The longtime bassist is stepping away to spend more time with family, while his replacement has already helped the band through an unexpected touring setback.
Spineshank have confirmed the departure of longtime bassist and backing vocalist Robert Garcia, ending his nearly three-decade association with the Los Angeles nu-metal band.
Garcia is stepping away to spend more time with his family, according to a statement published by Spineshank on 6 November. The band has announced Jay Mills as his permanent replacement, with further touring and new music also planned.
Garcia joined Spineshank in 1997 and performed on all four studio albums, including The Height of Callousness and Self-Destructive Pattern. He was also part of the band’s reunion, although he had been absent from more recent touring commitments.
In his farewell statement, Garcia reflected on the albums, memories and friendships that came from his years with Spineshank. The band expressed its support for his decision, with both sides publicly describing the departure in positive terms.
Mills, meanwhile, has already had an unusually eventful introduction to the group.
Jay Mills’ Unexpected Route Into Spineshank
Mills first stepped in during the band’s November 2025 UK tour after passport problems prevented frontman Jonny Santos from travelling.
With less than two days to learn an album’s worth of material, Mills assumed vocal duties to keep the shows going. Santos eventually rejoined the tour during the band’s Norwich performance, but Mills remained involved with subsequent live commitments.
He later handled bass and vocal duties during the band’s more recent shows, making his permanent appointment less of a surprise to audiences who have followed the reunion.
The newly announced lineup consists of Santos, drummer Tommy Decker, guitarist Tommy Decker Jr. and Mills.
Spineshank also intend to continue work on new material, although those plans predate Garcia’s departure. In June, Santos told TotalRock that the band had begun developing songs following the response to its The Height of Callousness anniversary performances.
If completed and released, the recordings would represent Spineshank’s first new studio material since 2012’s Anger Denial Acceptance. The band has also confirmed plans for extensive touring and new music, signing off its announcement with a promise to return in 2027. Specific dates have yet to be announced.
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