When Howard Jones originally confirmed that he was leaving Killswitch Engage in 2012, he said it was mainly because he had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and that "his heart was not into it."
Now that a few years have passed, and he's moved onto his current project, Devil You Know, Jones opened up to Revolver Magazine about the weeks leading up to his quitting and the massive anxiety he suffered from:
“There was nothing wrong with Killswitch or the relationship. Everything was wrong with me. I was going insane. It never occured to me to get help. For years, I just tried to fight through it and I was driving those guys beserk. My anxiety was building and building, and near the end, there were a lot of times I’d sit in the back of the bus or lay in my bunk for hours on end without speaking to anyone. Even the idea of having to do a meet and greet freaked me out.”
Eventually, he was unable to even get up on stage, which is why Phil Labonte filled in for him on a 2012 tour:
“I physically and mentally couldn’t get onstage. I had a complete mental breakdown. We were in Florida, and over the few days of taking the drive down there, I felt like I was suffering this critical pain. Just the thought of going out in front of people made me panic. I couldn’t do it.”
As for his diabetes, Jones said with proper diet and exercise, he has recovered:
“I’m doing fantastic now—better than I have in years. The diabetes is completely under control. I’m doing lots of exercise and eating better than ever and my bloog sugar has basically regulated itself. My doctor coldn’t believe it.”
Revolver, proving to ask the TUFF questions even tried to prod him about wild rumors that he got a porn star pregnant:
“I have no comment. I know nothing of what you’re talking about.”
There you have it! Jones quit because anxiety was getting the best of him, he did not get a porn star preggers and he's currently in great health. Good to hear!
[via ThePRP]
