Ex-Black Dahlia Murder guitarist John Kempainen, photo by Jon Wiederhorn
Touring in a rock band just ain’t what it used to be. With zoning restrictions at play and real estate prices through the roof, it’s getting harder to get gigs at decent places, show attendance and merch sales have dropped with the nosediving economy, the dawn of filesharing has rendered album royalties nonexistent, and now many labels want a cut of touring and merch profits, meaning bands have to tour all year long just to pay the rent at apartments and homes they’re hardy at. No wonder a growing number of musicians are throwing in the towel.
On November 29, The Black Dahlia Murder lost guitarist John Kempainen, who had been with the group since 2002 and appeared on the band’s debut full-length, 2003’s Unhallowed. Apparently, Kempainen quit on the eve of a tour launch with Misery Index and Soilent Green and the band has carried on as a four-piece. According to the band’s label, Kempainen was tired of being on tour for ten months out of the year and wanted to spend more time with his friends and family.
“We are left with no choice but to carry on with the dates as a four piece,” frontman Trevor Strnad said in a statement. “The remaining members of the band apologize for these unprofessional circumstances, but we feel that it is best to go through with the tour and not disappoint the other bands as well as the fans who are looking forward to these shows. Please come out and show some Black Dahlia love in our hour of need.”
Another recent casualty of metal is Torche guitarist Juan Montoya, who may be more of a casualty of a bad personality than bad times. “Juan is no longer playing with us due to lots of personal reasons,” wrote a band member on a message board post. “We’ll be a three-piece for a while.”
Torche may not look for another guitartist, but they’re probably have to find another artist since Montoya drew the cover of their excellent 2008 album Meanderthal.
Elsewhere, illness is rampant, causing bands to drop off major tours. Hate Eternal have dropped off the road with Job For a Cowboy because frontman Erik Rutan has suffered a hand infection that has caused complications in his kidney. Rutan entered an Iowa City hospital on November 23 and is currently under a doctor’s care at the facility. While he will not be able to tour, he is expected to be released some time this week and continue treatment at home in Florida. Doctors expect a full recovery.
And finally, All That Remains have dropped off the In Flames tour (which also features Gojira and 36 Crazyfists) because of frontman Phil Labonte’s continuing throat trouble. “After canceling several shows this past week due to singer Phil Labonte’s throat issues.
“We’ll figure some way out to make it up to you guys,” said the band in a statement. How about having Gojira play for twice as long? That would pretty much do it for us.
