Larry Jacobson wrote into LA Weekly’s West Coast Sound to speak a little about the departure of Mike Portnoy and the cancellation of Avenged Sevenfold’s appearance at Soundwave.
[UPDATE: 12/17/10: A7X's manager Larry Jacobson wrote to West Coast Sound denying any correlation between Mike Portnoy's departure and the Australian tour's cancellation:]
Larry Jacobson writes:
“The plan had always been for Mike Portnoy to play with the band through 2010. Nothing changed there but it was confusing b/c Mike gave interviews suggesting he may be touring with the band beyond 2010. There will be another drummer behind the kit for the band’s Nightmare After Christmas Tour as well as for the many other dates around the world that are underway into 2011 and beyond. As for Australia, the timing is completely unrelated. If you’ve read any of the juvenile and public attacks by the promoter, you can probably figure out why the band had legitimate doubts they could work with him to be able to put on the professional show their fans expect. They’re not in Australia every day so each tour needs to be the best the band has to offer.”
Thanks to Markus for sending this in.
55 Comments so far
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I can’t believe AJ actually said A7X’s nonsense… that’s so disrespectfull..
Comment by Nickie December 19, 2010 @ 9:09 amHey where did you saw that?
Comment by V4nn4ly December 19, 2010 @ 11:22 amSoundwave’s Promoter Twitter.
Comment by Nickie December 19, 2010 @ 4:13 pmDude dont believe in anything that this AJ guy says, he has a huge list of direspecting bands all over his freakin festival
Also those guys at blabbermouth are a bunch of close minded twats.
Comment by gabriel December 19, 2010 @ 12:09 pmOf course, because every user on Blabbermouth is a snobby metal etilist asswipe…
Comment by Alyssa December 19, 2010 @ 1:24 pmlol what a point
Comment by gabriel December 19, 2010 @ 1:30 pmAmen.
Comment by Tanner December 19, 2010 @ 3:54 pmSO TRUE.
Comment by Nickie December 19, 2010 @ 4:13 pmAJ has always been like that!
He’s done this every year to at least one band!
Like, he kicked Closure in Moscow off the tour the day before it started!!
I really do wish we had another person!!
Comment by Lauren December 19, 2010 @ 4:11 pmI saw that article…some of the things AJ did and said to that band are appalling…
Comment by Marlz December 20, 2010 @ 5:30 amI just hope that they eventually find a permanent drummer. I understand that it’s hard to find someone to replace a person who was so important to you permanently, but not having a solid new member will cause stress to both the band and the fans.
Comment by Lily December 19, 2010 @ 9:56 ameveryone from both parties just needs to shut the fuck up because its just adding more fuel to the fire.
Comment by austins December 19, 2010 @ 10:37 amactually it’s the fans who think they know whats best for the band that are adding fuel to the fire. they should be the ones shutting up. the band knows whats best for them, theyre entitled to do as they please. mp and a7x have said their peace, now the fans need to take it and deal with it.
Comment by jon December 19, 2010 @ 10:41 amI agree, the fans who act like they know what is best for the band and the ones that are going “BOO HOO, they should have kept Mike, what a stupid decision to let him go!!” are the ones who are adding the fuel to the fire. It annoys me, because why can’t they just accept what A7X does? Last time I checked, it was the A7X crew (including Matt, Syn, Zacky, and Johnny) that was in charge of everything, not the fans. If they wanted to move on without Mike, and cancel their Soundwave dates, then so be it. we all should just stand behind their choices, I think they know what they are doing.
-done with ranting now-
Comment by Alyssa December 19, 2010 @ 10:53 amI completely agree. I think any true fan would realize that the band knows what’s best for themselves, and should stand behind any decision the band makes, if not out of anything but respect.
Comment by Rachel December 19, 2010 @ 10:59 amAgree with you!
Comment by V4nn4ly December 19, 2010 @ 11:04 amJust because some one’s a fan of the band doesn’t means
Comment by Alexis December 19, 2010 @ 7:32 pmThat he/she should just agree with the band. Fuck man they had mike portnoy and what I read from mike it sounds like he wanted to continue, throwing him out for such a dumb ass reason sounds stupid to me, and about the show thing,
If you have a show planned and it is possible to play it, no matter how annoyed you are with the organization, you play the damn show!
Well, they didn’t like Mike Portnoy. That’s it. They didn’t want him to be part of their music.
Comment by Loghen December 19, 2010 @ 7:55 pmHe would take over everything and would play drums like he wanted to, and it isn’t their style.
What part of that is so hard to understand?
You just don’t get it. They had their reasons for letting Mike go, and it wasn’t because he was too “press happy”. And he wouldn’t have been a good fit anyways, no matter how godly his drumming is. Whether we like it or not, Mike is a control freak. He pretty much did almost everything in DT. Now, do you really think that the guys in A7X would be good with that? I don’t think so. If Mike joined A7X, he probably wouldn’t change his ways at all. Also, Mike was copying Jimmys drumming style; he isn’t going to drum like that for the rest of his career. And I know I will get heat for this, bit he is a bit of a whiner. Don’t get me wrong, I have shitloads of respect for the guy, and I always will. But he wouldn’t have been a good fit in the big picture, and for fucks sake, what is so hard to understand about that? With the Soundwave dates, there was a big confusion, and the festival organizer AJ seems like a half-assed fool that would rather bitch and vent about problems with a band on twitter than just shutting the fuck up. Oh, and they didn’t “throw him out” and leave him in the cold. It pisses me off when people are putting it that way, because Mike was never “kicked out”.
Comment by Alyssa December 19, 2010 @ 8:36 pmThey were annoyed at one particular promoter who has apparently badmouthed other bands as well, and has a reputation for being a jerk and lying about things.
Comment by Marlz December 20, 2010 @ 5:30 amMaybe now fans will realise that this was the plan a long, with the help of Larry clearing things up. But hey, he shouldn’t have to. We should be united with Avenged in this, they know what they are doing I’m sure and we shouldn’t be questioning their actions. As much as I love them, I wouldn’t say what’s best for them or say that they should have kept Mike – it is not my place to say, nor is it any of ours. It is about how THEY feel. Would it be any benefit to us if they carried on UNHAPPY because we pushed them into something they didn’t want to do, but thought they had to? Personally, I’m happy for Mike and I wish him all the best for 2011 – he deserves a rest after all that he has done for us. I am excited about the guys finding, possibly, what will be their permanant drummer because that means they are moving on. Of course, I was in the same boat as you all, I hoped Mike would become the drummer, but imagine how much that would be to ask of him? He doesn’t normally play drums like that, so it would be unfair to ask him to. I’m glad I welcomed him to the family, and in my eyes he (and Jimmy) will ALWAYS be a part of it. Now it’s time to welcome a new face. How ever long it takes for them to settle and feel happy with that person, I am right behind them. I respect them and their decisions. Us fans need to have their backs.
Comment by Sami December 19, 2010 @ 11:24 amWhere’s the like button on this post? ;)
Comment by Gabby7x December 19, 2010 @ 12:15 pmis it just me or does it sounds like they already have an idea of who they want their drummer to be
Comment by deen December 19, 2010 @ 11:29 amI agree. They definitely do. Portnoy wouldn’t have stepped away if they didn’t, I believe.
Comment by Josh December 19, 2010 @ 12:15 pmFrom their statement:
“These friends have introduced us to several amazing drummers. We have decided to take one of them out starting in January. He will not be a member of a7x. He will be someone you and we are getting to know. Perhaps this drummer will be a fit. Perhaps not. One thing is for sure. Over time we will find someone who helps us continue our quest to make the music we love for the fans we love.”
Comment by Kat December 19, 2010 @ 1:17 pmIndeed, its exactly what larry said the guys only agreed with portnoy until the end of 2010 people need to stop acting like its a shock he left, if mike ever implied that he was going to continue to tour with them then thats on him but this needs to be put to rest already mike served his time and im thankful for that now we just gotta roll with the punches i guess and stand behind avenged. Thats what’s important here.
Comment by GraceyP December 19, 2010 @ 11:34 amI just want to know who the drummer is already. I’m tired of hearing everyone cry about Mike. Mike was never a member of A7X but a lot of people are acting as if he was. It’s getting annoying really. Shadows is right, if Mike joined he wouldn’t fit. Everyone would see it as Avenged w/Portnoy and not Avenged Sevenfold and just Avenged Sevenfold. Supporting A7X no matter what they do.
-Josh
Comment by Josh December 19, 2010 @ 12:13 pmI support the band no matter what and everyone has to stop thinking they know what’s best for A7X …if they have plans for the future hardcore fans need to except that and I know they will because I do…as long as they realize amazing music and they are happy all fans should respect that and be happy for them.
Comment by EmilyA7X December 19, 2010 @ 12:16 pmMhm … I’m sorry to see those half-coocked statements from A7X management. Forget Portnoy, it really has nothing to do with it (btw. he is allready in Nashville recording with Neal Morse … bye bye).
Comment by EnchantedW. December 19, 2010 @ 2:42 pmBut when A7X states they can’t give the fans proper experience without pyro … ups! Why, for heavens sake?! And they are the only pro band that complains about promotor of the festival … ain’t Maiden pro?!!!
Really sad too see such management mistakes, they simply f*** up :(
-_-’….
I officially give up trying to tell people that A7X can do whatever the hell they want…
Comment by Alyssa December 19, 2010 @ 3:03 pmYou’d be pissed off if they wasted a 175 dollar ticket that is impossible to get a refund on too.
Comment by Luy December 19, 2010 @ 3:57 pmYes, I would be, but I wouldn’t go around saying that the management “fucked up” and whatnot.
Comment by Alyssa December 19, 2010 @ 4:08 pmActually, I’m not! I’m pretty excited that they’re coming back for their own headlining tour.
Soundwave is horrible to see bands at.. Been there every year and it’s about 20x hotter than it should be to see a band. And it super hard to get a decent spot unless you stand at the same stage all day, or you like pushing past people and getting into fights.
Comment by Lauren December 19, 2010 @ 4:14 pmI’d much prefer to see the band at their own concert. I earn and save money especially for the bands I enjoy the most be it to buy their music or to see them live. It was only because I didn’t know if they’d stay together as a band that I even bothered to purchase the SW tickets, because who was to know what would happen after that.
Comment by Marlz December 20, 2010 @ 5:27 amWell. If they agreed to do the festival; do the festival. They shouldve checked into the pyro thing before they told everybody they were performing there. Just my 2 cents…
Comment by Tanner December 19, 2010 @ 4:00 pmYou don’t get it. AJ was the problem here. If he weren’t such a jerk, I’m sure they would’ve tried to work something out.
Comment by Marlz December 19, 2010 @ 7:26 pmDear people, of course they can and they will.
Comment by EnchantedW December 20, 2010 @ 1:23 amAll I’m trying to say is that they made excellent record, success tour and I’d like more for them not to be subject of discussing the way they’re now. Statments caused it … people are people, you can’t expect everyone to just shut up. Everyone can only be more careful with words.
When is the first tour date that we get to see this new drummer in action?
Comment by Zzz December 19, 2010 @ 3:20 pmJan 20th.
Comment by deathbatnews December 19, 2010 @ 3:39 pmits Jan 20, bur we will more than likely know who it is at least a week before
Comment by a7xfreakdrummer December 20, 2010 @ 9:56 amIf you ask its a combanation of the fans and media. Interviews they are gonna get asked what happned and the media will blow it out of praportion. And the fans need to quite the bitching and let the band do what they want. Half the problem is fans get to in love with the band i swaer avenged fans Ill say are some of the most hard headed fans of them all. not all avenged fans but majority.
Comment by joe7x December 19, 2010 @ 3:47 pm[...] Larry Jacobson Writes In To LA Weekly’s West Coast Sound Regarding Portnoy And Soundwave. Larry Jacobson wrote into LA Weekly’s West Coast Sound to speak a little about the departure of Mike Portnoy and the [...] [...]
Pingback by Top Posts — WordPress.com December 19, 2010 @ 4:10 pm@Enchanted W A7X arent the only band to have been on the recieving end of AJs rubbish. He is a grade A jerk. Its not Soundwave they have a problem with its AJ and i am sure Maiden has no problem with AJ because he is probably sucking up to them bigtime.
Comment by marly December 19, 2010 @ 4:13 pmIm happy at the effort they are making to make it awesome for us “Down Under”
So what that they cancelled, look at the effort they are putting in to give us a full show. And Larry is a bloody legend! Fuck AJ, this guy thinks he is above the bands, he has a terrible history of this kind of shit.
I am excited tho… Avenged Sevenfold headline tour Australia 2010! FUCK YEAH!
Catch you on the flipside Mr Portnoy!
=]
Comment by Ryan'O December 19, 2010 @ 4:32 pmThis is precisely the reason why A7X steers clear of press-related shit.
Comment by farh December 19, 2010 @ 4:39 pmYep everyone’s blowing it out if proportion….over on metal hammer and even in their recent podcast they were making it out that avenged weren’t performing because of this iron maiden timing clash or whatever, and it wasn’t even the case…and what they all therefore concluded from that was tht avenged are acting too arrogant or ‘Axl Rose’ as Gil and Beez so poetically put it…..and it really pisses me off :/ because all these people are judging an amazing good hearted band on information that isn’t even true.
Comment by Angst December 20, 2010 @ 7:12 amI always liked Avenged because they didn’t have all this bullshit going on like some bands and they really just kept to themselves. But you just can’t do that any more, someone’s always got to try and start shit.
Comment by Dee V December 19, 2010 @ 6:14 pmAs for that “band that’s imploding” crap, life isn’t all rainbow shitting unicorns and prancing ponies, every band (and person) is giong to go through some rough patches. I’d say between dealing with the loss of their best friend, December 28th coming up in just a few days, and starting a tour fairly soon without (that we know of) a definite drummer, the band is doing pretty well. Me, I probably would have said “fuck it” and called it quits, I wouldn’t have put out an album and I wouldn’t have gone on tour. Not because I think it was the wrong thing to do, but because I just couldn’t do it, I’m too weak of a person. I applaud them for continuing on and doing as well as they have been.
Also, the people complaining about the decisions they’ve been making, putting out the album and touring without Jimmy couldn’t have been easy for them, and whatever decisions they make, they make because they feel it’s what is best for the band and themselves. Am I happy with everything they do all of the time? No. But that’s part of life. Besides, none of us knows what the hell is really going on, so we shouldn’t be throwing around accusations since we don’t know the whole story. It makes us look just as bad as the folks in the media.
With that said, I’m just gunna step off my soap box now…
ultra like
Comment by me December 19, 2010 @ 10:12 pmOh no, please, stay up there. Maybe people will start to listen.
“Like” this 7x
Comment by Harley Quinn December 20, 2010 @ 12:11 pmAmen brother. (or sister)
Comment by izacky December 20, 2010 @ 12:54 pmI am glad portney is gone, it was always going to be about him, he didn’t fit.The live shows he was always standing up showing off.
Comment by juice December 20, 2010 @ 1:26 amIt sucks they have cancelled soundwave, as we have tickets,and its a crap place to spend the day in scorching heat with no shade, and i feel for the aussie kids here who have spent alot on a ticket to see them. We don’t get many bands here, too far away! and then they only play 3 or 4 gigs, so poeple travel along way.
I am disapointed,( almost cried when i heard!) but looking forward to seeing them headline.
This must be a hard time of year for them, and i just wish them peace and respect.
Seriously dislike the first paragraph of this comment.
MP was great. Always standing up showing off? I think being himself and enjoying himself would be a more accurate description. If you have ever seen the guy really show off, you would see how much more toned down he is with a7x. Jimmy had his thing, he spun sticks like a madman.. that was his thing… mike stands up when he plays.. thats his thing.. Dont be a hater. The guy put his life on hold for an extra four months for us and the lads. MP is part of this family weather you like or not mate.
But the rest of your comment did have a point. Soundwave will be a scorcher.
foREVer.
Comment by Ryan'O December 20, 2010 @ 2:28 pmOh man, I can’t wait to see who’s going to be the drummer on January 20th! I think they’re gonna keep real quiet about this and have us all surprised when they come out on stage.
Comment by Anonymous December 20, 2010 @ 8:52 amI CAN’T WAIT FOR ANOTHER MONTH!!!Bring on January 20th!
i am not a hater, just glad they are ready to move on, if he fitted he would still be there wouldn’t he?
Comment by juice December 20, 2010 @ 7:28 pmperhaps i was not ready to see anyone other than jimmy there,(loved his stick swirls) and being so full on made it more obvious? didn’t mean to offend.didn’t come out as i meant it to!
As always on the net… Ive latched onto MP since The Rev moved on.. I always admired Mike for his talents but I do agree with you he might not fit… But the guy deserves credit for what he did… And I really dont think he was ever trying to steal the show..
Nightmare Down Under 2011!
Comment by Ryan'O December 20, 2010 @ 7:45 pm