“The next thing you know I’m a full-time mechanic”: Rob Dukes reflects on his 2014 Exodus firing
Though some musicians are able to make a living from their playing for the duration of their careers, others, by various circumstances, often find themselves working back working ‘normal’ jobs once their time in the spotlight is over.
Take Rob Dukes, for example. Exodus singer between 2005 and 2014, the Florida native ended up spending his time fixing up old cars, as he explains in the latest issue of Metal Hammer. And he wouldn’t have taken that path were it not for his firing from the Bay Area thrash outfit.
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As he recalls, his dismissal from Exodus came as a surprise: “When I got fired from Exodus in 2014, I didn’t see it coming. I felt betrayed, angry and resentful. I was fucking scared – my livelihood was gone. Fear caused me to lash out. I hadn’t done anything in 10 years other than sing, so what the fuck was I gonna do? I was in no man’s land.”
But after the sting had worn off and he’d picked himself up and dusted himself off, Dukes started looking for his next calling, which came in the form of fixing vintage cars.
“I sucked it up and said, ‘I’m gonna get a job.’ The only thing I knew I could make a living from was working on cars. I found a place in Arizona through Roger [Miret] from Agnostic Front. I got hired and the next you know I’m a full-time mechanic restoring old ‘50s and ‘60s Volkswagens – I became the restoration guy.
“I gained a whole new life. I learned things by reading books and watching YouTube. I’m a fucking master welder now! I love fabricating stuff, I just love making stuff out of metal.”
In the end, though, the world couldn’t take the music out of Rob Dukes, and as of last year, he’s now back in the Exodus lineup. “We are beyond stoked to have Rob back ripping up the stage with us and he’s looking forward to crushing everything like only he can,” the band wrote in January 2025, following the departure of vocalist Steve “Zetro” Souza.
Exodus guitarist Gary Holt has been praising the band as the frontrunners of modern day thrash metal lately. “Metallica were the best of all of us,” he said in March. “I mean, I don’t think so anymore – I think Exodus crushes them, but that’s my own humble opinion.”
He also said last month that he and his bandmates “carry the world’s biggest chip on our shoulders” that Exodus don’t get the same recognition as their thrash metal counterparts like Metallica and Megadeth.
Check out a full list of upcoming Exodus dates via the band’s official website.
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
