Justin Foley

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Justin Foley

| image = Killswitch Engage - Wacken Open Air 2023 17.jpg

| landscape = yes

| caption = Foley with Killswitch Engage in 2023

| birth_name =

| alias = JayFo

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}}

| birth_place =

| genre = {{flatlist|

}}

| occupation = Drummer

| years_active =

| current_member_of = {{flatlist|

Killswitch Engage
Lybica

}}

| past_member_of = {{flatlist|

}}

| website = {{URL|killswitchengage.com}}

}}

Justin Foley is an American musician best known as the drummer of the metalcore band Killswitch Engage. He is also a former member of the band Blood Has Been Shed along with Killswitch Engage's former lead singer, Howard Jones.

Early life

Foley is a classically trained percussionist who attended the University of Connecticut for his bachelor's degree and the University of Hartford's Hartt School for his master's degree.{{cite web|url=https://drummagazine.com/justin-foley-on-killswitch-engages-starting-over/|title=Justin Foley On Killswitch Engage's "Starting Over"|last=Constantin|first=Dave|date=March 2011 |publisher=DRUM!|accessdate=November 25, 2022}}

Career

Before joining Killswitch Engage, Foley participated in a Connecticut band called Red Tide. Red Tide began as a thrash metal outfit in 1993 then evolved into a jazz metal band in the late 1990s. As the primary lyricist and one of the songwriters for Red Tide, Foley earned local celebrityhood. With Red Tide, Foley released at least five demo tapes and two CDs. Red Tide disbanded in 2002 as there was a general lack of interest in continuing (cited by interview).

Foley joined Killswitch Engage after the departure of the previous drummer, Tom Gomes, in October 2003.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/killswitch-engage-p436947/biography|title=Killswitch Engage|last=Ditzel|first=Eleanor|publisher=AllMusic|accessdate=October 22, 2011}} Foley has played drums on six albums with Killswitch Engage, to date.

Foley is one of the many advertising artists for Evans Drumheads, Yamaha Drums, and Zildjian Cymbals.

Foley also plays drums on metalcore band Unearth's 2011 album, Darkness in the Light, filling in for departed drummer Derek Kerswill.{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=159419 |title=Unearth taps Killswitch Engage drummer for upcoming tours |date=June 14, 2011 |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |accessdate=October 22, 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824061414/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=159419 |archivedate=August 24, 2011 }}

Foley started Lybica, a four-piece instrumental post-rock/metal band, in 2020. His primary role is guitarist, but he played both guitar and drums on their self-titled album, which was released on September 16, 2022. Lybica is signed with Metalblade Records.{{cite web|url=https://www.lybicaband.com/bio|title=Lybica Bio|accessdate=November 25, 2022}}

Personal life

Foley has been quoted as saying that if he did not play drums, he would like to try out for the New York Yankees, of whom he is a fan.{{cite web | url=https://www.moshville.co.uk/interview/2016/12/interview-justin-foley-of-killswitch-engage/ | title=Interview: Justin Foley of Killswitch Engage | date=December 6, 2016 }} He is also a Simpsons fanatic.{{cite web | url=https://www.rocksins.com/2014/11/interview-killswitch-engages-justin-foley-uk-supported-us-forever-22969/ | title=Killswitch Engage's Justin Foley Interviewed at Download 2014 | date=November 10, 2014 }} Foley is known for his love of cats, a major inspiration for the band Lybica,{{cite web | url=https://wildfiremusic.net/2022/07/29/cat-loving-drummers-step-in-front-of-the-kit-to-form-lybica/ | title=Cat-Loving Drummers Step in Front of the Kit to Form Lybica | date=July 29, 2022 }} where Foley plays guitar.{{cite web|url=https://www.lybicaband.com/bio|title=Lybica Bio|accessdate=November 25, 2022}}