McEwen (see photo) will make his debut with the Deathriders at the Thrash Against Cancer benefit on July 9, 2005 in San Francisco, California.

The band write in a statement onneilturbin.com:

\"We welcome Gene as a permanent Deathrider and his unstoppable drumming skills will bring metal thrashing fury to the masses.\"

Gene McEwen is the successor of Mikey Neil, who departed after the Mexico tourdates earlier in 2005.