Is Jason Hook out of Five Finger Death Punch? While the band is being coy, all evidence seems to suggest Hook is not returning to the band.
Last December, Five Finger Death Punch had to cancel a show and guitarist Jason Hook had to eventually leave the tour to have gallbladder surgery. When the band was set to resume touring this past February (remember tours?), the band announced Hook would be sitting out to help him further recover. Youtuber Andy James filled in the spot ever since. But is he not coming back? Let's check the evidence.
Well, you might recall, once touring ended, Five Finger Death Punch began recording a series of videos where they watch back their old music videos and critique them Mystery Science Theater 3000-style. These videos were shot in the band's hometown of Las Vegas. The videos featured frontman Ivan Moody, guitarist Zoltan Bathory and bassist Chris Kael, all who live in Vegas. You know who else lives in Vegas? Jason Hook! Nowhere to be found.
Admittedly, that's a stretch.
But, if you check the band's Instagram page, you have to go back to all the way in January to find a photo of Jason on the page, and even that was the above promo photo advertising an award nomination. When the band recently passed one million Instagram followers, they used a photo that showed Andy in the group, not Jason.
But it's still not enough evidence for me to fully say something is up. It would have to take a member of the band avoiding commenting on the situation for me to think there was smoke to this rumor.
Turns out MetalSucks found just that. A fan informed them that FFDP "knuckleheads," as they are affectionately called, started asking Ivan Moody if Jason was still in the band, and Moody went out of his way to avoid answering.
But here is the real smoking gun!
Jason Hook changed his Twitter handle. He used to be verified as @jasonhook_5fdp, but if you go to his page right now, you will notice he changed his username to @jasonhook03. When a Twitter user changes their username, they lose verified status to avoid people making imitation verified accounts. Why would Jason change his username, and lose his checkmark, if he's not leaving the band?
Old Twitter bio:
New Twitter bio:
We'll keep you posted if anybody comments officially. It should be noted that as recently as three days ago, Hook was sharing positive FFDP news.
