WWW.SARABARACUDA.COM
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33/21/2012 |
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Two years ago I was fired from The Iron Maidens at LAX immediately after our Tokyo tour. After receiving an email the next day to agree with their departure explanation 'or else', the latter transpired months later when I shared what really happened. Thank you to those that have come forth and shared false statements made against me from my former band mates/manager. If you have anything to add to my lawsuit feel free to contact me. This also applies to any merch booth pictures or video taken which shows the band selling CDs/DVDs/posters/shirts after I was fired. * * Almost 10 years of my life with The Iron Maidens were stolen from me by the time the Tokyo flight landed in February, 2010. The merchandise with the money reinvested from 10 years of shows and kept in my bank account specifically opened for band business was taken, and my administrator rights for the web design and Ultimate Metal forum revoked for no reason other than 'your services are no longer needed'. Eventually I was also denied access to the P.O. box which I dutifully checked weekly to fulfill snail mail orders. * * Not one member said a word during this exchange at LAX -- except Linda McDonalds. She used to refer to me as "bestest" but I wonder now the extent of her definition of friendship. My choice to not endanger my life due to my pneumonia by not adhering to their ridiculous tour schedule (more on that later) ended in my total eradication. The band left me on the curb and hid like cowards in the parking structure across the street while I waited for my ride. I laughed when Wanda's husband came looking for them and I told him where they were. Just like I laughed when Mark Dawson took the merch bins and told me -- just wait a month and we will see what happens when the smoke clears...after years of listening to his stories it's all a punch line. * * One month after I was forced out of The Iron Maidens, I was going through my bank records and noticed over a thousand dollars spent on merch. The vendor told me the charges were made by Wanda Ortiz, the bass player, who said I was sick and that she would be doing the order. Of course the vendor reversed the charges and supplied a letter for the police report. * * Back in 2001 when we started the band, I let everyone know I was not interested in a tits and ass project. For me, talent is first and foremost. For an all female band to put their music integrity first, especially with the topic of Iron Maiden; I take that very seriously. I love the music too much to half-ass anything. We practiced for 9 months until we felt ready to play out the first show. It was this musical integrity which spoke to fans, catapulting our little tribute band to the forefront of the scene and allowing us to remain a global success. Many guitarists later, I still strove to keep the quality bar high by investing weekly in rehearsals, parsing guitar harmonies, and making sure set lists were fresh with new material. * * To my disappointment, things began to change when Elizabeth Schall was fired/quit after using band resources such as endorsements and press contacts for her original project without our permission. We started working with a well-known female guitarist and she was rehearsing the material with us with great success. I left on vacation for a couple weeks to Kauai and came back to the news that another guitar had been hired and that the band had three guitarists. This was a clue among many that our manager was going rogue and making decisions with live-in girlfriend and drummer Linda McDonalds. I requested a private meeting with Linda, because her and I were the last original members, but of course Mark Dawson was there. Damage control found the other guitarist dismissed in favor of an eager Courtney Cox who was under 21 and also an aspiring model. * * Upon arrival in Japan late January 2010, the band was given a strict schedule. Driving to the airport I was upset and crying because I couldn't stop coughing. I had been sick for a couple days prior. Linda and Mark assured me that everything would be fine, and that they would look after me. After a long flight from Los Angeles, it would be another 12 hours before we were given the opportunity to eat. Instead, we were whisked away to take pictures and meet people in an endless game of promotion for the tour. We were not prepared for the freezing weather, and stood outside to take publicity shots in thin clothes. After finally checking into the hotel hours later and walking blocks to see the venue and downtown, we finally 'sat' down to a 'dinner' of traditional Japanese food. By my clock, this was two days later. According to our time zone, I hadn't eaten a proper meal for two days. Before retiring to our rooms, we stopped by a small store to get some cough suppressant and some ramen for breakfast cooked in the coffee maker. Besides crackers and cheese at sound check the next day, I wouldn't have another opportunity to eat until that later evening. A couple bites of rice and chicken before the show is all time allowed. By that time, I was already over-worked and under-nourished. Weak from coughing and cold from the elements, I felt very sick and was concerned for my safety. I did not feel like my health was being properly considered. The walking was exhausting my resources and carrying my guitars blocks from my hotel to the venue and back in cold weather was further jeopardizing my health. Later, my request for a taxi ride to and from the venue, which is in our contract, was considered 'demanding' and 'rude'. * * I was coughing to the point of doubling over, and the hectic traveling schedule eventually took a toll. After sound check of the first show I requested to see a doctor. I was diagnosed with pneumonia and prescribed medicine. Then I was administered a huge shot full of B vitamins to get me through the first show. * * I played the first show, and was taken by taxi back to the hotel. I was given my left-over chicken and rice and my guitars and gig bag. I was surprised no one from my band checked on me afterwards in such a dangerous condition, because the next morning found me sicker and still with no food or water. I put a note under Linda and Mark's door asking for food and water. Linda came by hours later, gave me her left over chicken, and asked me how I was. I told her I was feeling worse. She said sound check would be in an hour (11 AM). I asked for help with my guitars and we were off to sound check and a whole day of video shooting for the DVD and another show at 8 PM. It was at this point that I questioned the validity of others being concerned about my safety. Almost 10 years of never missing a show despite two Achilles surgeries (one in which I snapped onstage during The Number of the Beast in San Diego) - traveling with casts, still being the first and last to arrive and leave at venues, still going to meet-and-greets and talking with fans, signing and selling merchandise at the booth for hours despite illness or injury - the idea that I was just another female musician to be used and thrown away by these people was my reality and I refused to become a victim of it. * * Ever wonder what happened to Phantom Blue? * * to be continued... * * |
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* * This is the promo picture from The Iron Maidens Japan Tour 2010. Mark Dawson, our manager and boyfriend to drummer Linda McDonald, asked each of us to wear G-strings for the photo shoot. His idea was to put the picture on the side of a bus, and then purposely have the vehicle break down in the middle of Tokyo for advertising. I refused to portray myself in such a whorish manner and was not happy that the band was taking this direction. Decades of musical clout compromised for advertising a tribute band - a damn shame. I am proud of what 5 women can accomplish with their strengths, but this picture is a good example of how it is undermined. * * |
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I would like to set the record straight regarding my recent departure from The Iron Maidens. It seems that much misinformation has been stated and spread and, sadly, I can’t really begin to fathom why. As many of you know, I am
among the original members of The Iron Maidens, and I’ve been
performing with the band since 2001. Over the years, there have been
many ups and downs, band members have come and gone, and yet, through
it all, I have always loved giving everything I have into every one
of our performances. |
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