Following disagreements between band members that spilled into the public eye in messy fashion late last year, Every Time I Die have just announced that they have broken up.
The band’s four members other than singer Keith Buckley — guitarists Andy Williams and Jordan Buckley (Keith’s brother), bassist Stephen Micciche and drummer Clayton “Goose” Holyoak — issued a joint statement earlier this evening (Monday, January 17) in which they said they were unable to effectively communicate with Keith after the recent turmoil, and have subsequently decided to call it quits. The statement insinuates that Keith had been planning to release his own statement with “inaccuracies.” Rumors that the band will continue with a new singer, they said, are false.
The full statement reads:
“Andy, Jordan, Steve and Goose’s last show with Every Time I Die was on Dec 11, 2021. While we hoped to come to an agreement upon legal statement that outlines the truth, we were informed today of something planned to be released not mutually agreed upon that consists of inaccuracies and controls a narrative to benefit one.
“There has been no direct communication with Keith, because it’s either impossible for direct communication with him solely or we’ve been cut off to any and all communication by himself.
“Every Time I Die was these 5 members, and we were never budging or accepting any chances. Simply, there is zero truth about the band continuing on with a new singer.
“Lastly, we wouldn’t be where we are today without every single person that’s backed the band in any & all ways. While we’re extremely disappointed in how this was played out online in front of you, your support and the memories we have because of you will all be cherished.
“Seen you soon.
Forever grateful,
Andy, Jordan, Steve & Goose”
Williams captioned his Twitter re-post of the statement, “RIP ETID ’98-’21.” Jordan Buckley quote-tweeted it with a broken heart emoji.
Keith Buckley, for his part, shared a private communication, dated December 20, 2021, written by an attorney at the firm Savur Law P.C. In that letter, an attorney whose name has been redacted (but listed as “Founder”) said the firm has been retained by the other four members, attempts to open up communication for a settlement agreement to remove Buckley from the band, and instructs Buckley to cease and desist using the Every Time I Die “band name, logo or intellectual property,” threatening legal action otherwise. The letter stipulates a deadline of December 27 for Keith to contact the firm, but does not outline specific consequences for not doing so. It is not clear whether Buckley responded to the letter.
In December, Buckley revealed on social media that he would be taking some time off from the band to address his mental health. The band then confirmed the news and announced (in a since-deleted statement) that they planned to play the remaining shows of their in-progress tour as a four-piece. Just hours later, however, Buckely issued a statement of his own, claiming that the band had “ostracized” him since he gave up drinking, and alleging that he’d overheard his brother, guitarist Jordan Buckley, discussing plans to have the vocalist replaced. The so-called “ETID karaoke” shows to finish up the tour without Buckley were subsequently canceled, with a positive Covid-19 case amongst the tour’s openers, ’68, not helping matters. But Buckley did join the band to perform at their annual ‘Tid the Season show in their native Buffalo later in the month.
Every Time I Die were founded in Buffalo, NY in 1998 by the Buckley brothers and Williams, cycling through a number of bassists and drummers over the years. They released nine albums in their 23+ years as a band, including Radical in 2021, and were widely considered to be progenitors of early metalcore before shifting away from that sound later on.
They will be greatly missed.
We will update more on this story as it becomes available.