I basically worshiped J. Personally and creatively he was such a mentor, and to be rejected by him was crushing. At the same time being kicked out of that band was a great thing for me. Had I stayed, I doubt I would've been able to find my own voice.
It just made me really fight for what I had after that, which was really good. It really sent me off in the right direction. Looking back on it now I'm really lucky. Getting kicked out of the band was definitely the best thing to happen to me at that time.