The frontman of clown-themed Iron Maiden cover band has been arrested in Japan after allegedly smuggling $7 million worth of drugs into the country in a guitar case.
The frontman of a clown-themed Iron Maiden cover band has been caught allegedly smuggling $7 million worth of drugs into Japan in his guitar case.
Thank god I got to write that at least once in my life. Let’s start from the top.
Daniel Whitmore, perhaps better known as Powerclown singer “Dicksee Diànno,” is the musician facing the charges. Based in Hoboken, New Jersey, Powerclown is “the greatest tribute to one of the greatest bands of all time, IRON MAIDEN…”, which consists of Sketchy Clown on lead guitar, John Wayne Gary on drums, Steve Hairlips on bass, and Whitmore on vocals.
According to Canada’s Global News, Whitmore was arrested on December 11th at Narita International Airport for “allegedly smuggling stimulant drugs with a street value of more than $7 million.”
The drugs were allegedly concealed in a secret compartment in a guitar case and in tea canisters. Apparently customs became suspicious after noticing the weight of the case was unusual.
According to News of Japan, Whitmore was trying to drop the drugs off at a nearby hotel. “I was supposed to carry a guitar case as requested by a Chinese-based person in Canada,” he allegedly told police. “I was scheduled to deliver it to a hotel in Narita City.”
Powerclown have made an official statement about the arrest, written by guitarist Sketchy Klown. “I assure you, any frowns we are wearing are real. Painted on or not,” it reads. “Clownery and parlour tricks, whether by him or us ain’t gonna do no good.
Even with his voice, the voice of a songbird, and his velvet-painting-smooth charm, he wont be able to talk his way out of these hijinks, even if he did speak Japanese.”
Read it below.
Speaking with Global News, friends of Whitmore says that the news took them by surprise.
“I don’t know why he would’ve thought this was an option for anything,” friend Joseph Lambert said. “I mean, he could have always asked for help.”
In the days leading up to the flight from Vancouver, a message on his Facebook page read, “Are you an Asian drug dealer? Because you’re bringing me down…”
“I think somebody told him he had to do it because this does not seem like Dan,” Lambert said. “I’ve seen Dan desperate for money. Nothing like this. This is not desperate for money, this is something else.”
