Machine Head frontman Robb Flynn has announced that two of the band’s longtime members, guitarist Phil Demmel and drummer Dave McClain, will leave the group after one final tour.
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In a recent Facebook Live video, Robb said that Demmel announced his departure on Wednesday (September 26), and was followed by McClain’s a day later.
The band’s ongoing tour “is still going to go on,” as the guys have “agreed to all make this a celebration of our music and this era of the band,” Flynn added.
Focusing on the reason behind the departure, Robb said (via Blabbermouth):
“We have grown apart as people. Musically, we’ve grown apart. I have held on too tight to the reins of this band, and I have suffocated those guys.
“I’ve got some rough edges. I’m kind a barnacle. And those rough edges have given us the success we have, but they’ve also hurt the people around me. I’ve got a lot of drive, but I’ve got a lot of anger and rage. And that drive of mine has alienated folks in the band.
“I ask that you respect Phil and Dave’s decision, as I respect their decision. I wanna say that I’m honored and grateful for everything that they’ve contributed to Machine Head, which is a lot. 15 years with Phil, 23 years with Dave.”
Flynn continued by saying that he doesn’t “know what the future holds,” adding:
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“We’re all a little scared. I’m scared, and they’re scared. But if you’re looking for a drummer or a guitar player, you can find no better people to have [than Dave and Phil].
“[I plan to] do a little bit of soul searching here in my life and take a long, hard look at myself, as I’ve done in the past. I’ve done 20 years of therapy at this point, and apparently, it wasn’t enough. [Laughs] I guess I need to do about 20 more.”
According to Robb, the upcoming tour will be “a celebration of this era of music and this lineup.” He said:
“And that may be the best era of Machine Head ever, and may be the best lineup ever, and may be the best lineup that this band ever has. And we’re gonna end it on a positive note, and we’re gonna end it on a classy note. It’s the end of an era. I did a lot of crying yesterday and kind of felt like I got ran over by a truck.”