Why Joey Belladona Finds It Hard To Return To Anthrax Revealed: 'Things Changed'

Joey Belladonna
Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images

Joey Belladonna and Anthrax can never be together again.

Belladonna and Anthrax's relationship has been a rollercoaster ride in the past decades. After he was dismissed in 1992, the musician returned in 2005 for a failed reunion before going back again in 2010.

He was the original lead singer of the band from 1984 to 1992 and worked with the classic lineup Dan Spitz, Scott Ian, Frank Bello, and Charlie Benante.

Although he has been fronting the band despite his initial ousting, Belladona spoke candidly about how difficult it is to be a member of Anthrax especially since he knew they disliked him before.

In an exclusive interview with the "Beer, Rum, & Rock 'n' Roll" podcast, he clarified that he did not quit anything - far from what the claims kept insisting. He said he did not have the heart to do that.

"I don't want anybody thinking that, 'cause I wouldn't even have the heart to do that Some people are like, 'Why the hell are you back with them? Why would you go back? That's stupid, man. You're an id**t. She cheated on you twice, dude. Don't go back with her. Come on, man. She's just gonna go out with that other guy tomorrow night,'" he explained, as quoted by Ultimate Classic Rock and Culture.

Belladonna noted that things changed after he had a discussion with them.

His comment resonated with what Charlie Benante said in 2018. At that time, he revealed that Anthrax had been "arrogant" and "ignorant" in their dealings.

Joey Belladonna Did Not Know About Anthrax

Although the band is one of the most sough-after in the country, Belladonna once admitted that he had no clue who the band was when he auditioned for them.

In the "Anthrax 40 for 40" webisode, "Episode IV - A New Hope - Armed & Dangerous," the singer said he never heard of the band when he attempted to join them for the first time.

Still, the members were impressed by Belladonna's vocals.

"I'm in ripped jeans and an Agnostic Front T-shirt and in walks this guy who looks like he should be in Whitesnake. And the dude f*cking nails it. And we all just look at each other like... [open mouth astonishment]," Scott Ian said, per Louder Sound.

Tags
Anthrax
Join the Discussion
Real Time Analytics