By: Publicity For Good
Chicago, IL, Jul 20, 2024 – Carla Harvey, lead singer of metal band Butcher Babies, has announced that the band is parting ways and that she will return to her previous career in death care through Parting Stone, the innovative, Shark Tank-funded company behind transforming remains into stones to create tangible connections for the bereaved.
Harvey’s interest in death care began in her childhood, inspired by her grandmother and fueled by a fascination with medical journals and the concept of death. Before her music career, she worked as an embalmer and funeral director, excelling in mortuary science after leaving a job at the Playboy Channel.
Photo Courtesy: Carla Harvey
Her successful run with Butcher Babies saw her touring globally for 12 years, releasing 5 albums and 2 EPs. Despite her departure from the band, Harvey reassures fans that she is not leaving music entirely, as she is working on a new album with her fiancé, Anthrax and Pantera’s iconic drummer Charlie Benante. Carla Harvey’s fiancé, Charlie Benante.
According to Harvey, parting ways with Butcher Babies is not a divorce from music altogether, as she is working on a new album with her future husband, Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante. On her absence from Butcher Babies, she shares:
“You may have noticed my absence from Butcher Babies social media posts. After 15 years of dedication, I wanted to let you know that I will not be rejoining the band for any future endeavors. I am super proud of my work with Butcher Babies…2 EPs, 5 full-length albums, and countless tours with our metal heroes! To all of our incredible BB friends and fans…you have provided me with some of the greatest experiences of my life!”
The news may come as less of a shock to those acquainted with the Butcher Babies’ vocalist’s previous career. Before joining the band, Harvey worked as an embalmer and funeral director and even started a grief coaching company in 2016. Harvey stated:
“Even when touring, I always longed to help people in the capacity that I did at the mortuary. At Butcher Babies meet n greets So many people that knew about my former career would ask me how to deal with the grief they were experiencing from all kinds of situations from death to divorce to losing a job. To look someone in the eye and be that first step that facilitates the grieving process for them is really intoxicating.”
Working at a hospice and meeting people on the brink of death awakened her to the true purpose of death care. Harvey writes, recalling her first experience facing a patient:
“When I finally entered my patient’s room, I found a teeny woman with a fluff of hair in a bed. There was a Maybelline bullet on her nightstand and a card that read, “I like to wear my red lipstick.” I applied her lipstick, sat with her, and held her hand. Many people are empathetic, sure. But those of us who choose death care have a moment wherein we realize our most important duties aren’t confined to a prep room. Rather, our purpose is to hold space for others during the hardest time of their life…because we can.”
During the pandemic, Harvey’s perspective on touring shifted, leading her to discover Parting Stone. She found their approach to memorializing loved ones through solidified remains deeply meaningful, aligning with her desire to help people through grief.
Fans can still meet Harvey at this year’s Comic-Con, where she will be signing copies of graphic novels she contributed to at Z2, booth 2621, on Friday at 4 PM PST.
You can learn more about Carla Harvey on her social media (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook) and about Parting Stone through their official website.
About Carla Harvey
Carla Harvey is an American singer, songwriter, and actress best known as the co-vocalist of the heavy metal band Butcher Babies. In addition to her musical endeavors, Harvey has appeared in several films and television shows. She also authored a novel, “Death and Other Dances,” which reflects her experiences and insights from working in the funeral industry.
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Published by: Khy Talara
