Bassist Niclas Etelävuori Quits Amorphis
After seventeen years, Amorphis bassist Niclas Etelävuori has decided to leave the band. Although a Facebook statement from the group’s remaining members asserts that Etelävuori’s “decision has nothing to do with the band, no bad blood, no hard feelings between us,” that seems to be only kinda/sorta true: that same statement goes on to say that “Amorphis has always been a democratic band and it’s pretty obvious that not all choices can please everyone. Some people don’t get along with each other, that’s life.”
Meanwhile, in his own statement, Etelävuori says “I still love the music and the guys and the crew,” but also reveals that “The reason for my departure is 100% due to the (mis)management of the band.” Etelävuori goes on to say some unflattering things about the band’s manager — listed on their website as being Jouni Markkanen for Grey Beard Concerts & Management — and finishes with the advice that “Bands [should] never let your booking agent be your manager!!!” Interestingly enough, the Amorphis site does not list Markkanen is listed as the band’s booking agent for either Europe or North America.
ANYWAY, original Amorphis bassist Olli-Pekka Laine is rejoining the band for their upcoming live dates; what happens after that is anyone’s guess. While we wait to find out, here’s the statement from Etelävuori himself:
Hello everyone,
I’ve been avoiding hanging on Facebook since it was invented but now I feel it’s probably the only way to get my message out as intended so I have to start now.
I’m very very sad to inform you that after 17 years I’ve decided to leave my duties as bass player of Amorphis. This is probably the hardest decision I ever made in my life. I still love the music and the guys and the crew are still my brothers and I wish them all all the best in the future. There’s absolutely no bad blood between us.
The reason for my departure is 100% due to the (mis)management of the band. It probably sounds crazy to most of you, but that’s how it is (music business can sometimes be very complicated). I got the guy his job back in the day and now I only heard lies and bullshit for the last many years, I just had enough so I gotta go I can’t work or live like that. It is pretty obvious to me that the manager only works for his own best interest not for the bands best interest, and that’s not how it should be.
Strange enough for me “most” of the band still wants to continue on this path so I better find another one.
We all gotta do what we believe in and I don’t believe in our manager anymore. I have left the door open if the band would decide to change things.
Staying true to yourself is most important in life and that’s what I’m trying to do, you only live once and life is too short for bullshit. I could probably write a book about it but I’ll save that for later now I’m too tired and I have to look for a new job.
I’d like to thank all the fans, companies, people I’ve met and worked with all over the world over the years it’s been a blast. I hope we meet again some sunny day.
Regards,
Niclasp.s. Bands never let your booking agent be your manager!!! (just a little advice, that we didn’t take)
[via Lambgoat]
