Ion Vein part ways with long-time vocalist, seek replacement

Chris Lotesto · May 22nd, 2006, 08:30 AM

Band founder, Chris Lotesto, issued the following statement:

It’s with a very heavy heart that I am announcing our decision to part ways
with long-time Ion Vein vocalist and friend, Russ Klimczak. Russ has been
an integral part of Ion Vein, and one of my best friends, for the past 10
years so as you can imagine, this has not been an easy thing. The decision
is strictly a musical one and not personal in the least.

Ion Vein has been continually evolving musically over the past 10 years and
we have finally reached a point to where Russ’ vocal style and approach is
just not working with the music any longer. This has been a very difficult
time for Brian, Chuck and I as we had to put our friendship with Russ aside
and look out for the best interest of the band.

We wish Russ nothing but the best and I would like to personally thank him
for sticking it out with me from the very beginning, through thick and
thin. We’ve accomplished a lot together so it’s hard to say goodbye to
this chapter in the book of Ion Vein.

With that being said, we are also looking forward to the next chapter in
the Ion Vein story and will begin our search for a new vocalist immediately
while we continue to track the new album with Neil Kernon. We are looking
for an experienced, multi-dimensional singer, with a lot of attitude, drive
and stage presence. If you think you have what it takes to help us take
things to the next level, please email a resume and sound clips to
mail at ionvein.com. You can also send email there if you would like to
get in touch with Russ and I will make sure he gets it.

***
Thanks for your support!
Chris, Chuck and Brian

Matt Crooks · May 22nd, 2006, 08:36 AM

Good luck to IV and Russ...

HeathenCrusader · May 22nd, 2006, 09:07 AM

Wow. Good luck guys.

Jasonic · May 22nd, 2006, 09:26 AM

Very shocking news.......
Best of luck to Russ and to ION VEIN in the hunt for a replacement.

Russ always had a great stage presence, and he will be missed.
The new material slayed live.

prncsslime · May 22nd, 2006, 09:50 AM

All I can say is........ NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

How sad......too much change...my brain is melting!!! First Scott, then Robin, and now Russ.
All the best to Russ!! Great guy, FANTASTIC vocals, he will surely be missed.
This question may not be answered, but what kind of vocals are you leaning toward Chris? Is it still going to be melodic?
Anyway, good luck in finding the sound you are looking for!!
~Annie

METALDUDE · May 23rd, 2006, 01:46 AM

Are you still opening for Kamelot on the 30th of September. Also I am from the S/W burbs. What's a chance at a phone convo. I may be interested. Respond I will submit an e-mail that you could give me direct contact to. Best of Luck.

ENERTIA_Joe · May 23rd, 2006, 02:25 PM

Best wishes to IV & Russ!

Joe

BalanceofPower · May 24th, 2006, 10:22 PM

Fuck this sucks major balls. I've always thought Russ was an amazing vocalist, and an even better front man. I really hope things go well on both ends. I'm really sorry to see Russ go.

P.S. will Russ' vocals be used on this new CD, or will you guys find a replacement to do the album?

Eyesore · June 17th, 2006, 07:38 PM

Russ was a great vocalist, I'm sad to see him go, but it seems like a well thought out decision. Gotta trust in that, you know?

I look forward to the next album either way.

Chris Lotesto · July 8th, 2006, 02:17 PM

Thanks all for the kind words, we appreciate it!

Vito: We are looking for a new vocalist to track the album.....

Metaldude: Unless we find a vocalist, we won't be doing the Kamelot
show. If you're interested, send an email to mail at ionvein dot com

METALDUDE · July 12th, 2006, 08:47 AM

Thanks Chris. I sent you guys an e-mail. If I do not hear from you ..best of luck. If you get a singer by then I hope to see you guys up there at the KAMELOT gig. I will be there. Take it easy

METALDUDE · July 28th, 2006, 03:02 AM

Hey Chris!!! Just in case you looked here first,I sent you an e-mail. Thanks! Take it easy.

May 22nd, 2006, 08:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
Chris Lotesto Uncle Fester Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 912	Ion Vein part ways with long-time vocalist, seek replacement Band founder, Chris Lotesto, issued the following statement: It’s with a very heavy heart that I am announcing our decision to part ways with long-time Ion Vein vocalist and friend, Russ Klimczak. Russ has been an integral part of Ion Vein, and one of my best friends, for the past 10 years so as you can imagine, this has not been an easy thing. The decision is strictly a musical one and not personal in the least. Ion Vein has been continually evolving musically over the past 10 years and we have finally reached a point to where Russ’ vocal style and approach is just not working with the music any longer. This has been a very difficult time for Brian, Chuck and I as we had to put our friendship with Russ aside and look out for the best interest of the band. We wish Russ nothing but the best and I would like to personally thank him for sticking it out with me from the very beginning, through thick and thin. We’ve accomplished a lot together so it’s hard to say goodbye to this chapter in the book of Ion Vein. With that being said, we are also looking forward to the next chapter in the Ion Vein story and will begin our search for a new vocalist immediately while we continue to track the new album with Neil Kernon. We are looking for an experienced, multi-dimensional singer, with a lot of attitude, drive and stage presence. If you think you have what it takes to help us take things to the next level, please email a resume and sound clips to mail at ionvein.com. You can also send email there if you would like to get in touch with Russ and I will make sure he gets it. *** Thanks for your support! Chris, Chuck and Brian

May 22nd, 2006, 08:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
Matt Crooks www.fools-game.com Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mid-Atlantic, USA Posts: 1,286	Good luck to IV and Russ... __________________ This deli tray is UNACCEPTABLE!

May 22nd, 2006, 09:07 AM	#3 (permalink)
HeathenCrusader Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In Space Posts: 1,980	Wow. Good luck guys. __________________ Heathen Crusade Metalfest 4! (Einherjer - Confirmed) contact@heathencrusadefest.com http://www.heathencrusadefest.com https://twitter.com/#!/HeathenCrusade http://www.facebook.com/heathencrusadefest

May 22nd, 2006, 09:50 AM	#5 (permalink)
prncsslime ???? Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 300	All I can say is........ NOOOOOOOO!!!!!! How sad......too much change...my brain is melting!!! First Scott, then Robin, and now Russ. All the best to Russ!! Great guy, FANTASTIC vocals, he will surely be missed. This question may not be answered, but what kind of vocals are you leaning toward Chris? Is it still going to be melodic? Anyway, good luck in finding the sound you are looking for!! ~Annie __________________ "The very existence of flame-throwers proves that some time, somewhere, someone said to themselves, You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I'm just not close enough to get the job done." George Carlin "If you could ask the Devil one question, what would it be?" "I'd ask him why he spends his time punishing sinners that he's supposed to adore, to make a point to a God that he's supposed to despise?"

May 23rd, 2006, 01:46 AM	#6 (permalink)
METALDUDE Metal Defender Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 577	Are you still opening for Kamelot on the 30th of September. Also I am from the S/W burbs. What's a chance at a phone convo. I may be interested. Respond I will submit an e-mail that you could give me direct contact to. Best of Luck. __________________

May 22nd, 2006, 09:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
Jasonic Doom On! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: West Burbs of Chicago Posts: 16,516	Very shocking news....... Best of luck to Russ and to ION VEIN in the hunt for a replacement. Russ always had a great stage presence, and he will be missed. The new material slayed live.

May 23rd, 2006, 02:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
ENERTIA_Joe Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 121	Best wishes to IV & Russ! Joe

May 24th, 2006, 10:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
BalanceofPower My god,it's full of stars Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 1,480	Fuck this sucks major balls. I've always thought Russ was an amazing vocalist, and an even better front man. I really hope things go well on both ends. I'm really sorry to see Russ go. P.S. will Russ' vocals be used on this new CD, or will you guys find a replacement to do the album? __________________ www.marchesemusic.com www.myspace.com/vitond www.twitter.com/vitorocks www.audioboo.fm/VitoMarchese www.novembersdoom.com www.divinitycompromised.com

June 17th, 2006, 07:38 PM	#9 (permalink)
Eyesore Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Boston Posts: 905	Russ was a great vocalist, I'm sad to see him go, but it seems like a well thought out decision. Gotta trust in that, you know? I look forward to the next album either way. __________________ "Happy people have no stories" —Therapy? Shock Totem \| The Eyesore Times \| Getcha Rocks Off

July 8th, 2006, 02:17 PM	#10 (permalink)
Chris Lotesto Uncle Fester Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 912	Thanks all for the kind words, we appreciate it! Vito: We are looking for a new vocalist to track the album..... Metaldude: Unless we find a vocalist, we won't be doing the Kamelot show. If you're interested, send an email to mail at ionvein dot com __________________ ION VEIN www.ionvein.com MYSPACE FACEBOOK TWITTER CHICAGO POWERFEST www.chicagopowerfest.com MYSPACE www.myspace.com/chris_lo

July 12th, 2006, 08:47 AM	#11 (permalink)
METALDUDE Metal Defender Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 577	Thanks Chris. I sent you guys an e-mail. If I do not hear from you ..best of luck. If you get a singer by then I hope to see you guys up there at the KAMELOT gig. I will be there. Take it easy __________________

July 28th, 2006, 03:02 AM	#12 (permalink)
METALDUDE Metal Defender Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 577	Hey Chris!!! Just in case you looked here first,I sent you an e-mail. Thanks! Take it easy. __________________