The Word Alive announces departure of drummer

A week before their final tour of 2016 is set to kick off, The Word Alive has unveiled some heartbreaking news to fans. On Thursday (Nov. 3), the Arizona-founded band announced that drummer Luke Holland would be departing the lineup. Instead of his departure being effective immediately, it was announced that Holland would stay with the band until the end of their “Overdose” tour. Taking to their Facebook page, the band unveiled the news that after five years behind the TWA drum kit, Holland has decided to “explore other musical endeavors and pursue passions outside of The Word Alive”

While the musician’s departure isn’t set to officially happen for another month, the group also state that they wanted the fans to know before the tour kicked off in order for them to “celebrate this chapter coming to an end” and not be blindsided at the beginning of 2017. Holland spoke with Alternative Press shortly after the post was uploaded onto the band’s social media account. “I don’t have anything in particular lined up, but I do want to focus even more on my craft and get back to what gave me a fan base in the first place, which was YouTube,” the musician told the publication. “I have a lot of respect for my fans and know that they are the reason I’m not just a man who loves drumming, but rather a man who gets to make a career out of it. I am open to any gig offers currently, but am not in a rush by any means.”

The group’s full letter addressing Holland’s soon departure can currently be seen here. As for the upcoming tour, the “Overdose” tour is set to kick off on Nov. 11 at the Hawthorne Theater in Portland, OR and wrap up on Dec. 18 at the Nile Theater in the band’s home state of Arizona. The Overdose tour is in support of the band’s recently released record, Dark Matter. The complete tour itinerary can be seen below while tickets are currently available on the band’s website.

OVERDOSE TOUR DATES:

Nov. 11 – Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater

Nov. 12 – Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven

Nov. 13 – Spokane, WA @ The Big Dipper

Nov. 15 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex

Nov. 16 – Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep

Nov. 18 – Omaha, NE @ Sokol Auditorium

Nov. 19 – Minneapolis, MN @ The Cabooze

Nov. 20 – Des Moines, IA @ Wooly’s

Nov. 21 – Palatine, IL @ Durty Nellie’s

Nov. 22 – Columbus, OH @ Park Street Station

Nov. 23 – London, Ontario @ Rum Runners

Nov. 24 – Ottawa, Ontario @ Brass Monkey

Nov. 25 – Montreal, Quebec @ La Tulipe

Nov. 26 – Quebec City, Quebec @ Salle Multi

Nov. 27 – Pawtucket, RI @ The Met

Nov. 29 – Amityville, NY @ Revolution Bar and Music Hall

Nov. 30 – Howell, NJ @ GameChangerWorld

Dec. 1 – Morgantown, WV @ Mainstage

Dec. 2 – Richmond, VA @ The Canal Club

Dec. 3 – Reading, PA @ Reverb

Dec. 4 – Charlotte, NC @ Amos Southend

Dec. 6 – Lake Park, FL @ Kelsey Theater

Dec. 7 – Orlando, FL @ The Social

Dec. 8 – Jacksonville, FL @ 1904 Music Hall

Dec. 9 – Knoxville, TN @ The International

Dec. 10 – Nashville, TN @ Rocketown

Dec. 11 – Birmingham, AL @ Zydeco

Dec. 13 – Houston, TX @ Scout Bar

Dec. 14 – Dallas, TX @ The Door

Dec. 18 – Mesa, AZ @ Nile Theater