CHIMAIRA have revealed that drummer, Andy Herrick, has decided to leave the band. The band who recently completed a successful US jaunt with Swedish metallers, SOILWORK, have ironically announced that Herrick’s replacement is none other than SOILWORK’s Richard Evensand. Here is Herrick’s official announcement:
“As many of you might know by now, I have decided to leave my brothers in CHIMAIRA to pursue other interests. This was a very difficult and emotionally taxing decision, and it was something I had been pondering for quite a while. Basically, I am really burned out on the touring lifestyle. It takes a special kind of person to be on the road 3/4 of the year, performing night after night. You have to live it and love it 100% or it will break you down. Unfortunately, the schedule got the best of me. I got to the point where I wasn’t having fun performing anymore, and that is extremely hard to deal with.
“I plan on returning to college to finish my degree that’s been on hiatus for five years. As far as drumming goes, right now all I know is that I have been very unhappy with my playing for a while, and after some time off I want to really improve in every aspect and become more well rounded as a musician. Perhaps even some session work could be in order in the future. Music has been a major part of my life, ever since I first started music lessons in 1986, and more so when I first picked up a pair of drumsticks in 1988, so we will see what happens in the future. I just want to take everything one day at a time.
“Chimaira is in good hands now, with Richard Evensand taking over. I had the pleasure of watching him play on two tours with SOILWORK, and he is incredible. Trust me, you will all be saying ‘Andy who?’ when you hear him!
“I’d like to thank my CHIMAIRA brothers for five years of great memories and accomplishments, my family and girlfriend for their support, Roadrunner Records, Scott Koenig, Stick Shefrin, Ian Friedman, our road crew, all the great drum companies I’ve worked with, all the great friends I made on the road, and all the great fans.
“I am fully confident in the continued success of the band, and I will be there supporting them 100%, just like you all should!”
The drummer situation fortunately won’t affect the band’s forthcoming European tour with STAMPIN’ GROUND, EVERYTIME I DIE, and MNEMIC. Here are the tour dates:
02.02.2004 - Oxford - Zodiac
02.03.2004 - Cardiff - Engine Rooms
02.04.2004 - Exeter - Lemon Grove
02.05.2004 - Portsmouth - Wedgewood Rooms
02.06.2004 - London - Mean Fiddler
02.07.2004 - Birmingham - Academy II
02.08.2004 - Manchester - Hop and Grape
02.09.2004 - Nottingham - Rock City
02.10.2004 - Glasgow - King Tuts
02.11.2004 - Shefield - Corperation
02.12.2004 - Leeds - Joseph Wells
02.13.2004 - Colchester - Sound Haus
02.14.2004 - Liverpool - Uni
02.15.2004 - Dublin - Temple Bar Music Centre
02.16.2004 - Belfast - Limelight
02.17.2004 - Northumbria - Uni
02.18.2004 - Edinburgh - The Venue
02.19.2004 - Northhampton - Sound Haus
02.20.2004 - Hardenburg - Podium
02.21.2004 - Rotterdam - Night Town
02.22.2004 - Tilburg - O13
02.23.2004 - Bocham - Matrix
02.24.2004 - Berlin - Knaack Club
02.25.2004 - Frankfurt - Nachtleben
02.26.2004 - Hidelberg - Schimmbad
02.27.2004 - Vosselaar - Beepbop
02.28.2004 - Nancy - Azimut 854