The Ascent of "Fear of Water" Accelerates Interview: Dave Perry

Man beaten over bad performance of Dio song at karaoke bar

On November 7, 2008, Wisconsin resident Kyle Drinkwine became so enraged with the lackluster karaoke performance of a heavy metal song by Dio that he assaulted the singer and a second man at a local bar. According to The Smoking Gun, Drinkwine throttled singer James Mischler, 28, and his friend Cyrus Kozub, 29, "over one's ability to sing karaoke." Mischler was performing "Holy Diver," the title cut on Dio's 1983 debut album (the band is fronted by Ronnie James Dio, the former Black Sabbath lead singer). Following the assaults, police apprehended Drinkwine after a short foot chase. A subsequent Breathalyzer test recorded his blood alcohol content at .169, more than twice the state limit. Drinkwine was booked into the Pierce County Jail on battery and disorderly conduct counts.