Dani Filth , leader and vocalist of Cradle of Filth , published a lengthy statement presenting his version of the departure of keyboardist Zoe Marie Federoff and the dismissal of guitarist Marek “Ashok” Smerda , who are married. Understand the band's feud amidst their Latin American tour by clicking here.
The couple released a joint statement outlining "specific behaviors and instances of problems with management," a "toxic and abusive environment," and "low pay."
After numerous accusations, Dani Filth explained her side of the story in a post with screenshots. Read the statement below:
“I think the time has come to reveal my side of the story, now that so many accusations have been leveled against the band, our management team, and me personally. I apologize for the slight delay in this statement; it was important to address this thoughtfully, after reflection. The timing was also difficult, as the band is currently touring South America, with arduous travel days, long flights, and shows.”
Dani Filth explains about the contract disclosed by keyboardist Zöe.
The vocalist explained: “I don’t believe in retaliation or defamation, but I want to clarify the following points: First, the contract in question.”
“This is not a contract that was expected to be signed as is, but rather the initial structure from which it would be built. I will expand on this later, but I see that one of the main reasons we are having this situation is poor communication regarding the nature of the contract and what was expected of the parties who received it.
No one in the band is prohibited from working with other groups and supplementing their income. We currently schedule tours for about 40% of the year, leaving the rest of the year available for other commitments. Many of my bandmates have other projects, as can be seen on their own social media pages. We DO NOT PROHIBIT our musicians from taking on work commitments with other bands. We only ask that they plan far enough in advance, intertwining schedules as soon as the situation allows.
I regret to see that Zoe is choosing facts to fit an agenda, but I am willing to share the full story, including the description of the events of the first three days of the South American tour, to show a more balanced picture and so that people can make their judgments based on the broader context.
During those first days, excessive alcohol consumption, arguments Increasingly large and repeated public conflicts created a very disturbing atmosphere for everyone involved. Personally, I witnessed heated exchanges between Zoe and Ashok that included verbal and physical abuse. Culminating in a public display in front of the hotel and in front of fans who had gathered for last-minute autographs in São Paulo. This was not an isolated incident, but part of a pattern of abusive behavior that strained the entire team.
While I understand that being on tour is stressful and exhausting, I cannot excuse the effect this had on the rest of us. The decision to continue the tour without them was not taken lightly, but was necessary for the health of the band and the crew.
Furthermore, nobody knew anything about her possible pregnancy and, if she was pregnant, why was she drinking? She even contacted management on several occasions asking for help to stop drinking, with lengthy text messages proving this.
It is important to me that the artists around me feel that their contributions are seen and valued. I think, for the most part, this is the case, as some of the remaining members... They've been with me for over 10 years. However, we're always looking to improve, so I'm going to take advantage of what's happening now as an opportunity to have a better dialogue within the band, drawing up a more detailed contract that will make everyone feel comfortable and protected in the future.
The accusations regarding the band's mismanagement.
Regarding the management, Dani explained:
“ Dez and Anahstasia , from The Oracle Management , have been nothing short of wonderful. Careful and understanding, foregoing commissions to make the tours work and working closely with the band to provide us with some incredible opportunities, thinking outside the box.
Having failed to fit in with the band, Zoe is now trying to defame and lie as much as possible to garner antipathy against me and our management. Isn't it easy to accuse without proof these days, when everyone is such a well-versed online critic? I can only begin to imagine what else I will be accused of as she seeks to destroy this band and this business.
Dez is very honest, transparent, and truthful and does not receive payment until I allow the accountant to pay it. This means that everything goes through my accountant, and then said accountant sifts through all the financial numbers to see what can and cannot be paid. Dez never handles any of the incoming funds.
Dez requested Zoe's dismissal, to which Ashok spoke in her defense and went on to attack the company.” "This is the royal family of heavy metal, and we're not going to tolerate anyone talking like that about Ozzy's wife."
More details about the contract and charges.
Dani continued the lengthy explanation, providing more details.
"Now, to elaborate further, as promised. First, the contract in question.
Yes, it was a crappy contract, but one that was presented to help open dialogue with two members who had been causing a lot of drama behind the scenes. It started with a harmless and well-reasoned email from Zoe asking for a pay raise for the band, which was approved within days without any resistance; Zoe's communication continued to get ruder and escalate to a more threatening tone, seemingly without reason, especially considering that her original request was approved from the start.
Tensions were rising, and by the time we sent that contract, we had already received the resignations of Ashok and Zoe, so we decided not to spend budget on a bespoke contract, which, in retrospect, was a mistake, as it further escalated the situation. Unfortunately, we sent an old, but never-before-used contract that was too abrupt, not as elaborate as it deserved to be, and that doesn't capture the full picture of the reality of being in this band. It wasn't done with malicious intent, but it was intended to be a starting point for negotiation, without any of them being involved." We realized it was in a folder, but unused for some reason. I impetuously forwarded it, asking the band to sign it.
At the time of sending, all of us (management, myself, and our lawyer) barely had time to look at the contract that was coming out, giving it only a cursory glance and sending it to the band. I hadn't had a full conversation with the lawyer or with Dez about what the initial intention of the contract was (to negotiate or just sign and go). This was my fault and was clarified later.
Of course, Zoe would show the worst version, and it saddens me that the context of what I thought was our dialogue was distorted to fit an agenda and made public.
I am internally discussing with the rest of the band now to draft a contract that better serves them all and the business. And yes, unfortunately, a band is a business, and when we witness a person fomenting problems, drinking heavily, not writing, threatening to sue the band for the use of their image, then something obviously needed to be done.
Zoe and Ashok had already submitted their resignations despite... I agreed to a salary increase in exchange for additional financial protection. So I was in absolutely no hurry to spend money on our lawyer drafting a contract that was already destined to be broken anyway.
Saying they only earn 'X' per year will certainly raise some eyebrows. However, in addition to their salaries, they are also entitled to publishing (they just received an advance, on which management waived commissions and I actually put up money from my share), publishing royalties, PR or the equivalent in each country, tour bonuses if we perform well, sponsorships, and not to mention daily food and hotel bunk beds/double rooms when available on the road. On the third day of the twenty-six-date tour, after Zoe left—and having already promised me and management that they would perform the tour professionally—Zoe and Ashok spent the first three days drinking and arguing with each other.
Having already argued all afternoon in front of everyone backstage, Ashok wanted to stay and have a few drinks after the show, arguing with Zoe in the opposite direction. Later, he was with fans and members of our crew. When Zoe came running down into the hotel to drag him back to the room, telling people “fuck off” along the way and causing a scene. There are many witnesses to this, including her throwing things at him.
In Zoe’s defense, I attribute her outburst to the fact that we had barely gotten eleven hours of sleep in four days. But again, I don’t think that’s a valid excuse. Nobody else behaved that way. We were tired, to begin with!
The next morning, which was a very early lobby call. Ashok was clearly still drunk and, again, the two argued intensely at the airport. Which resulted in Zoe deciding to leave the tour and buy a flight back to Arizona, citing Ashok’s alcoholism and partying via text message. Ashok stayed on out of courtesy to the band and, as witnessed by several people, stated that his marriage wasn’t working. That, however, is not my concern.
What is my concern, however, is keeping the tour going. And, with that sequence "Costing almost $200,000 in expenses and salaries alone, the idea of flying in new people and booking visas, hotels, and flights was obviously a bit overwhelming. Selfishly, I thought that without the constant drama we witnessed daily, Ashok would give in and enjoy the rest of the tour with us.
However, that wasn't the case, as one minute he was crying on people's shoulders. The next morning he was issuing a statement about leaving the band with other revelations, having spoken to his wife on the phone. Naturally, due to this new information, he was fired on the spot."
Dani Filth's final accounts
“Which brings me to the 'fat shaming'. That never happened.
Dez never said anything about people being fat or too heavy. All he said to Anabelle (our former keyboardist) was 'please take care of your health, you have a tour and videos coming up', to which she sent a picture of herself eating a selection of breads (which I found funny at the time!). Of course, any manager would say something like that.
Dez never spoke to Sarah Jezebel Deva about anything within the band. She wasn't part of the band, however he spoke to her when she went online to badmouth me and that's exactly what a good manager does. I expect my manager to protect the artist at all times.
*Speaking of which, Sarah actually emailed me saying how great it was to see her at the show in Torquay a few weeks ago. She also asked if I would still be interested in recording a cover of an '80s pop song that we both loved.”
Touring these days is a very expensive business, but that's something you can read anywhere online. I, like many of my colleagues in the music industry, was practically an alcoholic by definition at one or two stages of my career, and that's why I can observe their erratic patterns of behavior, and it's also why I've been abstinent from alcohol for almost three years.
Well, I could go on forever, I just wanted to clarify a few things and then get out of your way. Thank you to all the many bands, fans, and fellow musicians who offered their support on this matter. You are truly appreciated!
Onwards and upwards, as they say!
See you on the road!”
The band is currently in the middle of a South American tour that will extend to Mexico next month. Soon after, they have a European tour scheduled for November, which ends on December 7th in Antwerp, Belgium.
READ ALSO: Cradle of Filth: Understand the fight within the band during their Latin American tour.
