SCROLL ALERT. JUST WORKING OUT MY THOUGHTS. TOO LONG (surprise surprise)
ETA: the conversation has thankfully moved on and I'm behind the times. To Delete or not to Delete? To Delete or not to Delete? Aw, fuck it, I won't delete because it took too goddamn long to type, LOL, but please scroll away!oy vey the drama the drama. makes me miserable :-[ .
I'm not so much upset by the fact of the drama itself--every group, even the clearly happy, supportive, and loving glamily--must have drama. It's a natural thing. (A good friend of mine who had been together with his fiancee for 12 years once told me he'd never had a fight with her, which made me very worried. She ditched him two weeks before the wedding, but don't worry, story has a happy ending--he's happily married now to a great girl and I hope they have the occasional old-fashioned throw it all out there shouting match!). So I don't mind that Adam and Monte have had their differences.
I also by no means blame Lisa for her feelings on those differences. Her loyalties are clearly 100% with Monte and that's how it should be, and I'm totally happy to believe that from her perspective (backing up Monte) some decisions, etc., seem flat-out wrong. I'm massively defensive of any perceived slight to my husband, I know. Also, while I don't know anything about her and don't follow her on twitter, I have always felt very sympathetic to her situation: frankly, it is not one I personally would be willing to accept--doing all the work alone with four kids while my husband focuses entirely on his job. But I guess to a certain extent those were her choices, too (even if its debatable to what extent you chose who you fall in love with). I have no kids myself, but I've spent enough time with very close friends and siblings who have babies to know how defeating it can feel at times. I have no problem with her being pissed.
But as others have said, to air that on twitter is almost unforgivably destructive and absurd. It wasn't a momentary lapse--it was an extended, increasingly unpleasant conversation directly with fans (not with some other, personal, twitter friends). And it got so sarcastic and biting that at one point last night I was certain someone had hacked her account because I couldn't believe she would be so destructive. (It seems fairly clear now that that didn't happen.) I am utterly shocked that she did that. It not only seems incredibly damaging to Adam and Monte's relationship (although I hope they can get past it) but also, frankly, potentially damaging to Monte's future professional prospects. I assume this will stay in the Adam fandom bubble, but should it become a more commonly told tale, it might well give other potential famous collaborators brief pause. It was that unprofessional. Who needs that kind of public drama in their life? And honestly, Monte's choice to post that horrendous video was at the very least extremely bad timing.
What makes me particularly sad about this development is that it quite simply is not how Adam roles. He's so perfectly professional at all times, his circle has been so flawlessly good about this sort of thing--keeping personal things about Adam personal--that this feels in some ways as doom-laden as a crack in the Hoover Dam. However, I have hopes that Adam and Monte can move past this, perhaps even easily. Adam is very good at his job, and his job includes managing different egos when shit hits the fan, and his own ego as well. I have a practically bottomless faith in his people skills. Like I said, drama is natural, and in creative, dramatic groups like Adam's, it's probably even common. I like to think of the friendly pissiness displayed in that famous Zodiac, "his wig drama can wait," clip. Good natured tension is at times even a productive force in art. These are all adults, and professionals, and they can move past certain professional disappointments and disagreements.
It's true that Adam's hiring Monte was a display of loyalty--it was also in his own professional interest: Monte was quite possibly the most talented guitarist he could have hired. I think that combination of friendship and professional respect is an excellent base on which to build a professional relationship. And remember, he hired him not only to play in his band but also to be his "musical director." I feel fairly confident that they can move past this (I mean--if my husband had had that kind of blow-up at my friend and employer, and felt that strongly about him, I might have a hard time moving past it, but clearly Monte and Lisa have a different relationship--one in which the traditional division of labor is a little more stark than what I would be willing to accept). But if the two have different musical tastes, and Monte wants to turn things in certain musical directions that Adam isn't interested in, then it's not the end of the world for either of them. Adam is a solo artist. Monte certainly has a solid career without Adam (despite his wife's apparent conniption fit) and there are plenty of extremely talented guitarists who would jump at the chance to work with Adam. Friendships and work relationships fade and change and develop and get replaced--it doesn't have to be a tragedy.
But as pjd said, we really have no reason at this point to suspect that it's come to that--no reason at all. I take Warnwillis' comments to be entirely facetious. His later comments about how
he'll have to miss russia because of surgery almost seem to me to make clear that at least some of the others will be going. I'm really not sure how we seem to have come to the conclusion that Adam's GNT band is over. As for Tommy, and he's the one I worry most about in a protective kind of way, I know he's close to Monte, but he adores Adam, and this gig. Last night, on his tumblr account, after, I think, all the lisa shit went down, he posted the following response to a question about what his ideal gig would be:
"I don’t know… I’d like to play shows with Marilyn Manson, but I wouldn’t leave what I’m doing now for that."
Also, from last month:
Q: "Hey
so there are these creepy rumors about you leaving adams band/ getting kicked out of it. I just wanted to ask, is it all just random hater- shit or is there actually something true about it? :|"
A: "HAHA… yes, that is utterly untrue! : ) This is the kind of band I’ve always wanted to be a part of. I am very lucky and happy where I am. I wouldn’t trade it for anything."
Seems pretty clear to me.
One other thing. I know there has been some minor tension on this board today, but putting that aside for the moment, I have been so impressed with the discussion here. This is an Adam fan-board, and I came on fully expecting a huge steaming pile of lisa-hate. I wouldn't have blamed anyone. But, typically of you lot, the discussion was much more reasonable, much less defensive. People rightly criticized Lisa's choice of forum, but stayed away from nastily blasting the woman herself, and were totally willing to give her emotions credence. People rightly discussed Adam's loyalty, but also very reasonably talked about his professional goals and interests. You guys rule.
Speaking of Adam's loyalty, a brief list to add to Rabbitrabbit's wonderful one. Friends Adam has hired and involved directly in his success:
Monte
Terrance
Brooke
Neil
Leila
Sutan
Cassidy (Skingraft)
Allison (opener)
Alisan (opener, songwriter)
Ely (songwriter)
Ferras (songwriter)
Lee Cherry
Friends and acquaintances who danced in FYE vid
Friends and acquantances who danced in IIHY vid
I'm sure there are more I either can't remember or don't know about
I mean, come on, Adam, can't you get me a gig, too? I'm available, damn. Shit, if you don't do it, I'll get my hubby to rant at you on twitter. Still no? Well Sheeeeeeeit.
Also, Holllllllaaaa HOOOOOPLA! Why you only sneak out to post in the middle of the night, girl? I don't like missing you!
Fianlly, platinum hair? (retreats into corner to sob.) Why would you do that to me, Adam? What did I ever do to you. (Kidding.) (sorta.) (I'd get over it.) (I love him unconditionally.) (Sorta.)
