Ohio death metal crew SANGUISUGABOGG are speaking out after what they describe as a disturbing incident at their recent show in Memphis, Tennessee. The band, currently wrapping up a brief Midwest tour with STABBING and PUTRID STU, played the 1884 Lounge on Tuesday, July 29, where tensions escalated shortly after their performance.
According to the band, the venue’s general manager, Cory Likens, accused them of breaching their contract by ending their set earlier than scheduled—something the band says was not a legitimate violation. Things reportedly got physical when Likens allegedly shoved the band’s tour manager out of his office.
The situation worsened when the bands returned to settle up payment. SANGUISUGABOGG claim that Likens opened the office door and threatened to shoot them, before leaving the venue. Another staff member, described as more professional and composed, eventually ensured the bands were paid.
SANGUISUGABOGG took to social media to share their account in detail, calling for bands, agents, and fans to boycott Minglewood Hall and the 1884 Lounge—the two venues housed in the same building.
“This is Cory Likens and hopefully by tomorrow morning he doesn’t have a job,” the band wrote. “We were told we breached our contract because our set ended earlier than slotted (not a thing) and he shoved our tour manager out of his office. When we tried to have a conversation to clarify, he popped his head out and told us to leave or he was going to SHOOT us.”
The band also claimed this wasn’t the first time issues have arisen with the venue, citing reports from others who say bands have gone unpaid under Likens’ management.
“We’ve heard from people that he’s unwell and stuff to not this extreme but bands not getting paid has happened before,” they continued.
Band later added: “They’re telling us to take the post down and saying he didn’t say he was gonna shoot us that he told us ‘I have a gun…’ that’s not true he told 5 of us he was going to shoot us and they’re saying we breached contract which is totally made up thing.”
In more positive news, SANGUISUGABOGG recently announced their highly anticipated new album, Hideous Aftermath, due out October 10 via Century Media Records. The record promises to be their most brutal offering yet. Alongside the announcement, they dropped a NSFW-esque-video for the new single “Abhorrent Contraception”, featuring Josh Welshman of Defeated Sanity.
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.