Jay Weinberg is Filling in for Kvelertak’s Drummer on U.S. Tour

Kvelertak drummer Kjetil Gjermundrød has been experiencing some kind of problem with his arm on the band’s current American tour with Cancer Bats and Black Tusk, so instead of just riding it out and possibly allowing it get worse he’s decided to fly home to Norway for treatment. The band has found a fill-in drummer in a most unexpected place — Jay Weinberg, son of E Street Band / Conan O’Brien band-leader Max Weinberg — so they’re able to continue the tour without missing any shows.

Jay’s name should be familiar to metalheads: he was drafted to drum for Madball at just 20 years old in 2010 before, ironically, being booted from the band mid-tour for personal reasons. All reports say the kid’s a helluva drummer, though, so I’m sure he’ll be able to handle Gjermundrød’s drum duties just fine. I don’t really worry about Gjermundrød’s absence affecting the power of the band’s live show either, whatwith the five dudes who stand up front bringing more than enough energy.

I always wonder how mid-tour replacements like this go down. Like, I doubt the dudes in Kvelertak had any personal history with Weinberg and it’s possible they weren’t even aware he existed. I’d imagine it comes down to management flipping through every possible name in their rolodex and reaching out to everyone imaginable, managers, labels, agents and musicians alike. Then songs have to be learned (no easy feat for just anyone), fees have to be negotiated, flights have to be arranged, etc. Doesn’t sound like fun.

Get remaining dates of the tour here.