Ken Susi, the former guitarist of As I Lay Dying, has recently opened up about the pivotal incident that caused a significant departure of band members, resulting in Tim Lambesis being the only remaining member of the group. In an extensive conversation featured on the BREWtally Speaking podcast, Susi answered various questions regarding his experiences with the band. He candidly discussed the incident that occurred at his home, which ultimately led to his decision to leave the band.

During the interview, Susi reflected on his time with As I Lay Dying and explained his reasons for speaking out at this time. He described Lambesis as a “litigious person,” suggesting that this may be why other former members have remained silent about their experiences beyond their official exit statements. He expressed his frustration, saying, “It’s kind of weird why people are not talking, but in my opinion, I think it’s unacceptable for Tim to go on podcasts with his friends and make false claims about how the band broke up.”

Susi continued, asserting that his account of the events contradicts Lambesis’s public statements about the band’s breakup. He felt that the band was placed in a position where they were essentially endorsing someone whose narrative was not accurate. “After his incarceration, it was almost like I did kind of see this coming. In my opinion, he formulated this like almost reality TV persona for his fanbase of like him portraying himself as a man of redemption or rehabilitation,” he explained.

He concluded his remarks by stating, “We were just basically supporting somebody dealing with serious problems. And we were unaware of how serious those problems were at the time… We’re just band dudes, looking to play gigs and have a good time. A lot of us felt a lot of regret when we figured out exactly what was going on, when the band evaporated. What I’m trying to say is it had to stop.”

Understanding Ken Susi’s Motivation for Speaking Out

In the interview, Susi articulated his reasons for choosing to discuss his experiences with As I Lay Dying at this juncture. He noted the importance of addressing the misconceptions surrounding the band’s breakup and the public narrative created by Lambesis. Susi emphasized that he has witnessed firsthand the impact of Lambesis’s behavior and felt compelled to set the record straight. His candidness reflects a desire to provide clarity and honesty about the complex dynamics within the band.

He expressed concern that the lack of voices from former members has allowed Lambesis to shape a narrative that does not align with the reality of the situation. He stated, “I guess like, believe what you want, but my version of what happened totally doesn’t align with basically what he’s been out there saying and putting out statements about, right?” This highlights Susi’s commitment to transparency and the importance of sharing his truth.

Ken Susi’s Perspective on His Initial Decision to Join As I Lay Dying

During the podcast, Susi reflected on his initial decision to join As I Lay Dying, despite being aware of Lambesis’s past incarceration. He explained that his prior experiences touring with the band had given him a positive impression of Lambesis. “I’ve done multiple tours with As I Lay Dying and at those times, I always thought Tim was a good person. And there’s a lot of people that say that in that time,” he recounted.

Susi’s comments reveal a depth of friendship and camaraderie that developed over years of touring, which contributed to his willingness to support Lambesis at that time. “I should have known better. But then again, I am the type of person that I would rather give somebody a second chance. The second chance is the one, right?” His belief in the potential for rehabilitation underscores his character and the hope he harbored for his bandmate.

He further elaborated that his bandmates shared this mindset, expressing their excitement and commitment to the band. “We were ready. We were committed to this. We were definitely excited and committed, and that was all ruined,” he lamented. Susi’s reflections reveal the depth of disappointment felt by him and his fellow band members when the situation took a turn for the worse.

The Events Leading to the Departure of As I Lay Dying Band Members

Initially hesitant to delve into the specifics surrounding the breakup of As I Lay Dying, Susi eventually shared a detailed account of the events that led to the mass exodus of band members. He described a particular incident that occurred at his home following a performance at the New England Metal and Hardcore Fest. After learning that Lambesis and his wife Dany were in town, he invited them over to avoid the inconvenience of finding a hotel.

During their stay, a troubling incident occurred. Susi revealed that his home is equipped with security cameras, with clear notifications indicating they are being recorded. He recounted, “This guy like comes into my house in the middle of the night, corners his wife in my kitchen and spits in her face.” This shocking behavior took him completely by surprise, as he had never witnessed such actions before. “And then starts screaming and running around my house for help,” Susi said, noting how it alarmed his wife, who woke up to the commotion.

Susi quickly intervened, separating the couple and seeking to understand what had led to the outburst. “He was just like, ‘Oh my marriage,’ this and that. And I’m like, ‘cool.’ I go upstairs. I asked Dany what’s going on. She tells me the truth,” he recalled, emphasizing the importance of communication in such a volatile situation.

After reviewing the footage from the cameras, Susi was confronted with the shocking reality of the incident. “I see exactly what was said. [Dany was saying] he spit on me. He threw a fit. I was trying to calm him down the whole 9. And to be totally honest with you, that’s what fucking happened,” he stated, reflecting on the gravity of the situation.

Upon confronting Lambesis about his actions, Susi expressed his disappointment. “I went back downstairs. I said, ‘I’m disappointed in you.’ And he’s like, ‘I didn’t spit on her face. I spit at her feet.’” This conversation highlighted the denial and lack of accountability that Susi felt was pervasive. The situation escalated, leading Susi to demand that Lambesis leave his home immediately. “He left. And at that point, the rest is history,” Susi concluded, signaling a turning point in their relationship.

The Consequences Following the Incident at Ken Susi’s Home

Following the disturbing incident at his home, Susi made the difficult decision to leave As I Lay Dying. Despite the financial obligations tied to an upcoming tour, he felt it necessary to prioritize his well-being and integrity. He initially planned to exit after completing the tour but was met with unexpected resistance when he informed Lambesis of his decision. “When I quit the band, he sent a message through his wife, through his wife’s phone, saying he would sue me if I ever release that footage,” Susi recounted, detailing the intimidation tactics employed by Lambesis.

Despite the threat, Susi remained resolute. “But like, ultimately I’m not fucking scared. I have the receipts,” he asserted, indicating his preparedness to defend himself if necessary. He shared the footage with Phil Sgrosso, the remaining original member alongside Lambesis, in an effort to shed light on the situation and explain his departure. “You are technically HR,” Susi told Sgrosso, emphasizing the need for transparency.

Although Susi offered to stay on for the financial security of the upcoming tour, the revelation of the footage led to a collective decision among the other members to leave the band. “Nobody wanted to be a part of it anymore. They didn’t care about the finances. They didn’t care about anything. And that’s really what went down,” he explained, reflecting on the impact of the incident on the band’s dynamics.

Ken Susi’s Firm Stance on Tim Lambesis and Future Collaborations

When discussing Lambesis’s actions since his incarceration, Susi expressed a strong opinion. He stated, “The bad things outweigh the good things tremendously. And it’s not something I’m going to endorse, support, condone. I don’t want to be part of anything that he has going on in the future. I don’t want to be friends with him.” This unequivocal stance highlights Susi’s conviction regarding the seriousness of Lambesis’s actions and the impact they have had on his personal and professional life.

He further elaborated, “There is no room for reconciliation between the two of us. I don’t respect what he’s done and I’ll never respect it.” Susi’s determination to maintain his boundaries reflects his deep-seated beliefs and the unresolved issues stemming from the incident. He also emphasized that there were specific actions that occurred in his home that he could never overlook, asserting, “There’s no amount of good that he can do moving forward to change my opinion. And that’s for me.”

Additionally, Susi voiced his discontent with the narrative being propagated by Lambesis. “I just don’t like the ‘the band broke up because of communication problems and everyone followed Phil,’” he remarked, pointing out the inaccuracies in Lambesis’s claims. He insisted on the importance of owning up to one’s actions, stating, “You did something wrong. You have to own up to it.”

READ MORE: Jamey Jasta on Disappointing Fan Reaction to His Tim Lambesis Stance

“Just don’t abuse your wife in my fucking house and put my integrity on the line. And someone needs to say something,” Susi stressed, advocating for accountability and transparency. He believes that fans deserve to know the truth about the situation: “Don’t subscribe to something that’s not good. But again, I have the receipts.”

Regarding Lambesis’s plans to continue the band, Susi remarked, “He can go get fucking YouTube guitar players and drummers and shit and make them sign NDAs [non-disclosure agreements] or do whatever the fuck he’s going to do. Have at it, dude. I just refuse to think anyone’s going to follow that after the fourth or fifth strike on you. They can’t love the band that much. There’s a limit to these things.” This candid commentary underscores Susi’s skepticism about the viability of As I Lay Dying moving forward without the original line-up.

Recent Developments in As I Lay Dying Following the Departure of Band Members

After the series of departures within As I Lay Dying that unfolded over several weeks in 2024, the band remained relatively quiet. However, the situation escalated when two videos surfaced, showing Lambesis engaged in heated arguments with his wife around Thanksgiving. In response, Lambesis released a statement alleging that he had been subjected to a pattern of verbal and mental abuse by her and claimed that a domestic disturbance investigation was launched against her.

He further asserted that he had filed a restraining order and that she had recently been served divorce papers, suggesting that the videos were leaked in retaliation. Following this, another video emerged showing Lambesis mistreating his dog, prompting an online petition demanding an investigation for animal cruelty. Lambesis’s wife publicly denied any involvement in leaking the videos.

Despite Lambesis’s intention to continue the band, including booking two festival dates for 2025, As I Lay Dying later withdrew from those performances, and no announcements regarding a new lineup have been made as of yet.

Insights from Ken Susi on His Experience with As I Lay Dying on the BREWtally Speaking Podcast