Megadeth are set to embark on a U.S. tour this fall, but the lineup of supporting bands has been cut short. Amon Amarth, Suicidal Tendencies, Metal Church and Havok were slated to serve as openers for the upcoming shows, but the latter have since been axed from the lineup, and they aren't too pleased about it.
In a statement [via Facebook] Havok frontman David Sanchez revealed that Megadeth's Dave Mustaine has chosen to remove them from the bill. And while things don't get straight-up nasty in the statement, blame is being put squarely on Mustaine and his management company.
Sanchez's full explanation reads:
It is with deep regret we are forced to inform fans of metal that we will not be on the upcoming Megadeth tour with Amon Amarth, Suicidal Tendencies, and Metal Church. We will also not be going to Mexico in August and early September as was planned.
We were really looking forward to these shows, but unfortunately, Mr. Mustaine has chosen to remove us from the lineup. The reasons for our absence are directly related to a contract negotiation insisted upon by Mustaine Management — a negotiation that has gone awry. We are authorized to say that we were offered an unacceptable management contract from Mustaine Management, which we declined.
While working with our lawyer to negotiate the terms of the contract, Mustaine Management threatened to kick us off of the Megadeth tour, Mustaine Management repeatedly failed to respond to phone calls and emails, and eventually told us (through their lawyer) that Mustaine Management is no longer working with Havok. We are only releasing this information to give fans an honest account of the reasons we are no longer on the tour.
We cannot disclose more details at this time (at our attorney's directive), but nonetheless, would like to thank Mustaine Management for the past opportunities that they brought to the table while working with us. We would also like to apologize to the fans that will not be able to see us this fall — we will sorely miss all of you. New tour dates will be announced soon and we look forward to getting back on the road to headbang with the best fans in the world.
UPDATE (8/22, 12:20 p.m. EDT): In response to the Havoc controversy, Dave Mustaine tweeted, "They didn't pay Justis [Mustaine] what he's owed, or sign the standard contract. I took care of 'em. Sad.... They had an industry standard contract, the same I have. Five months later, still wouldn't sign it, until they're dropped. What is there to debate? I gave them more cash, time, merch items, space, lights and sound than their contract said every night. Stupid me!"
In a statement, Justis Mustaine also added:
I worked with Havok for one year. Despite getting Havok paid, marketed and exposed in that time — bringing them a new merch deal, booking agent, and overseeing what has clearly been their biggest year yet — I was compensated poorly for my work. I finally put a contract in front of them, which would secure me 15% of income, the industry standard. They refused to agree, so I dropped them. I wish Havok all the best in their efforts to be a professional band, but as evidenced by today's gossip-mongering, they've still got a long way to go. Great music, great band!
The upcoming shows — now featuring just Megadeth, Amon Amarth, Suicidal Tendencies and Metal Church — are listed below.
Tour dates:
09/20 Casper, WY - Casper Events Center
09/22 Las Vegas, NV - The Joint - Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
09/27 Seattle, WA - WaMu Theater
09/28 Eugene, OR - Matthew Knight Arena
09/29 San Jose, CA - City National Civic
10/01 Broomfield, CO- 1st Bank Center
10/03 Council Bluffs, IA - Mid America Recreation & Conv. Complex
10/04 St. Paul, MN - Roy Wilkins Auditorium
10/05 Hoffman Estates, IL - Sears Centre
10/07 Moline, IL - iWireless Center
10/08 Milwaukee, WI - UWM Panther Arena
10/09 Detroit, MI - Joe Louis Arena
10/11 Bethlehem, PA - Sands Bethlehem Event Center
10/12 Worcester, MA - DCU Center
10/13 Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena
10/14 Newark, NJ - Prudential Center
10/16 Camden, NJ - BB&T Pavilion
In a statement [via Facebook] Havok frontman David Sanchez revealed that Megadeth's Dave Mustaine has chosen to remove them from the bill. And while things don't get straight-up nasty in the statement, blame is being put squarely on Mustaine and his management company.
Sanchez's full explanation reads:
It is with deep regret we are forced to inform fans of metal that we will not be on the upcoming Megadeth tour with Amon Amarth, Suicidal Tendencies, and Metal Church. We will also not be going to Mexico in August and early September as was planned.
We were really looking forward to these shows, but unfortunately, Mr. Mustaine has chosen to remove us from the lineup. The reasons for our absence are directly related to a contract negotiation insisted upon by Mustaine Management — a negotiation that has gone awry. We are authorized to say that we were offered an unacceptable management contract from Mustaine Management, which we declined.
While working with our lawyer to negotiate the terms of the contract, Mustaine Management threatened to kick us off of the Megadeth tour, Mustaine Management repeatedly failed to respond to phone calls and emails, and eventually told us (through their lawyer) that Mustaine Management is no longer working with Havok. We are only releasing this information to give fans an honest account of the reasons we are no longer on the tour.
We cannot disclose more details at this time (at our attorney's directive), but nonetheless, would like to thank Mustaine Management for the past opportunities that they brought to the table while working with us. We would also like to apologize to the fans that will not be able to see us this fall — we will sorely miss all of you. New tour dates will be announced soon and we look forward to getting back on the road to headbang with the best fans in the world.
UPDATE (8/22, 12:20 p.m. EDT): In response to the Havoc controversy, Dave Mustaine tweeted, "They didn't pay Justis [Mustaine] what he's owed, or sign the standard contract. I took care of 'em. Sad.... They had an industry standard contract, the same I have. Five months later, still wouldn't sign it, until they're dropped. What is there to debate? I gave them more cash, time, merch items, space, lights and sound than their contract said every night. Stupid me!"
In a statement, Justis Mustaine also added:
I worked with Havok for one year. Despite getting Havok paid, marketed and exposed in that time — bringing them a new merch deal, booking agent, and overseeing what has clearly been their biggest year yet — I was compensated poorly for my work. I finally put a contract in front of them, which would secure me 15% of income, the industry standard. They refused to agree, so I dropped them. I wish Havok all the best in their efforts to be a professional band, but as evidenced by today's gossip-mongering, they've still got a long way to go. Great music, great band!
The upcoming shows — now featuring just Megadeth, Amon Amarth, Suicidal Tendencies and Metal Church — are listed below.
Tour dates:
09/20 Casper, WY - Casper Events Center
09/22 Las Vegas, NV - The Joint - Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
09/27 Seattle, WA - WaMu Theater
09/28 Eugene, OR - Matthew Knight Arena
09/29 San Jose, CA - City National Civic
10/01 Broomfield, CO- 1st Bank Center
10/03 Council Bluffs, IA - Mid America Recreation & Conv. Complex
10/04 St. Paul, MN - Roy Wilkins Auditorium
10/05 Hoffman Estates, IL - Sears Centre
10/07 Moline, IL - iWireless Center
10/08 Milwaukee, WI - UWM Panther Arena
10/09 Detroit, MI - Joe Louis Arena
10/11 Bethlehem, PA - Sands Bethlehem Event Center
10/12 Worcester, MA - DCU Center
10/13 Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena
10/14 Newark, NJ - Prudential Center
10/16 Camden, NJ - BB&T Pavilion