Vitriol's Kyle Rasmussen shares new update

Vitriol’s chaotic mid-tour collapse saga continues as frontman Kyle Rasmussen makes his way back to Portland, OR, after being abandoned by his bandmates in Redwood, NY, not Vermont, earlier this week. Rasmussen was left outside a closed ice-cream shop/gas station, alongside his girlfriend, Maggie, their dog, Ghost, and a pile of band merch and gear, following what he described as a cocaine-fueled, sleep-deprived blowup inside the band’s RV.

All three former members, Keith Merrow, Brett Leier, and Andy Vincenzetti, who joined Vitriol throughout 2025, publicly blamed Rasmussen’s behavior for the split. The trio also confirmed they will continue together in a new band. Rasmussen, however, alleged the situation escalated during a drug binge, citing threats from Merrow, including a claim he threatened to stab him—and an incident where Merrow allegedly shoved Maggie while trying to force Rasmussen out of the RV. He also stated a state trooper assisted in removing the couple and their dog from the vehicle.

With the tour canceled immediately and Rasmussen left without transportation or access to band funds, money he says he placed in Merrow’s charge, he launched a GoFundMe to get home. The campaign surpassed expectations, raising $10,869, which at one point was a $9k goal, then a $16k goal, but now claims to be sitting on a $2.5k goal, allowing the couple to rent a vehicle and safely transport their gear back across the country.

Rasmussen has since thanked supporters in the GoFundMe update, noting the funds will be used for an affordable used car and to pay off outstanding tour debts, including merch, RV, management, and PR fees. In a new video shared on Thursday (27), Rasmussen confirmed he, Maggie, and Ghost have retrieved their belongings, thanks to a local shop owner who stored their equipment, and are now driving west.

In the clip, Rasmussen, stated:

“Hello, everyone. Here we are in a beautiful, thriving Redwood, New York, or Vermont, I suppose; it’s all in the eyes of the beholder. I have good news for anyone interested in seeing Maggie, Ghost, and me make it home safely. The outpouring of support has been beyond overwhelming. I know that might sound like a tired thing to say, but I don’t know what else to say.

If any of you are wondering why we weren’t just getting a train or a bus home, you’re looking at it. We have about three weeks’ worth of merchandise loosely smashed into this Jeep, which is the largest vehicle that Hertz had available for us. I have all my equipment, all of our luggage. With that being said, we, of course, have our dog, which complicates things further.

Massive, massive shout-out to Felder’s Convenience. If you’re ever rolling through Redwood, New York, on your way to Canada, check out Felder’s Convenience. They got deli, they got pizza, they got gas, they got cigarettes, they got coffee, they got everything you need. He even has an out-of-season ice cream shop, and after witnessing this whole snafu go down, he was kind enough to offer to keep all of our equipment and belongings safely in this building until we were able to come back and retrieve them. So MVP. Relying on people’s goodwill this entire time has been extremely humbling.

That’s about it. We’re about to hit the road. The Maggie Ghost and Kyle tour begins now. We’re about to head to Chicago. And then after that, Denver, to kiss that beautiful Dave Otero on the mouth. I’m coming for you, buddy. Okay, give me more cocaine.”

The clip also included the below caption:

“Ghost, Maggie and Ghost tour begins now. Thankyou to everyone who went above and beyond with their generosity. Maggie and I are perfectly secure and won’t have any issues making our way home. Any extra funds that remain after our journey home will go towards paying off various debts that Vitriol has been saddled with making this tour happen. The future not only looks bright for the three of us, but for Vitriol as well.

You can’t kill what is already dead.

I’m coming to smooch ya, @daveotero”