STUCK MOJO Guitarist: BONZ' Actions While On Drugs Put And End To Our Working Relationship

STUCK MOJO guitarist Rich Ward has rejected as "dishonest and absurd" ex-STUCK MOJO frontman Bonz' claim that Ward is "maiming my character and going all out to justify his actions."

In a statement released last Wednesday (July 19),Ward said that Bonz' refusal to enter a drug and alcohol rehabilitation effectively meant that "he would need to step down" as the band's vocalist. "Everyone from the band, crew, management and those on our extended team felt that this was too big of a risk to take when the careers and livelihoods of everyone involved was at stake to varying degrees," Ward wrote. "To gamble the band's future on someone who is the source of such instability is not an option anymore."

Responding to Ward's words, Bonz sent a lengthy statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET yesterday (Tuesday, July 25),in which he said in part, "I admit I do need some help, but the picture Rich Ward has painted of me as the uncontrollable Sid Vicious of the day is far from accurate. Until I can check into a program that can help me live an alcohol-free life, I will surround myself with positive influences who want happiness and success for me. I'm saddened by the statements posted by Rich and wonder why he is maiming my character and going all out to justify his actions. We could have made this very easy and professional instead of an assassination of Bonz, one half of STUCK MOJO."

In a posting on his official forum, Ward commented on Bonz' statement, saying, "[This was brought] to my attention [last night] and it's just sad. Part of me wants to respond to this just to expose how dishonest and absurd his post is. To dispute that I have gone out of my way to make his exit as painless as possible for him is just bizarre. Everyone knows that there is more to the story, but as I stated, I view this as a private matter and I don't want to throw the guy under the bus and then bury him on Main Street. Drugs and alcohol are at the core of Bonz' problem, but it's his actions while on them that has brought an end to our working relationship. There are members of our road crew who do drugs and not just weed my friends. But they work hard, do their job and it doesn't turn them into people that no one wants to be around. So, I don't care. It's their business, until it negatively affects the people around them. Then I care. It seems like such a simple concept to grasp and yet, so many people still think that 'Rich just don't like Bonz 'cause he likes to party.' Frickin' retards."

STUCK MOJO recently completed work on its new album, "Southern Born Killers", at Backstage Studios in Derbyshire, U.K. with producer Andy Sneap (NEVERMORE, ARCH ENEMY, MACHINE HEAD, EXODUS).

Joining Ward and Bonz in STUCK MOJO's current recording lineup are FOZZY/DUKE bassist Sean Delson and the band's latest addition, drummer Eric Sanders.

"Southern Born Killers" projected track listing (in no particular order):

01. I'm Back
02. Southern Born Killers
03. Metal Is Dead
04. Born For This Moment
05. Friends
06. The Sky Is Falling
07. That's When I Burn
08. The Fear Is All Around Me
09. Open Season
10. In My Mind
11. Home
12. Invincible
13. Rhythm and Bullshit

"Southern Born Killers" is tentatively scheduled for release in late 2006/early 2007 through an as-yet-undetermined label. The band was previously signed to Century Media Records.