It’s been just over a week since the news broke that founding guitarist Brent Hinds and Mastodon were mutually parting ways, and other founding Mastodon guitarist Bill Kelliher is already discussing what Mastodon are looking for in a replacement.
The split appears amicable, as Kelliher explained to Guitar World that “like a marriage, sometimes people grow apart.” He further elaborated that, “It’s like being married to three other dudes, traveling the world, trying to stay the course, and having everybody agree. That we managed to do this long, I feel like that’s a feat within itself. You could never replace any of us because we [are] the sum of our four parts.”
Despite that sentiment that the four founding members aren’t replaceable, Kelliher described the band was looking for “someone who is easy to get along with, and who really has a desire to play – and can play well. Obviously, you gotta be someone who we all get along with and can stand the true test of time… Like, can they hang, for sure, but it’s got to be someone who has a unique style, and is very serious about it.”
And Kelliher also said that he wasn’t sure if current touring musician Ben Eller wouldn’t be a permanent addition… so… any takers?
While Mastodon are looking for a new guitarist, they’ll still be performing shows previously announced. You can find Mastodon‘s touring schedule below.
Festivals
May 8th – May 11th: Sonic Temple – Columbus, Ohio
May 15th – May 18th: Welcome to Rockville – Daytona Beach, Florida
With Coheed and Cambria and Periphery
May 10th: Salem Civic Center – Salem, Virginia
May 11th: Knoxville Civic Coliseum – Knoxville, Tennessee
May 13th: Raleigh, North Carolina – Red Hat Amphiteater
May 15th: Live Oak Bank Pavilion Riverfront Park – Wilmington, North Carolina
May 16th: Firefly Distillery – Charleston, South Carolina
May 19th: Hertz Arena – Estero, Florida
May 21st: Orion Amphitheater – Huntsville, Alabama
May 22nd: Rupp Arena – Lexington, Kentucky
May 24th: The Dome – Virginia Beach, VA
May 25th: Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater – Bridgeport, CT
May 26th: Broadview Stage at SPAC – Saratoga Springs, NY
May 28th: Cross Insurance Arena – Portland, ME
May 30th: Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview – Syracuse, NY
May 31st: The Pavilion at Montage Mountain – Scranton, PA
June 1st: Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre – Youngstown, OH
June 3rd: Allen County War Memorial Coliseum – Fort Wayne, IN
June 4th: Peoria Civic Center Arena – Peoria, IL
June 6th: Van Andel Arena – Grand Rapids, MI
June 7th: Resch Center – Green Bay, WI
June 8th: Vibrant Music Hall – Waukee, IA
With Slayer, Amon Amarth, Anthrax, Hatebreed and More
July 3rd: Blackweir Fields – Cardiff, UK
July 5th: Villa Park – Birmingham, UK
July 6th: Finsbury Park – London, UK
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