Amy Lee no longer encumbered by record deal

There's been a bit of a spat between Amy Lee and her label for the last few months - Lee mostly claiming she'd been shorted on Evanesence royalties. But now? She is free:

Today, for the first time in 13 years, I am a free and independent artist. I have wanted this for so long and I am so happy. CHEERS!

— Amy Lee (@AmyLeeEV) March 19, 2014

Today, for the first time in 13 years, I am a free and independent artist. I have wanted this for so long and I am so happy. CHEERS!

— Amy Lee (@AmyLeeEV) March 19, 2014

What's interesting is the attitude of Blabbermouth commenters under the line.

Some worry that she's not independent enough:

Joe Franklin · Top Commenter · Owner-Operator at Force Ten Productions
Fair enough, but unless she records and produces the music herself and sells CD's out of the trunk of her car, she'll never be truly free and independent.

What's that? She's going to drive around a car? Surely she should build a trolley from wood she grows herself and... oh, hang on, I'm trying to take the piss out of Joe's comment, but I think he's about to trump anything I can come up with. Because someone says this:

Conner O'Reilly · Top Commenter
Joe Franklin There's this thing called the internet nowadays where artists can sell their music directly to the fans, no car trunk required. Crazy concept, I know!

... and Joe responds thus:

Joe Franklin · Top Commenter · Owner-Operator at Force Ten Productions
Did she code the website herself?

FAIL!

"What's that? She did? Oh... but was she using a computer that she'd made herself from components? Yeah, but if she didn't power the electricity herself she's not independent, right," concluded Joe using a laptop he carved out of wood with his own teeth.

Still, the 'you're not really DIY' attacks were mild compared with some other opinions delightful Blabbermouthers chose to share. You might be able to spot a theme:

Fred Frenzel · Top Commenter · Works at Minnkota Enviroservices
You mean nobody wanted to sign a washed-up pregnant lady whose music isn't that good to begin with? I shan't believe it!

Charlie Meister · Top Commenter · University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
Maybe this is good news. It really only makes a difference if they put out an album more than once every 5 years. That said, I suppose there's an allowance here for child rearing. Can't wait to hear what's next.

Loco Ono · Austin, Texas
"I'm free to do anything". Porn.

Brian Nallick · Top Commenter
If she's married to a therapist she really doesn't even need a job. Those dudes make the $$$

Brian Oswald · Top Commenter
More like, "Nobody wants to work with me, but I'm too conceited to blame myself." Without a record company, you would be playing state fairs and bars. Go shit out your kid and shut up.

Child rearing. Doing porn. Being a wife. Below the line on Blabbermouth, there are no limits to what a woman can achieve, are there?

Evanescence send sicknote

Flu like symptoms hospitalised 'some' members of Evanescence and their entourage at the weekend, leading to cancellation of the Denver date on their current plastic-goth tour of the US.

Charmlessly, they're not going to bother rescheduling.

Amy Lee: You're sacked - but don't tell anyone

After yesterday's description by John LeCompt of getting kicked out of Evanesence by Goth-Thatcher Amy Lee, now Rocky Gray has blogged about apparent attempts by Lee and her management to stop him doing the same:

"Amy Lee's management emailed me last night to tell me that, in their view, the contract I signed to record, perform and tour with the group says I'm not allowed to have any free speech in regard to Evanescence.

"They way they spin it, I'm not even allowed to say I quit the group, I guess. But the news is out there, so, there ya' go. I need to have a lawyer read over all that mess to tell me what, when and how I can tell you all- the REAL FANS- what really went down, if I ever can, haha."

Amy Lee, of course, is apparently the only person who she isn't trying to keep quiet. She's churned out a statement, too:

"Evanescence is alive and well. John and Rocky were in Evanescence for four years and we shared some great times together playing live, but they were ready to move on and so we have parted ways. Evanescence is something I have loved and nurtured since I was fourteen, and I will continue to protect and fight for it as I always have.

"Terry, Tim and I are very excited to play live with some amazing new musicians and we will rock harder than ever. Stay tuned for more news on that front. And don't worry about the tour, guys. Nothing will be cancelled and we will see you soon!"

It's not known if she delivered this statement, dressed in a wedding frock, from the top of a burning building, but we wouldn't be at all surprised.

Amy Lee loses another couple from Evanesence

The increasingly one-woman band that is Evanesence has lost a couple more members, with Amy Lee firing John LeCompt and Rocky Gray walking out in sympathy. LeCompt blogged about his cashiering:

"Around 3:30 pm yesterday I recieved a call on my cell from Amy. This call wasn't from a friend who appreciated me but from an enemy who was prepared to hurt me and my family. Without any warning or negotiotiations for my future, I was fired for no good reason. We have not always seen eye to eye on everything, but who does?

"Our common goal was always the same. To make Evanescence the best rock band it could ever be. I have always given blood, sweat and tears to make that happen but apparently that is not enough. I have now become just another of the people fallen by the wayside on the revolving door of her life. It's funny how many of us there are now. I guess it's good for lyrical content, though. Maybe I will be among the blessed to have a song written about me, too. Maybe the song will be 'Call Me When You're Broke'."

It's fascinating that Amy Lee seems to be going about becoming solo by a really circuitous route. She's always tried to play down the Christian origins of the band - presumably that's why she's behaving with so little compassion or charity.

Wouldn't you love to see LeCompt bring an unfair dismissal suit?