Thomas Finch, a drum tech for metal band Slaughter To Prevail, made a statement earlier this week that alleged far from ideal, and legal, working conditions at the hands of the band’s management while on tour.
Finch stressed that it was in no way the band’s fault, or in any way related to the treatment he received from Slaughter To Prevail, who are “all WONDERFUL, fun, loving humans,” rather it is “about the leadership set in place.”
A Word of Caution to My Fellow Crew, Techs, and Industry Colleagues Regarding Slaughter to Prevail
Finch posted the following to his personal Facebook account:
This isn’t about the band personally – they are all WONDERFUL fun loving humans. This is about the current leadership set in place. New band manager and current TM.
After years of touring, working hard, and running a business that supports artists and musicians, I’ve never felt the need to post something like this — until now.
I recently stepped away from a tour with Slaughter to Prevail as a drum technician due to an overwhelming amount of disorganization, mismanagement, financial instability, and blatant disrespect toward crew members. I’m sharing this not out of bitterness, but out of responsibility to protect others in our community who might be approached by this camp for future work.⸻
It Started With Red Flags
I was never asked for my banking information before being flown out. I had toured with them while with Marilyn Manson, so there was a bit of history, trust and friendship there. When I sent my invoice and banking info after the first few shows, I received zero response. I was told the manager was “traveling” and didn’t have email access.
After weeks, eventually I was promised payment by the business manager. It didn’t show. I made it clear I would not continue working for free. The tour manager (TM) brought that to the band’s manager, whose response was:
“Tell him to get f***ed.”
And that I was “unprofessional” for demanding payment and being willing to walk away.
I then approached the band’s guitarist and owner directly (as instructed)— and suddenly, payment showed up. I chose to stay and honor my commitment, but unfortunately, the problems only escalated.
⸻
What Followed Was Complete Breakdown
• Crew forced to book their own return flights
• TM using the cheapest, failing transportation available
• No working band credit card on days off — no food, no support, nothing
I bought pizza for the crew out of my own pocket, which was expressed as gratefulness by TM, as all they had was a bag of left over popcorn. Then was told by the TM that the band would likely refuse to reimburse me. And I am now battling them via email over PIZZA, in order to get my invoice paid.
• $128,000+ blown on inflatable stage props that were never used because they didn’t fit the venues. Meanwhile, the crew was left with no food, no basics and worry about receiving pay.
Hotel rooms on a day off promised for crew were taken by the band and manager after the bus broke down
When the TM confronted management, he was told: “If crew needs a room that bad, they can go get their own $100 hotel somewhere.” Or so the TM told us, was said.
Only after multiple crew members (myself included) threatened to exit the tour did rooms “miraculously” appear.
⸻
No Pay Schedule, No Clarity — Just Excuses
One of the most dangerous aspects of this operation is the lack of any clear pay schedule. You’re told to submit your invoices by Thursday for payment the following Monday. And Monday never comes. Other crew were told different dates to submit and the confusion set in. So while you’re on the road, it becomes clear that you are expected to float your expenses — flights, hotels, food — with no contract, no payment timeline, and no accountability. All PDs are put into your paycheck, which seemingly never arrives And when you ask the TM when you’re getting paid? You’re told:
“You’ll get paid when they’re dam good and ready to pay you.”
This is exactly what was told to our lighting tech (infront of the entire crew) who recently stood up for the box truck driver — a vendor who STILL hasn’t been paid and has been covering tour costs out of pocket, went into the negative… and another truck driver helped him financially with gas and food. The TM’s response?
“That’s his problem. He should’ve been prepared financially.”
After speaking with the truck driver, it was made clear that he was never told he would have to front money and invoice for it. He was expected to be paid like everyone else.
This kind of thinking is not only disrespectful — it’s dangerous.
⸻
To the Touring Community
I’ve worked with dozens of bands, venues, and crews around the country and the world. I know how hard we all work to keep the wheels turning, and how important trust, communication, and professionalism are in this industry.
If you’re approached to work with this camp:
• Get a contract
• Demand a written payment timeline
• Do not pay out of pocket unless you want to fight for reimbursement
• Walk away if you sense even a hint of the behavior described above
There are too many great artists out there who DO take care of their people.
⸻
After a very heated and firey conversation with the bands manager, everything became very clear and the writing was on the wall. I could not and will not move forward another day swimming in this chaos.
I’m now heading home to my girlfriend, pups, and business — with peace of mind knowing I stood my ground and did what was right. I have no regrets about leaving, only a broken heart for leaving the drummer as he is an amazing person and I liked him very much. Even helped land him an Evans endorsement.
I’ll continue supporting artists who treat their crew with the professionalism and respect we all deserve. With that said, if you need help with gear, a rack build, endorsement guidance, or just support as a fellow crew member — I’ve got your back.
Much love and respect,
Finch
PS – Yes, I sufficient undismissable proof of everything stated above. Upon my exit of the tour, they are now making people sign NDAs as to not have this information out there. And I have been paid, minus the pizza/crew food purchase since my convo with management and making this post.
At about midnight EST this past Saturday night into Sunday morning, Finch posted yet another statement, buckling down on his claims, and reaffirming his stance that the band was not at fault in this situation.
Official Statement from Finch // FDS Drum Services
After stepping away from the recent Slaughter to Prevail tour, I want to provide final clarity on why I made that decision — and I want to stress this again: my issue was never with the band themselves. My decision to exit the tour early was due to consistent failures in leadership — specifically the current tour manager, who overshared the bands private information, encouraged crew activities against the bands “dry” rules of touring, and more. Although the bands current/new managers business acumen and demeanor were no better in an attempt have an adult and professional conversation, it just didn’t sit right out of the gate.
From the start, I experienced disorganization, delayed communication, no clear pay schedule, and a refusal to take accountability. I had to fight to receive payment during production rehearsal, that had already been promised by the business manager. Crew (silent as they may be) and vendors — faced the same. At one point, the majority of the crew over heard the LD being told (while packed into a Ford Expedition) asking about the box truck drivers pay….
“Your problem is that you’re used to a schedule. Every week, or two weeks…You’ll get paid when they’re damn good and ready to pay you.”
Even while urgent financial matters were pending, asking about my own pay…the business manager went on vacation, and my bank was ignored. His excuse later was that “his people never told him.”
The crew wasn’t in a position to safely speak up. One tech was on his very first tour, he didnt know any better. Another, the only Russian speaker, stayed silent. And the LD and quick hire merch guy left after the second to last show.
And today, at their Vans Warped Tour performance in California, they had removed the custom bass drum heads I designed and created for them (which they paid for) — a final message, I guess.Through all this, I’ve remained respectful and withheld names, not because I’m protecting anyone, but because I believe the story speaks for itself. If it sparks internal reflection or change, great. If not, then at least others in the touring community are now aware.
This will be the last public comment I make on the situation.
I’m returning my full focus to FDS Drum Services — to serving the drummers of Nashville, and the greater music community, with professionalism, passion, and honesty. That’s where my heart is. And that’s what deserves my energy.
Thank you to everyone who has shown support. Keep speaking up. We all deserve better out there.
Respectfully,
Finchino
Thomas Finch is a drum technician who has worked alongside names like the aforementioned Marilyn Manson, Paramore, Daughtry, Breaking Benjamin, Incubus, and Bon Jovi. He’s currently an active member of the US Military in the Army branch as an Infantryman.
Slaughter To Prevail have yet to publicly acknowledge the situation, but they are currently on tour throughout the US. They played Warped Tour yesterday, with their next show being in Cincinnati. You can check out their touring schedule here.
