The band lost two key members in an accident.
Guitarist Mike Orlando spoke with the American publication Loudwire about life after the accident that killed bassist David Z Rock and manager Jane Train, and commented on his future plans.
During the interview, Mike revealed he's working with some colleagues on a new project. Alongside Adrenaline Mob drummer Jordan Cannata, Disturbed bassist John Moyer, and former Rock Star Supernova vocalist Lukas Rossi, the guitarist formed Stereo Satellite, one of the most promising bands of the year.
The group will make its live debut this month on the ShipRocked Cruise, and Mike admitted that returning to a band hasn't been easy, “It’s a challenge for me. I’m trying to overcome it, but it’s difficult. It’s very difficult. But I’m in this because it’s my life and passion, and my heart tells me to keep going, so I’ll never stop.”
Mike spoke for the first time about his physical and psychological state after the accident. “I’m still recovering. I have a lot of pain in my back and neck, and the bones I broke are healing, but there are things that unfortunately will never heal and I will need to deal with that forever. The psychological part of all this is… I can’t even put it into words.”
He goes on to say that during the first few months, he had difficulty walking and performing other activities, but eventually he returned to music and started composing again, which led him to create the Stereo Satellite project.
“I’m always composing or playing, so I think that saved me. I need to be honest, music saved me mentally and physically because it made me get up and go to the studio. It was a challenge at first, just sitting there and listening to music.”
Orlando also reveals that inviting Rossi to join the band was what he needed to fully return to the music world. "Just hearing a voice singing those songs I spent so much time composing was like finding the light at the end of the tunnel!" he confesses.
Towards the end of the interview, Loudwire asked about the guitarist's future plans, and he said he is "100% focused on Stereo Satellite ," as there is still a lot of pain surrounding the band and he believes it's best to work on other projects for now.
Mike didn't reveal much information about the new Stereo Satellite album, but it should be released soon.
The accident happened in July 2017 when a truck slid off the road and collided with the band's trailer, which was on the shoulder due to a flat tire. The collision caused a fire that was brought under control by the fire brigade.