After a lengthy period of volatility, Old Wounds have announced the return of ex-frontman Kevin Iavaroni to their ranks. Iavaroni originally exited the band back in December of last year, at the time to focus on being a barber—though that was only half the story as he has newly revealed the following to Altpress.com about his initial departure:
“I was purposely vague in my post and there was a lot of stuff going on in my life that I didn’t feel the need to make a public announcement about. We did a tour with Aiden, we did Warped, we did the Every Time I Die/Beartooth tour. We did four or five consecutive tours where we didn’t take a break, ever.
I’m not trying to hit you with a sad story here, but I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease when I was 5. I’ve been in and out of hospitals since that age. [On tour], I felt myself getting sick. I hadn’t taken my meds for quite some time. I wasn’t in a good place physically or mentally.
As soon as I made the announcement that I wanted to step down from the band, I was hospitalized: I made the announcement in late December and on Feb. 1, I was hospitalized. I had so much inflammation, my colon actually turned on its side and I had to get emergency surgery. I had my second surgery this past August.
Me and the guys in Old Wounds come from a long-term friendship. They were telling me, “This isn’t the same without you. Can we find a way to make this work, with both your health and going to hair school?” I was thinking about this. I grew up listening to punk rock music and going to shows. Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to play in a band.
I’m 25 years old, and I felt that I don’t want to be in the biggest band in the world, I just want to see the world and have fun with my friends, you know? I don’t want to be some huge successful dude [in music]; I want to write music that’s important to me and hopefully helpful to other people and others. It’s very therapeutic for me to let out my aggression. I don’t do drugs: Going onstage and performing is my release.”
The same interview also found his speaking of his past tension with ex-drummer/vocalist Brandon Gallagher, who has since exited the band. Likewise, guitarist Zak Kessler left the band earlier this month. Exalt guitarist Ben Waugh has stepped in, while Sanction guitarist Lumpy will help out with live duties.
According to Iavaroni the band hope to be in the studio this spring to record a new album with a summer/fall release likely. In light of Iavaroni‘s return the group have released the below video for their song “Only Your Enemies Leave Roses“, which was written before his original departure from the outfit.
Current live dates include:
10/31 Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory (feat. Motionless In White, The Amity Affliction & Miss May I)
11/25 Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom (feat. E.Town Concrete & Madball)
12/14 Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage (feat. Eighteen Visions, Knocked Loose & Tourniquet)
12/15 Worcester, MA – The Palladium (feat. Vanna, Eighteen Visions, etc.)
12/17 New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre (feat. Eighteen Visions, Knocked Loose & Tourniquet)
