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Rob Nicholson
Nicholson performing in 2011
Background information
Born	(1969-11-24) November 24, 1969 (age 49) USA
Genres	Heavy metal, alternative metal
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter, bassist
Instruments	Bass, vocals, guitar, drums
Years active	1987–present
Associated acts	Cryptic Slaughter, Drown, Prong, Danzig, Rob Zombie, Ozzy Osbourne, The Death Riders

Rob "Blasko" Nicholson (born November 24, 1969) is a heavy metal bassist. His influences include the metal bands Iron Maiden, Motörhead and Corrosion of Conformity. He performed on Rob Zombie's solo albums, and is currently part of Ozzy Osbourne's band. He is also noted for his contribution as bassist to metal band Cryptic Slaughter within underground metal circles.

Early years

• 
  Cryptic Slaughter 1984-1988
  

Began his career playing bass for the Santa Monica, California-based speed/thrash metal band, performing on several of their albums.

• Drown 1993-1994
  

Formed in 1987 by vocalist Lauren Boquette under the name Yesterday's Tear, Drown was rounded out by Joseph Bishara (guitars/keyboards), Rob Nicholson (bass) and Todd Allen (drums).

• Suffer 1995-1996
  

Formed by bassist Bruce Albertson with Nicholson after leaving Drown, switching from bass to lead vocals and guitar. The line-up also featured from Drown drummer Todd Allen. Todd Allen was invited to play drums by Bruce when Johnny Hill of Funhouse left. Suffer managed to score a deal with Walt Disney Music Publishing and used the money to finance a 7-song EP, "Heads You Lose, Tails I Win", but broke up shortly after the release.

• Killing Spree 1997
  

Nicholson was invited to contribute lead vocals on the band's debut release, "Terror From Beyond Space", issued by Napalm Records in 1997. Killing Spree was founded by former Sickening Gore members Jerry McKenzie (guitar) and Chris Huwiler (drums) and also featured Trebor Dunn (programming) and future Body Count bassist Vince Dennis, aka Vincent Price, although bass on the album is credited to Elrich Von Vader. The band never performed live.

Danzig

• 1997-1998

Joined the popular band Danzig in September 1997, but like his last band, he did not appear on any of their albums. Departure from the band in April 1998.

Rob Zombie

• 1998-2006

Toured with Rob Zombie, where he began using the nickname "Blasko". He went on to play on three of Rob Zombie's solo albums (Hellbilly Deluxe, The Sinister Urge, & Educated Horses).

The Death Riders

• 2005

Spent some time, while with Rob Zombie, to work on a side project with the founder of Coffin Case, Johnny Coffin. The band was composed of Johnny Coffin on lead guitar, Daniel Gray on rhythm guitar and lead vocals, DC on drums, and of course Blasko on Bass. The Soundtrack to Depression (their debut album) was released by Horror High.

Ozzy Osbourne

• 2003-current

In 2003, Blasko replaced Robert Trujillo as Ozzy Osbourne's bassist. After Ozzy's band rehearsed for a fall tour, Ozzy was injured in a bad ATV accident in October 2003. The fall tour was cancelled. After Ozzy's recovery, he performed with Black Sabbath on Ozzfest 2004, and with Ozzy on select dates for Ozzfest 2006. Rob officially marked his membership in Ozzy Osbourne's band when he was featured as bassist on Osbourne's 9th studio album Black Rain, which was released on May 22, 2007. Since then Rob has played for Ozzy on all live shows including Ozzfest tours, and notably on an American tour with Rob Zombie. He has followed that up with Ozzy's 10th studio album Scream, released in 2010.

Other musical side projects

Film

Worked on the film Repo! The Genetic Opera, performing on the soundtrack.

Management

Blasko is currently the manager of the band Black Veil Brides. He also produced their album We Stitch These Wounds. He is also the former manager of In This Moment.

Other non-musical side projects

Designer

Has a designer clothes line for Affliction (Affliction Blasko Signature Series).

Discography

with Cryptic Slaughter

• 1986: Convicted
  


• 1987: Money Talks
  


• 1988: Stream of Consciousness
  

with Drown

• 1994: Hold On To The Hollow

with Suffer

• 1996: Heads I Win, Tails You Lose EP

with Killing Spree

• 1997: Terror From Beyond Space
  

with Rob Zombie

• 1998: Hellbilly Deluxe
  


• 1999: American Made Music to Strip By
  


• 2001: The Sinister Urge
  


• 2006: Educated Horses
  

with The Death Riders

• 2005: Soundtrack for Depression
  


• TBA: And Then Came the Rain...
  

with Ozzy Osbourne

• 2007: Black Rain
  


• 2010: Scream
  

Guest work

• 2008: Repo! The Genetic Opera (soundtrack)
  

References

External links

• Blasko's MySpace page