Rock & Metal

Toto Bassist Breaks Silence On The Threat He Received From Steve Lukather, ‘It Became Toxic!’

Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

Shem von Schroeck, former bassist for Toto, recently sat down with Blaze News Tonight to reflect on his time with the band, shedding light on internal struggles and revealing a startling threat he received from guitarist Steve Lukather.

Schroeck, who played with Toto from 2017 to 2019 and contributed to their 40 Trips Around the Sun album, opened up about the toxic atmosphere that marked the final year of his tenure. “This is the first time I’ve ever spoken about this publicly,” he shared. “The only people who know what I know are my immediate family and close friends. It’s huge for me to talk about this.” He went on to describe the growing tension within the band, saying, “The infighting just became toxic. It was a difficult environment, and I tried to stay out of it as much as I could.”

Schroeck explained that while he wasn’t directly involved in the band’s internal issues, he couldn’t ignore the mounting animosity. “There were some legal disputes with Jeff’s widow, Susan, and clashes between Lukather and others,” he said. “But I wasn’t hired to get involved in those issues. I was there to play bass, sing, and show up on time with a smile. But it was like, one guy wouldn’t ride in a van with another, another wouldn’t share a dressing room. It just went from being ‘the best of times’ to ‘the worst of times.’”

In March 2019, Schroeck decided to reach out to Lukather in an attempt to address the escalating tensions. “I wrote him a professional letter—both a text and an audio message,” Schroeck explained. “It was basically a cry for help, saying, ‘We have three months before the next tour starts, and I’m not sure I can continue in this toxic environment. Maybe we need a band meeting or something to sort this out.’”

However, Schroeck’s hopes for a resolution were dashed when Lukather’s response came in the form of what he described as a “threat.” “The response wasn’t what I expected,” Schroeck recalled. “I won’t disclose what it said, but it wasn’t, ‘Let’s work this out.’ It was basically a warning: ‘If you quit before the end of the year, your professional reputation will suffer.’” This left Schroeck with a difficult choice: stay and finish the year in an increasingly hostile environment or leave. “I decided to stick it out, hoping things would improve,” Schroeck said. “But it just got worse.”

Though Schroeck’s time with Toto was brief—just two years—his departure adds to the ongoing tension within the band. Toto, co-founded by Lukather and David Paich, has been embroiled in drama, including a high-profile lawsuit filed by Susan Porcaro-Goings, Jeff Porcaro’s widow. In 2018, Susan sued the band, alleging that Lukather and Paich had “refused to account for or pay Jeff’s share” in the Toto name after his death in 1992. Lukather responded to the lawsuit, claiming it cost the band $1 million and led to lineup changes that ultimately left him as the sole original member of the group.

Speaking to Rolling Stone, Lukather explained, “There was a mix-up with the name that goes back to our original management. I was victimized by that, too. And then she went public, claiming David and I were stealing from her family. Like I would do that! As if I suddenly became a criminal when I turned 60!” Despite this, Susan Porcaro-Goings insisted that her late husband never relinquished his rights to the band’s name, adding, “I think Lukather and the guys were poorly advised. I don’t blame them, but they were taken advantage of by people who didn’t understand the business.”

Lukather, reflecting on the aftermath of the lawsuit, admitted that the final shows of the tour were difficult. “It was miserable and hard, but we did our best,” he said. “It felt isolating, and I was unfairly blamed for things I didn’t do.”

As the band moves forward, Schroeck’s revelations about the turmoil within Toto highlight the complex and often contentious dynamics that have marked the band’s later years.

I'm Emma. I Love rock music, doing guitar reviews, and making food. I love writing works because it is the best way to provide information to people.

Write A Comment