Mastodon’s Bill Kelliher Isn’t Sure About Ben Eller’s Future in the Band
There have been some changes in Mastodon‘s camp. Y’all know what the tea is (probably): Ex-guitarist and vocalist Brent Hinds is out, and Ben Eller has been in as his replacement. But, according to the Mastodon rhythm guitarist Bill Kelliher, Eller’s future might be shakier than we thought.
Expanding more on Kelliher’s recent interview with Guitar World, he discussed the future of the band and how Eller might or might not fit into it:
“Someone who is easy to get along with, and who really has a desire to play — and can play well. Obviously, you gotta be somebody who we all get along with and can stand the true test of time. Like, living together in a little tour bus on the road for fucking days and months at a time, it’s got to be someone who can do all that. And that’s another variable. Like, ‘Oh, this person is a great guitar player. Why don’t you hire them?’ It’s like, ‘Well, they gotta stand the test of time.’ We’ve got to be able to sit down and have a beer with them, go out to dinner with them, you know, feel them out, and make sure they’re Mastodon material. Like, can they hang, for sure, but it’s got to be someone who has a unique style, and is very serious about it.”
He emphatically added:
“I’m as serious as a heart attack with Mastodon. It’s my life. It’s all I really know. I’ve got all my eggs in this basket – and I’m not ready to give it up yet. So, we’re going to keep looking, and who knows? We’ll find the right person when the time is right and ready.
“We do have some more shows coming up. We have a tour with Coheed and Cambria coming up in May, which, you know, we’re still going to fulfil that. We’re going to finish up our new record; I’m not sure what our future is with Ben or if we’ll try a couple of other people out. Not really sure yet; it’s too early to say.”
Eller’s been subbing in quite well, but it’s understandable that Kelliher wants to know for sure for sure what the fuck is gonna be best for his band. We’ll keep following the evolution of the band. One, because we’re nosey. But two, because we’re fans.
