Former Anthrax singer files $2.65 million lawsuit against band
Dan Nelson, ex-vocalist for New York thrash-metal band Anthrax, has filed a $2.65 million law suit against his former band mates.
Nelson, formerly of Me, My Enemy and Devilsize and currently in Tomorrows Ghost and BlackGates, claims drummer Charlie Benante, bassist Frank Bello and guitarist Scott Ian falsely stated in "numerous interviews" that he had "abruptly resigned" from the band after becoming sick, forcing the cancellation of numerous 2009 concerts.
The lawsuit also claims Benante recently told music news site Blabbermouth the Nelson "was a bully".
Nelson played his first live show with Anthrax in May 2008 and in December of that same year, guitarist Scott Ian revealed that they'd "been in the studio working on the new Anthrax album since November". Guitars, bass and drums had been done and vocals were in progress. An October 2008 post on the Anthrax website claimed that "(new album) Worship Music should be out in May" (the following year).
The band played new material at a show in Colombia in March 2009, but on the 21st July, the band's manager announced the departure of Nelson, due to illness. Nelson later denied this, saying "I was never seriously ill or sick at all, as reported in Anthrax’s 7/17/09 press release"… "After issuing the press release the other band members decided, on their own accord, that I had 'resigned' from the band. I never resigned from the band."
Nelson says the "intentional defamation" has caused loss of income and damaged has reputation. He is also claiming that he co-wrote songs on the long delayed, and just released, Worship Music album, and is seeking compensation for his share of the profits.
Nelson, formerly of Me, My Enemy and Devilsize and currently in Tomorrows Ghost and BlackGates, claims drummer Charlie Benante, bassist Frank Bello and guitarist Scott Ian falsely stated in "numerous interviews" that he had "abruptly resigned" from the band after becoming sick, forcing the cancellation of numerous 2009 concerts.
The lawsuit also claims Benante recently told music news site Blabbermouth the Nelson "was a bully".
Nelson played his first live show with Anthrax in May 2008 and in December of that same year, guitarist Scott Ian revealed that they'd "been in the studio working on the new Anthrax album since November". Guitars, bass and drums had been done and vocals were in progress. An October 2008 post on the Anthrax website claimed that "(new album) Worship Music should be out in May" (the following year).
The band played new material at a show in Colombia in March 2009, but on the 21st July, the band's manager announced the departure of Nelson, due to illness. Nelson later denied this, saying "I was never seriously ill or sick at all, as reported in Anthrax’s 7/17/09 press release"… "After issuing the press release the other band members decided, on their own accord, that I had 'resigned' from the band. I never resigned from the band."
Nelson says the "intentional defamation" has caused loss of income and damaged has reputation. He is also claiming that he co-wrote songs on the long delayed, and just released, Worship Music album, and is seeking compensation for his share of the profits.
In related Anthrax news, it seems the band's founding guitarist Scott Ian has been talking to Lars Ulrich backstage at the Big Four shows. In a recent interview, Ian spoke about internet downloads and the effects on CD sales.
"The fact that we sold 30,000 the first week and entered at No. 12 was awesome — for 2011" "But to put it in perspective sales-wise, it just sucks that 30,000 is considered a huge success in 2011. It’s a double-edged sword because on one hand it’s like, “Woo-hoo, we did great,” but then it’s also like, “Yeah, but how many other people stole the record, and you should have sold 150,000 copies this first week?”"
Ian has even debated with fans on his Twitter feed. He says "You’re stealing! It’s stealing, that’s what it is. It’s not free for us to make these records. These records are on sale in many, many places where you can pay your money to buy the product that we are selling. Anything outside of that is stealing. There is no conversation to be had."
Instead of suing downloaders, Ian believes they should be banned from the internet. Punishment? "You lose your Internet. That’s it, no more Internet for you. Seriously! Like you drive drunk, you lose the privilege of driving. You download illegally, you lose the privilege of having the Internet. The punishment fits the crime."
"The fact that we sold 30,000 the first week and entered at No. 12 was awesome — for 2011" "But to put it in perspective sales-wise, it just sucks that 30,000 is considered a huge success in 2011. It’s a double-edged sword because on one hand it’s like, “Woo-hoo, we did great,” but then it’s also like, “Yeah, but how many other people stole the record, and you should have sold 150,000 copies this first week?”"
Ian has even debated with fans on his Twitter feed. He says "You’re stealing! It’s stealing, that’s what it is. It’s not free for us to make these records. These records are on sale in many, many places where you can pay your money to buy the product that we are selling. Anything outside of that is stealing. There is no conversation to be had."
Instead of suing downloaders, Ian believes they should be banned from the internet. Punishment? "You lose your Internet. That’s it, no more Internet for you. Seriously! Like you drive drunk, you lose the privilege of driving. You download illegally, you lose the privilege of having the Internet. The punishment fits the crime."