Otep Kicks The Convalescence Off Tour; Band Calls Her “an Absolute Nightmare to Work With”
The always-outspoken Otep Shamaya, leader and namesake for Otep, has a history of beefing with tourmates: in the past, she’s accused the then-vocalist for Terror Universal of sexually assaulting her, and she called The Butcher Babies “moronic bimbos.”
The latest target of Otep’s ire is The Convalescence, who have posted the following message on Facebook:
“We will no longer be a part of the remaining dates of ‘The Resistance Tour’ with Otep. After years spent on the road touring worldwide and never having a problem, this is a first. Otep kicked us off the tour after already loading in for tonight’s event in Pittsburgh.
“This stemming from an alleged incident that occurred in Michigan two nights previously where claims were made that we sold merchandise during the intro of their set.
“This was not the first time being threatened to remove us from the tour. First happening in Jacksonville, FL after their driver accused us of buying weed from venue staff the night before and went as far as to say we forced a venue runner to drive with him and a kid in the car to pick it up. This was in an attempt to take the heat off the driver himself because he called the police on the bands guitarist after an argument between them that morning.
“In both instances, we were unable to explain or make any attempt to approach the situation since even after 50+ dates as direct support- unless she felt the need to threaten to kick us off the tour and belittle us, we weren’t even allowed in the same room.
“After being told we were not needed on the tour, that we were not helping the attendance, we were simply a time filler and countless other negative comments about us being part of this tour we came to a mutual decision that we could no longer share a stage together.
“We are all about being team players on the road. After going out of our way with things like covering her merch table every night during their set, helping the band with security at understaffed venues, and helping her band and crew load in and out daily. We were met with only disrespect from Otep herself.
“We have no hard feelings towards her hired band and crew but Otep is an absolute nightmare to work with.
Again, we apologize to any of our fans that had planned to see us on this tour. Thanks for your continued support and we’ll see you on the road this Fall!”
For her part, Otep has offered the following vague response:
So who knows who’s really at fault here.
The Convalescence start a tour with Venom Inc., Goatwhore, and Toxic Holocaust in September. Get dates here.
[via Rock Feed]
