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.

Edited May 5, 200718 yr by EvMark

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.

Amy has yet to give her version of the events, but I think she's gone power mad. Taken from a recent interview:

 

'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."

OUUUUUCH.

 

She does seem to have gone a bit coo-koo. :(

 

Who is actually left in the band now then? :unsure: I have a feeling this band will implode sooner rather than later unfortunately, which I pray it doesn't because I love them. :( Mind you, she'll probably just go solo and STILL call herself Evanescence. :lol:

Stupid woman she is :lol:

Eeek stupid woman. Though she has a point. -_-

Whats going on Amy ?!

Oh boy, that doesn't sound good. I love Evanescence, but it sounds like she's headed toward a solo career..this could be really bad for the band as a whole, at least from the sound of it.

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!"

 

We have yet to hear from Amy.

Edited May 6, 200718 yr by EvMark

What a detestable, egotistical little b**ch she has become.... I used to think it was all Ben Moody's fault, but now after this sh!t....... <_< Very unlikely that all these guys are in the wrong and she's the only one who is right... And I thought Trent Reznor was an egomaniac.... to be fair to him though, he never even pretends that his albums are collaborative efforts, he goes into a studio with one or two people to aid with the production and mixing and pretty much does it all solo, only getting an actual band together for live touring.... Ev is slightly different, they're supposed to be about an actual band dynamic all the way.... This is pretty shocking behaviour, and I suppose this means that their scheduled dates for the UK, including Download more than likely, are cancelled AGAIN, letting down UK fans AGAIN.... <_<

Oh boy, that doesn't sound good. I love Evanescence, but it sounds like she's headed toward a solo career..this could be really bad for the band as a whole, at least from the sound of it.

 

Yep, in that case then, the name of the forum would have to be changed to the "Amy Lee Huge, Inflated Ego" Forum....

 

Amy-Lee's management confirmed yesterday all tour dates are to go ahead as planned.

 

We have to yet to hear anything else on the departure of the two members.

 

And, I agree with GRIMLY. I did blame ben, well it seemed his fault, and Will left because of family commitments. I can't see why Amy would fire John from a job he dedicated his life to. The only thing I can think of, is that she dissaproved with him being in another band, Machina, and decided to kick him out when he refused to stop playing in that band.

Edited May 6, 200718 yr by EvMark

And, I agree with GRIMLY. I did blame ben, well it seemed his fault, and Will left because of family commitments. I can't see why Amy would fire John from a job he dedicated his life to. The only thing I can think of, is that she dissaproved with him being in another band, Machina, and decided to kick him out when he refused to stop playing in that band.

 

It's pretty ridiculous to fire the guy just cos he wants to play with another band as well.... She's acting like he's cheating on her with another woman or summat.... :wacko:

 

I still think Ben is a total dick, but it seems pretty obvious now that all the sh!t that went on was by no means all one-way traffic....

Statement from Amy Lee:

 

"Evanescence is alive and well. John and Rocky were in Evanescence for four years and we shared some great times together playing live, but they were ready to move on and so we have parted ways. Evanescence is something I have loved and nurtured since I was fourteen, and I will continue to protect and fight for it as I always have. Terry, Tim and I are very excited to play live with some amazing new musicians and we will rock harder than ever. Stay tuned for more news on that front. And don't worry about the tour, guys. Nothing will be cancelled and we will see you soon!"

As if this couldn't get any more confusing, it APPEARS Amy Lee's wedding today is today...

Here's a post off Rocky's sister on one of the forums.

 

Hey kids,

 

There is no use fighting amongst yourselves. Everyone needs to grow up and understand that there are MANY sides to this story. Rocky quit in JANUARY and out of the goodness of his heart, stayed on to finish this part of the tour. John was completely blindsided by Amy calling him and firing him. The interview that quoted Amy as saying that she "is Evanescence, Evanescence is her and no one else"....well kids, it's true. It's her's. And according to her, none of the fans came to see anyone but her. Believe what you want. I am not dissing Amy, her family, Rocky & his family, John and his family, Tim & his family or even Terry and his family. Amy has her own agenda. What that includes....well only AMY knows what that is. You guys should start a thread on this board and all others congratulating Amy on being a bride today. Yes, I said it. Today is the day she is getting married. So keep this in mind when I say....from experience...that ...having been a bride myself....sometimes you make decisions that you regret later. Hell, all women do that. Now, this is her decision to make because Evanescence is hers. She can do what she wants, how she wants and when she wants. Rocky and John both have other things going that have their names on it. Um k? Bands break up, people leave....it's all part of the industry. It happens. People move on and don't let this bring all of you down.

 

May I also suggest that if everyone wants to take sides and fight each other on here....well...then the thread needs to be shut down. Everyone is entitled to their opinion...but please remember that it is just one person's opinion. AND that opinion is not going to change ANYTHING that has already happened. Aren't we all friends here? Can't we all just get along?

 

MICHELLE

Woah, ego alert :o She does have an amazing voice but that doesn't mean she can go around saying and doing stuff like that, and still expect people to respect her.

I just broke the news to my sister, she loves the group, its her fave. She said shes really sad and Amy Lee aint thinking about her fans...I think I ruined her day :/

The whole thing is sad because I like Amy. :(

The whole thing is sad because I like Amy. :(

 

I'm sort of beginning to really dislike her now to be honest... I'm just remembring what Stone Sour's guitarist Jim Root said about her in a Metal Hammer interview (Stone Sour having supported Evanescence on a US tour).... "She's a bully. A bully..". Seemed like he was joking within the context of the interview, but now, I aint so sure he wasn't actually trying to communicate an underlying truth beneath the jokiness..... :thinking:

Well this is ridiculous, Evanescence is Amy's band, she owns Evanescence it's her record contract. She's not power hungry, she's a business woman in control of her career.

 

Amy and Terry wrote 90% of the new album which everyone loves and they're both still in the band. We will never know why John got fired but it's not like it was for no reason, no one calls one of their fellow bandmates out of the blue and kicks them out.

 

None of the Evanescence line ups are the same as the day the band was founded, but they don't suck and looks like they've found new musicians to fill the gaps already. None of the dates are being cancelled. None of them! I believe the reason the Manchester show was cancelled last time was because of John aswell...

 

John goes on about loyalty yet he's the first one to bring out petty insults. He's out calling Amy 'shallow' yet he's the biggest baby in it all. Rocky puts up on his Myspace 'Evanescence sucks' well dude sophisticated comeback! Amy's statement isn't insulting or in anyway childish which shows who's been big in all of this.

 

I can wholly admit right now, I only like Evanescence for Amy (she's right when she says people only usually go to see her). I also like Terry and Tim but it's not like their in the league of Amy in my eyes. I'm just saying what I think, don't jump down my throat here. I still respect her, I don't think she'll come out any worse because of this. It's not like she's not thinking of her fans. I'm a fan I freakin' love her and the band is still going on so happy days really.

Edited May 6, 200718 yr by NatalieMT