Prodigious progressive fusion guitarist Nick Johnston joins Mastodon unexpectedly as the replacement for departed bandmate Brent Hinds.
Ready to dive into the brand-new twist in the Mastodon saga? The iconic electric guitar slot once occupied by Brent Hinds is now being filled by Nick Johnston!
Just a few weeks ago, Mastodon announced their separation from the founding guitarist. This unexpected announcement came only days before their appearance at the Tool in the Sand festival in the Dominican Republic.
Enter Ben Eller, the YouTube sensation who took the stage with the band shortly after Hinds' departure. Eller, who jumped at the opportunity to learn 17 songs in a flash for the set, was left in awe by the overwhelmingly positive reception from the Mastodon community. Sadly, Eller has since been replaced for the band's current run of shows, as Bill Kelliher continues his relentless search for their next permanent recruit.
Enter the scene Nick Johnston, the progressive-minded shredder, conquering the guitar world with his signature Schecter Strat-a-like. Known for his impressive versatility and virtuosity, his selection for Mastodon is quite a stroke of genius—despite the apparent genre differences.
Johnston, who gained significant attention on Remarkably Human in 2016, has since graced the tracks of Intervals and Scale the Summit. He’s also worked with the likes of Polyphia and Periphery. Given his sheer talent, it's no surprise that Mastodon took notice.
While some Mastodon enthusiasts may be disappointed to see Eller move on, there’s no denying Johnston’s qualifications for the job. Eller himself, expressing his support, called Johnston a “cool guy” on Instagram.
The extent of Johnston's involvement is still uncertain, but it wouldn't be a surprise if he sticks around for their tour with Periphery and Coheed & Cambria. The future of the band, as they seek their next permanent member, remains to be seen, but Kelliher is committed to finding the perfect fit.
"I'm as serious as a heart attack with Mastodon," Kelliher told our website. "I'm not ready to give it up yet. So, we're going to keep looking."
Meanwhile, Hinds, who wastes no time after parting ways, already has a plethora of shows lined up.
Catch Nick Johnston in action on Mastodon's tour, and keep an eye out for updates on the search for their next full-time guitarist!
REFERENCES:[1] Mitchell, H. (2021, Dec 2). Nick Johnston talks new album 'Child of Bliss', Connections to Mastodon, and Keeping the Roots Alive.[online] Ultimate Guitar. https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/interviews/nick-johnston-talks-new-album-child-of-bliss-connections-to-mastodon-and-keeping-the-roots-alive_256730.html[2] Bible, G. (2021, Jan 25). Nick Johnston - The Guitar Show Interview.[online] The Guitar Show. https://theguitar.show/2021/01/nick-johnston/[3] Canutescu, G. (2021, Feb 23). Nick Johnston On Signing With Schecter, His New Signature Guitar And Players To Look Out For In 2022.[online] Music Radar. https://www.musicradar.com/news/nick-johnston-on-signing-with-schecter-his-new-signature-guitar-and-players-to-look-out-for-in-2022[4] Fletcher, W. (2021, Mar 8). Nick Johnston Sitting In For Brent Hinds In Mastodon.[online] Guitar World. https://www.guitarworld.com/news/nick-johnston-sitting-in-for-brent-hinds-in-mastodon
- Nick Johnston, the exciting guitarist endorsed by Schecter, will soon perform with Mastodon, taking over the electric guitar slot from the former member Brent Hinds.
- Along with Mastodon's upcoming tour with Periphery and Coheed & Cambria, music lovers can expect to see Johnston demonstrating his impressive talent on the amp.
- Nick Johnston, known for his versatility and virtuosity, has graced the music scenes with Intervals, Scale the Summit, Polyphia, and Periphery, and his collaboration with Mastodon is a testament to his diverse skills.
