Candlebox frontman Kevin Martin recently opened up about his decision to reverse his retirement plans. He shared insights about what brought him back to music in an interview with Radio Futuro.
Martin explained how a specific tour opportunity and the return of an original band member reignited his passion for performing after he had considered stepping away from music.
“Well, it had a lot to do with the [2024] Bush tour with Jerry Cantrell,” Martin said. “I had kind of packed things up after the 3 Doors Down tour. And then I got a call to go out with Gavin [Rossdale, Bush frontman] and Jerry and do that run. And then Pete [original Candlebox guitarist Peter Klett] came back [to the band].”
The reunion with his longtime collaborator proved to be a turning point for the musician.
“And bringing Pete back into the picture really kind of reinvigorated me,” he continued. “I hadn’t played with him since, really, 2015. So, 10 years of us kind of being a part and me continuing to make music — when old friends get back together and kind of chat about the times, it really just re-inspired me to keep going.”
Martin also shared a lighter perspective on his decision to return to touring.
“And to be honest with you, I think my wife was really sick of me being at home so much,” he said. “She was, like, ‘You don’t need to be around here [all the time].'”
The frontman reflected on how his creative outlook has evolved since considering retirement.
“I thought I was done. I thought four years ago I was finished musically. I had nothing else to say. And now I realize I’ve got a lot more to say, and I still have things that I wanna talk about and sing about,” Martin explained. “And so I’ll continue to make music until that stops.”
He emphasized the significant impact of Peter Klett’s return to the band on his renewed enthusiasm.
“Pete coming back [to the band changed my mind]. Pete coming back, really — ’cause we wrote so many great songs together over the years,” he said. “He’s got magic in his fingers, and when he plays guitar, it just inspires me. And I think that having him back made me realize that there’s still a lot more for me to say musically and artistically. And I hope that we’re able to capture that kind of emotion that I’m having right now. And, of course, the world and the changes in the world right now are inspiring a lot of what I want to talk about musically. So that’s really — it has a lot to do with that as well.”
This reversal comes nearly three years after Candlebox announced their farewell tour and released what was intended to be their final album.
Martin’s decision to continue with Candlebox marks a significant shift for the Seattle-based band that has been a fixture in the rock scene for over three decades.
Wikipedia reported that Candlebox was formed in November 1990. The band originally consisted of lead singer Kevin Martin, guitarist Peter Klett, bassist Bardi Martin, and drummer Scott Mercado. The band rose to prominence during the grunge era alongside other Seattle acts. Their sound maintained its own distinct identity separate from the typical grunge movement.
Peter Klett’s return to the band represents a reunion of the original creative partnership that helped define Candlebox’s sound. Guitar World noted that Klett rose to prominence with the Seattle-based Candlebox during the grunge era. The genre didn’t significantly affect his guitar playing style. His departure in 2015 to focus on the side project Lotus Crush left a notable gap in the band’s creative dynamic.
The band’s renewed energy has already translated into concrete musical output. Sonic Perspectives revealed that Kevin Martin has confirmed that Candlebox already has eight songs completed for a new record. This signals that their creative momentum has returned in full force.
This development represents a complete reversal from the band’s previous farewell plans. It demonstrates how the reunion of original members can breathe new life into established acts. The combination of Martin’s renewed inspiration and Klett’s return suggests that Candlebox’s next chapter may prove to be one of their most creatively fulfilling periods yet.
