A clash over money has spilled out into the open, ending with guitarist Tim Mills being dismissed from the UK death metal band I Am The Deceiver. What started as a straightforward Facebook post from Mills about stepping away because the pay was not worth the effort quickly escalated when the band issued a public statement of its own, one that not only contradicted his version of events but also made it clear he was no longer welcome.
Key Takeaways
- Guitarist Tim Mills announced his decision to leave I Am The Deceiver on Facebook.
- He explained that the pay from gigs did not justify the travel, time, and expenses involved.
- The band responded by saying they had fired him for making an “unprofessional” public post.
- I Am The Deceiver claimed all earnings are reinvested and that members often cover costs themselves.
The drama unfolded on social media, where Mills shared with fans that his choice to walk away was largely financial. In his words, the compensation from shows simply did not match the costs he was putting in, including time, energy, and travel. He made it sound like the effort was not adding up to much more than pocket change.
His candid announcement, however, did not sit well with the rest of the band. I Am The Deceiver issued a statement soon after, saying they had officially fired Mills. They described his public remarks as unprofessional and insisted that his take on their finances was not accurate. The band painted a different picture, one where making music comes at a personal cost. According to them, any revenue, whether from ticket sales, merchandise, or music streams, goes straight back into covering essentials like recording, gear maintenance, or even fuel for getting to gigs. They also noted that band members often dip into their own wallets to keep things moving.
This back-and-forth reflects a much larger reality for smaller bands, particularly in heavy underground scenes. Many do not actually make money from their art. Instead, it is a passion project sustained by side jobs or personal sacrifices. And while disputes like this usually stay behind closed doors, having it play out so openly has prompted a wave of conversation among fans and fellow musicians about just how difficult it can be to keep a band afloat financially.
Despite the fallout, I Am The Deceiver confirmed they will not be slowing down. They plan to move forward with a new guitarist for upcoming shows.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who are Tim Mills?
A1. Tim Mills is a guitarist who was recently a member of the British death metal band I Am The Deceiver. He was fired after publicly announcing he was leaving the band over pay disputes.
Q2. What is I Am the Deceiver?
A2. I Am The Deceiver is a death metal band based in the United Kingdom. They are part of the underground metal scene and perform live shows.
Q3. Why did Tim Mills say he was leaving the band?
A3. Tim Mills stated he was leaving because he felt the pay from gigs was too low to make the time, travel, and effort worthwhile.
Q4. What was the band’s response to Tim Mills’s statement?
A4. The band responded by officially firing him. They called his public post unprofessional and clarified that the band reinvests all earnings and often operates at a loss, with members contributing their own money.
Q5. Is low pay common for musicians in underground metal bands?
A5. Yes, it is very common. Many bands in the underground scene do not generate enough income to pay their members a salary. Often, any money earned is used to cover band-related expenses, and members support themselves through other jobs.
