Heidi Shepherd shares more about parting ways with Carla Harvey in Butcher Babies

In an interview with SPIN.com, Heidi Shepherd, the lead vocalist of Butcher Babies, discussed her experience of becoming the sole singer of the band following Carla Harvey’s departure in 2024, as per Blabbermouth. Harvey initially left the band to recover from a serious eye injury, but later expressed that she felt marginalized when the band proceeded with a tour without her. Harvey has since established a new musical project titled The Violent Hour, collaborating with her husband, Charlie Benante, the drummer known for his work with Anthrax and Pantera.

I think the hardest part about it all was really just the loss of a best friend of 20-something years, you know? I didn’t know it was going to be so hard. I had this link on my arm, a BFF right here with me for 20 years, and now it’s, like, where do I stand as an individual not attached to that? It’s still something that I have to look at and think, will I ever get to that friendship again with someone else? Or is that friendship gone forever?

Referencing Henry Flury, the guitarist of Butcher Babies, with whom she has maintained a relationship for over ten years, Heidi provided insights into their collaboration. She discussed the evolution of the creative process for the band’s most recent album, “Nightbloom,” highlighting notable changes.

Henry and I have been together for 15 years, we’re each other’s creative partner, so that part was the same. When somebody decides that all the years and all the work and stuff that you put into something, that they’re finished with it, that’s fine, and I have had to keep telling myself, that’s okay. I respect it. But my journey is not done. Henry’s journey is not done. And I feel like I have a duty, not just to myself, but to our fans, to our managers, to our agents, to our lawyer, people that have been with us for almost 20 years. This is so much bigger than two people. This is so much bigger than five people. This is so much bigger than a band. I had to look at it and say, all right, we need to keep this going. And honestly, I feel stronger than ever.

Upcoming shows:

• Wednesday, October 14, 2026 – House Of Blues New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, US (with Chad Gray, Devil’s Cut)
• Friday, October 16, 2026 – OCC Road House & Museum, Clearwater, FL, US (with Chad Gray, Devil’s Cut)
• Saturday, October 17, 2026 – Heartwood Soundstage, Gainesville, FL, US
• Sunday, October 18, 2026 – The Underground, Charlotte, NC, US (with Chad Gray, Devil’s Cut)
• Monday, October 19, 2026 – Buckhead Theatre, Atlanta, GA, US (with Chad Gray, Devil’s Cut)
• Tuesday, October 20, 2026 – Brooklyn Bowl Nashville, Nashville, TN, US (with Chad Gray, Devil’s Cut)
• Wednesday, October 21, 2026 – Minglewood Hall, Memphis, TN, US
• Friday, October 23, 2026 – Boman Twin Event Center, Tulsa, OK, US
• Saturday, October 24, 2026 – Diamond Ballroom, Oklahoma City, OK, US
• Sunday, October 25, 2026 – Black Sheep, Colorado Springs, CO, US