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Twisted Sister have announced the drummer who will join them for their upcoming performances featuring new vocalist Sebastian Bach.
The band recently confirmed that Bach will front the group for a limited number of shows this fall, stepping in for longtime singer Dee Snider. Alongside guitarists Jay Jay French and Eddie Ojeda, bassist Russell Pzütto, and Bach on vocals, drummer Joey Cassata will take over behind the kit.
When the group first revealed plans for their 50th-anniversary reunion last year, former drummer Joey Franco was expected to return for the performances. Franco previously played with the band during the late 1980s, including on the 1987 album Love Is for Suckers. However, Cassata has now been tapped to fill the role for the upcoming shows.
Cassata shared his excitement on social media, saying he was honored to join the legendary metal group. He added that he had been a fan since childhood and described the opportunity as surreal.
The drummer first gained recognition in the early 2000s as a member of the rock band ZO2. During that time, the group toured with major acts such as KISS, Poison, Mötley Crüe and Van Halen. ZO2 later starred in the television series Z Rock, a semi-scripted show centered on their lives as musicians.
After ZO2 disbanded in 2015, Cassata continued working across different areas of the music and entertainment industry. He also released a memoir, Start With a Dream: A Drummer’s Journey from Rock & Roll to T.V. to Broadway, chronicling his career.
In addition to touring, Cassata has performed in Broadway productions and spent more than a decade playing with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. He also contributed drums to Ace Frehley’s 2024 album 10,000 Volts.
Cassata has often credited his early inspiration to seeing Peter Criss perform live with KISS at Madison Square Garden when he was a child — a moment he says convinced him to pursue drumming as his life’s path.
SOURCE: Loudwire