by Bill Kelliher recently discussed Mastodon’s decision to replace Brent Hinds with Nick Johnston in an interview featured on Sixty Scales and the Truth.
The conversation took place just days before Hinds’ death. Kelliher addressed the band’s choice to bring Johnston into the lineup.
When asked how he ended up asking Nick Johnston to replace Brent Hinds in Mastodon, Kelliher shared his perspective on the new guitarist’s qualities and fit with the band.
“Nick is freaking good. And more importantly, he’s just very humble and he’s very extremely excited to be where he is with us,” Kelliher said. “And he fits right in with us and our, you know, we’re all pretty laid-back guys and don’t take ourselves too seriously, you know, our music.”
Kelliher elaborated on Johnston’s integration into the band and their creative process.
“I live and breathe Mastodon every day. But Nick is surely becoming one of those same people,” he continued. “At first it was a little it was weird, honestly. It’s different, you know, ‘cuz he’s not the guy that’s that’s been there for 25 years, but he’s quickly adapting to fit right in with us and we’re writing together like crazy and just he’s just always so excited about going on. He’s like a kid in a candy store when he goes on stage like I can’t wait to get out there and grab the candy.”
The interview provides a poignant look at the band’s transition. It was conducted shortly before the tragic loss of their former bandmate.
Guitar World reported that Brent Hinds tragically passed away on August 20, 2025, at the age of 51. The former Mastodon guitarist died in a motorcycle accident in Atlanta, Georgia. The driver of a BMW SUV failed to yield while making a turn, leading to a fatal collision with Hinds’ Harley-Davidson.
The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the death, as Atlanta News First noted. The accident marked a tragic end to the life of one of progressive metal’s most distinctive voices and guitarists.
Hinds was a founding member of Mastodon, which he co-founded in 2000 alongside Bill Kelliher, Troy Sanders, and Brann Dailor. Wikipedia documented his significant contributions to the band’s sound and identity throughout his 25-year tenure with the group. He helped establish Mastodon as one of the most innovative bands in heavy music.
The timing of Kelliher’s interview adds a layer of significance to his comments about the lineup change. His reflections on Johnston’s enthusiasm and integration into the band now serve as a testament to Mastodon’s commitment to moving forward while honoring the legacy that Hinds helped create over more than two decades.
