An Ex-Drummer's Diatribe
Not only is MySpace the best place to spread your band's music and good tidings, it's the go-to forum to air that dirty laundry. Last May, your favorite pop-punkers Good Charlotte ditched their drummer, Chris Wilson, posting this message to fans:
As many of you know, our drummer Chris Wilson has been on and off the road due to personal health problems. Unfortunately, his problems continue, and we have made a collective decision to have Chris stay around his friends and family and begin to truly rehabilitate... This has not been easy on any of us. We loved playing with Chris so much. We hope everyone will be respectful and understand the situation and pray that Chris gets better.And better he is. His spirits so restored, in fact, that he took to the internet to dish on his concerned compatriots. If you follow along closely, you'll find most of the phases of grief. Chris's message to Benji and Joel Madden, from his MySpace blog:
So I've kept my mouth shut for long enough. It has been roughly a year and a half since my departure from GC, and all I can say is "what the fuck?". What are you guys doing? How many times can I possibly get stabbed in the back? I know I fucked up, and I'm sincerely sorry for what I put you through. But why are you guys acting as if everything is ok? Why don't you start telling the kids about how I never made one cent off of any merch, cd's, dvd's, royalties(of songs I played on), publishing(songs I played on) or TV performances(in which I signed contracts stating exactly how much I was supposed to recieve). Where did it go? Why do you still blow me off and never return phone calls? Why have I been trying for a year to get my gear back(4 drum sets,wardrobe case,cymbals,etc.) with no assistance from you at all ... The world does not revolve around you two. You can't keep blowing me off. How many times can you honestly turn your head and act like I don't exist? This is exactly what I've been dealing with for years. The reason why I lost my mind, was because I joined a band with two of the most egotisical, self centered, back stabbing, corrupted individual's who are filled with broken promises.
You guys were my best friends and yet I wasn't good enough. The money just meant more to you. I don't mean this to be an attack, or that I'm talking shit. I'm just not going to keep quiet any more...And I'm not the only one you've promised the world to and failed to follow through. Looks like your starting a trend of false hopes. Why don't you explain to Over It why they aren't on the snakes on a plane soundtrack ... You know what is crazy? I live in a fucking van, you live in mansions! Where's the justification there? I was "in your band" for almost three years ...Billy and Paul, I love you guy's with all my heart and miss you so much it makes me sick. You were my best friends in the whole world. I don't know what to do anymore. I just can't hide my feeling about this and pretend everything is ok. Putting us in your top 24 or whatever, does not mean that everything is ok ... I worked really hard to get where I'm at, as did you. But your not better than me. I won't be ignored any longer. The music industry is fucked, and your the perfect example.Shock, denial, anger, depression. Psych 101 case study, anyone?
It does sound like he got fucked. And yet it also smacks of Fatal Attraction.
What's your favorite part? We're torn between "I don't mean this to be an attack" and "You know what is crazy? I live in a fucking van..."
Posted at 1:05 PM in Where's The Beef?
Tags: Good Charlotte
Good for him. Sounds like a breakthrough of sorts. If the other guys really cared for him, why havent they contacted or checked up on him during all this time.
Score = 0
I get to the end of this- ("YOUR not better than me", nice)- and all I hear is... "LIFESTYLES! OF THE RICH AN' THE FAAAAMOUS! THEY'RE ALWAYS COMPLAININ! ALWAYS COMPLAAAAAANUUUUNNN!". Which food group did this guy dress up as for that GC video? You know that Benji and Hillary D. sit around getting high all day making snarky comments about how untalented their siblings are.
Score = 0
The twins are too busy chasing Steve Aoki around.
Score = 0
WARDROBE CASE. Just amazing.
Score = 0
they're need's two bee remedeeal english classes' four evry re-tard taht get's cought posting the same damm grammer mistake's. Im sick of reading thing's ritten bye people that do'nt no the difference between your and you're and their and they're, or when something is plurel or posesive.
Score = 0
that drummer could write for gothamist.
Score = 0
Your so clever and ironic Matt'shu. Oops, I mean you're.
Score = 0
Where are the royalties? Um, probably going whoever actually wrote the music.
If he lives in a van, it's because he spent his money unwisely. Drugs, perhaps?
Score = 0
This is what happens when you play in a shitty band. Everything turns to shit.
Caveat emptor
Score = 0
What does he expect from the pop industry? A cuddle and a briefcase of hundred dollar bills?
And why is Stereogum blogging about Good Charlotte?
Score = 0
Why don't you explain to Over It why they aren't on the snakes on a plane soundtrack
Word!
Score = 0
"Why don't you explain to Over It why they aren't on the snakes on a plane soundtrack"
Priceless. It sounds like some HEAVY conspiracy kind of shit that I don't think we're ready for. WHY ARE YOU OPENING THIS CAN OF WORMS!
Score = 0
I'm using that when the inevitable first divorce rolls around. "That's it, honey. Go ahead. Explain to the children why Over It isn't on the SoaP soundtrack!"
Score = 0
what a fuckin crybaby, perhaps he should go to law school and sue their asses after graduation
Score = 0
Why don't they return his phone calls? Uh, maybe because he used to be the drummer for Good Charlotte? That band sucks.
Score = 0
Am I the only one who went to his profile and saw the FLAMING POT LEAF. Or maybe it was the display name "Johny Blaze". Benji and Joel don't like bongs on their bus, apparently.
Score = 0
Chris is a good friend of mine and I've known him for years. He "lives in a van" because he is currently drumming for the constantly-touring band The Summer Obsession. Poor grammar aside, he's a great guy - one of the nicest fellows around - and generally not crazy. I've spoken to him about this issue a few times and he's just really upset that he played in GC for 3 years and yet the GC twins apparently don't feel that should merit any monetary compensation. How would you feel if your picture was on a lunchbox at Hot Topic and you weren't making any money off of it? [smile]
Score = 0
I figure this is gods judgement for being a part of "good" charlotte. Sounds like he had it comin'. I'm really looking forward to what god is going to do to the rest of the band for their crimes against humanity.
Score = 0
The whole story is kind of suspect. If they owe him royalties.. why doesn't he get a lawyer? They can't ignore a subpoena.
Score = 0
they've all been too busy being so hardcore and hanging out with hilary duff.
Score = 0
that sucks! i actually liked good charlotte because of chris and i just found out that that was the reason why he left. bummer..
Score = 0
Not Fatal Attraction. This stemmed from hurt from massive betrayal.
Score = 0
Not Fatal Attraction. This stemmed from hurt from massive betrayal.
Score = 0