Metal Anarchy

Incubus have officially welcomed Nicole Row to the band as their full-time bassist. She was previously filling in for Ben Kenney while he recovered from brain tumor surgery.

Frontman Brandon Boyd told Rolling Stone the following:

“[Nicole is] definitely part of the band now. Her very first project with us was obviously going on tour, and she swooped in and was this delightful breath of fresh air, which we’re so thankful for so many reasons. It’s always sad when somebody from a creative family decides to step away, but she brought a whole new universe into our band, which has been amazing. Part of that momentum we’re feeling in writing a new record is partly her fault.”

He also added the following about Kenney:

“He has recovered. It’s complicated. I’ll just preface what I’m about to say with that. It’s complicated from an interpersonal point of view, but he himself decided to step away. I think that the situation — as it would probably for anyone — gave rise to a bunch of questions about what he was doing in his life and the direction he was heading. And from what I’m able to discern, he decided it was time for him to step away and do other things. So god bless.

We were sad at the revelation, but we love him deeply and we respect him and honor his contribution to our band for over 20 years. I want Ben to have the chance to answer these questions in his own timeframe and in his own voice, because I don’t really think it’s for me to say what his reasoning was.”