The Word Alive Founding Guitarist Zack Hansen Steps Away From Band
Phoenix, Arizona metalcore act The Word Alive is down one more member, as lead guitarist, backing vocalist, and founding member of the band, Zack Hansen, announced yesterday on Instagram that he intends to step back from the band. Here’s what Hansen had to say:
“As of today — with respect to my family, friends and fans I will be stepping away from The Word Alive to handle some personal issues and to take the time necessary to focus on myself. I know in the long run this is what’s best for me and TWA. I ask for your patience, understanding and privacy at this time. Thank you for all of the support.”
Hansen didn’t allow comments on the post. The announcement comes as a bit of a shock as The Word Alive only announced two days ago that they would be supporting Asking Alexandria on the second leg of their U.S. tour from September through early November, a tour that Hansen posted about on his Instagram.
Hansen’s statement seems to imply that he might only be leaving the band temporarily, but there’s not a lot of clarity on that at this time. If Hansen is out of the band, then the band pulls a full Menudo, having lost all of its founding members and retaining none of the members who appeared on the band’s self-titled debut EP in 2008. However, vocalist Tyler Smith did join the band very shortly after that debut EP and has been with the band ever since, so there’s still some consistency in the band even if Hansen does decide to make his departure permanent.
No word on how the band intends to handle the upcoming tour, but you can find the full list of dates they have with Asking Alexandria below.
ASKING ALEXANDRIA “ALL MY FRIENDS” U.S. TOUR 2024 DATES
with Memphis Mayfire, The Word Alive & Archers
9/24 Sioux Falls, SD @ The District
9/25 Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave / Eagles Club – The Rave Hall
9/27 Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue
9/28 Clarkston, MI @ Pine Knob Music Theatre
9/29 Grand Rapids, MI @ GLC Live at 20 Monroe *
10/1 Chicago, IL @ House of Blues – Chicago
10/2 Louisville, KY @ Mercury Ballroom
10/4 Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart’s
10/5 Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues – Cleveland
10/6 New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
10/8 Boston, MA @ Big Night Live
10/9 Portland, ME @ Aura
10/11 New Haven, CT @ Toad’s Place
10/12 Asbury Park, NJ @ Stone Pony
10/13 Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts
10/15 Greensboro, NC @ Greensboro Coliseum Complex – Piedmont Hall
10/16 Birmingham, AL @ Iron City
10/18 Chattanooga, TN @ The Signal
10/19 Nashville, TN @ Marathon Music Works ^
10/20 Saint Louis, MO @ The Pageant ^
10/22 Kansas City, MO @ The Truman
10/23 Tulsa, OK @ Cains Ballroom
10/25 Albuquerque, NM @ Revel
10/26 Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre – Tucson
10/27 Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
10/29 Los Angeles, CA @ The Belasco
10/30 Ventura, CA @ Majestic Ventura Theatre
11/1 San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
11/2 Chico, CA @ Senator Theater
^ no Memphis Mayfire
* no Archers
