DEVILDRIVER Officially Announces New Lineup Changes and Hints at Upcoming Touring Plans
19th July 2022Acclaimed heavy groove metal pioneers DEVILDRIVER are ready to usher in a new era of the bandās venerable history. Today, the group is excited to welcome back original bassist Jon Miller after more than a decadeās long absence from the scene! In addition to this epic reunion, DEVILDRIVER has also added guitarist Alex Lee (Holy Grail) to the lineup, replacing Neal Tiemann.Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā
DEVILDRIVER is also gearing up to head out on tour this fall, with more information coming very soon!
Remarking on his return to the band, Miller comments: Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā
āAfter spending the past 10 years away from writing music, recording, and touring, I have made the decision to return to DEVILDRIVER to settle some unfinished business with two lifelong friends.ā
Frontman Dez Fafara comments on Millerās return to the lineup, sharing:Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā
āJon is a monster on bass and wrote much of our early material. We began talking daily and it just felt rightā¦ and having him onstage again will be absolutely pummeling technically and visually! For the fans that have seen the band with Jon in it, please welcome him back. And for those of you who havenāt, get ready because he holds it down! Having most of the OG members in the band now after almost 20 years feels good!Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā
āGet ready because we have a massive tour announcement coming in August! Itās been since July 2019 that weāve toured, and the break was needed. The fire is there now and we are ready to destroy stages!āĀ
Lead guitarist Mike Spreitzer adds:Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā
āItās been a solid decade since Iāve shared the stage with Jon Miller, and Iām thrilled to have him back in DEVILDRIVER. Without him, I probably wouldnāt be in the band. He was one of the first friends I made when I moved to Santa Barbara in 1999 that eventually lead to me joining DEVILDRIVER. Iām very much looking forward to getting out on the road and having him with us again.ā
Speaking on the departure of former bassist Diego āAshesā Ibarra, the members share:
Dez: āItās always difficult letting guys go in any line of work, but we thank Ashes for his time playing with DEVILDRIVER on tour. Iām sad I had to let him go, but to make way for an original member was the right thing to do. We wish him the best and heās a great guy.āĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā
Mike: āAshes has been an amazing addition to the DEVILDRIVER family over the years. Heās one of the most solid and fun guys I have ever had the honor to call my friend. Iām going to miss our 3-4 hour long morning coffee sessions that we shared since he joined. He will forever be my brother.ā
Along with the return of Miller, DEVILDRIVER welcomes Alex Lee, who many will know from his time in the band Holy Grail! Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā
Speaking on his past encounters and shared comradery with the DEVILDRIVER family, Lee shares:Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā
“Back in 2016, I had the privilege of touring with DEVILDRIVER with my old band (Holy Grail). We got along great and kept in touch over the years. Fast forward to the present, I am thrilled to announce that I’ll be joining the DEVILDRIVER family! Dez made the final call to give me this opportunity that I couldn’t pass up. Great guys, heavy music, and I can’t wait to see you all on the road!”
Dez comments on Leeās addition, saying: Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā
āAlex is a bad ass on guitar and one of the most talented guys Iāve seen in years. He gets along well with the band, heās a great writer, and onstage he brings the energy. We welcome him and look forward to years of good times.āĀ
The latest album from DEVILDRIVER, Dealing With Demons I, was released via Napalm Records on October 2, 2020 to massive fan and critical acclaim, debuting at #4 on the US Current Hard Music Albums Chart alongside outlets like Blabbermouth stating, ā…Dez Fafara keeps defying the odds and making face-removing metal records that, at their cudgeling best, really hurt. If the second half of this mammoth endeavor matches the first, this will be remembered as a pivotal moment in the DEVILDRIVER story.āĀ Order your copy HERE.
Stay tuned for more news on the bandās upcoming touring and album release plans!
DEVILDRIVER is:Dez Fafara – Vocals
Mike Spreitzer – Guitar
Jon Miller – Bass
Alex Lee – Guitar
Austin D’Amond – Drums
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