Reece Scruggs sits out of Machine Head’s summer shows – fill-in guitarist announced

Due to his father’s lung cancer diagnosis, Machine Head guitarist Reece Alan Scruggs will not be traveling with the band during their summer 2025 European tour. Here, a GoFundMe page has been started to collect money for Reece’s father’s living and medical costs. Temporary guitarists have since been announced. Before the band’s “Burn My Eyes” 25th anniversary tour began in late 2019, Kiełtyka joined Machine Head’s lineup. He left the Flynn-fronted outfit in February 2024, and Scruggs, who had previously stood in for Vogg on a few tours, took his place. We’re sending our best wishes to the Scruggs family!

Head Cases, leave Reece some love in the comments. It is with heavy hearts that Machine Head must announce that our bandmate and brother Reece Scruggs will not be with us on our upcoming European / UK festival and headline run. His family at home needs him and we want him to be there with them. Reece would like to share the following:

“With the support and understanding of Robb, the band, and management I’ve chosen to get off the road and step away for a while to be with my family.

To be transparent, my father was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. I’ve sacrificed a lot in pursuit of my music career over the years. When I received this news I knew I had to make a sacrifice in favor of my family. I can’t possibly describe the appreciation I have for Robb and the MH camp for not batting an eye when I expressed my want to be at home during this difficult time.”

– Reece

Reece has our absolute support and we know full well that the Head Cases around the world share our sentiments. We ask that both fans, peers, and media please respect his privacy during this challenging time.

Joining us to fill in this massive void for the lion’s share of the upcoming shows will be good friend (and former bandmate), “Vogg” Waclaw Kieltyka, alongside long-time producer, collaborator, and Darkness Everywhere member Zack Ohren on select dates where/when Vogg’s band Decapitated is already scheduled to perform.

– Machine Head