Saigon Kick recently announced a new tour to mark the 30th anniversary of their third album, ‘Water.’ This news was met with controversy when former vocalist Matt Kramer shared his displeasure on social media by blasting band members Jason Bieler and Phil Varone. He wrote on Facebook:
“My inbox is getting flooded congratulating me about the new Saigon Kick tour. This tour is not including me, it’s the 30 year anniversary of Jason, funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars of my personal publishing money that was demanded I not touch into the band so he could squeeze me out of the band after I sang a top 12 pop hit launching the band’s gigantic hit. Then meticulously left me absolutely pennyless and confiscated all of my gear so I couldn’t even do writing sessions for a new project.”
1993’s ‘Water’ was the first Saigon Kick album to feature Bieler as the lead vocalist following Kramer’s departure due to disagreements over financial and creative matters. That’s why the singer’s following words read:
“Immediately following to go on to record the ‘Water’ record and steal my vocal style, mimicking me trying to pass it off as if I never left the band with the vocal sound I created for Saigon Kick. First, he stole all of my money, then he stole my job, and the fact that he sings exactly like me is the ultimate robbery and a perfect example of why being a thief and absolute backstabbing maniac makes you win in the music business.”
The Guitarist’s Response Wasn’t Late
The dispute grew when Bieler responded to Kramer’s post a few days later. The guitarist didn’t openly name his ex-bandmate in his Facebook post but implied his claims were untrue. He shared:
“Maybe it’s a new Marvel character called ‘Super Victim…’ I know we are all looking forward to that on the big screen. I hear the plot is about a guy who, no matter what happens or is shown to them, regardless of any facts, accepts no responsibility for anything in their own life or career… and somehow, even though they claim to be the most talented person in the room… never actually achieve anything of note in 35 years.”
With a touch of sarcasm, the artist went on:
“Even though they are ignored by nearly everyone, and no one with first-hand knowledge ever says anything publicly to back them up, does our hero stop? Hell to the no… You have to admire someone banging their head on a wall for 35 years… and blaming the wall. I’m hoping he’s played by Daniel Day-Lewis… or Joaquin Phoenix… it will be their most challenging role… to show no action, no achievements, no accomplishments, not one single bit of forward momentum… just an ever-present pouty ‘pre-cry’ lower lip… I mean, how do you emote nothingness and have it translate to the big screen?”
Varone Supported Bieler’s Statements
Recently, joining the discussion, Phil Varone shared his thoughts in an open letter along with a press clipping from 2007, showing Kramer explain his departure by saying Saigon Kick wanted to turn him into ‘Bryan Adams, and I couldn’t do it.’ About his views on the band’s ex-vocalist, the drummer revealed:
“There is nothing more pathetic than telling lie after lie on social media platforms with zero proof or zero facts. All in the quest to find a few people to believe your narrative so you don’t have to answer why you failed at life.”
Calling Kramer ‘mentally ill,’ he added:
“After listening to, and reading said Gibberish by Matt Kramer, for what seems like years (In my defense, I was bored after the first few posts), has only proven that his mental illness is getting the best of him. A once brilliant songwriter, singer, and frontman is now just a liar, and a coward and a failure. He will never pick up the phone to discuss this like a man. He will never admit he is wrong and apologize for his attempt to sabotage Saigon Kick, all because of a vendetta he creates in his mind. A very cloudy mind with a very selective memory.”
You can check out Varone’s full letter in the tweet below.
DRUMMER PHIL VARONE pens open letter to former SAIGON KICK singer Matt Kramer and includes press clipping from 2007 (see below ⤵️) :
AN OPEN LETTER TO MATT KRAMER
As a 56-year-old man, I'd like to think that I've become wiser in my old age. Becoming wiser means that you look… pic.twitter.com/8EPb1buNnO
— Mitch Lafon (@mitchlafon) January 13, 2024
