Volumes Vocalist Gus Farias Accused of Scamming Fans; Band Responds
Boy oh boy, did Volumes frontman Gus Farias have an interesting weekend or what?
First, Farias went on a Twitter tear against his former co-vocalist, Michael Barr, accusing Barr of being a two-faced dick who was unsupportive of Farias when Farias was hooked on drugs. (Barr, naturally, denied the accusations, and, frankly, came across as the bigger man in the dispute.)
Then, according to Rock Feed, multiple fans stepped forward to allege that they’d paid Farias to do guest spots for their bands… and Farias never delivered.
Wrote one such fan, Chris James, on Facebook:
“Hey all so just wanted to give a heads up. I gave Gus from Volumes $200 in January 2016 for a vocal feature on one of my tracks he agreed to do. He literally had from February to June to do a really short feature. He had the song and all the info.
“Naturally, he became harder and harder to contact over time, and started lying to me about doing the track. At least 3 separate times he told me he was in the studio doing it, once even telling me he was ‘sending it to me,’ and at points after that asked me to send him the song again to do it.
“After June I started asking for my money back. Me in all my naivety and being hopeful to get him on a track, agreed a few different times to doing a future song. We eventually agreed to a plan where he’d give me half back until I got a new track for him.
“I obviously gave him way too many chances. Hit him up a few times since then, went to hit him up yesterday and see that he blocked me on Facebook. Of course he’s not answering my texts either and his phone goes straight to voicemail.
“Long story short, he completely played me for my money when I was nothing but patient with him (for way too long). He’s posted statuses asking people for money for vocal features at least three times since he took mine.
“Do NOT give Gus any money and don’t even contact him about a vocal feature. If you saw his recent Twitter blow up you know something strange is going on with him.
“Don’t fall into the same trap. I have no idea what to do from here but I’m going to get my money eventually.
“Oh yeah, I have hundreds of texts and Facebook messages, along with PayPal receipt, as proof.”
James also provided some screen caps of his exchanges with Farias:
Another fan tells Rock Feed that he, too, paid Farias $300 to provide some guest vocals, which Farias never delivered.
Volumes subsequently released a statement to Rock Feed:
“We have been made aware that Gus made some arrangements with some bands to do guest vocals for compensation. We are also being made aware that these cases, guest vocals apparently were not done. These arrangements were not organized by the band, label or management, but by Gus himself without our full knowledge.
“If you have arranged for vocals to be done and did not receive them, please email volumesband AT gmail DOT com with your details and we will refund you immediately via PayPal or Venmo.
“The entire band sincerely apologizes for this.”
Obviously, it’s very nice of the band to refund these fans’ money, and good on them for doing so.
Still, it’s odd that they don’t provide any kind of explanation for Farias’ behavior. Coming just a day after his anti-Barr tirade, this is really not a great look for Farias.
Almost certainly complicating matters is that Farias’ brother, Diego, is Volumes’ guitarist.
We’ll let you know if there are any additional developments. In the meantime, Volumes are scheduled to begin a tour with Born of Osiris later this month. Get dates here.
