan Rose and guitarist Clint Lower appearing on every album except two. Those two albums featuring Sonny Mayo on guitar. Although some members have contributed to writing more than others, all of them have contributed at some point so we will look at everyone’s influences.

Sam Cooke

James Brown was easily one of the most influential soul men and could be considered the father of funk. Lajon’s cousin played in the James Brown band and he wanted to be like his cousin someday.

Marvin Gaye

Aretha Franklin

Jimi Hendrix’s legacy is ever reaching, not only influences the generation who were present when he was but also influencing generations after. Lajon said that Hendrix was the reason he wanted to play music.

Pink Floyd are one of the most iconic progressive rock bands. Lajon named them as an important band to him.

Lez Zeppelin are one of the most influential bands. Both Clint and Morgan said they grew up with their parents listening to Led Zeppelin and Morgan named Bonham as an influence and Houses of the Holy as a favorite album. — Lez Zeppelin are one of the most influential bands. Both Clint and Morgan said they grew up with their parents listening to Led Zeppelin and Morgan named Bonham as an influence and *Houses of the Holy* as a favorite album.

Black Sabbath are the fathers of metal. Lajon named them as an influence. John also names them as one of the bands he grew up listening to. Morgan got into Sabbath from his parents when he was young.

Thin Lizzy were a very influential hard rock band. Lajon named them as an influence.

Judas Priest are the metal gods. Clint named them as a band he grew up with. Morgan named as an influence.

Kiss were a huge American hard rock band. John said they was the first band that made him want to be a musician he was a huge fan of Ace and Gene.

Rush are an important progressive hard rock band. Morgan named Neil as an influence. (John was also influenced by him as a drummer.)

Peter Gabriel was originally in Genesis before going solo. Clint named him as an influence.

Prince came out of the funk rock scene and became a huge pop star. He was a huge influence on Lajon.

Van Halen revolutionized hard rock. Clint named Eddie as an influence. John was also a big fan when he was a drummer.

The Cure were pioneers of goth. Morgan named them as an influence.

Iron Maiden are easily one of the most influential metal bands. Clint and Morgan named them as an influence.

Ozzy after no longer in Black Sabbath was just as influential with always being with incredible guitar players. Lajon named Ozzy as an influence. Clint named Randy Rhoads as an influence.

Steve Vai is considered one of the greatest guitar virtuosos. Clint named him as an influence.

Depeche Mode were a big new wave band. Clint and Morgan named them as an influence.

Metallica are the fathers of Thrash. John said he was big into them when they started and probably the reason he plays guitar and names James as the best rhythm player and a great vocalist. Sonny’s biggest influence was also James. He used to spend … — Metallica are the fathers of Thrash. John said he was big into them when they started and probably the reason he plays guitar and names James as the best rhythm player and a great vocalist. Sonny’s biggest influence was also James. He used to spend hours learning to play along to Metallica records.

Dio put together several solo line ups after leaving Black Sabbath. Clint said he was influenced by all of Dio’s guitar players.

Alice in Chains are one of the pioneers of Grunge. Clint named them as an influence.

Soundgarden are another pioneer of Grunge. Clint also named them as an influence.

Nine Inch Nails are big industrial band. Clint named them as one of his biggest influences.

Pantera are the fathers of groove and completely changed the world of music when they released Cowboys From Hell. Clint said that Dime was probably his biggest influence. John is also heavily inspired by Dime. — Pantera are the fathers of groove and completely changed the world of music when they released *Cowboys From Hell.* Clint said that Dime was probably his biggest influence. John is also heavily inspired by Dime.

John Tempesta

Outkast are a hip-hop duo. Lajon named them as an influenced an looked up to them being that they came from the same city.

Korn are the pioneers of Nu metal. Clint said they had an impact on them. Morgan names later drummer Ray Luzier as an influence.

Dave Grohl

Periphery are a progressive metal-core band. Clint named them as a newer influence.

Lajon stated “ I love so much from R&B, to rock, to jazz, and classical. I am influenced by everything.” He says a local Atlanta band Skin Deep was the first band he saw live that really blew him away. He also names his dad, who was the singer in a disco band, as an influence.

In a 2012 interview Clint said he could shred with the best of them but has held a lot of that back from Sevendust. He says at some point he would like to make an “honest metal record and pay homage to the influences I grew up with”. He said his parents were musicians and he grew up hearing Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. When he first started to play guitar he said he was interested in guys like Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen and Paul Gilbert. He said he loves new wave and late 80’s pop and draws a lot of influence from things outside of metal and rock (…obviously). He also said Karnivool are cool and they may be a newer influence.

John was originally a drummer and switched to guitar because he wanted to write songs. HIs earliest influences as a kid came from Kiss, Aerosmith and Black Sabbath. As a drummer Rush was a huge influence.

Sonny Mayo was on two albums. He played viola and alto sax as a kid and then there was Metallica. The first he learned was “Rock You Like a Hurricane”. He was a huge thrasher as he started playing. He also mentions being a fan of stuff like Fate’s Warning.

I have been unable to find any influences of long time bassist Vinnie.

More Family Trees

Sources:

https://www.loudersound.com/features/sevendusts-lajon-witherspoon-10-albums-that-changed-my-life
https://crypticrock.com/interview-lajon-witherspoon-of-sevendust/#:~:text=CrypticRock.com%20%E2%80%93%20What%20are%20some,I%20am%20influenced%20by%20everything.
https://glidemagazine.com/19011/lajon-witherspoon-of-sevendust/
http://blabbermouth.herokuapp.com/news/sevendust-vocalist-says-group-has-matured-as-artists-and-writers-over-time/
https://www.guitarworld.com/features/interview-guitarist-clint-lowery-discusses-sevendust-dark-new-day-influences#:~:text=Dimebag%20Darrell%20was%20probably%20the,metal%20and%20rock%20guitar%20solo.
https://www.thesoundcheck.org/post/interview-clint-lowery-sevendust
https://crypticrock.com/interview-clint-lowery-of-sevendust/
https://www.guitarworld.com/features/interview-sevendusts-john-connolly-and-clint-lowery-discuss
https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/sevendust_guitarist_john_connolly_bringing_heavy_end_of_things.html
http://metalnexus.net/john-connolly-sevendust-on-james-hetfield-he-was-the-guy-who-kinda-set-the-ball-in-motion-for-me/
https://anchor.fm/couch-riffs/episodes/Ep--14-Sonny-Mayo-Snot--Amen--Hed-PE--Sevendust--Ugly-Kid-Joe--and-Rock-to-Recovery-e4c5ds
https://www.scenezine.com.au/morgan-rose-from-sevendust-chats-to-scenezine/
https://sabian.com/artist/morgan-rose/