Here is an Email our booking agent received from Mr HOMEBAKE (Sydney based Australian music festival promoter)

Hi Trixybelle,

This is Joe (IMC & Homebake promoter). Without panicking you, I just have had a half hour conversation with a co-worker about the antics of a band you book, being THE DRUGS (& no, I am not going to ask them to be on Homebake or anything I am ever associated with).

I believe one of The Drugs, seem to have a problem with Alex Lloyd and has now manufactured a batch of stickers (or similar promo type material) which seriously insults Alex. Can I please ask you for a contact number for this band and where I can get a copy of this sticker (or whatever it is). Please don't worry as this has no reflection on yourself.

Thanks In Advance,
Joe Segreto

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now kids, understand I haven’t had a cause that motivated me in a little while so if this dude got both barrels ...well I had an itchy keyboard finger. Here’s my reply and a copy of the sticker in question.

Hi Joe

It would appear from the email Trixybelle received that you’re trying to contact me. I know how busy you must be and how little this industry pays a man in your position so I thought I’d save you the time and cost of calling me.

I gather from your message that you or your “co-worker” feel that I owe someone an apology. Here we go.

I’m truly sorry.

I’m sorry you felt the need to send a condescending and threatening note to Trixybelle. A hard working woman who merely books the band and has little to no knowledge of our antics off stage.

I’m sorry that despite his numerous album sales, millions of fans and international success Alex Lloyd’s ‘minders’ are concerned about the opinion of 1 perhaps 5 individuals. Or have I stumbled on to something here? The haste to defend your act is to me, an implication that perhaps I speak for a much greater number.

I’m sorry you think our stickers are demeaning or insulting. The text in question simply reads “We Talk Food, Eating and Eating Food with Alex Lloyd.”

1) It simply say’s “Alex Lloyd”. It doesn’t say “portly, platinum-selling, middle of the road tunesmith that Joe Seg books” now does it.

2) If it is your Alex Lloyd we mention and it’s ‘your opinion’ that our remark suggests that Alex could do with a little exercise.

Then surely you could be happy in the knowledge that despite his many un-motivational tunes and glaring musical flaws. His weighty stature at least makes him comparable to Elvis in the Vegas years. I’m sorry that you have perpetuated something and given it wings. You have taken the opinion of one cocky, smug, loud mouth (Me) and turned it into an “Us verses Them” campaign. A battle you won’t win because we (a) simply don’t care enough and (b) it’s all you’ve got.

I’m sorry for you, that we don’t live in a dictatorship where oral sex, cocaine and the promise of national tours / festivals, work as some sort of seamy sub currency. Then perhaps the upper echelon of the Australian music industry (which you and your ilk are proud representatives of) could hold a monopoly on Australian music. Then threats liken “I am not going to ask them (The Drugs) to be on Homebake or anything I am ever associated with” might actually be of some worth.

I’m sorry you think that you’re that powerful or important.

Yours sincerely
Ian Baddley

P.s. Just while I’ve got your attention I noticed that this years HOMEBAKE seems to be fully booked. The Drugs would be keen to play next year and if there’s a space don‘t hesitate to ask.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[reply not yet received]