Tim Lambesis raised funds for side project spoofing Schwarzenegger

SAN DIEGO -- Tim Lambesis, the heavy metal rocker from the group As I Lay Dying, who was arrested on suspicion of trying to hire a hit-man to kill his estranged wife, has been attempting to “crowd-fund” to raise money for his side project, Austrian Death Machine.

Lambesis, 32, arrested Tuesday in Oceanside, is in the midst of a divorce. He was arrested after he allegedly asked an undercover San Diego County sheriff’s detective, posing as a hit man for hire, to kill his wife, who lives in Encinitas.

On the website www.indiegogo.com, used by lesser-known bands and filmmakers to raise money for their artistic endeavors, Lambesis early this year posted a request for donations so that Austrian Death Machine could produce its third album. The post indicates that his project needed $63,000 by late April. As of Wednesday morning the site indicates that $78,170 had been raised.

Austrian Death Machine songs parody former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

“I’m launching this campaign because I believe these are all things that you guys want and if that’s the case, it justifies leaving the rest of my life unorganized for a while when I focus on Austrian Death Machine,” said Lambesis’ post. “Don’t be a girly man and buy something fantastically brutal that will make both of our lives more full of pump! Plus, Arnie is back doing movies, so the timing is perfect!”

To raise money for the side project, Lambesis had offered T-shirts with a cartoon image of Schwarzenegger and private exercise sessions for donors. He also promised to tattoo a donor’s name on his buttocks for a donation of $5,000 or more.

Lambesis, a graduate of a local Christian high school, founded the group As I Lay Dying more than a decade ago and remains its lead guitarist and singer. He is set to be arraigned Thursday on felony counts of soliciting a murder. He is in the County Jail in Vista without bail.

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Twitter: @LATsandiego

tony.perry@latimes.com