Ex-Trivium drummer Paul Wandtke has recalled his short-lived run in the band, alleging they tried to take his drum kit after firing him.
Former Trivium drummer Paul Wandtke has shared new details about his brief time in the band, saying his 2016 departure wasn’t as smooth as fans might have thought. Wandtke, who joined Trivium in 2015 and played with them for about a year, took to social media this week to reflect on his exit following the recent news that the band has once again changed drummers.
In his post, Wandtke claims he was denied a tour bonus and a small retainer request despite being an official member, and that after being fired, the band allegedly tried to take his Tama drum set. He also claimed he was asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement but refused.
The post reads:
“After seeing the announcements about Triviums new drummer (which I’m a huge fan of) and Alex Bent (damn can he play) leaving. It brought memories of my time leaving Trivium. I just want people to know this Trivium story!”
I’ll never forget when Matt Heafy said to me, “WE ARE GIVING YOU THE WORLD” when I had asked for any small type of tour bonus post tour and any kind of minimal retainer for off time from touring after being announced into [Trivium]. I mean I was announced as an official member of the band so I thought it wouldn’t hurt to ask. I was only making $600 a week after taxes. Their solution was for me to move to Florida so they could save on flights. After that I got fired and the worst part they tried to steal my TAMA drum set. Yes it’s true. I had to contact my TAMA rep at the time who now works for Evans Drum Heads to help me with getting my kit back!!!! They then asked me to sign a non disclosure agreement …….I politely declined signing the NDA because I believe in freedom of speech. “
“Other than that I had a killer time! I think the [Trivium] guys genuinely are very cool cool people! Especially Palo and Corey and even Heafy was very cool. I thought we got along nicely and it felt like a brother hood starting. Which of course I diminished. Was I the best drummer no! My double bass playing gradually got worse and worse as the touring cycles progressed because I couldn’t handle it. It’s exhausting playing doubles for 90-120min sets for months at a time! I’m more of a metal-rock drummer!”
Since leaving Trivium, Wandtke has focused on his grunge-inspired project Dead Original, as well as performing with his Nirvana tribute band. “We are working on album 2 finally! I think America should grunge again and so too should the world grunge again!” he wrote.
He closed the post on a positive note, saying, “Anyway that’s how it ended for me. I wish the [Trivium] guys the best forever! Woo hoo stay metal.”
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