Booking Agent Responds To BYZANTINE's Internet 'Threat'

Booking agent Jeffrey Churchwell of Digger International has issued a response to a scathing statement posted by the band BYZANTINE (via their guitarist, Tony Rorhbough) on their official web site in which they appeared to encourage their fans to physically assault Churchwell over the removal of BYZANTINE from the lineup of this fall's "International Extreme Music Festival" North American tour (BYZANTINE have since been replaced on the trek by MANNTIS). Churchwell's statement reads as follows:

"No matter what I write or how I respond to the posting from the band BYZANTINE, it's going to be viewed as 'I said, they said' format. I have no interest in this type of exchange. I believe it is best to keep it short, stick to the facts, and move on.

"The posting from BYZANTINE in regards to myself and to Digger International is very condemning and the damage is already done. To refute it now gives it further credence and only justifies the accusation. It goes without saying I disagree with the inferences and much of it is just out right embittered bullshit from an upset band member.

"I did end whatever relationship their was between I/Digger and the band BYZANTINE and the end result was their replacement on the IEMF tour. Everything else, including their accusations, beyond that is crap and hearsay. Whatever the rumor mill is grinding away at, or what the 'real reason' is, the simple fact is whatever belief I had in the band had already been stamped out and it was time to move on. Anything else I'd offer on the subject in regard to my view of the band, their actions, would be personal and the Internet isn't a place to vent these type of issues. They should have considered this before their posting. They chose the forumn — I didn't.

"I wish the band the best of luck and success.

"The issue in regards to the band BYZANTINE and this company is closed. No matter what is posted, written, suggested or otherwise, I will not re-visit it again.

"This goes out to Tony and the [rest of the] band BYZANTINE as I assume they were aware of the posting.

"You can say anything you want about me, my business, as long as its business and not personal. What few boundaries there [exist] in the music business you abhorrently crossed when you inferred in your e-mail to bring physical harm (baseball bat) to me, my person, and even worse, to my home, where I live with my family, to any person willing to do the deed. You did so in an open public forum — the Internet, no less — that crosses all borders. Did you really think you could do something like this — threaten me; even worse in my home where I live with my family — and I would do nothing about it?

"Here is the short story: I didn't really pay any mind to the posting, but someone very close to me read the positing and it upset her greatly as it affected her home. Your posting on the Internet in reference to me and bringing me physical harm to me in my home is not only incredibly uncool, it is illegal. The posting on the Internet crosses state and national borders.

"I documented the entire file with the local coppers, who in turn recorded it as an 'official threat' via the Internet. No big deal, right? Wrong. I'm a handicap, [and] that makes me a minority and you're posting a hate crime. Now what happens next is up to you. You can admit you made a mistake and went beyond business and [that] posting such a threat, open invitation, was wrong, and illegal, and remove your threat to me on your posting on your site. Ya don't, and the same files I have recorded with the locals will then go to state, federal and international authorities. Forget ever crossing any borders to tour in another country.

"Think I am harsh, or I am a dick? You have no idea.

"Make no mistake: dis my business or whatever fine, but threaten me personally or my home, where I reside with family and make no mistake, I will be relentless.

"Are there people out there reading this think I am overreacting? Ask yourself this: if someone threatened you, your home, and in turn your family, would you not strike back with everything in your power to protect those things you love? Did we all not just recently see the horrible tragedy of a crazed fan on a stage in Columbus, Ohio go horribly wrong? Some people act on crazy stuff like this and I am not allowing this to go any further. It's over!

"P.S.: You want friends in the music business? Do yourself a favor — buy a dog."