Anberlin Parts Ways With Guitarist

[Rohan Kohli]

Anberlin (http://www.anberlin.com) announced in a recent newsletter that guitarist Nate Strayer has parted ways with the band on good terms and that Christian McAlhaney, formerly of Acceptance (http://www.absolutepunk.net/acceptance), has stepped in as the new guitarist.

Submitted by xpolaris

[MattRM]

Wow, that sucks, right before the CD release.

[thatwasamoment]

absouluteanberlin.net

just kidding. good replacement though.

[Jason Tate]

Christian's "new project" a bust ?

[Joe DeAndrea]

That's kinda dumb. I mean, I'm sure he has a good reason and all, but why spend all this time making an album and finally when it's out, you don't even have the chance to support it/play the songs live and stuff.

[sixxstringd]

ha they arent going to stop until all of their members are named Christian.

[ThatGuy]

the 2nd guitarist is quickly turning into spinal tap drummers and fsf singers for these guys

[TheWeakest]

mm.i don't know what to think

[ThatGuy]

Christian's "new project" a bust ?

maybe he wants to make some easy cash to fund it ?

[garlicgirl1210]

um, all the anberlin good news and then this? weird.

[shes.a.ghost]

I thought Jason deleted this because it was not true?

[spikestoyou]

without any knowledge of Christian's new project being a bust, I'd imagine dude is helping friends and probably getting a nice paycheck for the big tours they'll have.

[bobbo8]

Wow.. thats pretty crazy to do that the day before the cd releases

[shes.a.ghost]

That's kinda dumb. I mean, I'm sure he has a good reason and all, but why spend all this time making an album and finally when it's out, you don't even have the chance to support it/play the songs live and stuff.So he could get the royalties from the album? who knows.

[AtticusFinch317]

Christian's "new project" a bust ?

I was about to ask what that means for Thunder Thunder.

[LV03]

that's sort of unexpecting...bummer

[Joe DeAndrea]

I thought Jason deleted this because it was not true?

Maybe there was no source at the time.

[Exit30six]

whaaat?! crazy-cool.

I got into anberlin and acceptance right around the same time. I'm pumped for Cities regardless.

[Codered11]

weird...everytime i check this site theres a new anberlin post haha. glad to see em back though.

[shes.a.ghost]

Maybe there was no source at the time.Probably.

[Exit30six]

ps - his tat is sick.

[joshua.]

funny, i was just thinking about acceptance the other day...

[Ruggiero2oo8]

Wow, that sucks, right before the CD release.

thats what I was thinking.

replacement though.

also what I was thinking.

[Hainzey X]

an intresting turn of events. very weird timing though.

[Chriz2z]

Hmmm... I love Anberlin and loved Acceptance.

Cool, I guess.

[shes.a.ghost]

I bet Christian is just pumped to be in a sweet band again. I was not liking Thunder Thunder at all... and I assume labels weren't either.

[konstantine94]

That's odd that it would happen right before the album release.

[tacosforcharles]

That kinda sucks...I'm so pumped for tomorrow though, this is like the most excited I've been for anything this year so far. Sad, ain't it?

[ThatGuy]

That kinda sucks...I'm so pumped for tomorrow though, this is like the most excited I've been for anything this year so far. Sad, ain't it?

especially cause it isn't that great of an album

[HiddenInNJ]

what a terrible time for this to happen

[shes.a.ghost]

I'm sure the guy had been thinking about quitting for awhile... he just realized that if he waited until after they were finished recording that he would get royalties from the album sales. Maybe.

[ThePurpleHearts]

I didn't see this coming at all.
Glad to hear Christian will be back on the road though.
Now if only it would be with the rest of Acceptance.

[siimpx]

In other news, the bloody finger pop up makes me want to barf every time i see it

[yutsmcgee]

Damn, I really liked Thunder Thunder. Hopefully they keep trucking at some point.

[yutsmcgee]

I'm sure the guy had been thinking about quitting for awhile... he just realized that if he waited until after they were finished recording that he would get royalties from the album sales. Maybe.

He sure wouldn't be getting much. He wasn't a writer. Plus, I'm sure this album will take a while to recoup, so he'd be making the most money playing live.

[shes.a.ghost]

He sure wouldn't be getting much. He wasn't a writer. Plus, I'm sure this album will take a while to recoup, so he'd be making the most money playing live.He was still part of the band. He just didn't want to tour anymore I'm sure. Figured that he could finish the album and make a few bucks off of it.

[WCC335]

all i know is that they better not get rid of their drummer.

[rickmo]

Christian's "new project" a bust ?

haha yeah I wasnt down at all, good for him though

[hiddentrack]

Saw news about Acceptance; had to post. It's cool to see Christian jump in on this and like everyone else, I'm curious as to what this means for Thunder Thunder.

[dan.is.empire]

i would definitely not want to leave right before a huge cd is about to be released.

[cmarierk]

if this is true, they got a good replacement.
acceptance was one of my favorite bands

[Scott Weber]

christian pretty much rules.

[dontfront]

craazy. Interesting... wonder if he'll be permanent (pun?)

[12TREOS19]

good move. strayer had good stage presence but wasnt a good guitar player.

with christian they get someone who can shred and a good backing vocalist

[timlahan]

That's kinda dumb. I mean, I'm sure he has a good reason and all, but why spend all this time making an album and finally when it's out, you don't even have the chance to support it/play the songs live and stuff.

Royalties, *****.

[MNussbaum]

That sucks, but it'll be cool to see Acceptance's guitarist again. Going to see them in a couple hours and tomorrow!

[drudo182]

Shoooot. What about Thunder Thunder???

[notoaststereo]

as long as its on good terms, its cool

[asmolitor]

ha they arent going to stop until all of their members are named Christian.

haha, gooddddd.

[falloutboy.]

this may be bad, but the replacement fits perfectly into how great anberlin is live.

[thesiz]

acceptance was one of my favorite bands...
and cities has been in heavy rotation lately.

damn i wish acceptance was coming out with a new cd.

[chillinlikebob]

This makes me think about how amazing the next Anberlin album will be if Christian lasts.
I thought Thunder Thunder was really good. I hope they aren't through. I'm glad Christian's not touring with Dilana any more. She sucked!

[brainfreeze]

acceptance was one of my favorite bands...
and cities has been in heavy rotation lately.

damn i wish acceptance was coming out with a new cd.

backed

[Big_Guy]

what an idiot. this band is going to blow the fuck up

[theguilt engine]

That's too bad. Awesome replacement though!

[chillinlikebob]

This is really huge news. I can't think of another amazing guitarest that could fit Anberlin any better. I think Christian might help take them places they might not have gone without him.

[bruisexblackeye]

nothing against strayer, but i don't think he ever really fit. & everytime i saw him after a show he was usually wasted & not that nice of a guy.
all the other guys are some of the nicest dudes around & i'm sure christian will be a great addition.

[boldt_action]

i'm sure he's an adequate replacement.

[ajaxfc3]

is there a link for this newsletter anywhere because I would love to read it

[jdlcmco]

the last time i saw anberlin, i spoke with nathan about bands to check out. he made some great recommendations....i was hoping to get his opinions this coming saturday. damn !! still can't wait for the show.........

[Blake Solomon]

bad time to get out, they are going to be big after tomorrow. i can feel it.

[dbuns]

who cares about thunder thunder...kaylan's new project is going to blow them out of the water.

[nicolerork]

Why?

[dbuns]

because it's him and 3 member's of gatsbys. that's going to be ridiculous.

[drudo182]

because it's him and 3 member's of gatsbys. that's going to be ridiculous.

yeah, that will be sweet.

[drudo182]

nothing against strayer, but i don't think he ever really fit. & everytime i saw him after a show he was usually wasted & not that nice of a guy.
all the other guys are some of the nicest dudes around & i'm sure christian will be a great addition.

seriously?

[yutsmcgee]

He was still part of the band. He just didn't want to tour anymore I'm sure. Figured that he could finish the album and make a few bucks off of it.

Being part of the band doesn't mean he got a whole bunch of points on the record. That's not how it works. People quit bands right after recording a record often, and it's not always because of money. I think new albums just force people to evaluate a lot of things in their personal lives. I just don't think it's right for everyone to assume he quit when he did due to greed.

[a_sk8r]

shit!

[Gil Schwartzman]

Meh... like many have said, he didn't seem to fit in the band as well as the others. He was just a fill in for Joey Bruce after all, I don't think he was ever meant to be permanent. Sure, he did a great job on the new album, and will be missed... but I take his loss less serious than I would any other members leaving the band. I wish him the best though, in whatever he decided to do.

He did have a kick ass name though... I will miss that. Strayer is just so fun to say.

[MFhayes]

That's cool I guess?

I still want Acceptance back though.

[hxchairstylist]

Christian, I'm looking forward to seeing you out on tour again dude. Congrats. Seattle in less than a month!

[irishpunk14]

nice replacement.

[Nigel Tufnel]

Honestly, i would much rather see Christian in Anberlin. It will make their live show just that much stronger. The guy who left was a tool onstage anyway. He consistantly seemed awkard both times I saw them.

[joshy hizzle]

ha they arent going to stop until all of their members are named Christian.


hahaha

[fifpb99]

um, all the anberlin good news and then this? weird.

It's not exactly bad news. He left on good terms and he probably had a reason for it, and they got a good replacement.

[joshy hizzle]

who cares about thunder thunder...kaylan's new project is going to blow them out of the water.


whats their name?

[Sons_Of_Saturn]

That's kinda dumb. I mean, I'm sure he has a good reason and all, but why spend all this time making an album and finally when it's out, you don't even have the chance to support it/play the songs live and stuff.
Kind of like The Snake The Cross The Crown--now that Carl isn't in the band anymore.

[permanentdan]

awesome for them. at least i will be able to see an ex member of acceptance play live now since i never got to see them :( im pretty excited for his impact in anberlin though. i just wish jason would come back and lend his voice somewhere also

[bruisexblackeye]

seriously?

the only time i remember him without a beer in his hand was when they played a place that didn't serve alcohol (i'm not condemning him for having a drink, but moderation is good).
& he wasn't the most sociable person, either.

[NFG4ever]

Wow , That sucks..... Weird ?

[drudo182]

whats their name?

dont have one yet.

[werealldudes19]

hmm interesting.

[sidewacker]

I think this is a great move.

[TheGoodnightMoon]

Amazing news. Christian is an A class dude, and this just makes Anberlin that much better.

[SouthernComfort]

This is really huge news. I can't think of another amazing guitarest that could fit Anberlin any better. I think Christian might help take them places they might not have gone without him.

I wouldn't say that. There is a reason why they increasingly build a fan base and sell more records each release. Joey writes all the music and he kills it. The dude is amazing at writing. These songs were stuck in my head long before there were vocals tracked, and that's an amazing feat.

[SouthernComfort]

the 2nd guitarist is quickly turning into spinal tap drummers and fsf singers for these guys


Well considering the amount of musicians Underoath and the Chariot have had in the same amount or less time, anberlin isn't a good example. Nice try at a crack.

[ThatGuy]

Well considering the amount of musicians Underoath and the Chariot have had in the same amount or less time, anberlin isn't a good example. Nice try at a crack.

that's cause anyone can play hardcore

[genericmadness]

Am I the only Anberlin fan who didn't enjoy this album?

[rikfrommf]

Am I the only Anberlin fan who didn't enjoy this album?

It grows on you. Trust me. First listen I was like, wow, its alright, now I love it. I loved Acceptance, and love Anberlin, So I think I win for today.

[_all_star_me_]

im pretty sure that they knew about this weeks ago and just waited to annouce it. makes sense, but sad.

[reid]

yes, the decision was made like a month ago. strayer's doing well, working on new musical endeavors, and is in good spirits. i just talked with him last weekend. he and the guys still talk a lot, and it's on good terms. there are no hard feelings on either side. it was just time, i guess.

btw, the e-mail i sent out had this to say about it:

"Also, our good friend Nate Strayer (who has been playing guitar for us) will be moving on and focusing on his other musical interests. We’re stoked for him and wish him the best. We’re still great friends, so definitely nothing weird. Stepping into the second guitar position is our longtime good friend, Christian (from Acceptance). We couldn’t be happier to have him on board."

there was no mystery to why he left.

[whothehellru171]

i guess no mystery and all but that really blows that they announced it right before the cd release. oh well, if both parties are happy that it doesnt really matter as long as they are happy with the decision.

[radxbandit]

ok good so you keep the solid lineup of bass drums vocals and lead guitar, add in a great song writer who can sing anberlin's backup vocals...this is awesome...

[clarensauce]

strayer didn't fit in with this band at all. he ruined the show last time i saw them. glad to see him go.

and even happier to see christian step in. great dude.

[Mercy Medical]

That makes me sad. :bluesad:

[colormecadence]

Ah well, Strayer was a good, high-energy rhythm player for them, but let's be honest, Christian is very talented and sang all the backing vocals for Acceptance live and has just as much energy live. Plus, he has a very creative musical mind and though we don't know what's in the future but he could be a good long-term addition as well.

[Silver Bullets]

yeah, bummer, but hopefully Christian will be a good addition

[Chevy114]

I always liked him, but hope everything works out for everyone.

[get2sammyb]

Strayer seemed cool but on stage he looked a bit stupid. There is a stage presence and then there is Strayer. He basically just flung his guitar all over the place.

And as for the announcement right before the album launch - no publicity is bad publicity ;)

[rickmo]

is it cause strayer liked to scream?? I think they got a lot of negative feedback cause they added a lot of screaming, i know i didnt like it?

just a guess

[Shatter_Glass]

That makes me sad. :bluesad:

Why?! I'ts a bonus.

The worst "weird band situation" in the past months was when As Cities Burns broke up ( :( ), their singer joind TREOS ( :) ), then As Cities Burns got back together ( :/ ) I would have loved to heard THAT TREOS lineup, now there are just two singers....

[Natedawg1408]

the only time i remember him without a beer in his hand was when they played a place that didn't serve alcohol (i'm not condemning him for having a drink, but moderation is good).
& he wasn't the most sociable person, either.

Don't know if i believe all that.

[relientkid777]

the only time i remember him without a beer in his hand was when they played a place that didn't serve alcohol (i'm not condemning him for having a drink, but moderation is good).
& he wasn't the most sociable person, either.

I'm usually just a lurker on these boards but this post made me angry enough to want to post. Perhaps, you were thinking about the old rythym guitarist Joey. In which case i would agree with you he was not a fun person to be around, but I know for sure that Strayer was not the kind of person to be mean to people around him because of the use of alcohol. I used to see The Mosaic all the time in Tampa. Strayer was never a sloppy drunk, or a mean person. Don't slander someones reputation.

[Natedawg1408]

Yeah, the guy before strayer was a chump...

[joelibyan]

Yeah, the guy before strayer was a chump...
the aforementioned "chump" and anberlin's original original guitarist (when the band was a sagoh side project) are in this band http://www.myspace.com/mousefire

[Name_Taken]

wow...very shocking

[Natedawg1408]

the aforementioned "chump" and anberlin's original original guitarist (when the band was a sagoh side project) are in this band http://www.myspace.com/mousefire


Horrible band... He always had a mean look to him man, didn't fit the nice guy persona of the other anberlin guys.

[bruisexblackeye]

I'm usually just a lurker on these boards but this post made me angry enough to want to post. Perhaps, you were thinking about the old rythym guitarist Joey. In which case i would agree with you he was not a fun person to be around, but I know for sure that Strayer was not the kind of person to be mean to people around him because of the use of alcohol. I used to see The Mosaic all the time in Tampa. Strayer was never a sloppy drunk, or a mean person. Don't slander someones reputation.

i just now saw this reply, but no. i was talking about strayer. & i didn't say he was a sloppy drunk. but he was almost always intoxicated & was never very nice to me.