Vicious Rumors drummer Larry Howe has once again found himself excluded from touring with the band over his controversial political beliefs. Faced with shows being canceled amid pushback for the extreme opinions of the self-described ‘rock & roll patriot’, this past February saw the power metal band enlist a touring member in his place. That personnel change was made to assuage the concerns of promoters and more feeling the heat for booking the band in light of Howe‘s political opinions.
At the time, Howe, a member of the band since 1985, issued a lengthy statement, in part offering:
“…when I see junk journalism in what amounts to a grocery store gossip rag disguising itself as a heavy metal magazine, chastising band members such as myself and other musicians for their proclivities and beliefs, I see it as a crack in the system. These types of divide and conquer tactics are usually embraced by controlling authoritarian oligarchs, or corrupt career politicians, or DIGITAL DICTATORS. This cannot stand.
The heavy metal industry as a whole is one of the smallest markets in the entire music industry, and we shouldn’t allow it to disintegrate through infighting like children yelling on a playground in a “cancel culture”
Yes, I am guilty of reposting some memes that have upset some people. It was not my intention and I humbly apologize.”
In a post shared this past Thursday, April 16th, Howe begrudgingly went on to say that his absence from the band has been extended “for the foreseeable future” in light of his political beliefs. He said:
“CANCEL CULTURE WINS AGAIN . I WILL NO LONGER BE DRUMMING FOR VICIOUS RUMORS (for the foreseeable future ) THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. edit note; it’s not the other band guys who are brainwashed… please don’t accuse them!! my heart goes out to them and I’m sorry this is affecting them. It’s just the music industry is saturated with leftist ideologues who capitulate to globalism and I can’t be a part of that! The cat is out of the bag for me!”
While Howe‘s post seemed to indicate that he may return in the future, a separate statement issued by his bandmates today, April 20th , states that he has resigned. The group offered the following on the situation:
“Larry Howe has announced he’s stepping down from Vicious Rumors. We tried to save our musical bond but all we got in return was canceled shows, lost tours and a fight we had nothing to do with. After paying such a high price over one individual person’s views we accept his resignation. Although we made some timeless albums, it’s time to get back to the music. The European Asylum Tour, May 9th – June 20 is 100% confirmed, We welcome a new chapter, a new drummer starting tomorrow!”
