Original Anthrax bassist Dan Lilker has been tapped to fill in for Frank Bello on the band’s upcoming tour dates, marking a return to the the legendary thrash act after exiting 40 years ago.
According to a press release, Bello will not accompany the band on its upcoming South American shows and US festival dates due to “personal reasons.” The US festival appearances include Welcome to Rockville on May 9th in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Sonic Temple on May 17th in Columbus, Ohio.
“I’m really looking forward to jamming with Anthrax again,” said Lilker in the press release. “When we parted ways back in 1984, they told me to stick around because they might need me in 40 years.”
Added the band: “We’re all very excited about with playing with Danny again, and we really appreciate his filling in for Frank. It’s been way too long since we played South America, so you don’t want to miss these shows, they’re going to be insane.”
Lilker co-founded Anthrax in 1981 as the band’s original bassist and occasional guitarist. He co-wrote and performed on Anthrax’s 1984 debut Fistful of Metal before parting ways with Scott Ian and company.
Ian and Lilker stayed on good terms, however, forming Stormtroopers of Death with Charlie Benante in 1985. Lilker also remained active as the bassist for thrash band Nuclear Assault and grindcore act Brutal Truth, among other projects.
Anthrax also are slated to play the Louder Than Life and Aftershock festivals in the fall, as well as a UK/European tour with Kreator and Testament beginning in late November. As of now, Bello will be on board for those dates.
Below you can see a list of Anthrax’s tour dates featuring Lilker on bass. Get tickets to the South American dates here, and get tickets to the US festival appearances here.
Anthrax 2024 Tour Dates:
04/13 – Ciudad De México, MX @ MXMF The Metal Fest *
04/15 – San Salvador, SV @ Cancha Diamante *
04/17 – San Jose, CR @ Pepper’s *
04/19 – Quito, EC @ The Metal Fest *
04/21 – Santiago, CL @ The Metal Fest *
04/23 – Montevideo, UY @ Sala de Museo *
04/25 – Buenos Aires, BR @ El Teatro Flores *
04/28 – São Paulo, BR @ Summer Breeze Open Air *
05/09 – Daytona Beach, FL @ Welcome to Rockville *
05/17 – Columbus, OH @ Sonic Temple *
09/27 – Louisville, KY @ Louder Than Life
10/12 – Sacramento, CA @ Aftershock
11/21 – Manchester, UK @ O2 Apollo ^
11/22 – Wolverhampton, UK @ Civic Hall ^
11/23 – London, UK @ Eventim Apollo ^
11/25 – Dublin, IE @ 3 Arena ^
11/27 – Glasgow, UK @ OVO Hydro ^
11/29 – Paris, FR @ Zenith ^
11/30 – Düsseldorf, DE @ Mitsubishi Electric Halle ^
12/01 – Munich, DE @ Zenith ^
12/03 – Esch-sur-Alzette, LU @ Rockhal ^
12/04 – Zurich, CH @ Halle 622 ^
12/06 – Milan, IT @ Alcatraz ^
12/07 – Stuttgart, DE @ Schleyerhalle ^
12/08 – Berlin, DE @ Verti Music Hall ^
12/10 – Budapest, HU @ Barba Negra ^
12/11 – Katowice, PL @ Spodek ^
12/13 – Frankfurt, DE @ Jahrhunderthalle ^
12/14 – Hamburg, DE @ Edel Optics Arena ^
12/15 – Den Bosch,NL @ Mainstage ^
* = featuring Dan Lilker playing bass for Anthrax
^ = w/ Kreator and Testament