Cradle of Filth singer Dani Filth issued a lengthy statement Friday addressing the abrupt exit of the band’s guitarist and keyboardist, as well as their parting accusations of low pay, “unprofessional behavior,” and other “foolish clown antics.”
Singer and keyboardist Zoë M. Federoff first announced her departure from Cradle of Filth for “personal reasons,” and days later the band announced they were firing “effective immediately” guitarist (and Federoff’s husband) Marek “Ashok” Šmerda. The sudden splits soon turned acrimonious as both Federoff and Šmerda aired grievances against the band and the group’s management.
While Dani Filth touched on the situation when he announced Šmerda’s firing, the singer gave a more detailed account of the rift in a long statement posted on social media Friday.
“I think it’s time to reveal my side of the story, now that so many accusations have been leveled at the band, our management, and me personally,” Filth wrote at the onset. “I apologize for the slight tardiness of this statement; it was important to approach this in a level-headed manner after reflection. The timing was also difficult, as the band is currently touring South America with arduous travel days, long flights, and shows.”
In the statement, Filth addressed claims of a restrictive contract that band members must sign — “WE DO NOT prohibit our musicians from work commitments with other bands, we only ask to plan sufficiently,” he wrote — as well as the mudslinging aimed at the group’s management.
“Of course Zoe would show you the worst and it saddens me that the context of what I thought was our dialogue was warped to fit an agenda and made public,” Filth wrote. “And yes, unfortunately a band is a business, and when we witness a person stirring trouble, drinking heavily, not writing, threatening to sue the band over use of their image, then something obviously needed to be done.”
Filth also responded with some too-much-information claims of his own, shining a public light on Federoff and Šmerda’s private relationship, citing “heavy drinking, escalating arguments, and repeated public disputes created a very disruptive atmosphere for everyone involved.”
Filth also shared text messages where Šmerda made unflattering comparisons between the band’s management and Sharon Osbourne. “Ashok spoke out for her and went after the Royal family of heavy metal and we won’t have anybody speaking about Ozzy’s wife like this,” Filth added.
Despite all the drama, Cradle of Filth’s tour of South America has continued on incident-free, with replacements quickly taking the place of the departed members. “Anyhoo I could prattle on forever, I just wanted to clear up a few things and then be out of your hair,” Filth added. ” Thank you to all the many bands, fans and fellow musicians who have proffered their support in this matter.”
