A behind-the-scenes feud between Gwar and recently ejected vocalist Kim Dylla is shaping up to be just as messy as one of the metal band's goo-gushing performances. According to the former "Vulvatron" performer, she only found out that she wasn't a part of the band along with the rest of us yesterday (May 7), while the costumed act claim otherwise.
As previously reported, Gwar issued a statement yesterday explaining that they "wanted to go a different direction with the Vulvatron character," and would thus not be working with Dylla anymore. A new Vulvatron has yet to be named, and the band said there was "no ill will" in their decision.
It might not have been as simple as that, though, as Dylla later took to her personal Facebook page to weigh in on the announcement, sarcastically thanking the band for alerting her to her dismissal over the internet.
"It's really nice when you find out important things from people you consider to be your friends from posts on the internet and messages from strangers," she wrote. "There is something called basic respect not existing in that modus of communication. That being said, I'm currently looking for a new vocal gig with a serious metal band that likes to tour their asses off."
As Metal Insider points out, guitarist Brent Purgason (a.k.a. Pustulus Maximus) hopped on a lengthy chain of replies to say that he had informed the singer back in July that she'd been ousted, which led to an argumentative back-and-forth between the two. Purgason likened the situation to being a matter of character ownership ("DC comics didn't call need to call Adam West to tell them they were using Michael Keaton for a new movie"), while Dylla argued that she "invented everything about the character" in the first place.
You can read their war of words down below:
Purgason: I did tell her in person. January 5th of this year. I'm trying to stay out of this thread but I don't like being villainized when that's not the truth.
Dylla: No one told me they were getting someone else to play the character I created which is why I am disappointed with the way this was handled. I was told my character was not going to be used for a while and things were going in a different direction with the storyline so take a year off but I'd be welcome back at gigs in the future if they were right for the character. Those are two wholly different things.
Purgason: Yeah but this thread isn't about telling the world about a misunderstanding. This is up here to make us look like dicks. DC comics didn't call need to call Adam West to tell them they were using Michael Keaton for a new movie. I told you it we never close the door to a chance that old characters could come back to reprise their role for a special event but we were going to continue the group without you. If they fired me they would have a new Pustulus before my amp got cold and that's the way it is. You and I don't own the characters we played.
Dylla: No but it is respectful to tell you personally before telling the internet and the fans if they were gonna do that. I don't think you guys are dicks but I do absolutely think you acted like dicks in the way you handled this statement. Anyone would be upset about being treated this way and you can't expect me not to be.
Purgason: We let you go in Jan. You were telling fans misinformation about the next fall tour under the pretense that you were still a band member. How is that respectful to us? We had to clarify that. We didn't make a big stink about it when it happened because it wasn't necessary. Many people have played many different characters and their entrances and exits weren't publicized because the band is not about that. It's been 5 months and none of us said anything about you being let go. You didn't have to keep this facade up the whole time. You could have let the fb world know then but now it looks to me like you want to drag this out. Sorry you feel that way but no one here threw you under the bus.
GWAR created Vulvatron so yeah, that is my point.
Dylla: I designed that costume with Matt, came up with the name, invented everything about the character and the voice because you told me to run with it. It belongs to Gwar but I think you'd at least respect me enough to not put someone else out there in my baby without telling me to my face.
Dylla is currently looking for a new project, so long as it isn't "symphonic metal." Other requirements: "Must be chill dudes and down with beer drinking hellraisers. Must not be threatened by strong women, no deep-seated drama. Location unimportant."
As previously reported, Gwar issued a statement yesterday explaining that they "wanted to go a different direction with the Vulvatron character," and would thus not be working with Dylla anymore. A new Vulvatron has yet to be named, and the band said there was "no ill will" in their decision.
It might not have been as simple as that, though, as Dylla later took to her personal Facebook page to weigh in on the announcement, sarcastically thanking the band for alerting her to her dismissal over the internet.
"It's really nice when you find out important things from people you consider to be your friends from posts on the internet and messages from strangers," she wrote. "There is something called basic respect not existing in that modus of communication. That being said, I'm currently looking for a new vocal gig with a serious metal band that likes to tour their asses off."
As Metal Insider points out, guitarist Brent Purgason (a.k.a. Pustulus Maximus) hopped on a lengthy chain of replies to say that he had informed the singer back in July that she'd been ousted, which led to an argumentative back-and-forth between the two. Purgason likened the situation to being a matter of character ownership ("DC comics didn't call need to call Adam West to tell them they were using Michael Keaton for a new movie"), while Dylla argued that she "invented everything about the character" in the first place.
You can read their war of words down below:
Purgason: I did tell her in person. January 5th of this year. I'm trying to stay out of this thread but I don't like being villainized when that's not the truth.
Dylla: No one told me they were getting someone else to play the character I created which is why I am disappointed with the way this was handled. I was told my character was not going to be used for a while and things were going in a different direction with the storyline so take a year off but I'd be welcome back at gigs in the future if they were right for the character. Those are two wholly different things.
Purgason: Yeah but this thread isn't about telling the world about a misunderstanding. This is up here to make us look like dicks. DC comics didn't call need to call Adam West to tell them they were using Michael Keaton for a new movie. I told you it we never close the door to a chance that old characters could come back to reprise their role for a special event but we were going to continue the group without you. If they fired me they would have a new Pustulus before my amp got cold and that's the way it is. You and I don't own the characters we played.
Dylla: No but it is respectful to tell you personally before telling the internet and the fans if they were gonna do that. I don't think you guys are dicks but I do absolutely think you acted like dicks in the way you handled this statement. Anyone would be upset about being treated this way and you can't expect me not to be.
Purgason: We let you go in Jan. You were telling fans misinformation about the next fall tour under the pretense that you were still a band member. How is that respectful to us? We had to clarify that. We didn't make a big stink about it when it happened because it wasn't necessary. Many people have played many different characters and their entrances and exits weren't publicized because the band is not about that. It's been 5 months and none of us said anything about you being let go. You didn't have to keep this facade up the whole time. You could have let the fb world know then but now it looks to me like you want to drag this out. Sorry you feel that way but no one here threw you under the bus.
GWAR created Vulvatron so yeah, that is my point.
Dylla: I designed that costume with Matt, came up with the name, invented everything about the character and the voice because you told me to run with it. It belongs to Gwar but I think you'd at least respect me enough to not put someone else out there in my baby without telling me to my face.
Dylla is currently looking for a new project, so long as it isn't "symphonic metal." Other requirements: "Must be chill dudes and down with beer drinking hellraisers. Must not be threatened by strong women, no deep-seated drama. Location unimportant."