Frontman of Clown-Themed Iron Maiden Tribute Band Arrested in Japan on Drug Smuggling Charges
Tale as old as time ...
Images via Daniel Whitmore/YouTube
“I assure you, any frowns we are wearing are real. Painted on or not.” This was part of the statement posted Jan. 3 by a member of Powerclown, a clown-themed Iron Maiden tribute band from Vancouver. The band member, referred to by his moniker Sketchy Klown, released the band’s official statement days after Powerclown’s lead singer Daniel Whitmore, better known as “Dicksee Diànno,” was arrested in Japan for allegedly smuggling $7 million (Canadian) worth of some kind of stimulant into Japan, stuffed inside his guitar case.
Japan is known to have a zero-tolerance stance on drug smuggling. The sentence for a conviction like this could run ten years or more, in addition to carrying heavy fines. Michael Klein, a lawyer who spoke to Canada’s Global News about the matter, said he “couldn’t see any interference by the Canadian government in a foreign prosecution.” For now, the members of Powerclown are saddened by the decisions of their band member and friend. Joseph Lambert, best friend of the accused, told Global News, “It’s almost like he’s dead now, except he’s not.”
There’s been speculation as to the motive behind Whitmore’s alleged acts. Some believe him to be a victim that was coerced into a situation he would ordinarily never find himself in. Others, still, believe the accused might’ve had some financial troubles.