YouTuber joins legendary band last minute to play guitar at ‘Tool in the Sand’ festival
A popular YouTuber stepped in at the last minute to perform with Mastodon after their band member’s unexpected departure.
Atlanta progressive metal band Mastodon welcomedYouTubestar Ben Eller as a last-minute replacement for founding guitarist Brent Hinds during their performance on Sunday, March 9, at the Tool Live in the Sand festival.
On March 7, Mastodon announced Brent Hinds’ departure after 25 years with the band. In a heartfelt statement, they wrote: “Friends and Fans, after 25 monumental years together, Mastodon and Brent Hinds have mutually decided to part ways.
“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 endeavors.”
Mastodon recruits YouTuber to fill guitarist role
Needing a guitarist capable of handling Mastodon’s intricate dual-guitar sound, the band turned toBen Eller, a Tennessee-based YouTuber and session musician known for his exceptional skills and engaging guitar lesson series, “This Is Why You Suck At Guitar.”
Despite the immense challenge of learning Mastodon’s complex catalog with only days’ notice, the YouTube star stepped up.
During the set, Mastodon bassist and vocalist Troy Sanders humorously acknowledged the difficulty of the task, joking, “Can you learn 17 Mastodon songs immediately?” before introducing Eller to the crowd.
His journey began at age 16 when he discovered Metallica’s ‘Ride the Lightning’ and ‘Master of Puppets’ albums, inspiring him to learn songs by Weezer, Silverchair, and Foo Fighters.
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Exposure to guitar legends like Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and Eddie Van Halen ignited his drive to master the instrument and share his knowledge with others.
Eller’s YouTube channel includes a playlist of Mastodon lessons, demonstrating his deep familiarity with their music. This preparation undoubtedly played a crucial role in his successful performance with the band, earning praise from many heavy metal fans.
