John and Rocky leave the band

[stratlady]

Here's the comment I made over FBM:

Personally, I don't think she [Amy] can say that much because whatever she'll say will be turned against her.

So whatever. That's a standard statement and I'd rather hear that than something imprinted with bitterness and negativity.

As far as I concern, this whole idea of change as been going on for a while, but it probably has turned ugly when John got fired and Rocky left. So, yeah, nothing to freak over, as everything was probably already set for the band to continue with new musicians.

She's the only one left from their original touring line-up, and that's scary.

Personally, I don't see what's scary about that, except that Evanescence has really become Amy's band. And to me, that's more annoying than scary.

Oh and nyohah, the reason I am quote you is just because I see that thoughts very often over the many discussions on Eva, and quite frankly, I don't get why people make that a huge deal. I mean, isn't change a good thing afterall?

[nyohah]

I meant it's just kind of worrying that nobody seems to want to stay in this band. I mean, one or two members leave, that's not unusual. When five members leave, there must be something wrong. It can't have been a happy band environment for most of the time it existed. I guess there needed to be an entire line-up change to get the band unified again. Hopefully things will settle down now.

[Robynn]

stratlady said:

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!"

Source: www.evthreads.com/showthread.php?t=5580

This was also a blog on MySpace. That's how I heard about it. I was just on EvFanClub night before last, but didn't get to get through all of the new posts due to a toilet issue (you don't wanna know...but I'm still dealing with it). All I can say is

[stratlady]

^^^lol Robyn. Yeah we all went for a while, but don't worry. In about an hour or so you should be back to normal. ;D

nyohah: Oh now I get you. And totally agree with you too. I really wish things would just settle down and Eva be a band, not just Amy. But whatever.

[stratlady]

Okay, more drama going on...well, not really, but still.

From Michelle over her board (thanks FMB):

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

Quite frankly, I am getting tired of this...I think I should get a life...well, maybe I am just tired of the whole amynescence 'cuz I'll never like the idea of her being the entire band. And it's like the 3rd time I say this in 10min, so I think it's time for me to shut up about it.

Oh and congrats to Amy on getting married

Edit: stuff edited out because of too much drama, and unreliable sources.

[unicorn07]

I think people are making a bigger deal then anything, especially since both Rocky and John started another band. I mean you can't expect them to stay and have 110% focus on two different bands...can you? Some can do it, but not everyone.

I wish all the drama would stop...

[nyohah]

stratlady said:

Quite frankly, I am getting tired of this...I think I should get a life...well, maybe I am just tired of the whole amynescence 'cuz I'll never like the idea of her being the entire band. And it's like the 3rd time I say this in 10min, so I think it's time for me to shut up about it.

I think I should get a life, too, but I've been checking on the thread at FMB every couple of hours even though nobody's saying anything useful. It's better than studying, though.

[jussie]

Rocky and John are angry and rightfully so, The feelings they have towards Amy and Evanescence are completly justified, and It's okay for them to be angry. Truth is we'll never know what really happened, Amy has her side of the story and John and Rocky Thiers. None of them are allowed to talk about it. So people should just let it go.

Honestly, The music won't change, Rocky and John had very little to do with TOD, Musically and Lyrically. In reality they just played the music, That's it. Amy is and will always be The Heart of Evanescence. She writes, she sings, she is the frontwoman, And Ev is HER baby.
It's about the music, It always was. The Band was always about the music, and truth be told Amy is the defining force that is Evanescence.

Basically, Amy made the decision to fire John, Whether it be the right one or the wrong one. It was ultimatly her choice, therefore Her fault if this costs her, her band. It's already lost her two friends. It;s her who has to live with that. John and Rocky will be ok, They are talented. Machina will be thier outlet and Ev Amys.

I'm here for the music. I consider myself lucky to have seen Evanescence in Australia, I won't be seeing them in concert agian, and I really don't respect Amy's latest decisions, But i'll listen to the music and apreciate it. Because that what it's about..

[stratlady]

The only sane thing I've read on this entire thing, it's from David's Post at TYBOARD (source)

i try to stay out of it, because the lasts thing anyone wants is me hogging this thread, but recent posts have called me out of hiding. everyone here should listen more to lyradi (and we always should listen to katie, because she's a bad ass). few, if any of you, know these people.

life is complicated, no one's perfect; but the only thing i would have done differently than amy in the last 2 years is distance myself sooner from the people that have been mentioned. amy and ben started evanescence. the 3 of us got signed and 4 of us (i tip my hat to the great dave fortman) made the record that it seems many of you love. no one else. what the hired band did do was accept the chance of a lifetime - be part of one of the biggest selling records in the last 10 years and make more money playing in front of bigger crowds than any other musician we'd known. are there sacrifices? sure, life is full of sacrifice; if someone wanted to leave ot be with their family, then that's understandable. but for anyone to be even the least bit ungrateful is mind-boggling. what exactly did they think they deserved out of this? amy doesn't owe them anything, and anyone who thinks differently is sorely mistaken.

things are never perfect; we all have learned a lot in the last many years. and while i haven't been around for all of it, i know everyone involved along the way enough to know that you should not be pointing your blame at amy. that's ridiculous. she is a beautiful person and an innovative artist. you can choose to disagree with me if you want, but you're probably ill-informed and my picture's at the top of the page

(stolen from FMB of course)

I officially think that David Hodges is the sanest person in all the evanescence/ex-evanescence members.

[unicorn07]

Thank god for David, am I right? Somebody who has a brain posting is always a positive thing, especially when they do it with grace.

Maybe now people will shut up, I'm not Amy's biggest fan...but putting ALL the blame on her is idotic.

I'm glad he spoke out, no he hasn't been with the band in a billion years, but they all know each other. Also happy he didn't come out to play the "Lets Bash Amy Lee Game!"

I wonder if anyone else will speak out that hasn't been in the band for awhile.

[DarkFlare89]

Who else is really there to comment? We have John & Shelly, Rocky, Renee, David & Amy's imput. From the band we have Tim & Terry to comment...

...

and I will be 110% amused if Ben Moody comments on any of this. (And I will just die if he defends Amy )

EDIT: Well over at ev..it they have lots more comments. Dear God why not every member of the family comment :

Quote taken from EvClub (posted on ev.it) from LORI LEE

before you take sides on th whole evanescence thing.....
im really upset to because everyone keeps posting bulletins dissing my sister. when they dont even now the real story i just wish i could tell them what really happened but i'm not allowed and it's not my business to tell. the info will soon be released by amy or other former- members of the band. All i can tell you guys is dont believe any of the info you hear unless its posted on an official site.or they have proof it is real john's blog was what really made me upset saying my sister is shallow and there was no good reason why she fired him. when in fact thewhole evanescence situation that they were in was very unhappy and john even told her he wanted to leave she basically saved him from an extremely unhappy tour. im very happy though that at least some of you are going to stick by the lee family i love the lecompts as well and i wish them the best of luck in all they do. i just wish there were more fans like you who will love && give there loyalty to the lee's, lecompt's, and gray's instead of making up there own opinion to a story that is still untold to the public. all i know is evanescence will stay ROCKING with or without john and rocky ( unfortunatley) my sister wants me to tell all of you thanks for the support and patience all of you have had while waiting for the info to be released it's coming soon i swear!
XOXO
lori lee

Quote taken from Machina MySpace (from ev.it):

07 may 2007, 09:00

the good with the bad
Estado de ánimo actual: anxious

Hello everyone,

As I'm sure many of you know by now, John LeCompt and Rocky Gray are no longer with the group Evanescence. It is unfortunate how the split has occurred, and upsetting to many Ev fans as well of course. There are tons of rumors flying around right now about the situation but at this time no one can comment on the Ev end of the spectrum. For further info check out John LeCompt's blog:
www.myspace.com/johnlecompt

What we can say is that no one in our group has or is lying about anything in any way about that situation, and that we can confirm major label showcases in NYC over the course of the next few weeks. Thank you to all the fans who are supporting us during this transition, your positive feedback is much appreciated and inspiring to us all. We will get back to you once things are a little clearer, for now we have a lot of work to do.

Peace,

MACHINA

John's Myspace (from ev.it):

Monday, May 07, 2007


Overwhelmed!!!

Well, bravo to you guys...I never would have thought the support would be like this. You have moved me and helped me to see that Machina will rock and take us much farther than my "previous" band. I will never forget you and how you have made me and my family feel. Out of thousands of messages, I was only insulted in 3. That's pretty good. Thanks and keep rockin'.

Lori's Myspace (from ev.it):

unfortunatley i have to sign off i promise i will be back on tomorrow around 3:00 but please feel free to keep requesting, commenting, and messaging...and yes we will be adding new pics and songs soon so stay tuned lol. anyway thank you so much to everyone who has been sharing there thoughts and feelings with us they are deeply appreciated in this time of need. but i assure you all everything is gonna be okay amy, john, rocky, terry, and tim's futures lie in the hands of god and im sure he had a good reason for this happeneing because everything happenes for a reason. i wish the best of luck to Machina and Evanescence and any other obsticles or endevures they join on in there lives

remember we ♥ you all!!!

XOXO
Lori

p.s hang in there everybody && ROCK ON!!

[gloomysunday]

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".
...
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.

Well, it isn't like Amy is the only one bitching... To say she fired him for no reason etc. etc. is okay, insulting her in a moment of anger understandable. But insulting her lyrics and music is stupid, considering that they're still the same as when he was still in the band and if that's his honest opinion, the fact that he isn't in the band anymore doesn't shock me at all.
Like everybody else here I have no idea what happened, so I don't feel like I'm entitled to have an opinion, but you don't fire someone without ANY reason. Beside that this definitely creates publicity (and therefore promotion) for John's band.

[stratlady]

^^it does create publicity. I checked out machina's myspace. ;D I really enjoyed the music. If I were John and Rocky, I so wouldn't mind Eva. They've got something great going on there.

JOHN!!! You forgot the comment made by Robbie LeCompt, John's brother.

Rock Candy

Evanescence: The Closing Door

Though former Evanescence guitarist John LeCompt (pictured) is a hard man to reach since he was fired by lead singer Amy Lee last Friday, Rock Candy did manage to track down someone with a good bit of insight into what might have led to the split: John’s older brother Robbie LeCompt.

Robbie said that though he hasn’t spoken to his brother since John was fired, the news came as no surprise to him. “I can’t say if [Lee] is a good person or a bad person, but I can say: I saw it coming,” Robbie said, recounting his brother’s tales of a “standoffish” Lee, who insisted on a personal bus while on tour and picked fights backstage. “She was very hard to get along with to start with,” Robbie said. “He is a writer and she’s a writer and when you’ve got two writers you’ve got one too many.”

“He’s on the road with this girl and she’s making millions and millions of dollars and he’s on a strict salary,” Robbie LeCompt said. “If she’s found someone who can fill his shoes, then that’s all good, but I’ve studied music for 20 years and anytime has blown off all the other members and tried to keep going, it didn’t work out.”

Taken from Evthreads.

lol. I just think it's funny how many pple commented on this.

I do believe that Robbie has a valid point, which ties up really well to David Hodges' post. It does stress out the idea that members of band shouldn't befriend with hired muscians, even if that's hard, if not almost impossible. Friendship and salary questions don't mix up that well together.

ETA: Now that I've said that, I think that Eva (read Amy) should make it very clear who, in band, is a hired muscian and who isn't. At least that way, whenever somebody would get laid off or quit, people would have less reason to freak. Of course, if she were to say that, it wouldn't help her diva-ish reputation since everybody would come to realize that Eva is indeed Amy...but that's a story I don't wanna get into.

[stratlady]

Looks like John got back to his senses after all:

blog.myspace.com/johnlecompt

Just to let you know, I pulled down the very personal blog about my departure from Evanescence. I felt that I said what I had to say and the response was very much the same among everyone who read it. I feel beyond those very strong feelings now and am ready to move past them. Now I am all about Machina and persuing that without bitterness or hurt in my heart. EV was what it was, a stepping stone. A very large stepping stone that I truly appreciate and will always hold close to my heart. I will never play down the importance of it in my life or the lives of my friends and family. It is a piece of history that I got to be involved in and will remember forever. I choose to remember the good things about it rather than a negative perspective of a disgruntled former member. So, all that is said...let's move on and rock out with our cock out to MACHINA!!! Ready, Set....GO!!!

Taken from evthreads.

I like this attitude better. ;D

[stratlady]

And here we go again...

Jack from Machina posted this on myspace...(taken from evthreads)

So I've been quiet thus far reading all the drama that's been our lives and find it quite unbelievable that you kids idolize this "person" so much and believe every bit of bullshit your "idol" posts. I'm not under any contract so I'm gonna say whatever I want. It NEEDS to be said. You guys don't need to be lied to anymore. I've been around the band since almost the beginning when my old band opened up for them. You people can take my words however you want cause I don't care if you believe what I'm about to say. For those of you who know me and what my relationship to the band is, you know my credibility. With that said... where do I begin? hahaha Can we just say "chapter 1"? I've looked at the questions some of the fans have been asking and I'm here to answer some of them cause I've seen an awful lot. Awful is not nearly a negative enough word for it too. I feel extremely bad for the fans that have been so misled by this wave of BS that is thrown to you. Your "idol" does not care about you. If your "idol" did, then please explain to me(and hold your breath cause this is gonna suck for you die hard fans) why she told the band that after November your favorite band will no longer exist. WHAT? I'll say it again... your "idol" told the rest of the band that after November, there will no more band. At least... not for a very very long time IF at all. Also... let's look at your "idol"'s loyalty. You've got 2 members that have been there from the beginning and helped your "idol" get to the top. Your "idol" claims they were only in it for the money. Yeah eventually that was what it came down to but it wasn't always like that. When a certain founding member quit and your "idol" was scared to death they were gonna tank, but the 3 other guys who had been there from the start stayed and helped make the bands following in to an army 14 million world-wide it was because they loved what they were doing. And at the time being, your "idol" was real and loyal. Why? Because she needed them. As soon as your "idol" doesn't need someone anymore... you either become details or just another statistic. Want examples? Ok. Let's start at even before the record came out. There was a keyboard player who helped write the whole album. Right before it came out, he was FIRED. This is the very keyboard player who stuck up for your "idol" hahaha AWESOME! I guess he forgot he was fired too. It must not have mattered cause he's rich too and those people gotta stick together I guess. It doesn't really matter, nobody knows who he is anyway as I noticed many of you fans called out. Next example. When the found guitarist quit, your "idol" told the rest of the band that the cancer was gone and everything would be a "real" band from now on. I'm sure you guys can find statements saying something to that effect. Things were going well for the band. A new guitarist entered who was doing well and the band didn't seem to skip a beat. The end of tour happens, the band members all go home and my 2 friends start writing for the new album because they were told it was gonna be a group effort and be like a "real" band where everybody contributes. LIES. This was the downfall of that band. Your favorite band is not going down the toilet because 2 members left/quit/whatever. It started to die when all 3 original members were told they were getting cut out of writing the new album. Right then and there the band became a job for 2 of them. And for the other one, he had decided he was done with it. Most musicians will tell you they're not gonna be happy if they're not allowed to be creative. That's what good musicians do. They create. Now you've got a guitarist, bassist & drummer who are incredible musicians being told they're not allowed to contribute. 3 people who are incredibly talented being used a basically session players. This after they were promised it was gonna be a "real" band from here on out. So what happens after that? Where'd all these songs go that were written by my 2 friends and completely ignored by your "idol"? Enter the first side project. And I can't thank you guys enough for that ongoing support. Suddenly these guys who are in one of the biggest bands in the world could care less because they were constantly being lied to and disappointed. And had more fun playing in a band that wasn't even signed than in a Multi-platinum Grammy Award winning band. Why not leave and go somewhere else you ask? Well... 2 of the members have families to take care of and bills and the one who really didn't have all that forcing him to stay in a situation he didn't want to be in... quit. And the statement that was posted by your "idol" was not what happened. So now you have 2 original members who are miserable but caught between a rock & a hard place because they have families to look out for. The only real thing that made them happy anymore was the fans. And if any of you have ever met them, you know it's true. They cared more about that than anyone else in that band. More examples of how loyal your "idol" is? Ok. We have the 2 main writers of this new album that on the surface look to be the best of friends. Your "idol" was great friends with her co-writer until it came down to publishing(MONEY). Oh no... there's no loyalty when it comes to that. The guitarist got most of his publishing taken from him because he trusted your "idol" that everything would be fine so he didn't sign anything. Big mistake with that camp. You better get EVERYTHING in writing from these devils or it's not happening. Why would somebody put up with being treated like that? Maybe because of a tragedy that impaired somebody's playing ability and once again we have somebody in between a rock & a hard place. Get screwed out of a ton of money OR leave the band and don't get to play for a while. And trust me when I say taking away an artists ablility to play is something I don't wish on anybody. I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't do what I love. So our friend decided to get screwed over and keep playing. And it was very hard to see somebody everyday who wants to play so much and because of an accident is held back. The frustration and anger is hard to watch when you know somebody loves what they do more that anything. Who even this person said they had other things lined up knowing there would be no band after November. "November, November the month with no members" as we would say. So when you see a certain ex-member of this band selling plaques on eBay, cut him some slack. It's not out of disrespect, it's called paying bills. These guys aren't rolling in the cash as some of you might think. And understand the frustration it must be everytime you look at something that should have been some of the happiest times in your life and all you can think of is pain. These guys love playing and writing music. They love the fans. Your "idol" wants to put spin on everything she can to prevent the truth of this situation to come to light. Why? Because the truth makes her look horrible and exposes this "band" for what it really is. Which is why you have members saying they're legally not allowed to say anything on the matter. Management doesn't want the truth out there cause it'll cost them money. But I've seen most of it and they can't hold me to anything. I'll leave asking you guys this one last thing: Which would you prefer... being lied to and lead to believe something that isn't true or knowing the awful truth but still the truth nonetheless?

I'm sorry but somebody had to say this. You've read the "scoop"... now read the truth.

-JacK-

"This is Spinal Tap"

So anybody cared to read it all???

Either way, I am not jumping guns or anything, 'cuz in november we'll see what will happen.

That being said, Jack is right about one thing. If Terry is getting screwed over, he can't do anything...