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DevilDriver<\/a><\/strong> guitarist Mike Spreitzer<\/strong> has quit the band after 20 years. Spreitzer<\/strong> cites DevilDriver<\/a><\/strong> not feeling like a full time job for the past 10 years as the main reason, later noting that he never intended his side project Verona On Venus<\/strong> to become his main gig.<\/p>\n DevilDriver<\/a><\/strong> has not yet responded to Spreitzer<\/strong> quitting.<\/p>\n “After 20 years of playing guitar for DevilDriver<\/a><\/strong>, I have decided it is time to go my own way. Since around 2014, DevilDriver<\/a><\/strong> gradually started to feel more like a part-time job. Our touring schedule is not what it used to be and I want to get back to being a full-time musician. In addition, the mere creation of my side project was met with a heavy amount of negativity from a specific individual that made things extremely uncomfortable for me.<\/p>\n “Ever since I was six years old I wanted to play in a metal band and live the majority of my life on a tour bus with my friends traveling from city to city. Show up, set up, perform, leave, and repeat.<\/p>\n “I miss the camaraderie with my band and crew. I miss my bunk. I miss waking up and walking to a coffee shop with whoever would join me. I miss playing guitar all day in the dressing room before the show. I miss laughing my ass off every day with the guys. I miss the summer festival runs where I get to see all my friends from other bands that I have toured with over the last two decades. I miss the aroma of the venues. I miss the putrid smell of the bathrooms in a European dive bar. More than anything else, I miss the look of joy on everyone’s face while you lovingly kick the crap out of each other in the crowd.<\/p>\n “I’ve waited patiently for DevilDriver<\/a><\/strong> to become full-time again. I respectfully understand that since 2019 serious issues had to be dealt with that were out of anybody’s control resulting in keeping the band off the road. We had a pandemic, there were family emergencies, and health issues that had to be addressed. But these dilemmas started in 2019. DevilDriver<\/a><\/strong> became part-time long before this unfortunate chain of events. I would rather not sit at home waiting for this to become a full-time job any longer.<\/p>\n “In an attempt to fill the downtime, I started Verona on Venus<\/strong>. It was never my intention to make VoV<\/strong> a priority over DevilDriver<\/a><\/strong>. The only way I can see myself touring as much as I would like is by getting Verona on Venus<\/strong> up and running or perhaps an opportunity to join another band.<\/p>\n