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Everyone's Replaceable, Rampant Rumors

WHITE WIZZARD LINEUP SHAKEUP… AGAIN!

 Wednesday, August 25th, 2010 at 12:00pm by

white wizzardEither Jon Leon’s ass is constantly emitting horrible smelling farts or the guy is really difficult to get along with… because according to this Craigslist ad, sent in to us by multiple sources, California trad metallers White Wizzard are looking for their fourth singer in just two years.

For those unfamiliar, the story goes something like this (and please pardon me if I miss some details — there’s a lot to keep track of). Bassist Jon Leon founded White Wizzard in 2007 with the lineup that would record what would eventually become the High-Speed GTO EP, released as a self-titled EP in 2008 and re-released by Earache in 2009. But by the time Earache put out the EP the lineup was completely different, and as I understand it the dudes whose pictures appeared on the album liner notes weren’t even the dudes who played on the record (except for Leon and possibly one other guy). The dudes who played on the record, however, had since gone on to form their own band, Holy Grail, now signed to Prosthetic Records.

The lineup whose photo appeared on the High-Speed GTO EP remained stable for some time, an eternity in White Wizzard years, and did a nationwide tour with Korpiklanni and Tyr. They also recorded the band’s debut full-length, the highly kick-ass Over The Top, released earlier this year. But shortly after the album came out guitarist Erik Kluiber and singer Wyatt Anderson were canned (or they left, depending on who you ask), leaving Leon scrambling to find new members for the band’s performance at the U.K.’s prestigious Download Festival. Thankfully he found Michael Gremio, formerly of Cellador to fill the vocalist spot, and Welsh guitarist Lewis Stephens to take over Kluiber’s vacant axe just in time.

And now, just two months later, apparently he’s looking for yet another new singer…. with a European tour looming in November. Yikers!!! So, aspiring singers, get on that horse — but be warned, Leon’s got some serious gas issues and you might not be able to stand being in a cramped rehearsal space and tight van for very long lest he eat a burrito beforehand. Too bad, ’cause the guy’s a great musician and songwriter!

-VN

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  • http://www.myspace.com/alexhaskett alex haskett

    I already knew about this due to someone i know being asked by them to send some demos etc.

    • SOFA KING

      I already knew that you knew this before you knew.
      Dude…

  • Stu

    I’m just waiting for the “friend of Jon Leon” (ie the person who was probably Jon) to show up and rage about how much they’ve got going on and how genius Jon is.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ben-Goodkind/71106456 Ben Goodkind

    Can someone forward this ad to Ripper Owens?

  • Ørsaeth

    “Must be hungry and self driven”

    Maybe that’s why the singer’s keep leaving. Leon keeps starving them.

    • Ørsaeth

      singers*

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Steven-Stamopoulos/575083326 Steven Stamopoulos

        hahaha
        nice!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Devon-Czekaj/550092101 Devon Czekaj

    I’m actually relieved. The Michael Gremio was pretty meh in the live footage I saw with him. I was hoping there would be another lineup change.

  • derrrr

    Old White Wizzard singer (now in Holy Grail) was the only thing / talent that mattered in that band. Holy Grail kicks ass btw!

  • Mark

    I didn’t realise the singer on the album was gone at all! Their Dublin gig clashes with God is an Astronaut, was gonna go see WW instead, but I’m not so sure now…

  • Rock Johnson

    I think Jon needs to pack it in and leave the music to people who arent assholes. I bet he would make a great politician. What a douche bag.

  • Jon Leon

    Hey Vince,
    That was a really unprofessionally written piece.
    Thanks for your concern however, it is when we are at our lowest and struggling to keep the resolve to keep going that a post like this comes along and inspires us.
    Just for the record,
    Vince-your part about liner notes on our EP is a COMPLETE LIE. Get your facts straight. High Speed GTO has all the same players in the liner notes as were on the record. Those 3 ex members that are in Holy Grail and myself. Whomever told you that is lying. Maybe you should actually get up from your blogging chair and get a copy before you report these things. Earache records put that out and I am sure they do not appreciate your putting out false statements like that….
    Look man, I know your trying to make your site the National Enquirer of metal and that you make money from hits of people talking shit so that’s part of your motivation, but that is a complete lie. What are your intentions here? I think I know the other one…
    For the record, everyone should know that Erik, our fired guitarist is your good buddy and our label Earache and our Manager Demetri have all known you were waiting to find ANY excuse to pounce and attack me. This is a personal attack. It is unprofessional and a joke.
    I will not air why we let Erik go, but I will say simply-for VERY valid reasons. He is very angry about it and has spread alot of lies and spin trying to make me look bad, as he knows there is the problems that stem from the first line up, and he can use those to further his agenda. Some people will believe him or side with him and that is fine. But I would ask any fan of WW to take what he says with MANY grains of salt. There is a FAR bigger picture. We were in the beginning of an album cycle…do you really think we want to be having to fire members? No…
    That said, our line up musically is where it needs to be and we finally have the guys in place for that aspect of the band…..it has not been easy. This has taken alot of resolve and hard work. It means staying positive when adversity hits and trying to maintain has been a challenge, but I am damn proud of where I have gotten this in spite of all of my critics and guys that post crap like this. It only inspires me to go further and harder.
    As far as the CL post above and the singer situation-
    Mike was a fill in for Download last minute because Wyatt and WW parted company. It was never etched in stone he would be the permanent member.
    He was supposed to move out to LA but he lives in Nebraska and has kids and another musical project etc.
    In the end, it was not to be and we wish him the best.
    It is funny Vince, but you have never even bothered to call and ask my side or the bands side or the labels side of why certain members were let go, or why the CL post was there. You just post crap like this, because your pal Erik talks a bunch of crap and you do not have an unbiased opinion based on hearsay and you also want to do whatever you can to hurt me and my image.
    Personally, I know you will get a few guys on here hating on me and I expect a tirade of people going off on me now, but I know I have stuck to my guns and always done what I believe to be right for WW and for the success of the band.
    I do not question moving on from your pal Erik at all……it was the hardest but one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life.
    I will never post why-Erik will talk a ton of bad stuff about me and make up a bunch of lies and spin and that is fine. It is all hearsay to everyone, and I would rather move on.
    I am taking the high road. I think it’s not the way to go to air personal things about past members. That is why I have endured so many critics judging me-they have done the opposite….Some times I get upset and want to tell the full story so people REALLY knew what happened both last line up and OTT album-
    But really, it is all about music for me. So what if people hate me on assumptions and hearsay? The character of any person that would, is probably so shallow that I should not lose sleep over it right…I gotta keep going. The band and making cool music is what matters. That is the only reason I do this. You think this was the goal when I set out? I just want a band that has mutual trust, vision, drive and respect-and no line up has had that yet….until now at least with the current guys-so I am really happy about that.
    In the end If we lose a few people or fans because ex members are saying bad stuff about me or because someone was attached to a certain member that sucks, and I understand.
    I will say the regardless of personal feelings-EVERY ex member of WW is an amazing musician and that I really respect every one of them as players. They were in my band because I thought they ruled at what they did…….but a band is like a marriage of 5 guys man…think about that. This is why there are only a handful of bands that make it 20 years. It takes a convergence of personality dynamics syncing up along with that musical chemistry. It is FUCKING HARD man. I am VERY aware of this fact…..I want this band to last that long, and that is why the changes were made too. I know what I need and what we need to go on and actually ENJOY the ride.but it had to happen with your friend Erik and I stick by the decision 100 percent.
    I will gladly tell you MY side OFF the record anytime if it helps quell your fire to attack me, as Erik has I am sure spun his to you very every way he can to make me look bad. But to personally attack me with an agenda to fuel his hate and negativity has lost any respect I could have for you. You tell my label your all about us, but to not get both sides and then do stuff like this shows me your not a very good guy or reporter.
    In the end Vince, you really should get your facts straight and realize that sometimes it is the RIGHT thing to do to get your facts in order and to be unbiased. I see constant shit talking as a bad thing for metal-not a good thing. You should have called us and confirmed things and you should really be aware of the effect these things can have.
    You know my manager-he has my number. Maybe you should call me. Would love to talk to you. The label is pretty unhappy and has blacklisted you from info concerning the band. Probably a good decision.
    I have to get back to more important things like finishing up writing out next record.
    Our new singer will be named soon by the way.
    Thanks again for the concern.

    • Vince

      2L,DR

      • vagoo

        haha, OWN3D… nice one Vince (assuming that is really Vince)

  • Erik Kluiber

    Ooooooooooohh…. you’re in trouble Vince. Haha.

    I’m half tempted to post the letters I have saved from the past year and a half to set the record straight. I got so sick of dealing with the daily drama and bullshit in White Wizzard. The last straw was finding ads on Craigslist looking for my replacement while I was still in the band.

    I asked Jon what was going on with the craigslist ads. Before I saw the ads, I actually thought things were going ok. True, our manager Steve had a blow out with Jon and quit after the Korpiklaani tour. Wyatt was sick of it, and quit immediately after the UK tour with Edguy. But somehow it seemed like things were still going to work out. Man, was I wrong.

    I was told that my tenure in White Wizzard was not certain. There were going to be replacements lined up incase I got out of line. I was expected to be “cool” with that. I was expected to keep investing personal money to help keep that band operating, do my job, and “act” a certain way, but at any time I could be replaced.

    Fuck that, I was so sick of being treated like a piece of shit. I demanded a contract securing my spot in the band for a year. I knew it was certain death, but I felt I finally had to stand up for myself. Drummer Jesse Appelhans went through the exact same thing when he repeatedly found craigslist ads looking for his replacement while he was in the band. That was one of the reasons he quit back in October of 09.

    So sure enough, I sent my demand, Jon didn’t accept it, and we parted company. If that’s being “fired” than I guess I’m the only ex-member who got fired. Everyone else straight up quit.

    So it was what it was. If I could go back in time and do it all over again, I probably wouldn’t. I did meet some great people, I loved the touring, OTT turned out well, and Earache is a great label. But, I still ask myself if it was worth it. I recommend the new “Band Member” gets what ever they’re promised in writing. I’ll be following the WW soap opera from a distance out of morbid curiosity.

    • Jon Leon

      I am not going to get into a big thing here Erik, as that is what you and Vince are trying to bait me into.
      I will simply say that your post is absolutely a bunch of bullshit and spin.
      You know why you were fired, and you knew after showing up piss drunk, reeking and slurring your words after turning up missing the night before for the Bruce Dickinson radio show and thus missing it in the UK that I was pretty much done with you, This, after repeated incidents within a year that would take pages to list. CL post went up as you were being let go. That decision was made that day in UK. You just could not look in the mirror and face it.
      I gave you every opportunity to get your shit together with the drinking. You did not even apologize for fucking off something so important as being on the BBC interviewed by the singer of Maiden. You knew when we had a talk after the Korp tour that you were on thin ice with me. You had SO many incidents up to that point in relation to your actions when your drunk. I was advised by the tour manager of that tour, our producer and several others to let you go at that time. I gave you one more chance on your word you would keep cool and watch your drinking. You just cannot face the fact you have a problem, and that you fucked up. I am the boss yes, it is my band, and I do not want to put up with a guy that blacks out and shit’s his pants like you did (do not lie, you did just that among other things that night almost getting us kicked off) on the headliners tour bus and that pisses off the tour manager every night. A guy that blacks out so much and talks to people not there and that I can never tell what I am gonna have with you on a given night. This is my band. I have more into it than you can ever know. You came into it, disrespected me from the get and then try to make a bunch of excuses and try to turn people against me and mine. You actions were a liability and your attitude is Fuck off I am gonna do whatever I want….that does not fly with me man.
      Your out and it’s for VERY valid reasons. Just face it and stop attacking me. Giovanni our drummer said he ran into you and he said your living with alot of demons and regrets. The sad thing he said is, you have all the WRONG regrets with regards to WW and why your gone. Your just either oblivious or have just convinced yourself it is all me. Sad really. In the end Erik I hope you get some help. You really need to sober up. Your a talented cat but I do not think any band leader would put up with what I did. None.
      You also know Jesse our old drummer would only commit to 1 or 2 days a week rehearsal and that we needed way more. We all were up front about looking for another drummer and you were in on auditions 2 different times.
      In the end, Jesse was let go by all of us after a meeting we all had post studio in which he said he needed 2 or 3 months off and we wanted him to step up his rehearsal time as we felt 1 or 2 days a week and not giving us priority over his other band was a problem.
      Everyone had issue with this, and when he asked for time off we all agreed it was best to move on.
      Your just flat out lying trying to say Jesse quit because of a CL post. It is an example of your character and at how you try to use anything as an excuse, because you cannot face your problem and accept that YOU fucked up. Our other members will attest to this. Everyone agrees you fucked up and that your being let go was the RIGHT decision.
      Everything else in your post is so far from reality with regards to everything from ex people associated with the band and events that took place. Other members and people there will attest to it, but it is not worth exploring. The band has turned a big page and it was necessary on all fronts, I can say with confidence, I am surrounded by positive energy, good people and a team dedicated to the same vision and mutual respect. I am blessed for who has come into this band and my life and leaving you behind was the most important decision I ever made.
      In the end, I am so glad your out of my life. You have to earn trust. This is my band. You were riding the coattails of my hard work, my songs and everything I put in before you showed up and started spreading your cancer and negative energy.
      I would do anything to go back in time and say I never even met YOU.
      You may have alot of people convinced your a great guy, but I know what ugliness lies inside of you and I dealt with it FAR too long.
      I have great people around me now. I take care of the people I trust…..and you were in the end the biggest mistake I ever took a chance on, and I did not trust you at all.
      I am sorry fans have to read this, but I had to defend myself, because I am not the person you have tried to paint me as,in this attack and the slanderous attacks on facebook and other forums you have done, as well as to other people that know me or fans of the band. Your actions and disrespect are the entire reason your not in the band.
      Good luck Erik.

      • vagoo

        Well, at least you didn’t get “into a big thing here Erik, as that is what you and Vince are trying to bait me into.” That would have been silly…

  • Jesse Appelhans

    Just jumping in here to say a thing or two about Erik Kluiber ( hope you don’t mind Erik). I played drums in White Wizzard for about a year and a half and recorded all the regular studio tracks for Over the Top. Erik Kluiber is one of the most gifted guitarists I have ever had the pleasure to play with. He was by far the most talented musician out of the O.T.T. line-up and always conducted himself in a manner that would be expected from a professional heavy metal musician. I found him to be the most trustworthy and respectable member of that band in that , I could always trust him to play perfectly in live situations ( no matter what kind of partying had been going on) I could always trust him to be prepared for and fully participate in rehearsals (more so than anyone else), I could also hang with the guy and have a great time no matter what , he’s just that cool of a dude. I have no hard feelings against any members of W.W. but I only kept one phone number when The Wizzard and I parted ways. I’m sure anyone who has worked with Eric will tell you the same thing , except for Leon but we can all tell from his track record that he is a hard guy to deal with.

    • Jon Leon

      Hey Jesse! How are ya! Glad you could come aboard!
      This is funny…it reminds me of like some ex girlfriends teaming up to take shots…
      Fun Times…I actually miss you alot sometimes.
      Look man…I can at least respect your friends with Erik and that we have very different opinions. You guys were bros from the start and of course bonded in your dislike of how I do things etc. That is cool. We can agree to disagree on how I am so hard to get along with. It was not your style…your a laid back dude that just wants to smoke herb and rock out and do things at a certain speed…I am like the slave driver that is like go go and aggressive and shit…your mellow and more zen and passive. I could use a bit of that sometimes, and I will be the first to admit, I have learned alot in the last couple of years, and I also could have done some things different. I have my faults and by no means do I walk around always thinking I have no fault in why some things ended up not working.
      That said…guys in the band now and I get along great and we really are on the same page so must be just about finding the right chemistry.
      As far as your defense of Erik, I think Chad said it best tonight in commenting “Jesse did not have to tour with him”
      You were only in the band for a few months when Erik first joined…and you missed 90 percent of what happened to cause his dismissal. Erik, I am sure,has spun things very falsely and based on his actions I can back that up. He has been a bit too harsh in his attacks and has going too far. EVERYONE that was there at the end know the truth.
      Everything I stated above is 100 percent truth. Everyone involved that actually knows what happened is in agreement that Erik had to go.
      On that note I know you do not have the level of animosity that Erik does. I appreciate the candor of what you wrote, in that it was worded far more respectfully than the others.
      In regards to who was the most talented guy on OTT-I actually disagree and would vote for YOU as that guy. Your a fucking amazing drummer, and I will never forget the first time we put my song White Wizzard the title track of the record together with just me on guitar and you on drums…We arranged that shit in one night!! Your drums are a big reason OTT ruled and you really were a big part of that record and people should know that.
      I know you may be a little pissed at me, but I could not roll on 2 nights a week man…it was always holding things back a bit. We always had to be looking for the guy cause you only had one foot in and had your other band…When you asked to take a couple months that was it man………it sucked for me. Your so talented, to be honest you should be doing the crazy cool prog stuff you do anyway …your too smart for WW.
      I miss hanging with you and your dog at the beach and your Zen like way of viewing things. I had some great times with you….and will NEVER forget about the china man in the middle.
      That said, we obviously have VERY different opinions about Erik, and keep in mind, my experience in dealing with him and how I was treated by him, and yours, are polar opposites, and the label and the band were in total agreement with letting him go and can back up everything stated and then some as to the reasons.
      That said…..I wish you the best and hope your family is cool, hope your dog and GF are well and hope we cross paths and have a laugh about all this craziness in the future…it is all about the music. That was what I thought at least when I started this…I feel like it is finally coming together and we shall see if we can get it where I hope we can…you will always be an important part of this bands development. That is always remembered.
      And in final….Tony Hendrix was an experience I will NEVER forget…..
      Good luck and much love Jesse.
      Jon

      • Brock Sterns

        Jesus fucking christ.

      • Major Zim

        arguing on the internet: its like the special olympics, even if you win, YOU’RE STILL RETARDED. a public forum is not the place to be doing this guys. Are you really in a band? why on earth would you EVER argue in front of the public? all you can achieve is to drive off potential fans.

        -1 for unprofessional behavior.

  • http://giovannidurst Giovanni Durst

    Vince, your joke about Jon’s farts (related to our singer situation) is pretty awesome! I think you should dedicate more time doing stand-up comedy on comedy central, instead of managing this forum…

    Second, this whole page full of crap is simply retarded!

    I just want to make sure you all get this clearly. White Wizzard is looking for a new singer since Micheal Gremio could not be part of the band for family matters. He could not leave Nebraska, his wife and 2 children. (as Jon said in his previous comment).

    Wyatt left White Wizzard… he was not fired by anyone. Btw by doing that he totally destroied the album cycle leaving the band in a stalling situation…. THANKS WYATT!

    Eric got fired for valid reasons.

    LAST… MY FARTS ARE WAY WORST THAN JON’S! …Vince

    • Major Zim

      you are the only one on here who can actually laugh at this. jesus its the internet guys. anyways, you get props for being cool.

      • Erik Kluiber

        Joining the bandwagon against me now Giovanni? What did Jon threaten you that if you didn’t stick up for him he would kick you out of the band. You know what Jon’s farts smell like because you are up his ass all the time.

        • vagoo

          ha, this is full of win…

        • Erik Kluiber

          Woah, I did not post this! Crazy.

          • Jon Leone

            Erik shows his true colors again. I don’t have any doubt you were blackout drunk posting that comment and now trying to back out of it. I’m not even mad, you need help.

  • http://giovannidurst Giovanni Durst

    Btw I forgot to mention!

    GREAT SITUATION (FINALLY) GREAT GUYS (FINALLY) AND AWESOME SONGS (AS ALWAYS)

  • Bob

    Nothing like K level band drama.
    Who the hell is this band again?
    Do they ever play Bill’s sports bar?

  • Joe Bass

    Maybe Erik and Jesse can start a new band, Brown Wizzard. ooOOHHH!!!!!!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Dan-Balsamini/674821840 Dan Balsamini

    Fucking hell, talk about a new low, i think Erik and Jesse seem like cool guys. This Jon guy needs to chill the fuck out though.

    • ZAXXON

      Funny, I got the complete opposite feeling reading all of that.
      Erik sounds like an ass, and Jon Sounds like he is trying to defend himself with very valid points.
      He fired these guys, sounds like with good reason, so get over it and move on.

      • mallows

        1

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Dan-Balsamini/674821840 Dan Balsamini

        Your entitled to your opinion. I just question the guys motive when he starts accusing Metalsucks of slander against the band and Earache records after the guys gave them a good review and a lot of positive exposure up until this point. Just seems dumb to me. Whats in it for Metalsucks to do that?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Gideon-McAdams/1343010120 Gideon McAdams
  • pigchop

    White Wizard – most excellent while extremely stoned, and watching a lava lamp and, wondering if the grilled cheese sandwich would have tasted better if I had not sprinkled ground up hash over the cheese.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jeff-Gross/1569840018 Jeff Gross

    “I’m not going to get in to a big thing here Erik” ….and then proceeds to write a million fucking words about his shitty bands bullshit.

    • Major Zim

      +1 for pointing out how dumb this shit is.

      • ZAXXON

        I read all of this and I think he was just trying to defend himself. In his original post he chose not to give any details as to why the guy was fired, and then Erik is the one that fired off a bunch of personal stuff at him, in turn it looks like he is defending himself.
        Erik sounds like an ass.
        But the original post is what is most stupid. Leave the guy alone and let him try and get the right guys in the band, If what he wrote is true, I would have fired him as well.

        • vagoo

          the fact that there WAS an original post (and that this is even continuing) seems like the initial attack….

          but whatever, this is all FAR too fun to read….

  • Bierko

    I can’t wait to illegally download their music.

  • ITTOA666

    This shit is classic.

  • Bierko

    Riotact666 says:

    Great band, great people, best of luck in their future work together. First in line for their next effort.

  • dan nash

    band sucks, enough said.

  • Randy Blythe’s Illegitimate Child

    How the fuck did I miss this!?!??! Damn it. I love reading a bunch of grown men act like high school girls on their first period. For fuck sake its one thing to look at a bunch of Suckalos yell at eachother on here cuz its just goofy. But watching “professionals” argue on here is just ridiculous. Wake up, shut up, and play me some fucking music. No one wants to hear you complain about the emotional side of your band except for Lars Ulrich.

    • Jeff

      What girls do you know that had their first period in HS, maybe your balls didn’t drop but seriously wtf?

  • zen dudeist

    Who to believe? Neither can spell

  • Graham Mitchell

    wow… what a sad, sad drama queen! after being in bands, myself, for many years this thread is laughingly pathetic and humorously juvenile. big ups to grown men squabbling like children in the recess yard! i wonder whose dad can beat up whose… ???

  • bradyja

    Can anyone tell me why they spell “wizard” with 2 z’s??

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jeff-Gross/1569840018 Jeff Gross

      To point out that their band sounds like piss. You know, “wizzzzz”

      whoa ZING!

  • Vince

    it’s funny to think that now white wizard will be more known for this embarrassing e-fight than their ‘music’. but hey maybe that’s how leon wants to get some pub for his band?

  • dicknballs

    Ummm, did the band members just really internet bitch-fight on here? As if I needed a reason to think they were any gayer than I had previously thought.

    Oh, and White Wizzard people, if you need more ammo on Vince remember…he’s a Mets fan.

  • Metal Fuckin’ Dave

    Wow…funny shit. Kinda makes me want to break up my band so I don’t have to deal with any of this bullshit down the line.

    • Metal Fuckin’ Dave

      Oh, and I was running a street team page for WW… you guys can have that back. Still love the band but I don’t want to get carpel tunnel typing all of the member changes.

  • Jamie

    ahahahahagahaahaha

    Jesus Christ

    I fucking love this site.

    I have to say I ACTUALLY want to listen to WW now where I’d barely ever heard if them before.

    Obviously it’s a personal attack to fuck your band up because it’s giving you so much publicity

    Though the only people who’ll hear about WW will just think of internet drama and crying

    Bitchmade

  • http://myspace.com/dementismetal666 Brendan Seigel

    Woa, whose game of Uno did I just walk into?