Reactivated Santa Barbara-based metal/punk rock hybrid SNOT has parted ways with guitarist Sonny Mayo.
The news of Mayo‘s departure was broken by SNOT guitarist Mikey Doling who shared a video message earlier today in which he said: ”There’s something I need to tell y’all. Sonny Mayo has decided to quit SNOT. SNOT doesn’t fit into his life right now, and he just wants to focus on himself and his life. And SNOT‘s just too busy for him to be able to continue.
“So I’d like to wish Sonny Mayo the best of luck in his future, and I wanna thank him for all he’s contributed to SNOT over the years. We love you, brother.
“That being said, our very, very good friend from GOD FORBID, formerly BAD WOLVES, Doc Coyle, is going to be filling in on guitar for the upcoming shows. And we’re excited to have him on board. And thank you very much, Doc Coyle.”
Last month, SNOT announced a European tour for August 2025. The eight-date trek will mark the band’s first shows on the continent with new singer Andy Knapp, who made his live debut with SNOT in January.
SNOT‘s first gig with Knapp took place on January 17 at the Parish room at the House Of Blues in Anaheim, California. The performance was also livestreamed via the band’s Instagram. SNOT played a second show with Knapp, who also sings for fellow Southern California band STRONGER THAN MACHINES, on January 18 at Brick By Brick in San Diego, California.
In a recent interview with “The Garza Podcast”, hosted by SUICIDE SILENCE guitarist Chris Garza, Doling and bassist John “Tumor” Fahnestock confirmed that there are plans for SNOT to write new music.
SNOT‘s current lineup also includes drummer Jamie Miller.
SNOT is scheduled to play two more club concerts this month, leading up to the band’s appearance at the Welcome To Rockville festival in May in Daytona Beach, Florida. SNOT will also play at select European festivals, as well as at the Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival in Mansfield, Ohio, this summer.
SNOT disbanded in 1998 following original singer Lynn Strait‘s death, putting an end to a career that generated considerable promise but only one studio album, “Get Some”. The band had been writing material for its sophomore CD and had completed 10 songs at the time of Strait‘s tragic passing. As a memorial to Strait, SNOT eventually decided to release those tracks, with lyrics and guest vocals provided by a host of stars from the alt-metal community. The resulting album, “Strait Up”, was a fitting tribute from Strait‘s peers and friends, featuring members of LIMP BIZKIT, KORN, SLIPKNOT, SEVENDUST, (HED) P.E., COAL CHAMBER, SUGAR RAY, SYSTEM OF A DOWN, SOULFLY, and more.
SNOT in 2014 recruited Carl Bensley (VITIATE, CONSUME THE FIRE) to sing for the band following the departure of Tommy “Vext” Cummings (ex-DIVINE HERESY, BAD WOLVES).
According to the Los Angeles Times, Lynn died in died in a car accident in December 1998 as he attempted to drive across Highway 101 in Mussel Shoals, California. The 30-year-old singer died instantly after his 1992 Ford Tempo was broadsided by a southbound full-size pickup truck about noon. Also killed was Strait‘s small bulldog, SNOT‘s mascot Dobbs, who adorned the cover of the band’s debut album, the 1997 Geffen Records release “Get Some”. Strait, a Santa Barbara resident, was crossing the highway after visiting his girlfriend in the community. Lynn apparently pulled into the path of the truck, which was going about 65 mph. The impact sent Strait‘s car spinning into the center divider where it stopped, a California Highway Patrol officer told the Los Angeles Times at the time.
Cummings fronted SNOT in 2008-2009 before he and Mayo exited the group amid “strained relationships.”
Source: blabbermouth.net
