UPDATE ON THE MASTODON BILL KELLIHER SITUATION
Friday, April 30th, 2010 at 12:30pm by Vince Neilstein
Despite guitarist Bill Kelliher’s hospitalization, the show must go on: the band made their scheduled tour stop in Grand Rapids, MI last night, but Bill Kelliher did not perform. MS readers Matt Gaipa and Jared Lucas reported that both Peter Adams and John Baizley from Baroness each performed two songs with the band — “Oblivion” and “Divinations,” then “Quintessence” and “The Czar,” respectively — after which Mastodon finished out Crack the Skye without the assistance of a second guitar player. I’d forgotten that Mastodon are essentially a five-piece these days with a touring keyboard player in tow, so while I’m sure the keys helped fill some of the cracks I’m also sure that Kelliher’s presence was missed (especially during “Sleeping Giant,” if they played it… his delayed guitar intro is essential!). Regardless, both Matt and Jared said that Mastodon absolutely killed it.
Big ups to the boys in Baroness for learning those songs on such short notice and filling in. I wonder if, as the tour goes on and if Kelliher still isn’t able to rejoin the band, the members of Between the Buried and me and Valient Thorr will also chip in towards a full set? That’d be a pretty special thing to see, albeit coming at the cost of someone’s health (which makes it a lot less cool).
No word yet from the Mastodon camp or anyone connected to Bill. Get well soon, dude.
-VN
ADDENDUM from our own Antonin Skullia, Esq.:
20 COMMENTS on “UPDATE ON THE MASTODON BILL KELLIHER SITUATION”
Yeah the keyboardist really helped to cover up the missing guitar and also the bass was cranked so besides guitar harmonies it really wasn’t “lacking” in sound. I was honestly hoping BTBAM’s guitarist would join them, but I respect their decision of doing the set mostly as a four piece.
I was at the show last night, and the guys from Baroness KILLED IT. I saw them on their Crack the Skye tour last year, and this show sounded almost just as good. I could tell some stuff was missing from Bill’s end, but the show was still amazing.
You could tell the guys were stoked to play and before the show Troy said they had the opportunity to cancel to show, but decided to go on. Afterwords, Brann thanked everyone for making it a killer show. :D
When I say “KILLED IT”, I mean they fucking rocked.
There was some awesome guitar “dueling” going on.
Dude, Machine Head did something kinda like this a while ago when Phil Demmel had to drop out of a tour. Guys from Dragonforce, Trivium and Arch Enemy all chipped in, sorta how Baroness did.
Thanks for ruining this thread with that mention.
Yea, thanks a lot, asshole.
Dick
Glad to hear they are still playing, I’m going to the show tonight in Indy and was hoping it wouldn’t get canceled. Hope Bill gets better soon!
Bill’s a cool dude and a great guitar player, hope he gets better and returns. I look forward to seeing the Alice In Chains Deftones tour.
Not many can hold candle to the melvins; mastadon just got kicked up a notch in my book. Good stuff.
It was completely epic. It’s hard to tell from the video, but all three drummers are playing this song.
I’m going to see them tonight. Having guests from the other bands play to fill the void would be really cool, but I hope Bill gets better soon.
seeing them next week. hope Mullet Bill is feeling better.
I see em on Wednesday may 5th, It’ll be a bummer if Bill isn’t there.
no worries, Mullet Bill was there and in good form last night.
I saw them on Thursday. Missing Bill did make a difference, but it didn’t ruin the night. They played most of Crack the Skye, but they did not play The Last Baron (probably the best song from that album). No Sleeping Giant either, but they did play Blood and Thunder, which I had never seen them play. This was fine by me, since Blood and Thunder is the song that got me into Mastodon in the first place, and I’ve been dying to see them play it. Great show.
Get well soon, Bill.
Actually thats a 8 string first act guitar
Why couldn’t have Brent got sick? Bill wasn’t whining like a little bitch and didn’t stop the show 3 times. This was at the NJ show, and VT, BTBAM, & Baroness sounded 10 times better then Mastodon. I wonder what the problem was.
may 30th, in madison, WI!!!!! i cant wait, hopefully bill will be on the tour by then, if not, i wish him the best. that will be a great show..
I was at the show in Grand Rapids, Baroness fucking tore the place a new one…
Valient Thorr was fun, BTB&M was pretty disappointing tho.
Mastodon was fucking great, its sad about Bill but im glad they chose to play, and the place (including me) went apeshit when they played Blood & Thunder. pits opened up everywhere, even by the barricade in the front where i was. i think i broke some bitch’s toe.