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Metal isn’t for everybody, and this polarizing genre has led to many an opinion about the merits of this type of music. But whether you love or hate it, you can’t deny that heavy metal rock stars are some of the coolest people on the planet!
Take legendary Scott Ian, for example, best known as the only remaining original member of thrash metal band Anthrax. Fans, casual listeners, and the unfamiliar might be surprised at what Ian gets up to when he isn’t playing rhythm guitar and singing vocals for the band. Between going all in at the poker table to playing the undead on TV, here are 5 fun facts about this metal legend that might surprise you!
1. He Wrote for DC Comics
Ian has dabbled in comic writing and was asked by DC to write a series for the character Lobo. For those who are unfamiliar with the character, Lobo is an ultra-violent and foul-mouthed mercenary that rains destruction wherever he goes, an anti-hero of sorts. The collaboration is unsurprising considering Ian is a big comic book fan.
When he was asked about his approach on how to write the comic, he drew parallels between Lobo’s extreme qualities and metal’s personality — a natural choice since it allowed the rock star to write with little to no limitations for the character!
2. He Was a Zombie on The Walking Dead
Ian has also had a taste of television stardom with his appearance as a zombie on The Walking Dead. While it wasn’t something he originally planned on doing, Ian gushed about the experience, sharing how he first became a fan of the graphic novel and how excited he was to be on set. Without his trademark goatee and tattoos, not even the biggest Anthrax fan would’ve known it was him on screen!
He enjoyed the experience so much that in 2016, he dressed up as a Whitewalker, another mythical undead creature featured in the hit show Game of Thrones.
3. He’s an Avid Poker Player
Another talent Ian has up his sleeve is poker. He made a host of noteworthy appearances in high-profile tournaments in between Anthrax’s world tours, where he kept sharp by playing online.
However, Ian wasn’t always a poker expert. He was enticed into the sport at the beginning by its strong community, and he eventually learned how to win at poker. From playing a balanced range to understanding how to manage his bankroll, Scott Ian has gone from playing with friends to playing live on TV against some of the best poker pros on the planet.
His most valuable experiences include playing live tournaments in Osaka and Tokyo, but even with a couple of decades’ worth of experience, the legendary rock star still feels like he has more to learn, saying, “There are a lot more variables in poker [than songwriting]. I guess for some it might seem like insurmountable odds when it comes to writing a song, but that is much easier for me,” he stated in an interview.
4. He Almost Didn’t Succeed at Guitar
Scott Ian discovered his great love for the guitar at an early age, but the process of finding out just how much was quite painful — literally! The rock star was a skateboarder in his early days, something that led to a broken wrist that prevented him from playing the guitar for quite a while. It was this experience that made him realize just how important the instrument was for him and fuelled much of his determination to pursue his musical career. Now, he’s one of the most respected musicians in metal!
5. He Doesn’t Pay Attention to Comments on the Internet
Some celebrities read comments online while others don’t, and Scott prefers to do the latter. While most people peruse online sites casually in their free time, Ian treats it like a very focused activity. Most of his time online is spent checking emails and looking at websites to stay updated on movies and comics. As for music news, Ian prefers to stay away from websites and focuses on any new music that is spread by word of mouth or on Twitter.
What’s Next for Scott Ian?
With a diverse portfolio as a musician and entertainer in general, there’s no shortage of new ventures for Scott Ian, even four decades into his time in the public eye. Fans can look forward to more music collaborations with other notable names in the industry, more poker wins, more screen time, or something completely new and unexpected — for this rock star, the sky’s the limit!