why did anthrax get the old singer back
Discussion
Short answer - Scott Ian is a cock.
See here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthrax_(band)#Among_...
for this:
Among The Living reunion (2005–2007)On April 1, 2005, the band announced that the "classic" lineup of Scott Ian, Charlie Benante, Dan Spitz, Joey Belladonna, and Frank Bello would be reforming. On some dates of the resultant tour, they performed Among the Living in its entirety for the first time. At the conclusion of the tour, it was expected the reformed line-up would begin a new album, but on January 24, 2007, Scott Ian posted a message to Blabbermouth.net,[9]
Finally, we're going back to work. We're going to Chicago to work our asses off and write a record. [...] One problem... no singer. We were offered a direct support slot on a major tour this spring and Joey [Belladonna] decided he did not want to move forward. The reunion is over. We tried to make it work but I guess that's the problem, you can't 'make' something work. [...] My curiosity was piqued by the idea of what Anthrax would sound like now with Joey singing. Over the last few months we've discussed this endlessly to no avail. The problems that were there could not be fixed no matter how hard we tried and in the end Joey made the decision.
Following that announcement, speculation was cast over whether John Bush would return. Bush had stated on February 7 that he was not ready to commit to Anthrax again.[10] In May 2007, Scott Ian said that the announcement of who will be singing for Anthrax would be made at the end of June, though the actual announcement did not come until December.
In June 2007, Bush was interviewed by Rock Hard about being asked to return to Anthrax, and whether or not he was bitter about the reunion. He replied:
"No. Bitter is not the way I wanna be about anything. I'm not bitter at all. There was probably not a perfect way to do that, what they did. It was like, how are they gonna say...? I mean, they asked me to do it—the tour with Joey—and it just wasn't right for me, I couldn't do it. So, whatever...if they felt they had to do that, I understand. It wasn't like I was going, 'Yeah, do it. That's great.' But once it happened, I was like, 'okay.' It was like a book ended. It's okay. I mean, it's much better to look at it that way than to be angry or frustrated, 'cause I really don't feel that way."
When asked if he was approached to rejoin the band once Belladonna left the group, Bush said,
"I was asked to write, and it just wasn't right for me. I couldn't go back and say, 'Here I am...' It would be like coming in with my tail between my legs, and that's not right for me. I just couldn't do that. It just didn't feel right to do that. It was about soul, your gut. How does that feel? Does it feel right? Good enough. Sold. Answer."
[edit] Dan Nelson era (2007–2009)
Anthrax at the 2009 INmusic festivalOn December 10, 2007, it was announced the band's new vocalist would be Dan Nelson, formerly of Devilsize.[11] Around the same time, it was confirmed that Rob Caggiano would return as lead guitarist.
On May 28, 2008 Anthrax played their first show in 19 months at The Double Door in Chicago. Appearing for the first time with Nelson, the band played new material which was well received by the sold-out crowd despite some equipment problems. Anthrax then played in South Korea for the first time on August 17, 2008.
In his monthly Food Coma column,[12] which was posted on December 22, 2008, Anthrax's Scott Ian revealed that he'd "been in the studio working on the new Anthrax album since November 4." Ian went on to say that drums, bass and rhythm had been laid down on a total of 19 tracks, and that the process of laying down vocals had begun. "We should be mixing at the end of January and soon after that giving birth to a really pissed off, loud, fast and heavy child."[12] In a subsequent May 2009 Food Coma column,[13] Scott announced that the album was being mixed by Dave Fortman whose previous credits include both of Evanescence's multi-platinum selling albums and Slipknot's album All Hope Is Gone. In a post to the Anthrax website, Charlie Benante stated that "Worship Music should be out in May".[14]
On Saturday March 7, 2009 Anthrax played Bogota, Colombia for the first time in their career, opening for Iron Maiden. Then, on July 21, 2009 manager Izvor Zivkovic confirmed the departure of Dan Nelson, due to illness. Nelson has since denied this, saying:
"I was never seriously ill or sick at all, as reported in Anthrax’s July 17, 2009 press release. This extremely inflammatory statement hurt me tremendously. This statement misled fans, friends and family members into believing that I was seriously ill when I was not. I was not aware such a statement was being issued and it came as a total shock to me, as I’m sure it did to all of you. It was the other band members’ decision to cancel the tour dates, not mine. I was ready, willing and able to do my job. After issuing the press release the other band members decided, on their own accord, that I had 'resigned' from the band. I never resigned from the band.".[15]
[edit] Reunion with John Bush (2009–2010)
Anthrax performing in August 2009 at Knebworth, England.All following performances were canceled, except the UK Sonisphere Festival in August 2009, with John Bush performing vocals. Due to the overwhelming fan response following his performance, a 'Bring Back Bush' campaign was set up and subsequently endorsed by Scott Ian.[16]
On September 3, 2009, it was announced that John Bush would be yet again singing with Anthrax at the Loud Park '09 Festival in Japan on October 17.[17]
Anthrax with John Bush also took part in the February 2010, 5-show touring Soundwave 2010 festival in Australia. Soon after, Benante said that the band is "in the process of regrouping with [Bush]. We played two shows with him, and we are looking forward to proceeding with this lineup."[18]
In late 2009, Anthrax confirmed a "Big 4" event (with Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer) as part of the 2010 Sonisphere festival. This was the first time that all four 'Big 4 of thrash metal' bands played together.[19]
In an interview with metalsucks.com John Bush said,
"we just did these shows in Australia that were really fun. They were for the Soundwave Festival, and they were great. I had committed to doing these shows to these four shows in June as well as more festivals in August. As of now we’re trying to figure out a way to see if we can re-record some of the songs that the band had already recorded [for Worship Music]. We’re just trying to iron out some of the legalities on it. That’s where we are at today."
When asked if he would be re-recording some of Dan Nelson’s vocals he stated
"That is what they want to do, and it’s been a conflict for me, to be quite frank, simply because I kind of felt like I wasn’t part of the creation of it. On all the other Anthrax records, I was part of it when it happened. I just wasn’t involved in this, and it’s something that they’ve already actually completed. I haven’t disregarded it completely, and I know it’s important to them. I realize they made this record and they’re kind of sitting on it. They want to put some of it out, if not everything… at least a single, and we’ve talked about [releasing] an EP. We’re still trying to figure out if we can do that, especially in conjunction with these shows in June. We’ve just got to kind of iron out some specifics. That’s where we’re at today, March 15, 2010."
Bush ultimately decided that he did not want to commit to the band full time, and was again out of Anthrax by early 2010.
[edit] Reunion with Joey Belladonna and Release of Worship Music (2010–2013)In early 2010 Joey Belladonna returned to Anthrax for shows in the summer of 2010 as well as committing to the band for Worship Music.[20]
Anthrax, along with Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth performed on the same bill for the first time on June 16, 2010 at Bemowo Airport in Warsaw, Poland. It was the first date of that summer's Sonisphere Festival series. The show in Sofia, Bulgaria on June 22, 2010, was sent via satellite in HD to cinemas and later released on DVD and Blu-ray.[21] They also went on to play in Jonschwil, Switzerland (June 18, 2010), Milovice (Nymburk District), Czech Republic (June 19, 2010), Athens, Greece (June 24, 2010), Bucharest, Romania (June 26, 2010) and then in Istanbul, Turkey (June 27, 2010), Stockholm, Sweden (August 7, 2010), and last in Pori, Finland (August 8, 2010) also as part of the Sonisphere Festival.
On June 24, 2011 Anthrax released the song "Fight 'Em 'Til You Can't" from the upcoming album on their website. It was released as a free download as a way to thank their fans for their loyalty in waiting several years for Worship Music. The album was subsequently released on September 13.[22][23][24] On April 30, 2011, Anthrax headlined in the Philippines for the first time in the annual Pulp Summer Slam along with Death Angel, Hellyeah and UAE's heavy metal band Nervecell. Anthrax was confirmed in January 2012 to be headlining the Jägermeister side stage at Mayhem Festival 2012, which is co-headlined by Slayer and Slipknot.
See here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthrax_(band)#Among_...
for this:
Among The Living reunion (2005–2007)On April 1, 2005, the band announced that the "classic" lineup of Scott Ian, Charlie Benante, Dan Spitz, Joey Belladonna, and Frank Bello would be reforming. On some dates of the resultant tour, they performed Among the Living in its entirety for the first time. At the conclusion of the tour, it was expected the reformed line-up would begin a new album, but on January 24, 2007, Scott Ian posted a message to Blabbermouth.net,[9]
Finally, we're going back to work. We're going to Chicago to work our asses off and write a record. [...] One problem... no singer. We were offered a direct support slot on a major tour this spring and Joey [Belladonna] decided he did not want to move forward. The reunion is over. We tried to make it work but I guess that's the problem, you can't 'make' something work. [...] My curiosity was piqued by the idea of what Anthrax would sound like now with Joey singing. Over the last few months we've discussed this endlessly to no avail. The problems that were there could not be fixed no matter how hard we tried and in the end Joey made the decision.
Following that announcement, speculation was cast over whether John Bush would return. Bush had stated on February 7 that he was not ready to commit to Anthrax again.[10] In May 2007, Scott Ian said that the announcement of who will be singing for Anthrax would be made at the end of June, though the actual announcement did not come until December.
In June 2007, Bush was interviewed by Rock Hard about being asked to return to Anthrax, and whether or not he was bitter about the reunion. He replied:
"No. Bitter is not the way I wanna be about anything. I'm not bitter at all. There was probably not a perfect way to do that, what they did. It was like, how are they gonna say...? I mean, they asked me to do it—the tour with Joey—and it just wasn't right for me, I couldn't do it. So, whatever...if they felt they had to do that, I understand. It wasn't like I was going, 'Yeah, do it. That's great.' But once it happened, I was like, 'okay.' It was like a book ended. It's okay. I mean, it's much better to look at it that way than to be angry or frustrated, 'cause I really don't feel that way."
When asked if he was approached to rejoin the band once Belladonna left the group, Bush said,
"I was asked to write, and it just wasn't right for me. I couldn't go back and say, 'Here I am...' It would be like coming in with my tail between my legs, and that's not right for me. I just couldn't do that. It just didn't feel right to do that. It was about soul, your gut. How does that feel? Does it feel right? Good enough. Sold. Answer."
[edit] Dan Nelson era (2007–2009)
Anthrax at the 2009 INmusic festivalOn December 10, 2007, it was announced the band's new vocalist would be Dan Nelson, formerly of Devilsize.[11] Around the same time, it was confirmed that Rob Caggiano would return as lead guitarist.
On May 28, 2008 Anthrax played their first show in 19 months at The Double Door in Chicago. Appearing for the first time with Nelson, the band played new material which was well received by the sold-out crowd despite some equipment problems. Anthrax then played in South Korea for the first time on August 17, 2008.
In his monthly Food Coma column,[12] which was posted on December 22, 2008, Anthrax's Scott Ian revealed that he'd "been in the studio working on the new Anthrax album since November 4." Ian went on to say that drums, bass and rhythm had been laid down on a total of 19 tracks, and that the process of laying down vocals had begun. "We should be mixing at the end of January and soon after that giving birth to a really pissed off, loud, fast and heavy child."[12] In a subsequent May 2009 Food Coma column,[13] Scott announced that the album was being mixed by Dave Fortman whose previous credits include both of Evanescence's multi-platinum selling albums and Slipknot's album All Hope Is Gone. In a post to the Anthrax website, Charlie Benante stated that "Worship Music should be out in May".[14]
On Saturday March 7, 2009 Anthrax played Bogota, Colombia for the first time in their career, opening for Iron Maiden. Then, on July 21, 2009 manager Izvor Zivkovic confirmed the departure of Dan Nelson, due to illness. Nelson has since denied this, saying:
"I was never seriously ill or sick at all, as reported in Anthrax’s July 17, 2009 press release. This extremely inflammatory statement hurt me tremendously. This statement misled fans, friends and family members into believing that I was seriously ill when I was not. I was not aware such a statement was being issued and it came as a total shock to me, as I’m sure it did to all of you. It was the other band members’ decision to cancel the tour dates, not mine. I was ready, willing and able to do my job. After issuing the press release the other band members decided, on their own accord, that I had 'resigned' from the band. I never resigned from the band.".[15]
[edit] Reunion with John Bush (2009–2010)
Anthrax performing in August 2009 at Knebworth, England.All following performances were canceled, except the UK Sonisphere Festival in August 2009, with John Bush performing vocals. Due to the overwhelming fan response following his performance, a 'Bring Back Bush' campaign was set up and subsequently endorsed by Scott Ian.[16]
On September 3, 2009, it was announced that John Bush would be yet again singing with Anthrax at the Loud Park '09 Festival in Japan on October 17.[17]
Anthrax with John Bush also took part in the February 2010, 5-show touring Soundwave 2010 festival in Australia. Soon after, Benante said that the band is "in the process of regrouping with [Bush]. We played two shows with him, and we are looking forward to proceeding with this lineup."[18]
In late 2009, Anthrax confirmed a "Big 4" event (with Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer) as part of the 2010 Sonisphere festival. This was the first time that all four 'Big 4 of thrash metal' bands played together.[19]
In an interview with metalsucks.com John Bush said,
"we just did these shows in Australia that were really fun. They were for the Soundwave Festival, and they were great. I had committed to doing these shows to these four shows in June as well as more festivals in August. As of now we’re trying to figure out a way to see if we can re-record some of the songs that the band had already recorded [for Worship Music]. We’re just trying to iron out some of the legalities on it. That’s where we are at today."
When asked if he would be re-recording some of Dan Nelson’s vocals he stated
"That is what they want to do, and it’s been a conflict for me, to be quite frank, simply because I kind of felt like I wasn’t part of the creation of it. On all the other Anthrax records, I was part of it when it happened. I just wasn’t involved in this, and it’s something that they’ve already actually completed. I haven’t disregarded it completely, and I know it’s important to them. I realize they made this record and they’re kind of sitting on it. They want to put some of it out, if not everything… at least a single, and we’ve talked about [releasing] an EP. We’re still trying to figure out if we can do that, especially in conjunction with these shows in June. We’ve just got to kind of iron out some specifics. That’s where we’re at today, March 15, 2010."
Bush ultimately decided that he did not want to commit to the band full time, and was again out of Anthrax by early 2010.
[edit] Reunion with Joey Belladonna and Release of Worship Music (2010–2013)In early 2010 Joey Belladonna returned to Anthrax for shows in the summer of 2010 as well as committing to the band for Worship Music.[20]
Anthrax, along with Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth performed on the same bill for the first time on June 16, 2010 at Bemowo Airport in Warsaw, Poland. It was the first date of that summer's Sonisphere Festival series. The show in Sofia, Bulgaria on June 22, 2010, was sent via satellite in HD to cinemas and later released on DVD and Blu-ray.[21] They also went on to play in Jonschwil, Switzerland (June 18, 2010), Milovice (Nymburk District), Czech Republic (June 19, 2010), Athens, Greece (June 24, 2010), Bucharest, Romania (June 26, 2010) and then in Istanbul, Turkey (June 27, 2010), Stockholm, Sweden (August 7, 2010), and last in Pori, Finland (August 8, 2010) also as part of the Sonisphere Festival.
On June 24, 2011 Anthrax released the song "Fight 'Em 'Til You Can't" from the upcoming album on their website. It was released as a free download as a way to thank their fans for their loyalty in waiting several years for Worship Music. The album was subsequently released on September 13.[22][23][24] On April 30, 2011, Anthrax headlined in the Philippines for the first time in the annual Pulp Summer Slam along with Death Angel, Hellyeah and UAE's heavy metal band Nervecell. Anthrax was confirmed in January 2012 to be headlining the Jägermeister side stage at Mayhem Festival 2012, which is co-headlined by Slayer and Slipknot.
As much as I like Anthrax, they do seem to have spent the better part of the last 20 years being a tribute band to themselves. They tried to present themselves as still relevant with Dan Nelson (the Ripper Owens moment...), but I think ultimately realised there was more of a career to be had riding the nostalgia wave. As good as John Bush was, the Big Four thing was only ever going to work with Joey singing, as that's the era it plays to. People want Caught in a Mosh, I Am the Law and Antisocial. More interesting to me is Charlie Benante's continued absence.
I say all that as a long time fan as well. Not looking to slag them off over it, I just think it's the reality. You could argue it's why Bruce went back to Maiden in 1999. That hasn't hurt their career any!
I say all that as a long time fan as well. Not looking to slag them off over it, I just think it's the reality. You could argue it's why Bruce went back to Maiden in 1999. That hasn't hurt their career any!
I grew up with Anthrax and it seemed like a really s
tty thing to do to John, basically sidelining him so they could do a tour with the original line-up, then ask him back as if nothing had happened. I'd be a bit miffed tbh.
I saw them at Sonisphere when they'd got John back to fulfill the dates and the song "Only" never sounded more poignant. (He absolutely nailed that set compared to Joey the following year)
The stuff with JB, whilst good, always felt more like "Armoured Saint with new musicians" than "Anthrax with new singer".
tty thing to do to John, basically sidelining him so they could do a tour with the original line-up, then ask him back as if nothing had happened. I'd be a bit miffed tbh.I saw them at Sonisphere when they'd got John back to fulfill the dates and the song "Only" never sounded more poignant. (He absolutely nailed that set compared to Joey the following year)
The stuff with JB, whilst good, always felt more like "Armoured Saint with new musicians" than "Anthrax with new singer".
AnimalMkIV said:
I grew up with Anthrax and it seemed like a really stty thing to do to John, basically sidelining him so they could do a tour with the original line-up, then ask him back as if nothing had happened. I'd be a bit miffed tbh.
I saw them at Sonisphere when they'd got John back to fulfill the dates and the song "Only" never sounded more poignant. (He absolutely nailed that set compared to Joey the following year)
The stuff with JB, whilst good, always felt more like "Armoured Saint with new musicians" than "Anthrax with new singer".
Only, what a tracktty thing to do to John, basically sidelining him so they could do a tour with the original line-up, then ask him back as if nothing had happened. I'd be a bit miffed tbh.I saw them at Sonisphere when they'd got John back to fulfill the dates and the song "Only" never sounded more poignant. (He absolutely nailed that set compared to Joey the following year)
The stuff with JB, whilst good, always felt more like "Armoured Saint with new musicians" than "Anthrax with new singer".
hornet said:
As much as I like Anthrax, they do seem to have spent the better part of the last 20 years being a tribute band to themselves.
Less than that. 8 years or whatever. With Bush they were as relevant and brilliant as anything in metal, if you're talking "big 4" then they came across as the least-rockstary/image obsessed gimmickry, which is why the reform revival freak show & assoc squabbles was such a disappointment... meh, whatever. SOWN is a masterpiece and has always been one of my all time favourites.Annoyed as I got bunged free tix for sonisphere '09 and didn't go the day Bush played with 'em as I didn't know. Gah.
Anthrax supoprted Maiden in '89 iirc at the NEC and very nearly stole the night.
Maiden were off the back of no prayer - arguably their worst album and it was the first tour ex Adrian and with janick - water under the bridge now, of course but that maiden weren't great.
Persistence of Time and Spreading the Disease are superb albums - I still rock out to AIR, Medusa and Stand or Fall!!!!
mossssssssshhhhhhhh
Maiden were off the back of no prayer - arguably their worst album and it was the first tour ex Adrian and with janick - water under the bridge now, of course but that maiden weren't great.
Persistence of Time and Spreading the Disease are superb albums - I still rock out to AIR, Medusa and Stand or Fall!!!!
mossssssssshhhhhhhh
Nom de ploom said:
Anthrax supoprted Maiden in '89 iirc at the NEC and very nearly stole the night.
Maiden were off the back of no prayer - arguably their worst album and it was the first tour ex Adrian and with janick - water under the bridge now, of course but that maiden weren't great.
Persistence of Time and Spreading the Disease are superb albums - I still rock out to AIR, Medusa and Stand or Fall!!!!
mossssssssshhhhhhhh
Think that was 1990, as No Prayer wasn't out in 1989. Maiden did two nights at Wembley Arena in December '90 (17th & 18th). Only remember that as I saw them on the first night and have the bootlegs of both Maiden were off the back of no prayer - arguably their worst album and it was the first tour ex Adrian and with janick - water under the bridge now, of course but that maiden weren't great.
Persistence of Time and Spreading the Disease are superb albums - I still rock out to AIR, Medusa and Stand or Fall!!!!
mossssssssshhhhhhhh
Date pedantry aside, would agree Anthrax circa Persistence of Time were a proper force. They were certainly the least pretentious of the Big Four, but I wonder if that actually ended up holding them back? They always had that rather goofy image and I wonder if it made people take them less seriously? I'm less sold on the Bush era stuff if I'm being honest, as I'd moved to heavier stuff by the time that change happened. That said, We Have Come For You All was an absolute belter. Most recent one with Joey is more than decent, but I can't escape the feeling they're going for the nostalgia dollar these days. Nothing against them for it, as "the kids" are more likely to be listening to those bands who spend all their time jumping up and down in a derelict warehouse screaming a lot, but I can't help thinking the real reason for Joey going back was economic rather than musical.
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