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Divine Heresy Fires Lead Singer Tommy Cummings

posted Apr 30, 2008 at 6:41 AM by psythe.  (30 Comments)

Dino Cazares', best known for his time with Fear Factory, band Divine Heresy has fired their singer Tommy Cummings. Headbangers Ball has posted the following blog with quote from guitaist Cazares:

"He gave us 10 different reasons why we should stop — 'My microphone doesn't work, I got diarrhea, the monitors are fucked up' — whatever he could think of. We decided that's not fair to the fans. We wanted to give them a full show."

In part, the other members of Divine Heresy decided to finish the gig because they didn't think Cummings was being honest about why he wanted to cut the set short. "We felt that he wanted to end the show early to go hang out at the New England Metal Fest, which we were supposed to be performing at the next day," Cazares said.

But when Divine Heresy blasted into the next song, Cummings became unglued. He tried to pry the drumsticks from Tim Yeung’s hands, then he shoved Cazares, knocking him down. "The venue has a weird step onstage, and I hit the step and fell after he pushed me," Cazares said. "He just caught me off balance. It was extremely unprofessional, and, in my head I just knew it was over with him."

The Poughkeepsie incident was the final straw in a relationship that had grown increasingly strained over time. From the start, Cummings' hardcore and hip-hop background clashed with the rest of the band’s brutal death metal orientation, and as the lead singer, he seemed to see himself as the leader of the group even though the band was formed by Cazares. "He's a big, intimidating guy and he knows how to use that to his advantage," the guitarist explained. "We didn’t agree on a lot of things and we thought it was better that he left."

Source: Kill Your Stereo

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30 Comments on "Divine Heresy Vocalist Fired From Band"

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Anonymous Reader
1. tirentu writes:

Good. Maybe they'll get someone without whining clean vocals.

# Apr 30, 2008 @ 7:32 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
DaveTheViking's avatar

Member

2. DaveTheViking writes:

They are a half decent band. Its shameful how he didnt want to play the gig. People pay alot of money to see bands play. I hope they get someone decent in for the future.

# Apr 30, 2008 @ 8:04 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
3. blakeee[SC] writes:

whoa, thats crazy stuff. vext is a good vocalist. im glad i saw him live at soundwave this year. it will be interesting to see who they replace

# Apr 30, 2008 @ 8:13 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
BoltThrower's avatar

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4. BoltThrower writes:

I think if your singer says he's got diarreah, you've got to trust him. What happens to the stage if he actually does? That stuff can get slippery.

# Apr 30, 2008 @ 8:24 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
5. sadimz writes:

that guy is good vocalist but with that attitude like that i think cazares do the right thing

# Apr 30, 2008 @ 8:25 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
6. CrawfordTexasJingoJango writes:

Who cares

# Apr 30, 2008 @ 8:52 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
7. Chued writes:

I wonder why Cazares always has problems with bandmembers/vocalists?

# Apr 30, 2008 @ 10:20 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
8. Txmetalhead writes:

I really like Divine Heresy - however - no argument/fight is only one person's fault. It is terrible news, but more than likely, we will hear Vext's part of the story, too. I will continue to follow DH, though, because they are a great band. I especially love Cazares guitar playing...it sounds bada$$.

# Apr 30, 2008 @ 10:22 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
DreadPrevailed's avatar

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9. DreadPrevailed writes:

Kick his a$$ C Bass!!

# Apr 30, 2008 @ 12:28 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
10. Psychotron writes:

That sux I like Vext vocals. I met the guy and was a very cool guy. I hope they can talk things out and regroup for the fans sake. It wont be the original devine heresy anymore without Vext vocals.

# Apr 30, 2008 @ 2:55 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
11. CrawfordTexasJingoJango writes:

What's funny is the vocalist is the only one in the band that I didn't like. When I saw the video for whatever the hell that video was, I remember thinking, "Good music, bad singer."

Good riddance and then some. Maybe it's not too late for this little crybaby to join his brother in 36 Crazyfister or Ocrap.

# Apr 30, 2008 @ 2:57 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
kev74d's avatar

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12. kev74d writes:

This is another band that I think writes really good music, but needs to "step-up" the vocals. Killer band, just weak vocals. If the vocals don't go with/match the music or "compliment" each other, then I loose intrest really quickly. Just my opinion though. S.D.M.F.

# Apr 30, 2008 @ 5:32 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
13. Skate-or-Die writes:

He is a dork. I I seen them in cincy a few months ago and you just got this vibe that they had no chemistry between them. He was doing all this hip hop jumping and flailing about and it was more of a death metal crowd who was not into it. It was like watching the captain of the football team on cocaine front a really good band. I hope Dino and Yeung can forge on without him on maybe another project because they really sound killer together.

# Apr 30, 2008 @ 8:24 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
14. MetallicPunk writes:

Well it sounds like to me if he is gonna whine about stuff and then proceed to freak out on stage he deserves to be kicked out of the band besides it sounded like he had a ego problem and thats not gonna fly when your in a band.

# Apr 30, 2008 @ 11:34 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Kalis_wrath's avatar

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15. Kalis_wrath writes:

I say good riddence! He would have his a$$ handed to him had he done that to me. Much like the jobs we adults have, if you dont do your job or you act as unproffesional you get fired. The world of metal is no different!

# Apr 30, 2008 @ 11:49 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Kalis_wrath's avatar

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16. Kalis_wrath writes:

As unproffesimal as he*

# Apr 30, 2008 @ 11:50 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Kalis_wrath's avatar

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17. Kalis_wrath writes:

Damn it! Unproffesional* I need sleep BAD! Have been working way too damn much at work and home.

# Apr 30, 2008 @ 11:54 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
XWigglesX's avatar

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18. XWigglesX writes:

Ah he was pretty good I thought. Big man with an equally big ego too though. Good live. Seems to be a lot of d***heads in metal these days I reckon.

# May 1, 2008 @ 1:54 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
19. Jimbob writes:

When i first heard Divine Heresy, the vocals were a big turn off, but i got used to them i suppose... Bleed the Fifth is a great cd and i think they should be able to replace him fairly easy. Hopefully anyway, these guys play some pretty wild metal

# May 1, 2008 @ 3:53 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
20. Mic writes:

Tirentu, you're an idiot. "Good. Maybe they'll get someone without whining clean vocals."

He was an AMAZING vocalist that not only had some of the most brutal pipes that I've personally EVER heard, he also had an AMAZING singing voice. He also would switch between the two with ease like a professional. He truly mastered his own Vocals.

It takes a lot of technical talent, and practice in order to be a "Vocalist". A Vocalist does it all. If you want to listen to droned out emotionless growling go kill your family, and while you're at it... kill yourself, and practice Cannibalism while listening to Cannibal Corpse, you depressed little fagot.

# May 1, 2008 @ 12:44 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
21. defender of the faith writes:

haha good just looking at that guy makes me sick

# May 1, 2008 @ 12:55 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
22. Txmetalhead writes:

I have a probem with Cazares attitude..sure he is a fabulous guitarist, but come, Cazares seems to have problems getting along with anyone now adays. In the past, he wanted to blame Burton Bell and Fear Factory for his problems, what is his excuse now? I do love Divine Heresy, however, Cazares always seem to be really fukkin' good at playing the "victim" - he has some responsibility in the matter, too. He was one who found Vext - so he is part of the problem. Anyway, Divine is a bada$$ band, and yes, it wouldn't be the same without Cazares or Vext. I have already met different vocalists in my time following metal, and some guys are cool, while others are a$$holes... Burton C. Bell happened to be one cool motherfukker.

# May 1, 2008 @ 1:53 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
23. CrawfordTexasJingoJango writes:

Txmetalhead, all you have to say is "Dino is a fabulous guitarist" since that's all that matters and anything else, including whatever Vext is saying to try to justify being sacked, is whiny diva bullshxt.

# May 1, 2008 @ 4:46 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
24. The Bootscraper writes:

Everything about Divine Heresy kicked f***ing a$$ EXCEPT Tommy Vext. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

# May 13, 2008 @ 1:43 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
25. Bruno Sardine writes:

His vox were okay but not fantastic; curious to see who they'll replace him with. Also gotta agree with Txmetalhead...Dino (although a kick-ass guitar player, ain't taking that away from him) has a history of not getting along with other band members. BCB is a helluva kewl mutha, I'll 2nd that...\m/

# May 14, 2008 @ 4:29 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
26. Nathan Hyde writes:

Mic and Txmetalhead: I agree with both of you.

Tommy has amazing vocals, and Dino has an ego way larger than his penguin a$$.

I just saw them tonight, and the "replacement" doesn't quite cut it. And Dino's singing shouldn't be allowed!!

# May 15, 2008 @ 2:13 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
27. Txmetalhead writes:

To post 23 - I am too tired to type..and you are not worth my time or space in life.
Have a nice day, diva bullsh1t...that was funny! I do happen to love Fear Factory, though, and still think the band is great. I can't deny the fact the Dino is a phenomenal guitarist, however, Hext had a bada&& voice, too. I listen for vocal melody, but that is not my favorite part of the band. Damn, I responded...shi1t!

# May 15, 2008 @ 11:04 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
28. Txmetalhead writes:

Burton C. Bell happens to be one cool motherfukker....long live the FEAR.
FF is bada$$. Burton C. Bell is one cool guy. Crawford is not from Texas. - fact

# May 15, 2008 @ 11:08 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
29. Txwhiny diva bullshxt writes:

Yo what's up all? lol

# May 15, 2008 @ 11:12 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
30. CrawfordTexasJingoJango writes:

Txmetalhead is NOT a metalhead - fact

# May 15, 2008 @ 11:22 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address

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