Breaking Benjamin Update

[Dr. Stinger A. Zoidberg]

Yes, I know they released a greatest hits album last week, but I would like to bring something more serious to a fan's attention.

According to The Citizens’ Voice of Wilkes-Barre, frontman and founder Benjamin Burnley fired guitarist Aaron Fincke and bassist Mark Klepaski via e-mail as a result of a dispute over a remix of the song “Blow Me Away.”

Court documents state that Klepaski and Fincke made a deal regarding the track with the band’s label, Hollywood Records, without Burnley’s consent. As a result, Burnley is seeking $250,000 and the exclusive rights to the band’s name. The parties have arbitration to look forward to.

Yep, Breaking Benjamin is now without a guitar and bass player. I can understand why Burnley is mad; the remix is absolutely horrible.

Breaking Benjamin has been off tour since 2010 due to Ben Burnley's reoccuring illnesses, but Burnley has said he will continue Breaking Benjamin work after the lawsuit is finished; but how will firing Fink and Klepaski who have been in the band since the beginning work out for the band as a whole? Of course, there are always the rumors of a possible breakup, and I honestly hope that doesn't happen. I hope that Burnley either lets the two back in the band, or goes out and hires new people to take their places. But with new people, Breaking Benjamin may never be the same.

So what are your thoughts on this whole controversy? Do you see Breaking Benjamin being successful after this whole thing? Or do you think it's time we start to accept the fact that Breaking Benjamin is officially done?

 

[lenguy]

I heard rumors that the band was going through some issues. I always knew Ben was going through some health issues, but didn't thinking much off it. I assumed he would overcome it, they would finish up their touring and get back into the studio for works on their 5th album. I guess that's now wishful thinking upon my part now.

I hear Ben plans too continue with the band with or without Aaron and Mark. Which too me sounds like he will be in search of two new band members, so fans might have to wait on a new album for awhile now. This could ether but ultimately good or bad for the band. Good in a way that by finding two new members they could develop an entirely new and fresh sound for the band, which fans will ether like or hate. Or bad as in that this could be the end of Breaking Benjamin if Ben is somehow unsuccessful in finding two permanent new members. I suppose its always possible they could work things out, but at the moment that doesn't look too be the case,

I'm not sure how I feel about this, I mean I love BB and their music. However if their last album was any indication of where they were heading then I'm kind of glad this has happened. As I said, new members could bring in a fresh sound and in the time off maybe Ben can work on his lyric writing ability, as they were just atrocious on Dear Agony. We will just have too wait and find out. I'm sure this isn't the end of Breaking Benjamin though. They will be back, we just might have to wait awhile by the looks of it.

 

[Henhouse]

Yeah...new members could ultimately improve or kill the band. He'd have to be really thorough in choosing them.

 

[LSN80]

Yes, I know they released a greatest hits album last week, but I would like to bring something more serious to a fan's attention.



Yep, Breaking Benjamin is now without a guitar and bass player. I can understand why Burnley is mad; the remix is absolutely horrible.

Breaking Benjamin has been off tour since 2010 due to Ben Burnley's reoccuring illnesses, but Burnley has said he will continue Breaking Benjamin work after the lawsuit is finished; but how will firing Fink and Klepaski who have been in the band since the beginning work out for the band as a whole? Of course, there are always the rumors of a possible breakup, and I honestly hope that doesn't happen. I hope that Burnley either lets the two back in the band, or goes out and hires new people to take their places. But with new people, Breaking Benjamin may never be the same.

So what are your thoughts on this whole controversy? Do you see Breaking Benjamin being successful after this whole thing? Or do you think it's time we start to accept the fact that Breaking Benjamin is officially done?

I dont believe the band is done. Unlike bands before them like Velvet Revoler, Guns N Roses, Rage Against the Machine, and Audioslave, amongst others, they still have the most important piece of the band remaining. The songwriter and lead singer in Burnley. BB is one of my favorite bands, and I was disapointed that they stopped touring because of Burnley's illness. For those unaware, Burnley has an "undisclosed health issue" that will eventually take his life, likely before 50. It's due to Burnley's heavy substance and alcohol abuse from his past, although hes been clean for 3-4 years.

As for the lawsuit, I tend to agree that he has a reason to be pissed as well. lthough Blow Me Away was never a favorite of mine, it was very good nonetheless. As you said Stinger, the remix of the song is horrendous. As for the lawsuit, I dont know that he'll receive the compensation that he's looking for, as Valour absolutely ruins the song. it just doesn't hold the strength of the original song, and Burnley doesnt sound too invested as he's singing. I could see him getting exclusive rights to the band,but the 250,000 grand sounds extremely unreasonable over one song, unless they were somehow in breach of the bands contract, and it specified an amount that would be ruled upon if said contract.

I dont know how much new people in the band would affect BB's success. If he gets competant replacements, I see no reason they cant be successful, unless there are chemistry issues. Sure they will likely see a delay in recording, but that's to be expected. I think the strength of the band has always been Burnley's songwriting and voice, and they haven't lost that. If Burnley had been the one who left, then I would believe 100% that the band is finished. But that's not the case here, so as long as Burnley can be stay reasonable healthy and find competant replacements he has chemistry with, there's no reason to believe that BB cannot be successful as long as they choose to continue.

 

[Skairipa Matrix]

wow i didnt hear anything about this im a bit surprised by it but if hes pissed by that it makes sense why maybe this is the end to Breaking Benjamin? but i hope not i like this band espically their song diary of jane but i guess we gotta wait and see what happens

 

[JaceEvans]

Hey i know this thread is kinda old but I'm a huge BB mark and just wanted to know if anyone heard any news regarding the future of BB and or how the lawsuit is going ie if it's over or hasn't begun yet.

Appreciate any info