Ex-Testament bassist Greg Christian has been vocal in recent weeks of his displeasure with the group. Today he provided the following post through his Facebook in which he reveals he took home 25k for all his touring with the band throughout 2013. The group and Christian officially parted ways this past January.
“- I know last week I said I’d talk about a band meeting that happened in São Paulo – I don’t care anymore – I’m done airing the ridiculous, and (believe it or not lol) I’m saying my final peace here – I could go on for as many years as I was back in Testament with stories of being slighted, lies, and greed, but my only real point or complaint is about live performance money. I don’t own any part of the records or anything else and don’t really care.
But to use my name and likeness, as an original member, along with a ‘recognizable personality’ (for lack of a better term) on stage, along with what I actually brought to the stage, pretty consistently (just look at YouTube) and refuse to give me anything other than the beyond ridiculous deal of NOTHING EVER of show money – though I went through all the shitty travel, and all the other ‘downsides’ to everything, and had my face on the ads, did all the meet n greets, signings, and everything else – is simply wrong. Everything else aside – I worked for and earned, at least some kind of piece of that. That’s undeniable. And I’d’ve been happy with a much smaller piece than I felt I was worth. But not zero.
– I believe it’s personal. Directed solely at me. And I think there’s a high likelihood it’s a direct result of words I spoke back in ’96 – though not very tactful, I wasn’t exactly wrong about.
And to push a petty grudge like that to this point is something I just can’t understand. I would never do that to someone I hated, but to do that to someone you spent 20 years on the road with and helped you get where you are??? In my humble opinion (for whatever it’s worth) – that… that leaves me speechless – I just don’t understand it.– FYI – for ALL the shows I played in 2013 and ALL the travel and ALL the time away from home and family – before taxes $37,775 – after taxes about $25k – with no PD’s and our travel schedule that’s actually more like about $21k – ya. that’s reality – and considering the $$$ Testament brought in for live performances in 2013 – cruel and unusual – Thanks guys. Love you too.
– I’ll post a pic of my W2 in the comments. Don’t want it to be the 1st thing people see, but if anyone has any doubts – there it is –
anyway… I know I can be a long winded fuck but I finally said my peace…
– this signals an end to my three weeks of throw-up Thursdays. I don’t know how anyone else even reads this shit. Makes me sick, but I had to let it out, and now that I have this summarized, it may be time to see what an attorney thinks… I dunno??? but I’m not holding my breath lol. anyway… on to new music…”
