Vicious Rumors Part Ways with Longtime Drummer Larry Howe Over Politics

Vicious Rumors announced via social media that they “will no longer be touring with long time drummer Larry Howe,” citing “years of disagreement on the issue” and saying four European shows have been canceled, according to coverage by TheMosh and PennLive; the band’s statement was published Feb 18, 2026 and addresses an upcoming tour window starting Feb 25.

The band’s posted statement, excerpted by Blabbermouth, spells out the split as political: “As a band we have never agreed with Larry's personal political ambitions. As hard as it is to let an original member go VR can no longer tolerate being punished by association for Larry's personal opinions. They do not reflect the opinion of VICIOUS RUMORS.” The statement adds the group’s mission-line: “Our message is simple and clear: Unity! and celebrating heavy metal together! This message hasn't changes since VR started in 1979! We wrote songs like 'World Church' to bring people together.”

The announcement arrives in the shadow of The Devil's Asylum Tour, supporting the band’s August 2025 album The Devil’s Asylum released worldwide through SPV/Steamhammer. Blabbermouth quoted the band saying Larry “will honor the bands commitment to the U.S. leg of 'The Devil's Asylum Tour'. Just days away from Feb 25th to March 28th.” The band also told fans it will “announce new touring drummer soon” and closed with: “Now let's get back to the heavy metal music doing the talking! See you VR maniacs on tour in the US and Europe soon. 75 shows starting in one week! Let's go!”

Larry Howe’s tenure with Vicious Rumors dates back to 1985, with TheMosh noting he “first joined the band in 1985 and returned in 2005.” Blabbermouth reproduced lines from Howe’s Instagram bio showing he refers to himself as a “rock 'n' roll patriot” and adds: “God bless America, the best country ever.!” PennLive, relaying reporting from MetalSucks, quoted Howe’s own statement in which he said the heavy metal scene should avoid “infighting like children yelling on a playground in a 'cancel culture,'” and added: “Yes, I am guilty of reposting some memes that have upset some people. It was not my intention and I humbly apologize.”

Coverage and framing vary across outlets. Blabbermouth published the band’s social-media text and background details such as the album release; MetalSucks emphasized the move as driven by Howe’s “extreme” political views and said the split was not about misconduct or musicianship; PennLive ran a headline saying the band “fires drummer” and repeated the band’s claim that “four shows have been canceled so far.” A Blabbermouth Facebook share of the story drew substantial engagement in the snippet captured — 110 reactions, 114 comments and 8 shares — with commenters ranging from “I Support you Larry Howe !!” to a tongue-in-cheek “I heard about this but I assumed it was a vicious rumour.”

Which specific social-media posts or reposted memes prompted the band’s action remains unclear, a point PennLive explicitly noted. Blabbermouth’s wording that Vicious Rumors “will no longer be touring with long time drummer Larry Howe” leaves the separation framed around touring commitments; whether the split is permanent has not been clarified by the band as of the Feb 18 statement.