American Head Charge Members React to ‘Facebook Exits’ of Ted Hallows + Chris Emery
Social media is a useful tool for most bands to communicate with fans, but when its used by band members to communicate with other band members, the results are often not positive. Recently American Head Charge members Ted Hallows and Chris Emery announced their exits from the band, but apparently they didn't inform their bandmates before announcing it online. This, as expected, didn't sit well with the rest of the band, who voiced their displeasure in a series of Facebook posts.
Emery, a drummer who was part of the first incarnation of American Head Charge and returned with their reunion in 2013, posted, "Well I was going to wait but here goes. I have made the decision to quit playing for AHC. I’m not going to explain or field a thousand questions. Just know I love you all and held out as long as I could.”
Hallows, a guitarist who joined the band after their 2013 reunion, took a different approach, wishing his bandmates well when posting, “It is with a heavy heart today that I’ve made the decision to part ways with American Head Charge. I extend my love, thanks, and best wishes to Karma, Cameron, Chad, Justin, Chris and the rest of the Head Charge family, friends, and fans whom have made these last three years so unforgettable.”
Vocalist Cameron Heacock was the first to chime in, stating, "For The F--king record. Ted ‘Hallows’ quit literally hours before we could fire him. So, thanx, ted…. Legally, you quitting, is a hell of a lot simpler than the alternative. Christopher, I love that you say amicably split when you haven’t spoke to a single remaining member of the band…. Before you quit, and, unless I’m mistaken, since…. Mind you, those of you (being everyone/anyone) privy to this conversation, BOTH TeD AND ChriS QUIT VIA F--KING FACEBOOK."
He went on to add, "Ted, I could care less, but Chris? Over 15+yrs playing all over the world, and you couldn’t give me the courtesy of a heads-up? Ladies and gentlemen you can expect a detailed press/public statement regarding these lineup changes as well as other announcements to be released post-haste. Fear not (or maybe be afraid) there are some remarkably stunning things on HEAD CHARGES horizon, stay tuned."
In the aftermath of Heacock's statement and some of the backlash, bassist Chad Hanks added, "You know what? If the current status of my band drives you to speculate, prophesize, or be a bleeding, driveling axe wound, THEN GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. I'll tell you what's up when I'm good and g-ddamn and ready. Jesus f--k..."
And finally, guitarist Karma Cheema offered a less heated commentary on the matter, backing up his bandmates decision to voice their thoughts on the two exits.
“I think it goes without saying that in many ways a band is very much a family," started Cheema. "Personally I would rather not have these types of band issues discussed or hashed out in public. The same way that I wouldn’t want people sitting in on my actual family discussions. Yes, it is unprofessional, and even though many of you care about the band in a way that sparks these types of emotions, it’s not something you should be involved in this intimately."
He continued, "I would normally sit this out and let people say what they want or need to say and try not to let it bother me. However, I can’t sit back and let Cam and Chad take the onslaught of insults and accusations from people that in reality have no idea what they’re talking about. To be fair I only read a handful of comments from people upset about Cameron‘s response to Ted and Chris‘ choice to make this a public spectacle."
He concluded, "If you knew Cameron like we do, you would know him to be a man of very few words. When he does speak up, he cuts to the heart of the matter. That type of leadership has made him valuable to us on many occasions. The point is, the choice to make this public by both Ted and Chris was unprofessional. It was selfish, disrespectful and totally unnecessary. Cam‘s reaction to that was completely warranted, and whether you agree with what he said or the way he said it, he was at least real.”
So stay tuned to see how American Head Charge replace Emery and Hallows. The band just released their first new album since reuniting, Tango Umbrella, back in March. The group just finished a month-and-a-half of touring in late June.