Former Mastodon guitarist Brent Hinds was working on new music with Bam Margera before his fatal accident, it has been revealed.
The lead guitarist and co-vocalist, who left the Mastodon line-up earlier this year, died in a motorcycle accident last Wednesday (August 20), aged 51 years old. Hinds, who was riding a motorcycle, was at an intersection when a BMW SUV crashed into him.
Following the tragic news of Hinds’ death, his close friend, skater and occasional musician Bam Margera paid tribute, revealing that they had been working on music together ahead of Hinds’ passing.
Margera wrote that he met Hinds at a festival in Australia shortly after the passing of his best friend Ryan Dunn, and the two soon hit it off. He continued: “Brent and I recently had been recording tracks on a new album with a new band I have been doing vocals with called @amoreadlunam …It has been a privilege and honor working with Brent. I cherish the time we spent together working on guitar tracks and vocals that we just very recently layed down together.”
It is currently unknown if those tracks will ever see the light of day.
Hinds and Mastodon parted ways in March this year after 25 years together. The band wrote at the time: “We’re deeply proud of and beyond grateful for the music and history we’ve shared and we wish him nothing but success and happiness in his future endeavours.”
Shortly after, Hinds made a handful of comments online suggesting that his departure was not as amicable as once thought. He described his former bandmates as “horrible humans”, and shared scathing remarks that implied he was “kicked out” of the band.
Guitarish Bill Kelliher described the split as a marriage that had run its course: “Like a marriage, sometimes people grow apart, and they get interested in other things. We wish nothing but the best for Brent in chasing his dreams. You know, it’s amazing that we made it 25 years with the four of us.”
Sharing the news of his death, the band wrote: “We are heartbroken, shocked, and still trying to process the loss of this creative force with whom we’ve shared so many triumphs, milestones, and the creation of music that has touched the hearts of so many. Our hearts are with Brent’s family, friends, and fans. At this time, we please ask that you respect everyone’s privacy during this difficult time.”
Countless names would go on to pay tribute, including Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, Garbage‘s Shirley Manson and Tool. Mastodon later paid their respects on stage, telling the audience that they had “lost somebody very special to us”.
