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I Almost Gave Up Guitar: Bill Kelliher

Sixty Scales and the Truth | Niels Guns

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Please note: this interview was recorded just a few days before Brent Hinds sadly passed away. I waited a while to publish because of that.

🎸 "If you're writing for the fans, you've already sold out."

Bill Kelliher from Mastodon opens up about the band's biggest transformation in 25 years, the painful decision to part ways with their founding guitarist, and how sobriety saved both his life and his creativity.

In this raw conversation, Bill reveals:
The REAL reason Mastodon made their lineup change
Why Nick Johnston was the only choice to join the band
How a $100 guitar changed everything at age 15
The hospital visit that forced him to quit drinking
Why punk rock (not metal) taught him how to play guitar
Writing music sober vs. drunk - the brutal truth
What happened at Ozzy's final show before he passed away
The moment his wife said: "What are you going to do with your life?"

From basement studios to Grammy wins, from alcoholism to redemption, from underground Atlanta sludge to touring with Metallica - this is the unfiltered story of one of metal's most respected rhythm guitarists.

If you've ever struggled with self-doubt, addiction, or finding your voice as a musician, this conversation will hit home.

⏱️ CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Intro: Bill Kelliher from Mastodon
0:50 - Mastodon's New Chapter & Changes
2:08 - Adding Nick Johnston to the Band
4:03 - What Makes a Great Bandmate
5:16 - Mastodon's Genre-Defying Approach
7:38 - Getting Your First Guitar at 15
9:10 - Discovering Punk Rock & The Ramones
11:40 - Sex Pistols & Developing Attitude
13:11 - Playing Shows in Rochester
14:21 - Finding Your Talent as a Guitarist
16:28 - Joining Lethargy & Getting Better
18:16 - Never Expected to Do This for a Living
20:05 - Learning the Music Business
21:24 - Overcoming Shyness & Taking Control
22:17 - Moving to Atlanta & Starting Mastodon
24:47 - Running the Band & Owning a Studio
25:26 - Quitting Alcohol & Hospital Wake-Up Call
26:42 - How Sobriety Changed My Writing
28:15 - Writing for Yourself, Not the Fans
29:51 - Writing Process with Nick Johnston
32:35 - Ozzy's Final Show Tribute
35:24 - Living One Day at a Time

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20 Comments

@post-catsband 8 months ago

Brilliant interview but please note: This was before Brent Hinds' passing. Context is very, very important

@twosnakse 2 months ago

Hits different after ‘The Mastodon In The Room’. They showed so much composure and brotherhood over the past 5 years. Love their new song and hoping for a huge comeback when they’re ready.

@Themacchuck 3 months ago

Bill is so modest. I went to college with one of his close friends. I remember going over to Bill’s parents house and hanging out in his room over the summer of 91. He would jam out and we all thought he was the coolest dude. Life moved on and when I heard he was a part of Mastodon in 2008 it wasn’t surprised as much as I was happy for him.

@BlackToof 2 months ago (edited)

This dude is resposible for some of the heaviest riffs ever heard, hail Bill. No Mastodon without him, remission is a testament to that.

@billyarbrough291 11 months ago

Bill is honestly one of the nicest dudes on the planet. Also went to high school with Bill and he’s always treated me with respect and kindness. Proud of this guy for all of his hard work and achievements. Rock on brother. 🤘

@GozMaster 11 months ago

bill is the step-dad we all wish we had.

@BrianYates-ct9db 2 months ago (edited)

It's refreshing hearing a musician just tell the truth without bashing others I didn't get into Mastodon until 2015-16 when I saw them on the Monster Energy Mayhem Summer Fest and they just slayed I also saw them in 2024 in Maine with Gojira and Lorna Shore and it was one of the best shows I've seen RIP BRENT ✌️🤘

@hyperspacecubed 2 months ago

My band Camp Blood opened for Today Is The Day at Lovesexy in Hoboken when Bill and Brann were in the band. I almost quit drums after seeing them.

@jamesallanburruto 11 months ago

Our local Rochester boy done fantastic. We love Bill.

@suspectedmilitant 11 months ago

"What is your talent?"

bro, he's the fucking guitar player for the greatest band in the world.

@HexOmega3113 2 weeks ago

I met all these guys at a show in nashville. I found that I could only relate to Brent. We are both from the same region of Alabama. Im going to miss him forever. When Brent signed my jacket B.Hinds on the back, he was super excited and we hit it off. When Bill signed it it felt llke it was the worst thing he could be doing. Maybe he was having a bad day...they always say never meet your heroes. I got both sides that day.

@prometheandemise776 11 months ago

What a great interview! Bill always comes across as a chill guy and his wife is Mastodons MVP by the sounds of it lol. I also think that you holding on to this for a little bit in the wake of Brent's passing is really respectful.

@voodude1074 3 months ago

It was extremely clear from the last album that Brent wasn't nearly as involved as the other guys, especially if you watched the doc as well. What wasn't clear until after he died and we got more info is that it was, apparently, on him. To me, Brent seemed like the kind of guy who only does what he wants to do, so the only explanation I could think of was that the other guys and producers and whoever else were actively limiting his contributions in order to make the band less "weird". To hear from Bill that Brent just kind of stopped caring and was making things difficult makes me feel very different about post-Hunter Mastodon, in a good way. No one will ever be able to replace Brent, and his death is a massive tragedy, but it really does seem like Nick could revitalize the band.

@leviathon18 2 months ago

The guys in the Band were strong to stay and keep things together when Brents drinking and shit disturbing was on Max for the last 10 years, it must feel like a new refreshing vibe in studio and live.

@joneigotaku8919 3 months ago

What an incredible interview. I met Bill in the UK on the crack the skye tour. He was really nice, I was a complete idiot. Context and hindsight are so, so important.