Anthrax frontman Joey Belladonna spoke about the band firing him several times after finally rejoining 13 years ago.
During a new interview with Chuck Shute, he clarified whether or not what he had with his bandmates was only a business relationship. Regarding his initial split with the band, he referred to it as ‘rotten’ and explained:
“Yeah, it just seems rotten. I don’t know what to say. Every time I say something like that, it’s always this bitter, bitter vibe, but it’s the truth, you know what I mean? What else am I supposed to say? I mean, is there a better story? I wish I had one. I don’t.”
Is Anthrax Now a Business Band?
The rocker was asked if his relationship with the members is only related to work, which he clarified is not. He also noted that a band should carry one another, and though everyone has different individualities, they should help each other without thinking ‘it’s all you got.’ Well, in his words, the band is succeeding in doing so. He explained in the same interview:
“But we are a band that’s tight, and it works great. And why not? Find a way. Figure it out. Try to do something that’s gonna be long-lasting and enjoy what you have and understand that this is a great situation to be in where you’ve got four out of five people that are really capable of doing everything they can do musically and live. It’s quite good. I mean, even the new [Anthrax] stuff [we are working on right now], without even really describing it, it’s as good as it gets. It really is.”
Why Belladonna Was Fired
Belladonna, who officially rejoined Anthrax in May 2010, initially served as the band’s lead vocalist from 1984 to 1992. He was a member of Anthrax’s original thrash metal lineup alongside guitarists Dan Spitz and Scott Ian, bassist Frank Bello, and drummer Charlie Benante. This classic lineup reunited and embarked on a tour in 2005 and 2006.
The singer was fired from Anthrax twice for what the band referred to as ‘creative differences.’ Some people thought he quit in the first place, but apparently, he did not because he would not ‘have the heart’ to do so.
The rocker also noted that he was having a hard time walking in the members’ presence in the room because they feel a certain way that he does not.
13 years in, and Belladonna is still in the band and even working on new music.
You can watch the recent interview below.
