Hi all,
We want to update you on the current situation regarding Jimmie Strimell.
In doing so, we want to be completely honest and transparent.
When we gave him a second chance to once again enter the band as a full time member, our only demand was that he would be totally clean from his drug abuse.
The very drug abuse he himself has written about, and talks quite openly about in general. We reached a mutual agreement on zero tolerance against drugs and alcohol, accordingly.
Additionally, this would only apply on shows when we are to perform as Dead by April. As it is of course up to him, or anyone else, to make whatever choice in life they’d want otherwise, obviously.
The last couple of months there has been several occasion where we have caught Jimmie both high, and drinking alcohol. In fact, the very first tour he did with us as a returning member — he drank alcohol on the tourbus. So he has had multiple chances.
The last two shows on tour, Jimmie actually left us just a few hours before stage time. That’s insane!! 😳 Without saying anything to anyone. That’s so disrespectful towards the DBA fans that bought their tickets to enjoy the show. The rest of us actually stayed to perform the shows as we refused to cancel.
If anyone of you here on AA have any experience what it is like trying to communicate, have a relationship with, or even help (lending money, organizing, just being there when needed the most) with an addict — you’d know that it can be a complete nightmare…There are so many lies, paranoia, manipulation attempts, false accusations, it’s ridiculous. And there is literally nothing you can do.
We cannot be his emotional punching bag for whenever he chooses to use or drink. It’s extremely exhausting, tumoultus, stressful, and incredibly destructive…
We also don’t want to be his enablers and constantly give him new chances regardless of his behavior as he always promise us that this time — is the last time he is gonna use or drink.
As you can probably understand - we have no other choice but to let Jimmie go.. And we can only hope that he will make future choices that will put him on the right path in life. This is beyond our control, and we wish him all the strength, luck, and best we possibly can.
Note: we have a replacement ready. This will be updated in a separate post later today. #dbaforever
Comments
Mark, are you that ignorant of addiction. It pains me that the lead singer is out but as one who does and continues to battle addiction, if you dont understand then keep your comments to yourself. Addiction is a daily battle, one of which I lose most days. That being said I respect the bands stance and completely agree with the why. But Mark, you’re 100% clueless. I feel bad for anyone YOU know that fights this day in and day out. Your statement is 100% everything wrong with the stigma of addiction. Walk the walk and talk the talk…if you dont understand than really Mark your comment should have been kept to yourself. what the band did is 100% the correct way to handle things. Other around him have to accept they were enabling. Maybe not on purpose and I assure you it was done out of love but bottom line addiction isnt the problem for just.the addict. Get over yourself mark and see this is not just what needed to happen but it’s what had to happen. To save or at least attempt at saving Jimmies life.
We wish nothing but the best for Jimmie. And we intend nothing but the best of outcomes by being this transparent in this post. Hopefully a final wake-up call. We’ve been lending him money when he needed it, been trying to talk to him, support him in pretty much any possible way.. We also offered him a chance to go to a Thailand rehab which would be paid for in part by DBA. But nothing has helped, and yes — we’ve now given up and must move on.
I am a fan from China. I am very sad to hear the news. jimmie still can’t quit drugs. I hope the new members can do better.