A few years ago, Emmure lost two founding members, brothers Ben Lionetti (guitar) and Joe Lionetti (drums) left the band. Not much was said at the time, but after Emmure unveiled their new album art work and tracklisting for their upcoming release Eternal Enemies, Ben Lionette had to speak up.
First, let's take a look at this tracklisting:
01. Bring A Gun To School
02. Nemesis
03. N.I.A. (News In Arizona)
04. The Hang Up
05. A Gift A Curse
06. E
07. Like Lamotta
08. Free Publicity
09. Most Hated
10. Grave Markings
11. Hitomi's Shinobi
12. Rat King
13. Girls Don't Like Boys, Girls Like 40s And Blunts
14. New Age Rambler
15. We Were Just Kids
It looks as though Ben was particularly upset about the first song title. Seriously though, these song titles are ridiculous. Anyway, Lambgoat noticed that Ben posted the following:
"I feel a little need to speak out. Let's get this straight … Emmure is MY blood sweat and tears ..MY band born from my thoughts and my hard work and writing (I'm sure you can see the change from early Emmure to now so if they say they wrote it you know it's a lie; I was actually forced to say it was an even split wether it was money or writing credits) it will never be theirs as much as they can fake it that's all it is .. fake. To see what Frank [Palmeri] is doing to me and my family's hard work is absolutely disgusting. I love Mark [Davis], we hang all the time and have always been friends with Mike since the old Recon days and I still love seeing Jesse [Ketive]. But Frank is a disgusting human being and I'm also a little let down that the band members would even let that piece of garbage call a song 'Bring a gun to school' not to mention their management, But they just see dollar signs ..and you kids keep buying it, so sad… But I guess any publicity is good publicity .. Frank's a demonic genius … 'Ask your girl what my dick tastes like' was one thing but this shit is just out of hand. To see me and my brother's [Joe Lionetti] work and my family's support over all those years be ripped from our hands and turned into this breaks my heart. I never said anything negative and never wanted to make it public or go after them for money owed to us, like the time they said they magically lost 10k and couldn't pay me and Joe after we left the band. At least now I'll have no regrets when I slam them, their management and Victory Records with lawsuits from now until the end of time. Whether I win or not, My mission is now to take what is rightfully mine. #lawyerup"
I don't think you should be so loud and proud about Emmure being your baby, bruh!
It seems as though if the Lionettis were to sue this was absolutely the worst first move to make. Why announce it? Why give them time to prepare? Anyway, I'm excited for this lawsuit. Let's hope this is long and drawn out in court.
Update: Looks like Lionetti issued a follow-up statement:
Here's the thing, whether they, I, or you like it my name will always be attached to that band and unfortunately it is a very big part of my life, and if it weren't for me and my family these kids would be working in walmart.
Right now with IdreAM, Creative we have some serious industry heavy weights backing us and a collective called Beat Street, which goes into schools and speaks to kids about bullying, depression and giving these kids alternative options such as music production, music business, artist development etc.
We have a band called Before Ciada from Australia embarking on the BAM Tour (Bringing Awareess to Mental Illness) this summer they are going into schools as well speaking to classes about anxiety and depressions, trying to give kids hope and inspiration to better the world so we don't end up with more school shootings and violence.
We manage all these bands and develop their careers all non contracted, just going about it knowing that this love and passion for this music thing will work itself out and inspire others.
Emmure is not just some band playing in front of a hundred kids a night they are known around the world, hundred of thousands of records sold. They have generated through sales, tickets etc. millions if dollars. They have an influence in this world. So to have this band that I worked so hard for when I was a kid now be so desperate to sell records or get attention that they name their first track "Bring Your Gun To School" I find disgusting and pathetic. I don't care if it's just a title, to a young boy or girl who doesn't know the difference, it's poison.
Inspire, Dream, Create
And the world goes round.
This is as good a time as any to remind you of the incredibly awkward interview I did with Frankie at Mayhem Fest last year.
