DAX RIGGS Explains How ACID BATH’s Reunion Got here To Be

After disbanding in January 1997 following the tragic loss of life of bassist Audie Pitre, Acid Bathtub remained inactive for over twenty years. The band’s cult standing solely grew throughout this lengthy hiatus, with their two studio albums, When the Kite String Pops and Paegan Terrorism Techniques, gaining legendary recognition within the sludge and doom steel scenes.

Then, on October 15, 2024, Acid Bathtub shocked followers by saying their return to dwell efficiency, with a scheduled look on the Sick New World Competition in Las Vegas on April 12, 2025. This is able to have marked their first dwell present in 28 years — however destiny intervened as soon as extra. The competition was abruptly canceled, forcing the band to pivot. As a substitute, the long-awaited reunion kicked off on April 25, 2025, within the band’s hometown of New Orleans.

Acid Bathtub‘s present lineup contains unique vocalist Dax Riggs and guitarists Sammy Duet and Mike Sanchez, joined by drummer Zack Simmons (Goatwhore) and bassist Shane Wesley (Crowbar). Whereas not all founding members are current, the band’s return has sparked a wave of pleasure all through the underground steel neighborhood.

So what occurred? Why did Acid Bathtub reunite? Based on Riggs in an interview with Blabbermouth, it began as informal jams between himself and Sanchez that slowly started to construct momentum.

“I suppose Mike and I acquired again collectively a bit bit earlier than, simply to start out the method. We had one other buddy, in addition to a few associates, sit in with us to assist us play the songs at first. At first, it was a whole, ‘Wow, that sounded just like the music!’ When Sammy got here in and the opposite gamers got here in, it got here collectively. It appeared fairly cool…there was no weirdness. We have been all attempting to do it and attempting to recollect, a minimum of for me, I feel them as properly, as a result of it’s completely different for everyone concerned, so it was type of pure.”

This rekindling of inventive vitality wasn’t rooted in nostalgia alone — it was grounded in brotherhood. By means of years of divergent paths, the bond between the founding members by no means actually frayed. “Completely. I imply, they’re a few of my oldest associates that I nonetheless keep up a correspondence with. You understand how life goes — they’re like your ‘historic associates’ who knew you while you have been a child. They’re like my brothers.”

The reunion reached its logical apex in April 2025, when the newly reformed Acid Bathtub took the stage of their native New Orleans. Followers from throughout the nation packed into the venue, hoping to witness one thing they’d lengthy believed unattainable.

“It felt actually good, however there was quite a lot of weight on it, like I needed to ensure that I acquired it as appropriate as I might. I suppose there was quite a lot of weight to it. It felt like I had a job to do, and that was my primary intention, however I used to be actually nervous that first time. In all probability for the soundcheck, I used to be much more nervous. I used to be most likely shaking throughout soundcheck. By the point we did the present, I type of zen’d out to the entire thing.”

Now, with tour dates stretching into 2026, Acid Bathtub stands not as a ghost of what might have been, however as a dwelling testomony to resilience, friendship, and the enduring pull of unfinished tales. Get these dates beneath.

7/11 Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn Paramount (w/ Eyehategod & Wailin Storms)
7/18–20 Mansfield, OH Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Competition
7/25 Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn Paramount (w/ Pentagram)
8/9 Minneapolis, MN The Fillmore (w/ Windhand & Primitive Man)
8/16 Baltimore, MD Energy Plant Reside (w/ Excessive On Hearth, Windhand, Heavy Temple & Sonja)
8/22 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Palladium (w/ Excessive On Hearth & Windhand)
8/28 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Palladium (w/ Pig Destroyer & The Obsessed)
9/9 Austin, TX Levitation
9/18–21 Louisville, KY Louder Than Life
10/2 Sacramento, CA Discovery Park (Aftershock Competition)
10/11 Toronto, ON Insurgent (w/ Voivod)
12/5–6 Denver, CO Fillmore Auditorium (Decibel Journal Metallic & Beer Fest: Denver)
12/12 Chicago, IL Salt Shed (w/ Excessive On Hearth & Weedeater)
3/21 Grundy County, TN The Caverns (w/ Obituary, Herakleion & Saint Avangeline)