The Amity Affliction frontman Joel Birch has addressed the recent departure of lead guitarist and founding member Troy Brady during an appearance on Triple J.
Speaking to The Doctor, Birch claimed the “trouble” that saw Brady depart the Queensland metalcore outfit had been building over an extended period before culminating in Brady’s exit during the band’s current US tour.
“Obviously there’s always going to be several sides to a story but without going into too much detail I think it was just time for a part in the road, if you will,” the vocalist told Triple J.
“It had been coming over a fairly long period and there was some trouble in the band after the last US tour and we thought we’d ironed it out but it just didn’t work out that way in the end.”
Birch stressed that the split was amicable, that the band ensured they “do the best by him”, and that Brady is “set up now to pursue recording and producing” on his own”.
“He didn’t get put out on his ass and he didn’t leave in a bad state or anything like that so everything should be fine for him from here on out and he can actually pursue something that he’s passionate about… but it is what it is, the boat sails on,” said Birch.
Birch echoed previous sentiments expressed on social media, saying Brady’s departure does not spell the end of the band. “In this case I think it’s more of a bump in the road. It’s a sad time but it’s not inhibiting anything… Ahren’s been the main writer for Amity since starting the band, so losing Troy isn’t going to affect the sound of the band or anything like that,” he said.
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With a European tour and a 16-date Australian trek, including a headlining spot at the inaugural UNIFY Gathering festival, forthcoming, Birch indicated that Matt ‘Realbad’ Rogers, guitarist for fellow metalcore favourites Deez Nuts, may be drafted as a fill-in.
For those playing catch-up, Brady announced that he was leaving The Amity Affliction over the weekend. The guitarist would not disclose his reasons for quitting the group, writing only that “it is time for me to step away” and calling the decision “the hardest thing I have ever done”.
The band subsequently released a statement in which they indicated that Brady’s egress will “in no way… slow us down” and assuring fans, “We are already writing for our next record, and our tour schedule over the next year is looking to be our busiest yet.”
