Tom picked up a bass guitar aged 8 and hasn’t put it down since. He learn by playing Beatles and Rolling Stones tunes which he cites as a major influence on his playing and vocals. When he was 17 his father insisted he either find a job or enrol on a course to become a respiratory therapist – he choose to do the course. He qualified and was working in a medical centre when he was asked to join unknown band Slayer. Tom used the savings from his wages to finance the band’s first album ‘Show No Mercy’ and when his employers refused him time off to go on Slayer’s first European Tour in 1984 he said: “Well, I guess I am fired”. It was a wise choice. As vocalist and bass player for Slayer he went on to produce 12 studio albums, four of which have been certified gold in the US. The band have received 5 Grammy nominations and are considered one of the most influential bands in heavy metal history. They are part of the ‘big four’ of thrash metal bands with Metallica, Megadeath, and Anthrax.