ALL ACCESS: The 2014 Rock Gods and Metal Monsters Auction

Anthrax Artist Pass

There is no denying that Anthrax is and probably always will be one of the top collectible metal bands around. From guitars, drum heads, stage worn attire to promo items, passes, picks and sticks, fans and collectors snatch up Anthrax memorabilia – regardless of price or age, it simply doesn't matter.

Link: Anthrax Relics

The members of the band have a significant impact on the collect-ability of Anthrax memorabilia because collectively and individually they are so connected to their fan base and are highly approachable and open. That connection with the fans creates collectors (knowingly or not) and collecting is where it becomes fun.

This year’s Rock Gods and Metal Monsters Auction will feature personal items direct from the private collections of Scott Ian, Charlie Benante and Frank Bello. “We are super excited about having the three of them be a part of this year’s lineup and the items they have offered up are both personal and historically relevant,” says Backstage Auctions founder, Jacques van Gool.

Scott Ian's Gloves

Scott Ian – considered to be the heart and soul of Anthrax, is one of the most recognizable figures in hard rock. Influenced by KISS, British heavy metal and New York City hardcore, the powerhouse guitarist co-founded Anthrax with Danny Lilker in 1981. He also helped form the metal crossover act Stormtroopers of Death and has appeared in a variety of TV shows. He recently embarked on a no-holds-barred spoken word tour. This is Scott’s second auction that he has participated in with Backstage and the items up for grabs range from gear and stage worn attire to t-shirts, itineraries and posters.

Scott Ian Signed Randall Amp

Charlie Benante's
Personal Jacket

Charlie Benante is a whirlwind of activity behind his drum kit. A longtime member Anthrax, arriving just in time to assist in recording the band’s ferocious debut LP “Fistful of Metal”, Benante, a double-kick drum master, helped bring blast beats into fashion. Responsible for writing much of Anthrax’s music, Benante’s creativity and intense chops have made him one of the genre’s greatest drummers, fueling the energy of such landmark albums as “Spreading the Disease” and “Among the Living”. Also a fine artist, Benante’s estimable talents extend to the guitar, as he contributed lead to S.O.D.’s seminal “Speak English or Die”. Charlie has offered up some historical pieces used during the recording of “Anthems” and “Worship Music”, The Big 4 tour, many vintage t-shirts and even his personal 1986 Spreading The Disease leather jacket.

Charlie Benante Anthems Drum Heads

Frank Bello Fender Bass

Frank Bello started out as a roadie and guitar technician for Anthrax, before getting a big promotion in the aftermath of the thrash-metal pioneers’ debut LP “Fistful of Metal”. It was Bello, the nephew of Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante, who replaced co-founder Dan Lilker, joining the band in 1984. A wildly energetic presence on stage, Bello, playing bass with a fiery mixture of passion and precision, has held down the low-end in Anthrax ever since, taking time out only briefly for a short stint in Helmet. Also a philanthropist and an actor, Bello played punk legend Richard Hell in a film about Tim and Jeff Buckley called “Greetings from Tim Buckley.” He and David Ellefson (who is also participating in the auction) recently released “Booze and Cigarettes” which is firmly rooted in hard rock. One of the highlight pieces among Bello’s auction items is his “New York” Fender bass guitar that he has used both on tour and on several recordings. He took it out on the road, rehearsed with it and used it for the recording of “Sound of White Noise”, “Stomp 442” and the “Time” video. Like Charlie and Scott, Frank too has offered a great many exclusive and collectible t-shirts and personal items.

Collectively, Scott, Charlie and Frank have contributed over 100 items that will be showcased in the

Anthrax Spreading The Disease
T-Shirt

upcoming auction and with each lot sold; a signed Certificate of Authenticity (signed by the contributor) will be included.

The 2014 Rock God and Metal Monsters Auction will include over 700 rare pieces of rare hard rock and heavy metal memorabilia featuring Anthrax, Megadeth, KISS, Black Sabbath, Def Leppard, Van Halen, Pantera, Motley Crue, The Cult, Helmet, Nickelback, Overkill, Pantera, Ozzy, White Zombie and more. It is a not to miss opportunity for fans and collectors around the world to own an authentic piece of one of the most significant genres of music history. For more information and to get your VIP All Access Pass for the event visit www.backstageauctions.com.

The online auction starts March 30, 2014 and will run through April 6, 2014. A special VIP All Access preview of the entire auction catalog will be available beginning March 23rd.

To get your VIP All Access Pass for the event visit: VIP Auction Registration

Link: Anthrax Relics

Related Rock Gods and Metal Monsters Auction Posts:
Peter Criss' Original ‘73 – ’74 Kiss Tour Used Drum Kit Hits The Auction Block

Backstage Auctions Announces Line Up for The 2014 Rock Gods and Metal Monsters Auction

Backstage Auctions is a boutique online auction house specializing in authentic rock memorabilia. By exclusively representing legendary musicians and entertainment professionals directly, every auction event is unique, reflecting the artist's legacy and chronicles their legendary career. Backstage Auctions has represented dozens of notable and very talented musicians, producers and managers in the music industry. The very first online auction event featured the private collection of legendary producer Eddie Kramer (Hendrix, Zeppelin, Kiss) and since then, Backstage has represented Ted Nugent, Howard Kaylan (The Turtles), Ross Valory (Journey) and Michael Shrieve (Santana) Johny Barbata (Jefferson Starship), Kip Winger (Winger), John 5 (Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie), Al Jourgensen (Ministry), Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, Whitesnake, Dio, BOC), Scott Rockenfield (Queensryche), Graham Bonnet (Rainbow, Alcatraz), Scott Ian (Anthrax), Charlie Benante (Anthrax), Sean Yseult (White Zombie) as well as managers of legendary bands such as The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, KISS, Journey, Joe Walsh, Pantera, White Zombie, Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band and Motley Crue. Backstage Auctions works closely with each client and incorporates their personal stories and memories throughout the online auction event. The end result is a unique, historical and unforgettable journey spanning decades of music history and turning fans into collectors one auction at a time.

Peter Criss Drum Kit '73 - '74 Kiss Tour

Kiss may not be performing at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony, but fans and collectors will definitely get VIP access to historical and some never before seen pieces of Kiss memorabilia in the upcoming Rock Gods and Metal Monsters Auction, hosted by Backstage Auctions.

The online auction event contains over 200 auction lots of rare Kiss memorabilia dating back as far as back as 1973 and is filled with historically relevant Kiss relics.

Peter Criss
Behind the Original Drum Kit

If you are looking for something in the "Holy Grail" range – Peter Criss’ personal drum kit that he used from 1973 – 1974 while on tour with Kiss should definitely be on at the top of your list of items to procure.

As far as epic, historic and downright mind-blowing Kiss collectibles go, it is hard to imagine something more prestigious than his complete Ludwig drum kit, which was his very first official Kiss kit.

He premiered the kit in December of 1973 and played it all the way through 1974, before it was replaced by a stretch of Pearl kits. In addition to the super cool 24 inch glitter logo bass drum, it also contains the snare, various tom-toms, cymbals, cowbell, drum stool and even some of the original road cases.

Original Peter Criss Solo Album
Painting 1978

For the curators exclusive pop culture artwork, the original Eraldo Carugati painting used for Peter Criss’ solo album should be given serious consideration. In 1978 Bill Aucoin commissioned the artist to paint the images of all four band members to be used for the solo albums. To this day, the four solo face images are used on everything from posters to t-shirts and everything in between. This is the first time in history, that one of the original paintings will be publicly made available to the collectors market.

"So often we think we have hit the peak of rare Kiss memorabilia and then another collection comes along, and collectively the pieces featured in this auction have moved us to a new summit with the private collections of Debra Svensk-Jenson (previously married to Peter Criss), Linda West and the late

Kiss Tour Promoter Bag 1970s

Ken Anderson, both of Aucoin Management and rock photographer Chip Rock” says Backstage Auctions founder Jacques van Gool.

The auction will feature a wide range of Kiss memorabilia appealing to everyone’s taste and budget including; Gold and Platinum RIAA awards, rare t-shirts, jackets and crew attire, artist signed items, rare ephemera and personal notes, hand-written lyrics, sticks, picks and passes, rare vinyl and more. “There is enough historical Kiss memorabilia in this auction, that it would be worthy of a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame exhibit,” says van Gool.

Kiss Plantinum Solo Album RIAA Awards

The Rock God and Metal Monsters Auction will also include hundreds of rare hard rock and heavy metal memorabilia from the private collections of David Ellefson, Frank Bello, Charlie Benante, Scott Ian, John Tempesta, Page Hamilton, Sean Yseult and several industry professionals.

Of course giving fans and collectors direct access to authentic and rare pieces of rock history is always what the goal when we build our auction events, and this years Rock Gods and Metal Auction is no exception. This is a not-to-miss opportunity for fans and collectors around the world to own an authentic piece of one of the most significant genres of music history.

Bidding will run from March 30 through April 6, 2014. A special VIP All Access preview of the entire auction catalog will be available beginning March 23rd.

For more information and to get your VIP All Access Pass: VIP Auction Registration

Anthrax Memorabilia from Bello, Benante and Ian Takes Center Stage at Auction

Peter Criss' Original ‘73 – ’74 Kiss Tour Used Drum Kit Hits The Auction Block