John Garcia And Brant Bjork Of Kyuss Lives! Speak Further On Trademark Lawsuit
Vocalist John Garcia and drummer Brant Bjork of Kyuss Lives! have spoken at length with Rollingstone.com about the ongoing lawsuit filed against them by former bandmates, Josh Homme and Scott Reeder.
According to the conversation, Garcia believes the band are innocent of the charges of trademark infringement and consumer fraud alleged against them. Bjork himself had the following to say about the charges:
“How would I steal a name that I myself found? Trademark infringement and consumer fraud are accusations used by Josh and Scott to justify why they do not want John and I to continue as a band without them. As for consumer fraud, we had a successful last year performing sold out shows all over the world. Kyuss fans are intelligent, conscious people. If they thought this was consumer fraud, they wouldn’t have supported it. Their accusation of consumer fraud a year after our successful tours is very insulting to us and to the fans.”
Garcia later followed up with:
“Let this also be known: to say that we tried to “steal” the name Kyuss is 100% ridiculous and false. Josh Homme and Scott Reeder are suing us for financial gain. They had two ways they could have chosen to go about this. One: file the lawsuit privately and without incident, or Two: file it in conjunction and then simultaneously issue both a widespread press release and statements. Because of Josh and Scott, this is a very sad time for Kyuss fans. As I have always said, it was only out of pure respect that I decided to name the band Kyuss Lives! and not Kyuss and it was because one of the major pieces – Josh – was not there and everyone knew that.
Win or lose, we believe that the name Kyuss Lives! is worth fighting for, and regardless of the outcome of this foolish lawsuit Josh Homme and Scott Reeder have filed against us, we will continue conducting business as usual and connecting with our amazing loyal fans. It is our God-given right to play any and every Kyuss song anywhere and anyhow we see fit, no matter who wrote what, and we will continue to do so for as long as we are alive. Because of this, we have already won.”
Among other topics included in the Q&A are some disparaging words towards Homme‘s intentions; the addition of bassist Billy Cordell to the group (replacing Nick Oliveri); and more.
COMMENTS
Good for them. As a fan of everyone involved, I am siding with Brant & John. I respect Josh even though he comes off like a cocky fuckhead a lot of the time but I really don’t see how he’s missing out on anything or being screwed over at all LEGALLY. He’s not hurting for money so it has to be a emotional or feeling disrespected type thing. I’m sure it’s a sore spot for him, being 1 of the 3 founding members and all and maybe feels like the whole thing should have stayed dead.
Let the truth be known.
And get stoned.
Booze, I love that song!
Well at least this clarifies that they weren’t trying to call themselves Kyuss. I think the name Kyuss Lives! clearly shows that they are not Kyuss, but a kind of tribute to Kyuss: they should certainly be allowed to be Kyuss Lives!
As for Bjork’s history of the band: fair enough, but it’s Homme who wrote those riffs and it’s those riffs that made Kyuss Kyuss. Homme being a douche or not doesn’t really change that.
You’re right Aggro, a vocalist’s voice never gives a band their identity, it’s only those little noises being made on that weird wooden device with strings. Dope.
My point, Homme and Garcia have every right to bitch but, as I’ve said from say day one, Homme is in the wrong here. He simply cannot argue with Garcia’s statement:
“As I have always said, it was only out of pure respect that I decided to name the band Kyuss Lives! and not Kyuss and it was because one of the major pieces – Josh – was not there and everyone knew that.”
Homme, instead of wasting time with this bullshit why don’t you focus on writing a quality Queens album and banging that fugly wife of yours.
Kyuss Lives was a poor tactical choice for a moniker. Kyuss Revisited wouldve been more appropriate. Having no information on the other side of the story and only endless amounts of respect for the dude involved I landsq uarely on Team Homme.
That was the most asinine comment ever posted on The PRP. Congrats.
1) “Lives” or “Revisited”, what’s the difference? Either way the name “Kyuss” is still in the name, which is why Homme is suing.
2) “Having no information on the other side…” – this is exact sentiment millions of people have toward Michael Jackson and his molestation issues. They have so much respect and love for him they vehemently deny that he could have done such a thing and take his side.
I feel sorry for your (future) children.
Homme wrote some riffs which I FUCKING love by the way but that doesn’t change the fact that the guy is an asshole. How much money are we talking here really? Last time I checked, Kyuss never sold millions of records. Josh Homme is a dick and pulled Reeder into this mess. I don’t buy all this nonsense. Kyuss Lives!
^^Finally, someone with an ounce of common sense on this thing.
“Josh Homme and Scott Reeder are suing us for financial gain.”
What financial gain? Funny.
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