Imagine this: A legendary rock vocalist dusting off a treasure trove of forgotten anthems from the 1990s, bringing them back to life in front of eager fans who've been craving that nostalgic thrill. That's the electrifying story unfolding with John Bush, the powerhouse singer who once led Anthrax through their most intense era. But here's where it gets controversial—does revisiting old songs from a different lineup threaten the band's current identity? Let's dive in and explore this fascinating chapter in metal history.
On December 18, 2025, John Bush took the stage at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, Illinois, for the second stop on his celebratory tour honoring the music he created during his decade with Anthrax. For those just tuning in, Anthrax is a iconic thrash metal band known for their high-energy riffs and socially charged lyrics, and John fronted them from 1992 to 2005, recording four acclaimed albums that captured the band's evolution through the '90s. His setlist spanned all those records—'Sound Of White Noise,' 'Stomp 442,' 'Volume 8: The Threat Is Real,' and 'We've Come For You All'—delivering a musical journey that fans had been waiting years to experience live. Backing him up were talented musicians from his band Category 7: guitarists Phil Demmel and Mike Orlando, drummer Jason Bittner, and bassist Joey Vera, his long-time partner from Armored Saint. (Note that Category 7's usual bassist, Jack Gibson, couldn't make it due to a scheduling clash, so Joey stepped in seamlessly.) Category 7 even opened the show before transitioning into supporting John's Anthrax tribute, creating a seamless, high-octane night of hard rock and thrash metal.
Bush didn't just stick to the hits; he sprinkled in deep cuts that hadn't graced a stage in years, giving longtime fans a rare treat. For beginners in the metal scene, this is like rediscovering hidden gems in a vast catalog—tracks that show the depth of Anthrax's creativity beyond their more famous works. And this is the part most people miss: These deeper songs often reveal the band's experimental side, blending groove with aggression in ways that influenced countless artists.
Here's the full setlist John performed, a mix of crowd-pleasers and rarities:
- Potters Field
- Random Acts Of Senseless Violence
- Refuse To Be Denied
- Inside Out
- Cadillac Rock Box
- Hy Pro Glo
- 1000 Points Of Hate
- Crush
- Nobody Knows Anything
- Black Lodge
- King Size
- Safe Home
- Room For One More
- Fueled
Encore:
15. What Doesn't Die
16. Only
Fans captured the entire spectacle on video, and you can watch it below to feel the energy for yourself.
In a chat with Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz, Bush opened up about the challenge of relearning these songs after years away. 'I'm basically rehearsing the Anthrax tunes right now to jog my memory,' he shared with a laugh. 'It's strange—they're coming back, even though I haven't sung them in ages. Sure, I've dipped into a couple at Metal Allegiance gigs, like 'Only' and 'Room For One More,' but mostly, it's been dormant. My voice is holding up, but there's still plenty of prep work. Plus, I'm warming up with Category 7 songs since they'll be opening. It's definitely a mental workout!' He explained this process to help newcomers understand: Relearning old material is like brushing up on a forgotten skill—musicians often find their muscle memory kicks in, but it takes dedication to nail the nuances, especially after decades.
When asked about his feelings toward 2003's 'We've Come For You All,' the last album he recorded with Anthrax, John reflected warmly: 'Absolutely, I cherish all of them. Each record stands out—reflecting different phases and growth in the band. 'We've Come For You All' was particularly solid; signing with Nuclear Blast in Europe gave us a fresh start, as they're masters at international promotion. We bounced back strong there, though in the U.S., Sanctuary Records folded soon after, so it didn't get the same push. Still, it was well-received, we toured extensively, and it features some truly powerful anthems.' To clarify for fans new to this, labels like Nuclear Blast specialize in metal, helping bands reach global audiences—think of it as a strategic team-up that can reignite a career.
John also reminisced about the star-studded collaborations on that album, like Keanu Reeves starring in the 'Safe Home' music video and guest spots from The Who's Roger Daltrey and Pantera's 'Dimebag' Darrell Abbott. 'We were thrilled to have Keanu in the 'Safe Home' video—it added a Hollywood flair,' he said. 'Dimebag contributed killer guitar solos on every album after 'Sound Of White Noise,' starting with 'Stomp 442' and continuing to 'We've Come For You All.' Roger Daltrey recorded his vocals in L.A. while I was in New York, so I missed that moment, but hey, it's Roger Daltrey—enough said!' For context, these crossovers show how metal bands often bridge genres, inviting icons from rock and film to amplify their impact, like a supergroup mash-up that excites fans across spectrums.
On SiriusXM's 'Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk,' Bush discussed why he finally committed to these shows. 'I've been mulling this over forever, but timing and nerves got in the way,' he admitted. 'Shoutout to my agent Dan DeVita—he's been pushing me, booking Armored Saint and now this through TKO. We had summer plans for Europe, even festivals lined up, but things fizzled out. Now, at 62, I'm done waiting. We're doing three shows in December: L.A., St. Charles near Chicago, and New York. Fans are pumped, and so am I—these are killer tracks I'm proud of.' This decision highlights how age and life experience can reignite passions, turning 'one day' ideas into reality, much like how musicians revisit past works to connect with new generations.
On assembling the band, John explained: 'Originally, all four Category 7 guys, but Jack's conflict led to Joey joining on bass. We've only done one show together lately, at the Whisky a Go Go, but plans kept falling through. Category 7's album is fantastic, and I wanted to tour it. Then it clicked: Why not combine forces? Jason Bittner toured with Anthrax when Charlie Benante was injured, so he knows the material. It makes sense to have one band open and back me, even if it's a lot of songs to learn. If I were starting from scratch, I'd pick these pros—they're incredible. We're resurrecting tunes like 'Potters Field,' 'Fueled,' and 'Safe Home' that haven't been played in years.' For beginners, think of this as a band reunion with a twist, where musicians adapt and collaborate to honor classic songs, showcasing versatility in the music world.
Looking ahead to 2026, John mused on expanding the tour: 'These three shows are the first step—big for me. With Armored Saint's new album dropping in March or April, I'll focus on that, but we'll see how this resonates. Europe, South America, Japan—possibilities abound, though there's a shelf life since this isn't new material; the records are 20-30 years old. Anthrax has fresh music coming, and they've mostly shelved my era songs. I get it—Joey Belladonna has his catalog and new stuff. But I don't want these impactful '90s tracks to fade away. If they're not playing them, I will.' And this is the part most people miss: Is this a respectful tribute or a subtle critique of the band's current direction? It raises questions about legacy in music—should old material be preserved by original performers?
If Anthrax were actively playing his era's songs with Belladonna, would John still do this? 'Probably not,' he said. 'I'd prefer they did them; I poured my heart into them. They stick to 'Only,' but there's more. My set includes deep cuts for fun—more than I might sing in one go. But since they aren't, here I am.' This introduces a controversial point: Does a band's choice to play only certain songs from their history favor some eras over others, potentially sidelining contributions from former members?
Has he heard from Anthrax's Scott Ian, Charlie Benante, or others? 'No direct talks, but they know I've been considering this. I hope they're supportive—it's their music too. Maybe they'll guest a song; I'm open to ideas, even other stars. My goal is to celebrate these records, especially the '90s stuff that shaped fans.' For newcomers, this underscores the collaborative spirit of bands, where past and present can intersect harmoniously.
Back in March 2024, on San Francisco's 107.7 The Bone, John expressed his desire for these shows: 'It'd be a few special gigs, not a marathon tour. They rarely play my songs beyond 'Only,' and I understand—they've got a huge backlog and new albums. But it'd be fun for fans and me. Timing's key, though.' He even floated opening for Anthrax with Armored Saint and singing a few tracks, calling it 'killer' and 'really fun.'
To provide background, Anthrax has rotated vocalists over 42 years—Bush, Belladonna, Neil Turbin, Dan Nelson—while Scott Ian and Charlie Benante have been constants. Turbin started on their debut, then Belladonna took over for hits like 'Among The Living.' Bush joined after Belladonna's exit, but reunions brought Belladonna back, sidelining Bush temporarily.
In October 2022, John told The Metal Voice he'd love a handful of shows: 'Not 30 dates, but key markets. Enough material for a full set.' On Anthrax playing 'Only,' he supported it: 'I back Joey; wish they'd do more. No hard feelings—we're not close, but I endorse him.'
In September 2020, he was surprised by Scott Ian's openness to a multi-singer show: 'Amazing for fans, but Joey's the current singer—it needs his buy-in.'
Now, what do you think? Is John Bush reviving these songs a loving tribute or a divisive move in the metal community? Should bands play all eras equally, or focus on the present? Do you agree with prioritizing the current lineup's material, or is there room for nostalgia tours? Share your thoughts in the comments—let's debate this rock 'n' roll dilemma!
