Thomas Finch, a drum tech who has toured below the make use of of quite a few artists, together with Marilyn Manson, Bush and extra, took to his social media final Thursday, July twenty fourth, to situation a “phrase of warning” to fellow touring professionals concerning a poor expertise he claims have had whereas just lately touring below the make use of of Russian deathcore band Slaughter To Prevail.
Finch was fast to level out that his points didn’t lie with the band themselves, whom he known as them “WONDERFUL enjoyable loving people”. Nevertheless, he felt the necessity to air his varied grievances for incidents he says occurred with the band’s managerial employees behind the scenes on tour.
Finch went on to recount a number of alleged incidents starting from troubles receiving fee for companies rendered to lack of facilities being provided and declined reimbursement of bills incurred. As his scenario reportedly worsened, he claims to have wound up quitting the tour following a heated dispute with the band’s managerial employees. Finch‘s full assertion learn:
“A Phrase of Warning to My Fellow Crew, Techs, and Business Colleagues Relating to Slaughter to Prevail
This isnt in regards to the band personally – they’re all WONDERFUL enjoyable loving people . That is in regards to the present management set in place. New band supervisor and present TM.
After years of touring, working exhausting, and operating a enterprise that helps artists and musicians, I’ve by no means felt the necessity to put up one thing like this — till now.I just lately stepped away from a tour with Slaughter to Prevail as a drum technician as a consequence of an amazing quantity of disorganization, mismanagement, monetary instability, and blatant disrespect towards crew members. I’m sharing this not out of bitterness, however out of accountability to guard others in our group who is perhaps approached by this camp for future work.
⸻
It Began With Pink Flags
I used to be by no means requested for my banking info earlier than being flown out. I had toured with them whereas with Marilyn Manson, so there was a little bit of historical past, belief and friendship there. After I despatched my bill and banking information after the primary few reveals, I obtained zero response. I used to be informed the supervisor was “touring” and didn’t have e-mail entry.
After weeks, finally I used to be promised fee by the enterprise supervisor. It didn’t present. I made it clear I might not proceed working without cost. The tour supervisor (TM) introduced that to the band’s supervisor, whose response was:
“Inform him to get f***ed.”
And that I used to be “unprofessional” for demanding fee and being keen to stroll away.I then approached the band’s guitarist and proprietor straight (as instructed)— and instantly, fee confirmed up. I selected to remain and honor my dedication, however sadly, the issues solely escalated.
⸻
What Adopted Was Full Breakdown
• Crew pressured to e book their very own return flights
• TM utilizing the most cost effective, failing transportation obtainable
• No working band bank card on days off — no meals, no help, nothing
I purchased pizza for the crew out of my very own pocket, which was expressed as gratefulness by TM, as all that they had was a bag of left over popcorn. Then was informed by the TM that the band would seemingly refuse to reimburse me. And I’m now battling them through e-mail over PIZZA, with a view to get my bill paid.• $128,000+ blown on inflatable stage props that had been by no means used as a result of they didn’t match the venues. In the meantime, the crew was left with no meals, no fundamentals and fear about receiving pay.
Resort rooms on a day without work promised for crew had been taken by the band and supervisor after the bus broke down
When the TM confronted administration, he was informed: “If crew wants a room that dangerous, they’ll go get their very own $100 resort someplace.” Or so the TM informed us, was stated.
Solely after a number of crew members (myself included) threatened to exit the tour did rooms “miraculously” seem.⸻
No Pay Schedule, No Readability — Simply Excuses
Some of the harmful features of this operation is the dearth of any clear pay schedule. You’re informed to submit your invoices by Thursday for fee the next Monday. And Monday by no means comes. Different crew had been informed totally different dates to submit and the confusion set in. So when you’re on the street, it turns into clear that you’re anticipated to drift your bills — flights, accommodations, meals — with no contract, no fee timeline, and no accountability. All PDs are put into your paycheck, which seemingly by no means arrives And while you ask the TM while you’re getting paid? You’re informed:
“You’ll receives a commission after they’re dam good and able to pay you.”
That is precisely what was informed to our lighting tech (infront of your entire crew) who just lately stood up for the field truck driver — a vendor who STILL hasn’t been paid and has been overlaying tour prices out of pocket, went into the destructive… and one other truck driver helped him financially with fuel and meals. The TM’s response?
“That’s his drawback. He ought to’ve been ready financially.”
After talking with the truck driver, it was made clear that he was by no means informed he must entrance cash and bill for it. He was anticipated to be paid like everybody else.
This sort of pondering just isn’t solely disrespectful — it’s harmful.⸻
To the Touring Neighborhood
I’ve labored with dozens of bands, venues, and crews across the nation and the world. I understand how exhausting all of us work to maintain the wheels turning, and the way essential belief, communication, and professionalism are on this business.
In case you’re approached to work with this camp:
• Get a contract
• Demand a written fee timeline
• Don’t pay out of pocket except you wish to combat for reimbursement
• Stroll away should you sense even a touch of the conduct described aboveThere are too many nice artists on the market who DO care for their folks.
⸻
After a really heated and firey dialog with the bands supervisor, the whole lot turned very clear and the writting was on the wall. I couldn’t and won’t transfer ahead one other day swimming on this chaos.
I’m now heading house to my girlfriend, pups, and enterprise — with peace of thoughts figuring out I stood my floor and did what was proper. I’ve no regrets about leaving, solely a damaged coronary heart for leaving the drummer as he’s a tremendous particular person and I favored him very a lot. Even helped land him an Evans endorsement.
I’ll proceed supporting artists who deal with their crew with the professionalism and respect all of us deserve. With that stated, should you need assistance with gear, a rack construct, endorsement steerage, or simply help as a fellow crew member — I’ve received your again.
A lot love and respect,
FinchPS – Sure, I enough undismissable proof of the whole lot acknowledged above. Upon my exit of the tour, they’re now making folks signal NDAs as to not have this info on the market. And I’ve been paid, minus the pizza/crew meals buy since my convo with administration and making this put up….”
Talking later within the feedback of the intent behind his assertion, Finch responded to a fan who jokingly stated the dispute ought to be settled with a naked knuckle combat with Slaughter To Prevail vocalist Alex Horrible:
“This isn’t about combating Alex or any member of the band — it’s about exposing how unprofessional the operation is behind the scenes so different working techs, distributors, and crew don’t get blindsided or taken benefit of.
I’m not right here to swing fists. I’m right here to guard my time, my enterprise, and the individuals who hold excursions operating. That’s the actual combat — and the one that really issues.
The truth that the administration and or band made everybody signal an NDA proper after I left, as a result of they learn this put up… says the whole lot it’s essential know. They aren’t about altering the way in which they function. They’re about burying it from the general public/touring eye.”
He was additionally requested which administration agency was behind the incident, to which he replied:
“It’s a combo of some issues. The TM, the bands supervisor from 5b UK and seemingly one or two members. I’m simply reporting my first hand experiences with all three.”
In a brand new assertion issued by Slaughter To Prevail on social media tonight (July twenty seventh) the band straight responded to Finch‘s allegations, issuing the under counterstatement of their very own:
“We at all times pay our crew. We do the whole lot we will to run this band correctly and repair any issues as they arrive up.
The one that made the general public put up by no means raised any considerations through the tour. In reality, they requested to proceed working with us proper up till the day they selected to go away. Which left us very shocked after he personally texted our drummer that he was leaving and by no means spoke to us about any points beforehand. As an alternative he put his grievances on-line instantly, which is unusual to us because it seems to be like he’s utilizing this chance to advertise his enterprise.
We’re shocked to see him use this chance to develop his enterprise when it ought to be about real crew points that we might repair simply. Which he knew that we might as we had mounted points for him earlier than. Regardless of his assertion saying his want the band to achieve success, he left our drummer and pushed his assertion so far as he might to harm our repute over issues we might have solved for him. While we perceive there’s a protocol with management and crew grievances, he broke this on the primary day with no penalties as a result of his drawback was solved simply however then he want to make this public as an alternative of truly making an attempt to repair the problems once more. Which seems to be very opportunistic to us.
We consider the rationale he selected to go away was after a dialog with our supervisor who informed him he wouldn’t be persevering with as our drum tech on upcoming excursions. We have already got a full-time drum tech based mostly in Australia. Once we first booked these reveals, they had been supposed as one-off festivals and it didn’t make sense to fly him over.
After that dialog, the general public accusations and slander started.
We consider the conversations had been tense however it was mutual and direct between adults. Individuals spoke their minds. This occurred in a public a part of the inexperienced room with crew, venue employees, band and associates current.
Lots of the claims within the put up will not be true from our perspective. For instance, on the day the crew bus broke down throughout a journey day, we had solely booked day rooms at a resort in El Paso. Due to the scenario, the band gave up their private rooms and had them transformed into twin rooms so the crew might sleep whereas ready for the repaired bus to reach and take them to the following present in Tucson.
The declare about delayed fee can also be not correct. The delay was began by the person giving our enterprise crew incorrect financial institution info, which prompted the fee to bounce. After that and a brief vacation taken by our enterprise supervisor, fee was made inside two weeks of the present. Which is one factor we will enhance is to verify all short-term contractors are issued with correct agreements that clearly state all circumstances to keep away from conditions like this sooner or later with right fee schedules.
As international nationals, we now have tried our greatest to arrange a enterprise construction in the USA together with bank cards and banking. It has taken time to kind, particularly for bank cards as we had safety points with our debit playing cards that had been uncontrolled. We labored exhausting to search out options to maintain the tour operating easily. In uncommon conditions crew lined small bills on our behalf which is regular and reimbursed shortly by means of normal recharge invoices.
After the accusations had been made we carried out a full inside evaluate into crew circumstances. We spoke to everybody concerned to verify the setting is skilled, respectful and honest. We discovered no proof of any mistreatment or wrongdoing and have welcomed all recommendation to make future excursions higher. We take these items critically and wish everybody we work with to really feel secure and assured of their position.
We additionally need folks to know we had warnings about this particular person earlier than the tour. We gave them an opportunity and stayed quiet. We by no means shared any of their previous or current behaviour public even after we had purpose to. However now that line has been crossed.
One other crew member near this particular person was additionally not requested to return due to poor work.
To guard our crew and our enterprise, we issued a typical non disclosure settlement. That is frequent in touring and protects everybody when personal enterprise or private info is being shared publicly.
We’re not excellent however we’re centered. We attempt to do the best factor and we care deeply about our music, our followers and the folks we work with.
Thanks for supporting us. We transfer ahead. There might be no additional statements however will fortunately see this by means of court docket if he needs to proceed.
Slaughter to Prevail“
