Last night, we reported that Buffalo metalcore mainstay Every Time I Die had broken up rather than replace longtime vocalist Keith Buckley. Buckley had taken a step back from the band to focus on his mental health, following up on gossip by publicly announcing that he had suffered neither a breakdown or a relapse. Now, in response to the announcement issued by the other members of Every Time I Die, Buckley has posted a legal document suggesting that the band had initiated the break-up long before last night.
For those of you who don’t remember, Every Time I Die’s initial announcement about canceling shows and taking a break contained a statement expressing concerns over Keith’s mental health, with the band writing, “Mental Health is a real issue and when not treated has an impact on so many people. Keith needs to take this time to rest and prepare for the holiday shows and we wish him a quick recovery.”
However, Buckley himself soon released his own statement that claimed he was being “ostracized by the band” for his sober lifestyle. Keith went so far as to say, “…while meditating in a side room yesterday I overheard my own brother tell an outsider that ETID had been in talks to replace me this entire time. I thought they were my biggest supporters. but Jordan [Buckley, Keith’s brother and Every Time I Die’s lead guitarist] had lied. his concern was a cruel trick. their statement is proof…to being ostracized from a band I have built for 20 years because I made a decision to do whatever it took to be a good Human Being hurts me deeply, but trust me when I say I am the most mentally fit I have ever been. this decision was made to protect myself from my own sibling.”
Now, Buckley has posted a legal document from a law firm retained by the other members of Every Time I Die, which shows that the band were already considering the “amicable separation between parties” as early as December 20th of this year.
— keith buckley (@deathoftheparty) January 18, 2022
What exactly this means for the ETID crew isn’t clear, other than that Keith seems very ready to air their dirty laundry in public.
More on this story as it unfolds.
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Words by Chris Krovatin
