JIM DEABENDERFER HAS OFFICIALLY LEFT CARDIAC ARREST

Jim has released this official statement regarding his departure from the band:

"It's high time that I confirm what many have guessed: I am no longer a member of Cardiac Arrest. This decision is not sudden or hasty. I moved to Iowa nearly three months ago to restart my personal life. Being a “professional” musician for the better part of the last six years with Cardiac, I had more than my share of setbacks, most of which were financial/employment related. In September of 2009, I lost my job in Chicago. I managed to stay afloat until January of this year by sheer will, creativity, and the the generosity of some very special people. Without the support of many of the people reading this, my life would not be in the nearly-stable position that it is now. You know who you are, and I love you all dearly.

So, what happened? CA recorded tracks for our forthcoming fourth (gee, that sounds redundant) record in December and January. I brought it up that I was considering leaving the band, due to the fact that, after over 18 months of looking for work, it was clear that I needed to make some serious changes in my personal life. I needed to start over. After a lot of discussion, the agreement was made that I would play with them for the rest of 2011, finish out this album cycle, and presumably record tracks for a fifth record. I was okay with that, and so were they.

Then, disaster strikes: I received an eviction notice from my landlord. Having no real source of income, no real job prospects, and knowing when to cut my losses, I took up some dear friends up on an offer to move here to Iowa. It was the right decision. Each day, I'm finding more peace with myself than I've had in a long time.

 

When I told the band, we were all saddened by the development. We had just barely worked out an exit strategy, and our collective hand was forced. You see, this decision was never about the band, its members, or the music. I love everything I did in Cardiac Arrest, and I will cherish the experiences forever. I am extremely proud of the accomplishments made in that band over the years.

So, here are the facts:

• I am no longer in the band. I am on the new record, but I will not be making any live appearances as a member for its support.

• CA has been working with drummers to fill the slot. I know who, and I'm not telling. It is up to CA to make their announcement when they are ready to, and not before. Please respect this.

• I am not conducting ANY business for the band. Go to Tom. However, I am still the webmaster, and I will continue to be as long as I am needed.

• There is no “drama” here. I left for my own personal reasons, and the band has nothing whatsoever to do with it. I needed to move on, and I did. I support their continued efforts to be one of the best American death metal bands out there. (insert a comment with the word “ROT” in it here)

• I repeat, the band is going on without me, and that's what I wanted from day one.
  

 

So, to all the fans, peers, labels, press, and friends that touched my life and career over the years during my time with Cardiac Arrest: Thank You. You made it better than it already was. Thank you SO much.

 

Now that the band aspect of this is out of the way, here's a couple more tidbits you need to know about what I am doing:

 

• I am not pursuing any projects at this time. If reasonable session offers are made, I may take them, but I have zero desire to play full time at this point. I would not have left CA if I did.

• I have some serious issues with the music industry's passive tolerance of racism, bigotry, sexism, misogyny, and homophobia. This is also a part of why I needed to make this change in my life. Look for more on this subject in the future.

• I will never stop playing drums. You have not heard the last of me, but, it will be on my terms from now on.

 

Thank you for reading, and, I guess I'll go out on a Chuck Schuldiner quote: “Support music, not rumors!”

Cheers.

 

Jim Deabenderfer"