Andols Herrick has left Chimaira – again. That makes him the third member to leave the band in the past six months (after bassist Jim LaMarca left the band in November, and following the departure of the keyboardist Chris Spicuzza last week). That’s half the band right there. Combine that with the fact the two guitar players are currently involved with Six Feet Under, we come to the realization that Mark Hunter must be one lonely guy right now.
You can read excerpts from his statement after the jump, where he cites issues in the band and the shift in the music industry and his uncertainty about his future as the main reason for deciding to leave them. Wow, what a downer. But it’s a pretty good reason for me to go watch some porn and make myself feel good.
Update: Just as I was about to spank the monkey, something interrupted me. Mark Hunter tweeted, reassuring that the band is not breaking up, and that there will be some sort of news tomorrow detailing the faith of the band.
“Since Chris released his statement recently, I suppose its time that I do so as well since I have been dodging questions and comments for almost as long. I am no longer a member of Chimaira, and actually haven’t been since before Christmas. I did play at Chimaira Christmas 11, which was my last show. I certainly couldn’t have asked for a better and more memorable way to go out.
I cannot stress enough how significantly different the circumstances are now than back in 2004. The short story is that the guys had taken issue with certain aspects of my role in the band. Nothing discussed was out of anger or anything personal, but I was definitely not expecting it and it was quite the spirit crusher for me. The decision was made that it would be in the band’s best interest to move forward without me.
I was obviously devastated, but again there was no ill will between us. Later, I was asked to rejoin, but after some painful contemplation in my mind, I decided it was best not to. I started to see everything that happened as something that was ultimately positive. I share some of the same concerns that Chris mentioned in his statement, namely the current state of the music industry and concerns about my future.
A major transition in life is much more manageable at 31 than it is in your late 30’s or early 40’s, so as a guy with literally zero experience in anything else, better now then later. Plus, it would be hard to go back without feeling constantly uneasy about the situation.
Read the rest of his statement at ThePRP.com
