Anthrax have named Shadows Fall guitarist Jon Donais as temporary replacement for Rob Caggiano – who recommended him for the role before leaving the band.
And as the thrash giants gear up for the release of their covers EP, they insist they’re not holding auditions to find their new full-time axeman.
Donais explains: “Rob called and told me he was leaving the band, and asked if I’d be interested in filling in. Rob and I are using Skype to work on solos and other guitar parts – he’s being great.”
Scott Ian says of the stand-in musician: “Jon is a bro and he’s also a total fucking ripper. I’ve worked with him twice before on side-projects and he tears it up. I’m excited to have him on my right – 13′s going to be a good year.”
The band have stated they’re not looking form outside their own network for a full-time replacement for Caggiano. They explained online: “We love you all, and are confident you shred like Yngwie Malmsteen after a case of Red Bull, but to answer all 57,000 messages at once, we are not doing auditions for lead guitarist.”
Anthrax will release their covers EP Anthem on March 18. It includes their interpretations of Anthem (Rush), Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy), TNT (AC/DC), Big Eyes (Cheap Trick), Smokin’ (Boston) and Keep On Runnin’ (Journey). Ian recently said he was so impressed with singer Joey Belladonna’s take on Journey that there were concerns he might end up joining Neal Schon’s outfit.
Meanwhile, former Anthrax singer Dan Bush has left Blackgates, the band he formed after his dismissal from Anthrax in 2009. Drummer Paul Bostaph and guitarist Jeremy Epp explain: “Dan has decided he wants to concentrate full-time on being a father to his newborn son, along with focusing on his own musical endeavours. He’ll always be family.”
-Classic Rock Magazine
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