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Rampant Rumors, Tour de Force

HOWARD JONES, WHERE ART THOU?

 Wednesday, February 10th, 2010 at 10:00am by

UPDATE! From Phil LaBonte’s Twitter account:

So it sounds like Howard is just sick. Thanks to Matthew Fieger for letting us know!

Original story after the jump:

We’ve gotten a number of concerned e-mails since it was announced last night that Howard Jones is sitting out Killswitch Engage’s current tour with Dark Tranquillity and The Devil Wears Prada. As far as I can tell, the cause of consternation seems to be the following:

  1. That no specific reason was given for Jones’ sitting-out the tour; all the announcement said was that he is leaving “due to unforeseen circumstances.”
  2. That All That Remains’ Phil LaBonte is stepping in for Jones, and since everyone knows he lost the KSE gig to Jones when Jesse Leach left the band, people are assuming that this means Jones is leaving KSE forever and LaBonte has the job. (One of you even e-mailed to say you hope this means Jesse Leach is coming back, which is just silly.)

So why is Jones actually off the tour?

I honestly have no idea. Haven’t heard any juicy rumors, and asking the KSE camp for a comment seems like a waste of time, since if there was something they wanted the public to know, I imagine they’d have mentioned it in the initial press release.

Mabye Jones is ill, or has an ill family member? Maybe he needed to go to rehab? Maybe he just didn’t wanna tour with The Devil Wears Prada – hey, who could blame the guy?

Or maybe he is out. That would be a serious bummer, especially if LaBonte really does take his spot – I don’t exactly hate All That Remains or anything, but I’ve seen Jones perform live many, many times, and I’ve seen LaBonte perform live many, many times, and one of them is definitely superior in almost every imaginable way.

But here’s the point of this post, which I’d now like to emphasize for people who didn’t catch it three paragraphs ago: WE DON’T KNOW ANYTHING, and all of this is just reckless speculation until we do.

So if you’re someone on the inside with the real skinny, feel free to drop us a line. Otherwise, just chill. If you already bought tickets to the tour, go and just have fun pretending that this is an alternate universe where LaBonte really did get the gig in KSE after Alive or Just Breathing. If you don’t have tickets, well, now’s the time to decide how much Jones’ presence in the band does or does not mean to you.

And if we do hear anything, of course, we’ll let you know.

-AR

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  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jason-John-Crispen/100000169530540 Jason John Crispen

    i’d have “unforseen circumstances” if they booked me to play with Devil Wears Prada too

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jake-Lentz/20725060 Jake Lentz

      Truth.

    • zeflows

      at first i was like they can’t be that bad, but after checking out a vid on youtube i stand corrected.

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jason-John-Crispen/100000169530540 Jason John Crispen

        haha true. they’re not the worst thing in the world (that would have to be attack! attack!) but they seem completely out of place with KsE and not even anywhere close to dark tranquility.

      • Vag

        That band is worse than having to deliver a non-standard specimen into the scanning beam for analysis.

        (OK OK unforeseen circumstances…unforeseen consequences…. they aren’t the same… but whatever, I felt like being stupid and getting in a silly computer nerd/gamer reference).

        • Hammer_Smashed_Hurtt

          NICE!!! Fuckin Half life Reference.

          You win at life good sir!!

    • Rachel

      this

  • http://www.fuckoffmyself.blogspot.com Jedsan

    Maybe he’s gonna go start a one man Black Metal project.

    • Coop

      Haha I see what you did there

    • Lee

      You mean a one black man metal project?

      • http://www.fuckoffmyself.blogspot.com Jedsan

        Precisely!

        I was wondering if anyone would catch on to that.

  • Ryan

    Hey, a man can dream can’t he?

  • Driven9

    I actually wouldn’t mind seeing a show with Phil L. on vocals. IMO Howard’s voice has become stale and repetitive (even live), and he is no better or worse than Phil (ATR is not as bad as everyone makes them out to be. I think ‘metal heads’ are just continuing to hate on their success more than their actual music)

    Side note: I fucking miss KSE with Leach – though his new shit is sounding real good

    • Ryan

      The two times I saw All That Remains, Labonte could barely finish his own sets, there’s no way he’s got the voice for a whole tour.

    • SourDeez

      I hated All That Remains before they were successful.

      • Kye

        Seriously, I think ATR is alright(at best) on CD, but given that Killswitch has earned a reputation of having one of the few singers in metalcore that is actually worth a shit live, you think they could have gotten a singer who isn’t pretty much known for not being able to hit a note of the clean vocals in his own songs, let alone ones that are more difficult to sing.

    • Watty

      Naw…I had the misfortune of seeing LaBonte sing live. He couldn’t hold down his parts AT ALL. And, being that the crowd wasn’t rowdy enough, he decided it would be a good idea to strip and start making lewd sexual comments only a 5 year old would find funny.

      Howard > Douchebag without a voice fit for live performances

      • SonOF

        LaBonte couldn’t transition from screams to clean singing AT ALL when I saw them. This was like five years ago, I thought he may have improved, but perhaps not. Jones used to be similarly bad live, but he has since got his shit together well.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Paul-Quinn/1197379400 Paul Quinn

    Couldn’t The Devil Wears Prada’s van mysteriously just stop working for ‘unforseen circumstances’ and they let Dark Tranquility play an extra 30 minutes? Cause i tell you what – if that were the case, I’d go to BOTH show at Irving Plaza.

    Swedish Melodeth > Cliche Pseudo-Trend Shitty Metalcore x 1,000,000,000,000

    • John

      “but the only band I’m really interested in seeing that isn’t on the Mastodon tour is Rose Funeral.”

      really dude?

      • http://lavidastrangiato.blogspot.com/ Jake Strangiato

        Haha, Rose Funeral opened for Nile and Immolation last night. Me and my buddy missed them because we decided to go grab a bucket of 50 chicken nuggets at McDonald’s. Money well spent. Later, the vocalist wanted to sell us merch and stay at our place. We politely declined.
        Although I think you quoted the wrong thread.

        • SonOF

          Wow, that was hospitable of you. :/ Well, you did say “politely.” It’s funny/sad that a band on Metal Blade can’t pay for lodging for a night.

          • http://lavidastrangiato.blogspot.com/ Jake Strangiato

            Dude, I don’t want a bunch of strangers staying at my apartment on a school night when I would have to get up at nine in the morning for class. If it were a better band, maybe. But Rose Funeral? No thanks.

        • John

          Yeah, I was just quoting what this dude said in the other thread. I don’t understand how anyone could possibly talk shit about trend shitty metalcore, and then like rose funeral. Seems like a bit of hypocrisy.

          To be clear, I hate both of those bands.

  • I killed a Dunky

    I just spoke to him on the phone he is going to work full time with Blood has been Shed, his legacy is done with KSE time for a change

    • DecrystallizingReason

      I wish.

  • The Dude

    Man, this band is boring. Nice dudes I’m sure, but Christ… It all just seems so processed.

  • dicknballs

    Ideally, he left KSE to go back to work on Blood Has Been Shed full time – that way he gets to work with the better band AND doesn’t have to tour with The Devil Wears Prada…. see, that’s called “win-win” kids.

    • rayray

      Yea and make no money doing so….that makes sense. Howard is either A gone or B really is sick. JESSE FUCKING LEACH SHOULD RETURN!!!!!!!

    • SonOF

      Blood Has Been shed were so overrated. Are they even around any more? If he left A HUGE band that headlines all over the world, and probably makes a hefty paycheck, to go back to slumming it with a band that has already reached their popularity threshold, he needs his head examined.

  • Facebook User

    It may be silly, but man would I love to see Jesse back in the band.

  • TXHellbilly

    Kind of apathetic about the whole issue. The only time I ever saw KSE was when they opened for Slayer so I was basically waiting for them to stop playing. Probably an unfair judgement on my part.

  • Kye

    Oh wow…I almost paid for this tour.

    Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love Dark Tranquillity and was fully prepared to go for them anyway, but considering they’re opening, I’m particularly ready to shell out almost $40 for a 45 minute set.

  • Tonberry

    From Jesse Leach’s facebook:

    “On Howard Jones & KSE: My thoughts go out to Howard & I hope he recovers well. For those curious I did get the call to fill in, but I had to decline for various reasons. My love to the KSE family, lets hope everything works out for the best! Keep Howard in your prayers & positive thoughts…”

    • DecrystallizingReason

      If he had said yes, I’d go see this tour as many times as I possibly could. Much respect to the man though.

  • Horeshine

    I am really hoping that this is something injury or ailment related, and nothing more severe or to do with a rift within the band. As far as I knew, all was well between everyone involved, I’ve never heard of any stories of Howard thinking of leaving etc… But you never know..

    Here’s hoping we have some clarity soon..

  • Walker

    He asked Adam to stop wearing the cape. Adam refused.

  • Shanetera

    What’s up with Howard Jones wearing an Eighteen Visions shirt?

    • Kye

      Eighteen Visions older material is pretty quality Metalcore. Howard even did some vocals on Vanity,

      • rayray

        FUCK YEA. I love that album.

  • josh

    sounds like rehab to me

    • stu1

      IF he wasn’t straight edge, you might have something.

      • Carl

        He isn’t straight edge. He is an alcoholic!

  • Brian \m/(-_-)\m/

    well that kinda sucks. i mean im going anyways cuz roadrunner is sending me for free, and i have already seen killswitch live, so this should b interesting. however, in terms of phil mayb replacing howard, im not sure what to think. on the one hand, howard is clearly the superior vocalist (and im talkin real time here, no studio magic) and a really really cool dude, but at the same time, KSE havnt really made and steps to vary their sound since howard joined, ive commented on this point several times in the past. they changed it up when jesse left and howard came into the fold, so mayb a new vocalist means some sound variation, to fit his vocal style. that might not be so bad, since frankly, im getting bored. thought considering ATRs latest offering, mayb thats not such a good thing. either way, id want howard to stick around, but if he is leaving, and phil is the guy 2 replace him, it could b much worse

  • Patrick

    I’ve gotten into a little political debate with Phil over twitter. He’s super conservative and called me a socialist because I wanted health care for everyone. I’m gonna go post another interesting tid bit on his twitter right now, and watch how he responds.

    P.S. – He also hate Rachel Maddow who is one of the few people on a giant news network who speaks out against shit.

    • DecrystallizingReason

      Phil has always just come off as a big bro douchebag to me. It’s his general demeanor, not just because of his politics.

  • josh

    A friend of a friend was at the orlando show, which is the show they didn’t play. Apparently howard threw out his back so badly he had to go to the hospital.

    • crapmcpoopin

      This is also what I heard.

  • http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/46e389eb8b79606050d3d447431ff6ac?s=80 Nate

    Phil Labonte is a right-wing douchebag. I know that’s somewhat unrelated to him singing for KsE, but his greed pushed his band’s latest album into pop-metal shit, when its predecessor was the epitome of melodic metalcore.

    • rayray

      Wow you couldnt have said it any better. I personally really like ATR but I follow him on twitter and literally every fucking post is about some politcal nonsense. Shut the fuck up Phil and make the Fall of Ideals part duece.

      • Ozy

        Fall of Ideals was good, but This Darkened Heart is where all the good stuff is at. Fuck their latest release.

        • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jason-John-Crispen/100000169530540 Jason John Crispen

          yeah TDH was far superior to the new album and i think better than Fall Of Ideals too. “i’m not alone” makes me want to punch people for all the wrong reasons.

  • Horeshine

    Just saw some videos of Phil filling in last night. Not bad, but not Howard. Will definitely still be going though, seemed like some songs were just the band without Phil, and the audience singing the parts…. should be fun I guess…

    In addition, I saw a clip of Adam (semi) explaining what’s going on, apparently Howard screwed himself up somehow, so at least it’s only temporary and hopefully everything will turn out ok. I’ve read it was something to do with a flight of stairs and his back having a disagreement…

    by the by, what is it with this band and bad backs???

  • Eddie

    I was at the debut of “Philswitch Engage” last night. They only performed old songs, while Phil tired his best get through them. He did not know all the lyrics, and thus even vacated the stage a few times. He even confessed to being very drunk and even vomited during the performance. Clearly Howard is a great presence in that band and he knows how to work the crowd. Phil is just pissing through the songs. This show was the make up from the cancellation last night as a result of the Howard incident.

    The band told the audience it was medical, while the staff at the venue confirmed it. Apparently paramedics had to come and take him to the hospital. Most speculations incur it had to do with his back. He couldn’t move off of the sofa he was napping on before the show, thus the paramedics were called.

    P.S. Devil Wears Prada was awful. I felt as if I was at the mall dealing with a lot of teenagers that just don’t understand heavy metal. Dark Tranquility played a fantastic set of seven songs and the new songs left me wanting more. What a fantastic band. Hopefully though, DWP gets kids into heavy music and they will find their way to real metal, not this garbage. If the 80′s had glam, this era of metal has this….????? crap!

    Who started this movement of suck anyway?

    • Ryan

      I would have felt cheated if I went to this show and it wasn’t Howard…or Jesse…

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jason-John-Crispen/100000169530540 Jason John Crispen

      really professional to fill in for someone and be drunk and puke on stage.

    • Natsquatch

      Just out of curiosity, what songs did DT play?

      • Owen

        Not that I really give a shit about Labonte, but he was probably nervous as fuck, he wishes he was really in Killswitch, always has – so to put him in that situation even on a short term basis probably made him shit his breeks.

      • Eddie

        Natsquatch,
        Sorry for the delayed response, they opened with Terminus and played track 2 off Fiction, two new songs, then track 4 off of Fiction, the first song off of Damage Done and one off of Character.

        My song names are terrible, I know the track numbers from the disc, I keep the slip cases in my house while my CD’s go everywhere I go. I guess I could just carry an ipod and get the names of the songs every time!

        Later

  • Sammy

    Reckless Speculation would make a great band name.

    • paganheart

      True that. DIBS!!!

  • Dimebag6sic6

    oh my god. i am so shitty about this. hope howard gets better soon, and not only for my personal gain of being able to see him perform. phil sucks mega jesus dick. he is one of the worst singers i have ever heard live.

  • http://www.myspace.com/autocratrock Prvt Pyl

    Phillip is addicted to porn

  • Hammer_Smashed_Hurtt

    Guys relax, relax….Howard is just out shopping for more sweet Blazers and wing tips..Its all good.

  • paganheart

    If I remember correctly from the documentary on “Set This World Ablaze,” Brian Fair was also asked to front Killswitch after Jesse Leach left, but opted to focus on Shadows Fall instead. (And of course Phil Labonte was SF’s lead singer before he got canned in favor of Fair…”six degrees of separation” indeed.) Obviously he’s got a good thing going with SF–the new album is awesome–but I wonder what Brian Fair would sound like fronting KsE???…I’m not a huge ATR fan but I do think it is extremely cool that Phil stepped up to help out, and just in general I think it is awesome the way that so many bands in this generation of metal artists are willing to step up to the plate and help each other out when someone goes down with injury/illness/family issues/whatever. I don’t think you see much of that in other scenes, nor did you ever see or hear of it in the past (can you even imagine, say, the bass player from Poison filling in for Nikki Sixx on a Motley Crue tour while he went to rehab? Or someone from Anthrax helping out on a Megadeth tour while someone in that band was injured? Never would have happened.) Whatever’s going on with Howard–this is not the first stretch of dates he’s had to miss or postpone on this touring cycle–I hope it gets resolved for the best, and soon. Best wishes to KsE.

  • Adam

    What a douche…TDWP was the shit on friday their an amazing band AP didn’t name them band of the year in 09 for nothing.

  • Pete

    From everything I have seen on the internet and it must be true. Howard has a sex and alcohol addiction, he got a porn actress(Allie Foster) pregnant and has fucked so many people over. His facade of being a nice guy is just that a facade.