What would you do?

[ExodusinFlames]

So, I was part of a metal band for a number of years. It was good times, lots of shows and a full length album and merch. In January there were some issues, and I was told politely, that I was no longer a member of the band. I was not given a cut of the album sales/merch (considering I paid out of my own pocket my quarter), AND I didn't pull anything from the many shows that we had played over the course of 4 years.

And now, my former bandmates are attempting to jump into an opening spot in the Summer Slaughter tour, tossing in an entry utilizing MY voice (being that I was the vocalist).

And so fellow Escapists, what do YOU all think I should do in this scenario?

 

[Chips the Magic Dragon]

Kill your band mates.
Its the only way

 

[dontworryaboutit]

Kill your band mates.
Its the only way

Norwegian Black Metal

 

[ArcWinter]

Depends.
Are your former bandmates your friends? How much do they value the tour? Do you want the money?
If you think you have good morals, then I'd go with letting them do as they will.
If you feel spited and think they shouldn't capitalize off your efforts since you aren't there, demand they retract their submission.
If you feel you should be compensated for your effort, ask for a cut of the album sales or other money to make up for your effort.
If you are just fed up, move to Iceland. I hear they have great countryside.

 

[LANCE420]

First, they can't use your name, or intellectual content, without your permission. You have legal recourse.

Or you could be like me and solve your differences with good old fashioned violence.

 

[Chips the Magic Dragon]

Kill your band mates.
Its the only way

Norwegian Black Metal

Word.

 

[ExodusinFlames]

Are your former bandmates your friends? How much do they value the tour? Do you want the money?

Two of the three, I'm surmising alot, and it'd be nice.

If you think you have good morals, then I'd go with letting them do as they will.

But making money off of me?

If you feel spited and think they shouldn't capitalize off your efforts since you aren't there, demand they retract their submission.

They won't

If you feel you should be compensated for your effort, ask for a cut of the album sales or other money to make up for your effort.

Tried it and was told by the drummer that I could, more or less, eat shit waffles.

If you are just fed up, move to Iceland. I hear they have great countryside.

I've heard that too.

 

[NattyMichael]

say if they get in using your voice then you shud be allowed sing on tha tour, tell em tha, if they refuse......kill them, slowly

 

[ExodusinFlames]

First, they can't use your name, or intellectual content, without your permission. You have legal recourse.

Or you could be like me and solve your differences with good old fashioned violence.

There are only three of them and one of me, they'd need more members to make violence fair and worth it. I'm thinking I may have to go through the legal recourse

 

[dontworryaboutit]

Kill your band mates.
Its the only way

Norwegian Black Metal

Word.

I remember hearing a story about one dude who went around burning down churches. Another black metal guy tried to take credit for them so the actual perpetrator killed him.

 

[quiet_samurai]

You ahve the law on your side, they can't use your likeness for any kind of profit without your permission or compensating you, which includes your voice. Also the fact you helped fund the album automatically entitles you to a profit.

 

[fulano]

Sue 'em for all they're worth. Then go solo and make millions, and laugh at them. Then give me half your money.

Just as outlined above.

Sue, Sue, SUE THEM! The bad rep will at least hurt the band in the eyes of the fans.

 

[ExodusinFlames]

It wasn't black metal, though I've been tempted to start one in either that genre, or more of an ambient/doom metal style (Opeth-esque)

 

[TwistedEllipses]

Get your due, but in the meantime bounce back and join a new band. If they're using your vocals they can't have too many issues with you in terms of musical talent and if you're going to get bogged down trying to get some money and rights back you might as well be doing something productive as well...

 

[ThaBenMan]

Sue they asses!

 

[Insanum]

They cant enter using your voice, thats not the band nomore.

Im suprised (no offence) that theyve kicked the vocalist out of the band, Especially if you were successful.

Just send a letter too the organiser of the event telling them what your ex-band is doing.

 

[ExodusinFlames]

Get your due, but in the meantime bounce back and join a new band. If they're using your vocals they can't have too many issues with you in terms of musical talent and if you're going to get bogged down trying to get some money and rights back you might as well be doing something productive as well...

Yeah got a new one in the works.
What made me feel really bad though, to be the bigger person (at least that what I tell myself) I went to their first show without me, they were openning for Misery Index. Man, I was relieved, to a degree I have never known before.

 

[ExodusinFlames]

Im suprised (no offence) that theyve kicked the vocalist out of the band, Especially if you were successful.

Well it was a long story, but basically, I was brought in after the band was formed, all they needed was a vocalist. So I beat out 16 other entrants and just kind of kept my mouth shut for a bit, I didn't want to be the traditional arrogant prick vocalist. So about a year passes, and I think to myself, "Ok, things are cool now" and start trying to interject ideas. Ignored, for a long while. So basically things came to a head, and I told the drummer, who was the actual ringleader, what I thought of him, alot, and it wasn't exactly nice.
Few days later got a phone call ...

 

[deecon13]

your going to look bad anyway you look at this...i had the same thing happen to me...you can take it to the courts..but who has the money for that shit...you can kick many a ass..only to deal with more courts...everyone told me i was fucked...i posted a lot blogs on myspace and shit like that explaining the whole thing...hoping folks would see the assholes for what they are...it sucks ass when you spend time,money(money you don't have for recording and equipment,ect) and your soul on something you love and believe in..only to have this kind of shit to transpire...i feel for you bro.