I See Stars Ask Guitarist, Keyboardist to Leave Band

‘Tis the season for bands to be losing members. Hot on the heels of Paramore’s Jeremy Davis leaving the band he co-founded and all members of Emmure leaving their own group, another band has been added to that growing list. On Wednesday (Dec. 23), it was revealed that I See Stars had asked their screamer/keyboardist Zach Johnson and guitarist Jimmy Gregerson to leave the group . Taking to Instagram, both musicians confirmed the revelations.

According to Gregerson, the departure actually happened months ago but the reason behind the decision is still unknown. “I am no longer in I See Stars,” he posted. “I did not choose to leave, I was asked to leave. Why? I’m not really sure. I guess the rest of the guys felt they needed a change.” In a similar, short statement, Johnson mirrored Gregerson’s news. “I was let go months ago. I don’t know why.”

While both musicians admit that they don’t know what lies in the future for them, they do reveal that each has been keeping busy. “As for my future plans, they are up in the air right now,” Gregerson writes. “I have been bouncing around the country working for various bands. As of late, I have been working exclusively with Metro Station.”

Johnson, on the other hand, announced that he has been writing and is planning on putting together a new group very soon. Through the negative outcome, one thing is for sure, both Gregerson and Johnson admit that there is no bad blood between them and the remaining members of I See Stars. Both Instagram posts can be seen below.

A photo posted by ZACH JOHNSON (@zachyyyj) on Dec 22, 2015 at 4:22pm PST

I need to just clear the air since this continues to be awkward for me months after the fact and I just want it to be over with. I am no longer in I See Stars. I did not choose to leave, I was asked to leave. Why? I'm not really sure. I guess the rest of the guys felt they needed a change. I felt it was necessary to make this clear because as someone who was with I See Stars since day one I thought the fans deserved to know that I did not turn my back on them and walk away. I had every intention of riding I see stars out until the day it was done and I think 9 years of being in the band is proof of that. I have no bad blood and don't wish anything bad for those guys. We grew up together from a really young age and have been through some of the best times of my life together. they will always be considered my family no matter where they are in life and what the circumstance is. As for my future plans, they are up in the air right now. I have been bouncing around the country working for various bands. as of late i have been working exclusively with @metrostation. I have been lucky enough and extremely thankful to have people like @tracecyrus and @themasonmusso step in and kind of look after me as I make this transition. Thank you to everyone who was a fan and supported me while I was in I See Stars! You all will be missed! ❤❤❤ happy holidays!

A photo posted by Jimmy Gregerson (@jimmyjuiceboxx) on Dec 21, 2015 at 1:48pm PST

The news of Johnson and Gregerson’s “departure” comes a few days after I See Stars announced a co-headlining tour with Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! for 2016. The tour is scheduled to kick off on Feb. 17, 2016 at Soundstage in Baltimore and wrap up on March 25, 2016 at The Crofoot in Pontiac, MI. The complete list of tour dates can be seen below.

I SEE STARS/ CHUNK! NO, CAPTAIN CHUNK! 2016 TOUR DATES:

02/17 Baltimore, MD @ Soundstage
02/18 Richmond, VA @ Canal Club
02/19 Freehold, NJ @ Gamechanger World
02/20 Philadelphia, PA @ Voltage
02/21 New York, NY @ Gramercy Theatre
02/23 Hartford, CT @ Webster Underground
02/24 Worcester, MA @ The Palladium
02/25 Rochester, NY @ Water Street Music Hall
02/26 Pittsburgh, PA @ Altar Bar
02/27 Cleveland, OH @ Agora Ballroom
02/29 Chicago, IL @ Portage Theater
03/01 Indianapolis, IN @ Emerson Theater
03/02 Omaha, NE @ Sokol Underground
03/03 Minneapolis, MN @ Skyway Theatre
03/04 St. Louis, MO @ Fubar
03/05 Oklahoma City, OK @ 89th Street Collective
03/06 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater
03/08 Hollywood, CA @ The Whisky
03/09 Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction
03/10 Sacramento, CA @ The Boardwalk
03/11 Reno, NV @ Jub Jub’s
03/12 San Diego, CA @ Lampost Warehouse
03/13 Phoenix, AZ @ Pub Rock
03/18 Corpus Christi, TX @ House Of Rock
03/23 Kansas City, KS @ Aftershock
03/24 Iowa City, IA @ Gabe’s
03/25 Pontiac, MI @ The Crofoot

Slaves Issue Statement About Removal From Warped Tour

For anyone who attended the Vans Warped Tour during the past week, noticeably, there was a band missing from the line-up: Slaves.

The Jonny Craig-led group was quietly taken off the line-up and almost as fast as that hit the web, rumors began including the one in which the band was kicked off because they were caught selling drugs from their merchandise tent.

Turns out, the group was allegedly dismissed from the traveling rock show due to Craig harassing the band’s merchandise worker while drunk, which, reportedly, was in violation of their contract.

Instead of keeping the group on the tour, it was voted during the tour’s Town Hall Meeting that Craig and the rest of Slaves were to be removed from the remaining dates.

Slaves have now taken to the internet to issue a statement about their removal from Warped Tour.

“I’m going to keep this as short as i can, first i’m going to address the rumors that are NOT true.

There were NOT drugs involved nor was anyone in our band looking to buy, or sell drugs.

There was NO RAPE or any forceful sexual harassment, no woman was ever touched or even spoken to, just felt uncomfortable by our behavior.

We NEVER agreed to Warped Tour, Or to Colleen that we would not drink on this tour.

We did NOT empty our non existent sewage tank from our bus all over

Let me make it clear that we are not continuing Warped Tour because we were voted off because the opinions of certain people who believe that since Jonny drank, despite his success getting clean, will lead to his relapse.

This band has been under a microscope for everything we have done, we have had to bite our tongue for every completely twisted story that hits the internet, and are now being called rapists for something the internet doesn’t know about, all of this is because of what people have read about Jonny’s past instead of what people KNOW about who Jonny is.

We aren’t the people you have read about, if you would take the chance to get to know us you would see that every situation isn’t what you read of it online.

Our first merch person was a very attractive girl whom remains to be our very good friend. You can read her statement here: http://www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1sn3q90

We stood by jonnys side the last year, we stood by his side last night and we will stand by his side this morning. because we KNOW the truth.

This is all we are going to say about this situation.

cheers”

Set It Off Part Ways with Bassist Following Sexual Assault Allegations

UPDATE:

After several hours of quiet since he was publicly removed from Set It Off, Austin Kerr has finally responded with a statement of his own about the allegations against him.

“As of two days ago I became aware of some serious allegations against me. There are two sides of every story and then there’s the truth. Fact is, I’m a guy who hasn’t always considered the way people may perceive my actions and while never forceful, there’s situations where I’ve been too pushy in several matters. I am taking full responsibility for my actions and behavior. I am so sorry for the effects of my actions and I apologize to anyone who has ever been made to feel uncomfortable by me in any capacity. I promise you it was NEVER my intention and I never thought I was entitled to anything.

I will carry myself differently in every matter I’m a part of from this day on. Upon first hearing of these matters, I immediately stopped drinking anywhere near shows, and stopped doing anything that might make someone uncomfortable (i.e. hugging them, picking them up, etc.). I will continue for the rest of my life being fully observant of other people’s feelings. After talking with the band, we have all agreed that I should part ways as nothing in this this should be attached to them in any way. I got to live my dream for years. For all the times, lessons and memories, I am so grateful.

Unfortunately attached to these allegations are half stories, exaggerations and untruthful statements. Since the tumblr post was released I have been approached by multiple people by their own accord who were there and can varify that some statements made are fictional or have proof of their falsehoods.

The truth is I’ve made people feel uncomfortable and I’m sorry. I encourage everyone to read into things before they believe them or make judgements. In often cases a lack of proof means something.

Moving forward, I am actively working on improving and making better decisions so that I will never make anyone feel like this again.”

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It seems like with each passing day, more and more musicians are being accused of disorderly conduct when it comes to their underage fans.

We’re not sure if it’s because they like to use their “celebrity” label more, or if it has to do with presence of social media, or maybe the bands that we grew up with were a little more respectful when it came to their fans, but the truth is, things are getting out of control.

Today another band has found themselves in hot water due to a band member and their alleged misconduct with an underage fan, this time, in the United Kingdom.

According to the alleged victim/writer of a Tumblr blog post, there were several instances in which she encountered (now former) Set It Off bassist Austin Kerr which resulted in awkward interacts that made her uncomfortable. Instances, according to her, included Kerr making sexual innuendos, inappropriately touching not only her but her friends, and sending her (screen shots are included in the post) weird messages online.

Instead of letting these allegations hurt the Florida-based band, who are slated to begin the Vans Warped Tour in July, they quickly and swiftly took to their Facebook to release an official statement on the matter.

In the post, which can be seen below, they do not cite the blog as the reason behind Kerr’s removal, but they do make reference to it by saying that rumors were brought to their attention and that their number one priority is the safety of their fans.

While we’re not going to post the specifics from the blog here, we will give the link to it (seen here) for those interested in reading what reportedly happened to the writer.

Like out disclaimer every time a story like this comes out, we’re not going to take any sides, but we will keep this updated when new information about it becomes known.

As to what Set It Off are going to do now that they are down a member, we’re not sure. They have an upcoming tour stop this Friday (May 22) at the Bullingdon Club in Oxford, UK and have confirmed any and all upcoming shows will remain in full effect; no cancellations.

It’s also a good time to point out that Kerr has not made a statement about the accusations against him either. His last post on Twitter was from yesterday.