BIOMECHANICAL Mainman Fires Back: 'I Never Thought These Guys Would Attack Me Publicly'

BIOMECHANICAL frontman John K. (a.k.a. Yiannis Koutselinis) has commented on the departures of Jamie Hunt (guitar),Chris Webb (guitar) and Jon Collins (bass).

In a statement released to BLABBERMOUTH.NET earlier today, Webb said, "John K. from BIOMECHANICAL has given remaining band members Jamie Hunt, Chris Webb and Jon Collins an ultimatum to stay or go. Jamie, Jon and Chris said they didn't want to go into the politics of it all, but after a heated debate broke out John K. made the decision that BIOMECHANICAL was no longer going to be known as a band, but known as a John K. project, leaving Jamie, Chris and Jon as unpaid session musicians."

After reading Webb's remarks regarding the split in the group's ranks, John K. has issued the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET:

"I didn't want this situation to come to this.

"There is a long history of unpleasant feelings but I never thought that these guys would go so low and attack me publicly.

"I can say a lot of things that could hurt their reputation but I am not going to. I feel, though, that I have to explain myself to all the fans who have embraced BIOMECHANICAL.

"Right from the beginning when I picked each musician for BIOMECHANICAL I explained myself that this was my baby. They all knew what the score was. However, I was always open to suggestions and input.

"I have to make clear now that I have written, arranged recorded and co-produced all the music for BIOMECH. Artistic direction, lyrical content direction-wise, Internet content, guitar solo direction, record label relationships were all done by me. I never asked for any recognition for all this. All I asked was for them to at least respect some decisions that I had to make as a band leader

"I told the guys the band was going to become a project as I was ferociously attacked over my decision to not do the SIKTH gigs due to the fact that the workload for the new album 'Cannibalised' was way too heavy for me and I was clearly going to get ill. It was a simple decision: album or four gigs.

"I was continuously attacked and cornered to commit into something I couldn't do and on top of this I was told that they outvoted me to go and perform without a singer (which, as far as I am concerned, is highly unprofessional unless there is a second singer in the band or enough instrumentals to cover a set). I had no other choice than to tell them this will now be a project on my terms so that I wouldn’t have to be subjected to any other attacks again.

"I have to thank the guys for leaving the band as they made some decisions a lot easier for me and for the record I never asked anybody to be an unpaid session musician.

"BIOMECHANICAL will not be a project, as I am now looking for band members.

"I am pleased to say I have a drummer Jonno Lodge and I am now looking for the rest of the guys to get BIOMECH on the road after the album will be released.

"Again, really sorry the other members of the band stooped so low, but believe it or not, I still wish them good luck."

BIOMECHANICAL's new CD, "Cannibalised", is due to be released early 2008 via Earache Records.