Evanescence guitarist John LeCompt said Friday he's been fired from the
band, and he also said drummer Rocky Gray has quit, so things aren't looking
good for the multi-platinum, two-time Grammy winning alternative rock act,
one of the biggest bands in the world -- but apparantly shrinking by the
second.
"I'm done, and I'm pretty upset about it," LeCompt said, calling from Little
Rock, Ark., the band's home town. "(Singer) Amy Lee called and fired me
today. There's absolutely no loyalty in this band."
Evanescence, touring in support of its second major release "The Open Door,"
is on a short break after returning from South Africa. The group has two
dates scheduled later this month before plans to tour Europe, beginning in
Paris on May 25.
A phone message to the press office at Wind-Up Records in New York seeking
comment was not immediately returned.
LeCompt, 34, said he and Gray, 32, plan to pour all their energy into a new
band, Machina, managed by Chris Long (Crossfade). Gray wasn't available for
comment.
"Machina is an incredible band -- it's rock and roll," LeCompt said.
Evanescence's first major release, "Fallen," featuring the hits "Bring Me to
Life" and "My Immortal," has sold 14 millions copies worldwide, 6.6 million
in the United States. It's one of eight albums in Billboard history to spend
at least one year in the top 50. In 2004, the band won Grammys for Best Hard
Rock Performance and Best New Artist.
The followup, "Open Door," was released in October, selling nearly 500,000
copies in the United States in its first week and debuting at No. 1 on
Billboard. It's sold about four million worldwide.
This is not the first time Evanescence has had personnel problems. In 2003,
guitarist and co-founder Ben Moody quit while the band was touring in
Europe, replaced by Terry Balasamo from Cold. Last July, bassist Will Boyd
quit, replaced by Tim McCord from Revolution Smile.
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From John LeCompt
Hey everyone,
I've been getting your messages all morning and figured I would give a
little personal insight to this situation. Around 3:30 pm yesterday I
recieved a call on my cell from Amy. This call wasn't from a friend who
appreciated me but from an enemy who was prepared to hurt me and my family.
Without any warning or negotiotiations for my future, I was fired for no
good reason. We have not always seen eye to eye on everything, but who does?
Our common goal was always the same. To make Evanescence the best rock band
it could ever be. I have always given blood, sweat and tears to make that
happen but apparently that is not enough. I have now become just another of
the people fallen by the wayside on the revolving door of her life. It's
funny how many of us there are now. I guess it's good for lyrical content,
though. Maybe I will be among the blessed to have a song written about me,
too. Maybe the song will be "Call Me When You're Broke". Whatever, as of
next week my band Machina will be doing major label showcases in New York.
There is a big buzz for it and we hope it will go well. I'm not going to sit
here and be negative because that is not who I am. What I will say it that I
know that many of you think she is some genuis or saviour of some kind. I
just want you to know that my family and I will forever remember her as
being about as deep as the shallow end of a child's wading pool and her
lyrics about as deep as the 2 dimensional surface that they were written on.
Singing beautifully for the duration of a record or two can move the spirit
of the people listening, but the way you treat those around you who you are
supposed to care about speaks volumes more than that and I would hope that
some of you are listening. Well, that's it. I hope that sheds some light on
the current situation for you. Thank you all for the good years and being
the most incredible fans and friends. Maybe I will see you again. I am going
to play with my little boy now, peace.
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ROCKY GRAY LEAVES EVANESCENCE
Soul Embraced, Machina, Other Projects Coming Soon
Rocky Gray, longtime drummer for multi-platinum rockers Evanescence, has
quit the band.
Best known prior to Evanescence as the guitar player for seminal Christian
metal bands Living Sacrifice (a band whose members went on to join P.O.D.,
Norma Jean and more) and Soul Embraced, Rocky joined Evanescence shortly
after the recording of their debut album, Fallen. The album featured a
reworked version of a Soul Embraced song written by Rocky, "Tourniquet," and
sold over 12 million copies worldwide.
Rocky is the third band member to leave Evanescence since the recording of
their second album, The Open Door. Unfortunately, at this time, Gray doesn't
have anything to say about his departure from the group.
"Amy Lee's management emailed me last night to tell me that, in their view,
the contract I signed to record, perform and tour with the group says that
I'm not allowed to have any free speech in regard to Evanescence," Gray said
from his home in Arkansas. "The way they spin it, I'm not even allowed to
say I quit the group, I guess. But the news is out there, so, there ya' go.
I need to have a lawyer read over all that mess to tell me what, when and
how I can tell you all -- the REAL FANS -- what really went down, if I ever
can, haha."
In the meantime, there is plenty to report about Rocky that does not involve
Evanescence.
Originally formed ten years ago, the newly reinvigorated Soul Embraced
(which reunites Gray with Living Sacrifice drummer Lance Garvin) has a
wealth of new material. The band is finalizing a new recording agreement to
release their next album. New songs include "Kill This," which is on their
MySpace now.
In addition to Soul Embraced, Rocky will continue playing with Machina
alongside former Evanescence guitarist John LeCompt. And there are a couple
more projects which will be announced soon.
"Ya'll ain't ever heard the last from me until the good Lord decides to take
me home," Rocky cracked with his down-home Southern drawl. "Peace to all of
the fans who support me and everyone who knows the real deal. And of course
to my wife, kids, John, Ben, Will, everybody who's real. See ya'll on the
road soon!"
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From AmyLee
'I am Evanescence," says Evanescence lead singer Amy Lee. This is in reply
to my question as to whether she would ever pull a Gwen Stefani or a Fergie
and go solo.
"I am the only original member. I have basically hired the band. Evanescence
has become me. It is mine and it's exactly how I want to be."
"I'm lucky I have been so successful, but it doesn't come without its
dramas. Every decision I make affects hundreds of people's professional
lives and careers."
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