Machine Head frontman/guitarist Robb Flynn has revealed that guitarist Phil Demmel and drummer Dave McClain have both quit Machine Head, while bassist Jared MacEachern “kind of quit” as well—though he has since decided to stick around, according to Flynn.
Flynn broke the news via the below video and assures that the band’s upcoming tour, which is now being billed as a farewell tour, will continue on with the soon to depart members agreeing to make the trek a “celebration of our music and this era of the band.”
Speaking further on why the members decided to exit, Flynn explained:
“We have grown apart as people. Musically we’ve grown apart. I have held onto too tight to the reins of this band and I have suffocated those guys. I got some rough edges—I’m kind of a barnacle. And those rough edges have given us the success we have, but they’ve also hurt the people around me.”
He continued:
“I’ve got a lot of drive, but I 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 Phil‘s decision. I want to say that I’m honored and grateful for everything that they have contributed to Machine Head, which is a lot.”
As to what is next for the band:
“I don’t know what the future holds. We’re all a little scared. I’m scared and they’re scared…”
He later continued:
“I’m gonna 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 twenty years of therapy at this point and apparently it wasn’t enough.”
Since the videos release, Demmel took to social media, sharing the below message:
Dates for the North American tour in question can be found here.
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