Anthrax recently announced that Dan Lilker would replace their bassist, Frank Bello, for their upcoming South American tour. Metal Mayhem ROC asked Lilker if there are plans for him to stay with Anthrax longer. He shared:
“Well, as far as I know, I’m just doing the 10 shows that I was asked to do — the eight that are in Central and South America and then the two U.S. fests. It’s just filling in for Frank — I wanna make sure and stress that. I am not (rejoining) the band, even though I formed it before.”
The band’s original bassist added:
“This isn’t gonna be, ‘Finally after 40 years, my plan…’ I’m doing my friends a favor. And if that situation changes in the future, it will not have anything to do with me taking any steps to do so, let’s put it that way.”
Dan Lilker helped start Anthrax with Scott Ian in 1981. He left the lineup just before they released their first album, ‘Fistful of Metal,’ in 1984. His exit was due to conflicts with the ex-vocalist Neil Turbin.
Reuniting After 40 Years
Frank Bello joined Anthrax right after Lilker’s departure. He is now leaving the band temporarily due to personal reasons. The founding member will fill in for him during the upcoming dates.
The tour will start on April 13 at MXMF The Metal Fest in Mexico City. This will be Dan Lilker’s first appearance with Anthrax in 40 years. Lilker talked about his comeback earlier this week by saying:
“I’m really looking forward to jamming with Anthrax again. When we parted ways back in 1984, they told me to stick around because they might need me in 40 years.”
The bassist will also play with the group at two festival dates in the US in May.