June 29, 2001
Statements from band members and inner-circlers regarding the recent "Wayne" release.

Kurdt Vanderhoof:
Due to Dave's little "side project", the band is obviously going to have make some decisions about personnel.

The fact that he has taken the name, logo and cover art concept from Metal Church is so blatant that the band considers it to be a slap in the face. It also comes off as a desperate attempt by someone who has no original ideas of their own. Which is too bad, because I hear the record is pretty good.

The remaining band members will be weighing all the options and making plans for what direction to take over the next few weeks.

John Marshall:
Since the obvious has been stated already, I agree with what Duke and Lewy have said. I would like to add for those in doubt that Metal Church is still a band, and will continue to be a band. Even though we are inactive until Kurdt's project is finished, there will be more music from Metal Church in the future, guaranteed. This was never in doubt. No decisions will be made about Dave's replacement until the Vanderhoof project is done. We will keep everyone updated as things progress. Thanks for the support!

Kirk Arrington:
Well, to tell you the truth, I'm not at all suprised by Mr. Wayne's actions. It just fits right into the mentality that he always had... the mentality that got him fired from MC in the first place!

Basically, it's just a guy who is trying to pull a "fast one", and he dosen't have a clue about how it reflects on him and his former band mates. It's very obvious that some things never change.

"Get Your Own Gig, Dave"

Duke Erickson:
You can package your product to resemble anything you want (although this thing is a little too blatant). They do it with cars all the time, the cheap one looks alot like the really nice one. Still, it's a copy, a substitute, meant to appear as good as the original. It's like putting makeup on a whore, she's still a whore no matter what she looks like.

The thing that I find particularly disturbing is the fictitious "Wayne" bio. The facts are well known and documented. Why would one make untrue statements in regard to history? It just doesn't make any sense. It's insane. It's a stinkin' sequel to Forest Gump!!! "You too can be a part of the history of Metal Church, just insert your name in the inappropriate spots."

Give me a break, I'm saving my money for Roth's new record, "Van Halen".

MC Roadgod Bill "Lewy" Lewis:
Having been a "fly on the wall" of the inner workings of Metal Church for nearly 18 years, I am the ONLY person other than the members of the band that really knows the true story of our episode of "Behind The Music". There have been quite a few squabbles on the Discussion Board over the last few years that I have very much wanted to respond to, but I haven't, for two reasons. First, many of them have been those of a personal nature of the band and in my opinion those should remain personal.

Second, I believe that the main purpose of the Discussion Board is to let you, the fans, thrash out the subjects both pro and con. However, after reading the posts regarding the "Wayne" solo project, I can no longer hold my tongue. I have been in contact with all the members of the band, both past and present (except for Craig) and we all share the feelings that Kurdt expressed here in the News section this last week.

The fact that Dave would stoop to such a level as to name the album "Metal Church" (last time I checked that album was released 16 years ago!), use the same church (albeit at a different angle), the unmistakable MC guitar cross and fashioning the Wayne logo as an absolute duplicate of the Metal Church logo, shows Dave's "originality" as well as his true devotion to Metal Church.

But, for those of us that have dealt closely with Dave over the years, that he would pull a stunt like this is not at all surprising. It is, as Kurdt stated, a slap in our collective faces!!! We do not have enough time or space to list all of the disputes we have had with Dave, nor would they shed any light on the current situation. I think that I can say for the band as a whole, quoting David St. Hubbins, "We shan't be working together again".

Metal Church will carry on and be heard from again, but with a new singer at the pulpit!!

RegiMan:
Well, I guess you can all blame me. We had just finished (or so we thought) rescuing a bunch of old MC recordings from a warehouse in Seattle. Hot, sweaty and crawling through, up, over, under and around mounds and mounds of old recording tapes.... Penlight gripped tight between the teeth...and those famous words, "Hey! Here's one that says Metal Church Live '84'..."

If not for that discovery, the Live album would have never been.... and most likely the reunion and Masterpeace would have not come to pass. This is another fine mess you've gotten us into Regi.... sheeeesh...

But seriously, I have known Kirk since he was about 4 or 5, I remember Shrapnel, the practices over at the Mill, and the launch of the good ship Metal Church.

I think what bothers me most are the facts that Dave Wayne and the morons at Nuclear Blast have laid claim to the name and artwork, and have also chosen to RE-write the history of the band to make it sound as if MC was Dave's creation.

Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Starr all did many solo projects... but never one by any of them called The Beatles. Jason Bonham did In the Name of My Father.... but did not call it Led Zeppelin. Daltry, Entwistle and Townsend have all done solo work and never made one reference to The Who.

So here's the Reverend. (By the way correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the moniker "Reverend" was made up by the members of MC and given to Dave) He goes out to do a solo project with his Reverend buddies...this is cool... but not enough. He decides he wants to do another album and call it "Dave Wayne's Metal Church" ... he goes to his Reverend buddies and makes the pitch. This is where he should have gotten a CLUE... The Reverend band mates (AND I COMMEND THEM FOR THIS) collectively said "NO, IT'S A BAD IDEA".... let's just call that "PROFFESSIONAL MUSICIAN RESPECT". Not getting the clue, Rev goes out and finds UN-Professionals like himself, who have no respect for other's work, and there you have it.....

I read earlier posts that say this was all decided after Wacken... if that is so, I never heard about it. As far as I know... Kurdt and John have quite a bit of stuff compiled and were waiting for the side project stuff to clear ...and then a new album was to be made.

But I guess the Rev was reading the writing on the wall (or would that be the lyrics off the stage floor?) and decided to leave with all his stuff... ("OOPS!! I have no stuff of my own...better steal some...") What was that Reverend tune? "World Won't Miss You"? Truth is... they never knew you existed until Metal Church, and I guess this is all just a confirmation of that.

RegiMan
P.S. Dave, PAY YOUR DEBTS!