In a new interview with Talk Toomey, former Machine Head guitarist Phil Demmel opens up about his departure from the band in October 2018 amid creative differences with frontman Robb Flynn.

On the deterioration of the band

Demmel: "I'm not gonna badmouth the breakup or Robb. I think he's an amazing musician, and the times I had in Machine Head were awesome. The last few years just weren't. We just didn't work as people anymore. I think Robb strayed from the path of being a band. He stayed on his path. Instead of us being on the same path or asking to be on the same path, it just became, 'This is what we're doing.'"

On "hating" the Catharsis album

Demmel: "There's moments of what I wrote that I like. I wrote most of the music to 'California Bleeding', but then Robb wrote the lyrics on top of it that I just wish that… Me and Dave (McClain / drums) talk about it, like, 'Fuck! I wish I could take my riffs back. No, that isn't what we want them used for.' So, I think, in that sense, it just became a Robb Flynn solo project, and that isn't what I signed up for, and the last few years were basically collecting a paycheck. And I just couldn't do that."

Check out the complete interview here.

It was announced in October 2018 that Machine Head's US tour would be the band's last with its current lineup, as guitarist Phil Demmel and drummer Dave McClain were leaving the band.

Phil Demmel commented on his decision to leave the band. He says: "Thanks to all who have reached out and offered such positive support. 15 years in MH is a long time let alone the almost 32 years since Robb and I first started playing music together. I’m honored to have been given the opportunity to be in this band and I’m proud of my contributions over that time. It’s simply time for me to step away and do something else musically.

"People naturally grow apart over time and it’s no one’s fault. It’s amazing and we’re so fortunate to have been able to it for so long. This last run will give us an opportunity to say goodbye as a group and have a sense of closure to an incredible run. I wish the MH camp and @alienhead65 well as we see what is next. I have so much left to express musically and pretty soon, I’m gonna need a jobber-job!!! Hoping you’ll all stick around for the next chapter. Much love and gratitude, PD."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Thanks to all who have reached out and offered such positive support.  15 years in MH is a long time let alone the almost 32 years since Robb and I first started playing music together.  I’m honored to have been given the opportunity to be in this band and I’m proud of my contributions over that time.  It’s simply time for me to step away and do something else musically.  People naturally grow apart over time and it’s no one’s fault.  It’s amazing and we’re so fortunate to have been able to it for so long.  This last run will give us an opportunity to say goodbye as a group and have a sense of closure to an incredible run.  I wish the MH camp and @alienhead65 well as we see what is next.  I have so much left to express musically and pretty soon, I’m gonna need a jobber-job!!! Hoping you’ll all stick around for the next chapter.  Much love and gratitude, PD. (Thanks @ashnewellphotography for the pic)

A post shared by Phil Demmel (@demmelitionmh) on Oct 2, 2018 at 6:33am PDT

A video with a statement from Robb Flynn can be seen below. He says: “I have held on too tight to the reins of this band and I have suffocated those guys. I've got some rough edges; I'm kind of a barnacle. Those rough edges have given us the success we have but they've also hurt the people around me. I’ve got a lot of drive, but I’ve got a lot of anger and rage, and that drive of mine has alienated folks in the band. I ask that you respect Phil and Dave’s decision, as I respect their decision.”