Chris Adler on Brother Willie: “It’s Just Unfortunate That We Weren’t Able to See Eye-To-Eye”
With Chris Adler back on the road as part of the all-star cover band Hail!, it was inevitable that new details would begin to emerge about the drummer’s departure from Lamb of God earlier this year. First, Adler released a statement in which he opened up about the split last week, simultaneously implying that it was his decision to leave the band (“[B]eing trapped in a ‘creative’ formula and/or playing the same song 10,000 times did not bolster my love of playing”) and that he was fired (“I did not make the decision to leave my life’s work”). Now, in a new interview with DC101’s Elliot in the Morning, Chris has addressed another aspect of the break-up that was likely on many fans’ minds: the current status of his relationship with Willie Adler. Willie, of course, is Chris’ younger brother, and remains the guitarist for LoG.
Asked if things are now “weird” between Willie and himself, Chris replied “yes,” before elaborating:
“[Willie and I have] done it together. I wouldn’t call it a family business, but it’s kind of a cottage industry that we’ve put together, and it’s just unfortunate that we weren’t able to see eye-to-eye on it.”
Asked if he and Willie have managed to remain “friendly” despite this weirdness, Chris said:
“It is. You know, it’s blood. It’s kind of one of those things, and not that this is the case, but with family, there is a level of disrespect that’s somehow tolerated, [where] it wouldn’t be with friends or whatever. And I don’t think there’s any real disrespect going on here in either direction. So, yeah, we’re gonna be fine.”
The drummer was, however, less optimistic about the future of his relationship with the other Lambs of God, Randy Blythe (vocals), Mark Morton (guitar), and John Campbell (bass):
“We’ve spent 26 years in a bus, a train, a plane. There’s not much left to talk about. We’ve explored our friendships to the fullest.”
Oomph.
Finally, Adler clarified his “creative formula” comment from last week, insisting he didn’t mean to imply that LoG are OoG (out of gas):
“I didn’t necessarily mean that at all. In fact, everybody in the band is very, very creative people and I’m sure the new music’s gonna be great. They’re pushing the boundaries of the genre, and I have no doubt that it’s gonna be awesome. What I meant was that I had a dream when I was 14 years old, and I’ve been very fortunate to go around the world several times, and we’ve played the arenas, we’ve had the headline slots, we’ve kind of done everything there is to do, and I just don’t really feel the need to continue to do it and miss time from my family.”
So it’s still kinda unclear as to whose decision it was for Chris to leave the band… although if it was voluntary, I’m not sure why there would be any awkwardness between the Adler brothers.
You can listen to the entire interview — in which Adler also promises he’s not quitting drumming — below.
Listen to “EITM: Chris Adler 10/28/19” on Spreaker.
[via]
