Evans Blue Parts Ways With Vocalist

Evans Blue has parted ways with vocalist Kevin Matisyn due to “musical differences.” The band called his contribution to the group “incomparable,” and are wishing him success with his solo career. The band stated they have “amazing new songs” and are “poised and ready to move forward.”

Believe me, I have been incredibly depressed, like legit depressed over this news. To say that this feud resulted over "musical differences" is the closest thing to a straight-up lie I could think of. That's not an attack on you Lisa, it's on whoever wrote that press release, because I do know that the official press release was watered down immensely for politically correct purposes.

Both Evans|Blue and Kevin Matisyn are going their separate ways and continuing their musical careers, and I will be following both of them. Evans|Blue was/is my favorite band of all time, it will just be very difficult for me to keep them on that pedestal without Kevin Matisyn as their frontman. He was one of the few vocalists/lyricists I truly admire in modern rock. Just look up the lyrics to their songs.... Dark That Follows, Quote, The Promise & The Threat, The Pursuit, Painted, Fear, my God.... all of them.... these are such beautiful songs and this was such an amazing band, I still can't believe this shit has happened. Then again, it was a long time coming. Hollywood Records put pressure on the band to have K. Matisyn change his physical appearance to outfit a more presentable frontman. He was specifically instructed to lose weight. I'm not sure if you guys have seen Kevin Matisyn, but he pretty much has an identical body build to Aaron Lewis, which is, on the tiny bit heavier side, but clearly millions of people who adore Staind could care less about some "excess baggage" (yes, pun intended).

I wish them all the best of luck and I hope Evans|Blue's new frontman somehow manages to fill KM's talented shoes.

Have you ever actually seen them live J? I've heard time and time again how they are the worst band people that regularly see concerts have ever seen. And, that it was due to both Kevin Matysin's very poor live ability/performance, AND his total lack of professionalism. Again, this is only from hearsay, but from so very many people, and many of whose (whom's? lol) opinion on music and concerts I greatly respect).

Raina, yes I have. I will give an unbiased viewpoint on the two performances I saw. I saw them in 2006, and just last November (2007). I can honestly say that K.Matisyn sounded awful on vocals the first time I saw them, in '06, when Smile Empty Soul and 32 Leaves opened up for them. I almost wish I hadn't seen them that one time. They were cool about meeting with everyone after the show though, I had a shirt signed along with their debut CD at the time. Then I saw them again last Nov... same place, same setting, same everything (except different opening bands - Framing Hanley and Neurosonic opened up for E|B last November. They sounded AMAZING in november.. like... a complete transformation, Matisyn sounded great as well (to be more specific). I got their DVD with a collection of recorded acoustic performances of EVERY track off their first album and it was absolutely beautiful.

But, to be honest, I've heard the same things you have from people who saw E|B at big arenas opening up for Breaking Benjamin. I saw E|B at a SMALL nightclub in Northampton, MA. I think the logical explanation is that K. Matisyn doesn't do well with the big arenas but sounds much better in the smaller settings.... that still doesn't explain the '06 performance... a fluke, perhaps??

What's odd is that usually when a band does not translate well live, I end up disliking them very much. Evans|Blue always managed to stay at the top of my list. If they were to disband right now, I would say they are definitely my favorite band of all time, because I LOVE each and every single track they've ever done, including the demos they put up for download for a while.

Sigh....

.... way to depress me more raina!!!! nah, just kidding.


I do feel like I own several pieces of history now though. I have the debut CD signed by the original 5 band members, then they got a new drummer, and i got both the debut and their sophomore albums signed by the original 4 plus the new drummer, and i have a shirt signed by all 6 members who were a part of E|B at one point or another.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to depress you more. I can understand your being upset/depressed about it. And, I really respect your being able to speak in an unbiased way about it, too, since so many seem not to be able to about something they love, hate, or in some way have strong feelings for. Like how you are about the Facebook/Myspace thing LOL! I jest, I jest.

I was never really into EB, but I know how you're feeling. When I heard Jasin was gone from Shinedown, I was VERY disappointed...and they aren't even my #1 band...probably #4 or so. but still.... i feel your pain. sorry, man.

That's pretty crazy. I mean, I don't think he is the greatest vocalist in the world, but it's not Evans Blue without Matysin.

quote:

Originally posted by Stateofillusion:
That's pretty crazy. I mean, I don't think he is the greatest vocalist in the world, but it's not Evans Blue without Matysin.

true, true, didn't think his solo endeavors would lead to him being kicked out

my wife was extrememly disappointed when i told her, it's her favorite band, I was personally never really into them...but she was hardcore. Oh well...as long as Aaron doesn't leave Staind i'll survive lol.

I really liked Kevin voice so who knows where eb can go now.