I lough of any actual news going on this Sunday, here’s some band drama to keep you mildly entertained. To quickly catch you up; Michigan-based post-hardcore outfit I See Stars were recently kicked off tour by Falling In Reverse frontman Ronnie Radke for something drug related according to Radke. Statements were issued on both sides and now another round of statements from Falling In Reverse, I See Stars and I See Stars’ label Sumerian Records have hit the web. Scandal and shit talking ensues.
Statement from I See Stars:
Here is the truth:
Months ago before “The Thug In Me Is You” tour started, a cop found marijuana in our van. We were arrested. As a result, Ronnie said we were kicked off the upcoming tour.
All the shows on the tour were already on sale with our name being advertised, so we didn’t think it was fair to the fans or to ourselves to not be able to go play where people were expecting us. We offered Ronnie to play the shows for free so he could keep our pay every night of the entire tour as long as we could still keep our commitment to the fans, i.e. the people who are the reason any of this is even possible. Ronnie said OK and allowed us back on the tour but said that we would have to sign paperwork saying we would not tell anyone that we weren’t getting paid to be on the tour. The venues and the fans were both not allowed to know the truth, because Ronnie knew it would make him look really bad to the world. The fact that money changed Ronnie’s mind about kicking us off the tour just goes to show his lack of integrity. If he was really that concerned or fundamentally against that we got caught with a little weed, then the extra cash in his pocket wouldn’t have changed his decision.
Because Sumerian Records was willing to give us a serious amount of financial tour support, we were still able to hit the road without getting paid. However we would quickly find out that us agreeing to Ronnie’s ridiculous terms of silence and playing for free were simply not good enough for him. He resulted to threatening violence against Zach in Grand Rapids because “he didn’t like his stupid f’n face” and then the next night in our hometown of Detroit kicked us off the tour. His 47-year old tour manager then physically assaulted our tour manager and the FIR camp once again resorted to violent behavior. Ronnie would later that night throw fans out who paid to get in to the show because they are chanting another band’s name and make fun of their physical attributes in front of everyone. That is the act of a true coward.
We have been lucky enough to to tour with a lot of great bands like Parkway Drive, Suicide Silence, Asking Alexandria, Trivium, Motionless In White, A Day To Remember, Stick To Your Guns, Memphis May Fire, The Word Alive and others.. and never had a problem. We want to thank Enter Shikari, LetLive, Matt Toka and all the other members of Falling In Reverse besides Ronnie for being great people and a true pleasure to tour with. We are sorry to all the fans out there who were expecting to see us. We’ll be back as soon as we can.
-I See Stars
Statement from Sumerian Records:
There is nothing cool, rock & roll, punk rock, or admirable about treating your peers or fans like they are pieces of garbage. Ronnie Radke is not a good human being. It’s one thing to love someone’s music, but do not love someone as an individual for who they are not. We do not think it is a coincidence this is the same guy who was arrested for the horrible, violent things you can read about in the links below. He cares about no one but himself and he has reminded us all of this. His latest tweet “people at our shows come to see us everything else is irrelevant. Nuff said.” is his way of telling all the other bands he tours with that they don’t matter. Why any artist would throw that type of negativity and disrespect out is something we will never understand. This scene is supposed to be about compassion and understanding. Ronnie is rotten.
Out of respect for the industry professionals involved in this debacle, we will not be publicly disclosing any legal documents on the internet. We can confirm that Ronnie kicked the band off the tour but allowed them back on after they forfeited their pay. We can confirm that they were being forced to sign a non-disclosure agreement regarding this in order to stay on the tour. We can confirm that I See Stars were not kicked off yesterday in Detroit because of anything to do with drugs. It was because a grown man was throwing a temper tantrum who claims to be “rock & roll” but is actually worse than a neurotic pop-star diva with a God complex. Just because you no longer do drugs doesn’t mean you are no longer a horrible human being. Ronnie now abuses people instead of substances.”
Ronnie Radke Starring in..
BATTERY AND SUBSTANIAL BODILY HARM
DOMESTIC ABUSE
INJURING FANS
THROWING FANS WHO PAID FOR THEIR TICKETS OUT OF THE SHOW
RACIST JOKES ON TWITTER
-Sumerian Records”
Statement from Radke:
Ladies and gentlemen, lend me your ears, why do we immediately assume that what we read on the Internet Is the whole truth? does it not make us guilty in ourselves to assume and accuse another for what you read? did it ever occur to anyone that maybe some people make things up to get attention drawn to them for a moment of spotlight or fame? maybe the person you are accusing and bashing hateful things towards and putting so much time and effort into something that you have no idea about much less should even care about is false? would it be wrong of you to tell that person how terrible they are? For what? A moment of recognition by the one you “hate” so much? before I ever assume something about someone I make sure I meet that person before I hate them. we all should be ashamed of ourselves. we are filthy creatures.