A venue in Memphis, Tennessee cancelled the upcoming concert for metalcore band As I Lay Dying after receiving public backlash for the lead vocalist’s criminal history.
The concert was supposed to take place on April 5 at Growlers. However, the venue received harsh criticism from locals about hosting the show since As I Lay Dying since lead vocalist Tim Lambesis was released from prison last year after serving time for a murder-for-hire plot against his then-wife. Growlers will now replace the concert with an event to benefit victims of domestic violence.
Growlers released a statement on their Facebook page, noting that although they had several requests to bring the band to Memphis, after booking the event, they were met with many demands to call-off the show. People in the community denounced his actions, and the venue said they “want [the community] to know that their voices are heard.”
“Growlers vehemently denounces all forms of physical and mental domestic abuse, and we’ll be replacing the As I Lay Dying show with a benefit show featuring all local bands,” Growlers said in the statement. “100% of the proceeds will go to helping local victims of domestic abuse.
“As a locally owned small business, supporting our community is the single most important thing to us. In this instance, we’ve heard the community loud and clear, and we are going to do everything we can to ensure that we continue forward in providing an enjoyable entertaining environment that all of our patrons feel comfortable in. And to the people whose comments were erased, we sincerely apologize. Just know we stand with you.”
Lambesis was convicted in 2014 after paying $1,000 to an undercover San Diego cop – posing as a hitman – to kill his wife. He was sentenced to six years behind bars, but was released approximately two and a half years later.
For the first time in five years, the band reunited in 2018 and released a new single, “Bury My Own Grave.” He posted an apology letter to the band’s social media pages, asking for forgiveness. However, after a round of shows across Europe, Lambesis noticed the public backlash. He posted another note, explaining how he had turned his life around and asked fans to not support his past decisions, but instead see how he is learning to become a better person.
“People who support AILD are not supporting the person I once was, because part of my life’s work now is to undo the hurt I’ve caused and to help others in addiction,” Lambesis wrote in December. “Instead, I think AILD fans are supporting the belief that people can change.”
As I Lay Dying recently revealed U.S. tour dates, kicking-off this March in St. Louis and running through early April. They will make stops in cities across the country like Providence, New Haven, Nashville, Baltimore, and Pensacola before wrapping-up in Springfield, Missouri.
Check out the list of upcoming tour dates below.
Visit Ticket Club to find tickets to see As I Lay Dying on tour this year
As I Lay Dying U.S. Tour Dates 2019
03/15 – St. Louis, MO @ Pops
03/16 – Peoria, IL @ Monarch
03/17 – Joliet, IL @ The Forge
03/18 – Louisville, KY @ Diamond Concert Hall
03/19 – Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall
03/20 – Rochester, NY @ The Montage Music Hall
03/21 – Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
03/22 – Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance Theatre
03/23 – Providence, RI @ Fete Music Hall
03/24 – New Haven, CT @ Toad’s Place
03/25 – Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore SoundStage
03/26 – Greensboro, NC @ Blind Tiger
03/27 – Columbia, SC @ The Senate
03/29 – Tampa, FL @ Orpheum
03/30 – Jacksonville, FL @ 1904
03/31 – Pensacola, FL @ Vinyl Music Hall
04/02 – Baton Rouge, LA @ Varsity Theater
04/03 – Birmingham, AL @ Zydeco
04/04 – Nashville, TN @ Exit/In
04/06 – Springfield, MO @ The Complex
