Subject:  ATTENTION ALL CLUB OWNERS, INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS, AND MUSICIANS |
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courtney
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Date Posted: 04:33:33 05/03/04 Mon
Not long ago, you may or may not have received some information with regard to the above mentioned band. Since that time, the band -- or, more specifically, Courtney Samborsky -- has gone on record to state that she is the "victim" of "the big, bad world." And of course, the statement came out that "they can't prove their accusations" and such accusations, though true, are considered "harassment."
Well, AS YOU CAN SEE IN HERE, THOSE STATEMENTS FROM COURTNEY SAMBORSKY ARE, AS USUAL, A BIG BUNCH OF LIES. This isn't surprising, considering Courtney Samborsky is a pathological liar.
Read this whole thing, in its entirety. Observe the preponderance of evidence.
Then ask yourself, "Do I really want to be affiliated with such a detrimental band?"
Be made aware of the current legal issues plaguing this band. Amongst other people, publishing companies, musicians, and even other independents in the music industry have filed lawsuits against this band. And, more than that, Courtney Samborsky is crazy enough to even hurt her own "friends."
Frankly speaking, you would only continue to fall to detriment if you continue an affiliation with this band.
Put it this way: Do you really want to be affiliated with a band that only knows how to cause trouble, bring lawsuits, and do nothing except leave destruction in their wake? I’m sure you were fed the same line that every other professional was fed - “we’re the greatest band in the world” - but perhaps you should know the truth about this band. You should know what you are really getting into before you offer this band anything (and this has been ongoing for quite some time). Frankly speaking, several sponsors, both potential and existing, when presented with this information, quickly revoked their affiliation with the band, and several more will continue to do so.
Their sponsorship with Rockstar Energy Drink, per the company's CEO, was recently revoked (his contact information is listed on the company website, so you can feel free to contact him and verify same) and their so-called "Jagermeister sponsorship" has ALSO been revoked.
For a time, Pretty Suicide were on a TRIAL BASIS with Jagermeister, however, thanks to the various legal issues that have plagued the band, along with the band's snide, discourteous unprofessionalism (and that of their fans, chief amongst them being Sara Waldron) the legal department at Sidney Frank Import Company (the distributor for Jagermeister) has ISSUED A CEASE AND DESIST ORDER AGAINST PRETTY SUICIDE, DEMANDING THAT THEY REMOVE ALL REFERENCES TO THE COMPANY FROM THEIR WEBSITE IMMEDIATELY.
Of course, in typical Courtney Samborsky fashion, she has decided to simply dismiss those claims from Sidney Frank Import Company, claiming that SHE, in fact, knows so much better than everyone else. The links, of course, are still up (on their "TOUR" page, their "LINKS" page, and their "VISUAL" page), and of course, if this persists, the legal department WILL file charges against Courtney Samborsky and Pretty Suicide. (Feel free to contact the legal department at Sidney Frank in New Rochelle, New York, and verify same - because the pathologically-lying, drug-addicted, manipulative, evil, hateful-spawn-of-Hell that is Courtney Samborsky may have turned lying into an art form, but THIS is being told to you in earnest, in honesty, in TRUTH!)
If large companies such as Rockstar and Jagermeister are realizing the detriment that Pretty Suicide brings to their product, why not your club?
I, as a member of the music community, only ask that you consider the detriment that this affiliation will cause your company, just as it has practically everyone else in the music industry.
In a word, Pretty Suicide are crap. Not just musically (though they certainly win no awards in that arena), but professionally, and personally, as well. Is your company “crap”? I think not - but a band like Pretty Suicide is nothing but a liability.
Of course, Pretty Suicide are all about defending themselves as of late, claiming that there is “no legal merit” to anyone’s accusations, because “there are no valid e-mail addresses,” however, a close look at all the evidence attached will clearly demonstrate otherwise. Their defense is that there is “no legal merit” to anyone’s accusations, because “they played over 100 shows in 2003.”
That is, perhaps, the lamest excuse ever devised.
The 100 shows weren't in stadiums, arenas, or amphitheaters. The 100 shows weren't played while on tour with a major artist such as Alice Cooper (and Courtney Samborsky effectively destroyed any chance of that sort of thing ever happening, but that will be shown in a minute). The 100 shows were played in BARS to a bunch of DRUNKS, BARFLIES, and WANNABE GROUPIES. And, as many club owners will gladly attest, their bars were almost always at less than 1/4 capacity when Pretty Suicide played, due to their lack of promotion, their lack of interest, their constant drinking and doing drugs, their poor reputation, and their lack of talent.
If we assume that Courtney Samborsky booked these shows with the intent of getting the band "signed" or "made famous," well then, why hasn't it resulted in such?
The band has been together for almost 15 years. The band in its current lineup has been together for almost 5 years (at least four, if the math's right). If the band hasn't made it big, much less gotten signed, in that period of time, isn't it safe to say that they're going nowhere?
As a prime example of why, I thought you should be made aware of an incident that happened not long ago at a place called The Haunt. As shown in the first attached correspondence, Courtney Samborsky (the 'infamous' lead singer and so-called 'business contact' of the band) was INCESSANTLY COMPLAINING about the time slot which she and the band were given. The bands which they were playing with that night could only concur on one thing: "PRETTY SUICIDE? NEVER AGAIN!"
To make matters worse, Courtney Samborsky is so jealous of other women that, not only will she not allow anyone to speak of the guitarist's girlfriend (whom he clearly loves, but that's not the point here -- or perhaps it is -- Courtney Samborsky has gotten to the point where she has to OBSESS about other people's private lives because she clearly is a PETTY, CATTY, JEALOUS, BORDERLINE PSYCHOTIC PERSON), BUT SHE WILL NOT SPEAK TO ANY WOMAN, IN ANY CAPACITY, AT ANY TIME.
Finally, their so-called 'fans' (or, more specifically, their 'fan leader,' who is so egotistical, she has taken to calling herself a 'high priestess') have taken to bullying fans of other bands, to the point of violence. Her venom-filled website is updated daily with various non-sequitor diatribes, lashing out against everyone and anyone in her wake (samples of which are herein attached), and she makes it abundantly clear that she is a mouthpiece for Courtney Samborsky. What you are seeing here is one of the tamer posts from this less-than-respectable individual. She makes Courtney Love look stable.
As if that weren't enough, as shown here: http://images5.fotki.com/v65/free/0e051/6/69398/739572/tyhardandwetakeitveryseriously-vi.jpg
This is an image of Courtney Samborsky partaking in a crack pipe with one hand, and drinking beer with the other. The image has been saved, and can be transmitted to you via e-mail, fax, or mail correspondence.
They can claim that they are “professional” all they want - they can play all the clubs they want - the fact is, they cannot hide from the truth. They are the most unprofessional band on the independent circuit, and that is mainly - if not solely - the fault of their lead singer, Courtney Samborsky, as the following will show. They have single-handedly, thanks to the dubious ‘leadership’ of Courtney Samborsky, managed to burn every single bridge that could possibly have been built for them, and have even managed to incur a few legal battles.
This is not the fault of anyone except Courtney Samborsky, no matter what she may say otherwise. The fact is, some of the most major players in the music business today - including Alice Cooper, Gene Simmons, and Weezer (whose representatives have less than stellar things to say about the band thanks to their episode in copyright infringement, but more on that in a minute) - will have nothing to do with the band. They have alienated anyone and everyone who has tried to help them. The band, thanks to Courtney Samborsky, has been declared personae non grata in several clubs thanks to their attitudes. And if the clubs - the one vestige of hope that the band clings to so desperately - are savvy to this fact, then it is only fair and knowledgeable that other industry professionals be made aware of this band - and most specifically, their unprofessional (to say the least) lead singer.
As shown in the attached documents, the band states that they will be performing at the KISS Expo at the New Jersey convention center. Moreover, they state that “Kiss will be there” and Pretty Suicide “will be signed to Gene’s label soon.” Most damaging, though (besides the fact that their flyer uses the KISS image without permission - and this isn’t the first time they’ve done something like this, but more on that in a minute), is that, later on in the same post, Armand Minassian (the band’s drummer) states that KISS will be hosting the after-party, and that the band will be there “doing lots of drugs with Gene Simmons, I can’t wait!”
What’s interesting, though, as shown in the attached pages, the band Pretty Suicide is not listed ANYWHERE in the Kiss Expo. Even granting that they will be added “last minute,” the fact that they could state that “KISS will be there” (when they clearly will not be) and “they will be doing drugs with Gene Simmons” (even if they were going to be, that would be the last thing they should announce), is clearly, not only slanderous, but very illegal as well.
Gene Simmons has been made aware of this, in writing, and he and his legal team are currently seeking financial remedies against Pretty Suicide.
This is also not the first time this band has been embroiled in legal battles along these lines (though this is clearly the most damaging). This was not an inadvertent mistake made by an otherwise unknowing, hapless, helpless band. No, make no mistake: this was a deliberate act done by Pretty Suicide, clearly, to obtain more notoriety and fame for the band, as this is not the first time Pretty Suicide has been embroiled in copyright infringement battles.
Their first brush with illegal activity was with Alice Cooper’s people.
In October of 2003, Pretty Suicide made several public postings to several websites (including their own, a sample of which is also herein attached) stating that they would be opening for Alice Cooper on Monday, December 27th, 2003, at his after-party at Don Hill’s in New York City. The posting also stated that Twisted Sister and Sebastian Bach were also going to be there.
The problem was, Alice Cooper was never, at any time, scheduled to play Don Hill’s in New York City. That did not, however, stop Courtney Samborsky (the lead singer and so-called “business contact” and “manager” of the band) from printing up flyers - and consenting to others being printed en masse - and distributing same throughout the greater New York area. The flyer that was posted was the same as what you see in the attached Internet posting.
Naturally, someone brought said flyer to Alice Cooper’s professional handlers’ attention (which included contacting his record label, his publishing company, and his management), as (to quote DC attorney Joshua Kaufmann, Esq.) “using the artist’s name to solicit business without their consent can also violate their trademark rights…Part of the trademark law, which is known as the Lanham Act, specifically, Section 43(a), states that creating a ‘likelihood of confusion’ as to an association, affiliation, or sponsorship is a violation of federal trademark law. Therefore, by listing an artist’s name and creating the impression that they are affiliated with [the offending party], results in federal trademark laws being violated…Most states also have a Right of Publicity law which forbids one from using the name or likeness of a person for commercial purposes without their permission.”
Not surprisingly, Alice Cooper’s professional handlers responded quickly and efficiently (most likely with a cease and desist order), and the e-mail in response is also attached herein. Of course, of even more interest, is the following response from Alice Cooper’s professional handlers:
“Funny…someone DID ask me where I got the info from. Instead of telling them, I informed them that they should be more concerned about where THEY got their info from and concerned about fixing it so they did not get kicked off the show.”
It is worth pointing out that the contact e-mail address that was listed on Pretty Suicide’s website until recently is prettysuicide@hotmail.com (though the forwarding order on the current e-mail address is to that address), an e-mail address which Courtney Samborsky (the aforementioned lead singer and “business contact” and “manager” of the band) regularly uses for personal correspondence. In typical Courtney Samborsky/Pretty Suicide fashion, she clearly tries to make herself out to be the perpetual victim of the big, bad world; instead of asking, “How can I correct this mistake, considering I violated copyright laws?” or (if we assume that she did not know she was violating copyright laws) “I’m not sure I understand what I did wrong, would you please explain it to me?”, she demands to know - from Alice Cooper’s professional handlers, no less - “WHERE did YOU get YOUR information from?”
Not only is this response unprofessional, it is clearly indicative of guilt, and of knowledge of said guilt.
Most recently, an issue has also erupted where Pretty Suicide lists themselves (or, more specifically, their “Suicide Sampler” CD) as being a part of the roster of the label Radical Records. A check of the Radical Records catalogue (http://www.radicalrecords.com), as well as tonsorial research, has shown that such affiliation does not exist. The only relationship that Pretty Suicide has with said company is that one song of theirs was included on one compilation, and this has lead Pretty Suicide (specifically Courtney Samborsky) into advertising themselves as being a part of Radical Records.
Again, this is merely a pattern of blatant copyright infringement in an attempt for Pretty Suicide to gain greater publicity and notoriety, as is evidenced by the attached review from Spunout Central. For one, Radical Records was not the one who sent out the CD to Spunout Central (or any other publication, for that matter). Pretty Suicide themselves (with the blessing of the “business contact,” that is, Courtney Samborsky) sent said disc - to them, and to who knows how many other places? To how many other people? Is this not a blatant disregard for the copyrights of Radical Records?
The band, interestingly, was clever enough to attach a disclaimer (“Pretty Suicide is not signed to a recording contract”) to various sections of their website (also attached), but the fact is, a band that is clever enough to know that they should put such a disclaimer up on their website is clever enough to know that they should not be claiming an affiliation with the label in the first place. Such a disclaimer also insinuates that it has been stated in the past - and, obviously, erroneously - that Pretty Suicide was signed to a recording contract with a label, presumably by Pretty Suicide themselves.
Pretty Suicide’s claim of affiliation with this record label is a clear violation of Title 17, Chapter 5 of the United States code with regard to copyright infringement, where
it is clearly stated that unauthorized use of a person or organization’s name or likeness is in violation of copyright laws, and punishable by extensive levies and fines.
Had Pretty Suicide been claiming their affiliation with, for example, Geffen Records, or any other major label, their blatant disregard for copyright law would not even be an issue, as Geffen Records would have been quick to, at the very least, issue a final injunction against the band, if not sue them outright for damages incurred as a result of copyright infringement.
They have stated on their website that "Radical Records went on record and said it was false," but of course, in typical Courtney Samborsky fashion, THAT IS A FLAT OUT LIE.
For one, WHERE IS RADICAL RECORDS' OFFICIAL STATEMENT? WHY GO THROUGH PRETTY SUICIDE TO ISSUE IT? HOW MANY LABELS DO YOU KNOW ISSUE STATEMENTS THROUGH ARTISTS? NONE!
Second, IF RADICAL RECORDS THOUGHT THEY WERE SO GREAT, WHY HAVEN'T THEY BEEN SIGNED TO THAT LABEL? CHECK RADICAL RECORDS' ROSTER -- THEY ARE NOWHERE TO BE FOUND.
Third, IF THE BAND -- OR, COURTNEY SAMBORSKY -- WAS TRULY A 'VICTIM', WHY IS IT THAT THEIR SPONSORSHIPS ARE BEING REVOKED (see above reference at Rockstar Energy Drink)?? COULD IT BE THAT MAYBE THESE COMPANIES KNOW BETTER? THAT THE BAND, AND ITS FANS, REALLY ARE THAT UNPROFESSIONAL, AND THAT COURTNEY SAMBORSKY REALLY IS THAT PSYCHOTIC?
Finally, one of their songs, “Three O’Clock Bell,” steals the guitar “riff” from “Hash Pipe,” a song which was originally written by Weezer, an artist on the Geffen label.
This is a fact that can be proven, not only by merely listening to the song, but by also reading a review which states, in no uncertain terms, that the riff was lifted from “Hash Pipe” (which is also attached). More than one person has, in fact, made the observation that the riff is more than slightly glaring of Weezer’s “Hash Pipe.”
Moreover, as shown on the cover of the album (also attached), the song is credited, not to Weezer/Rivers Cuomo or their publishing company, but to Pretty Suicide, the offending band in question. The fact that this song was released and copyrighted after “Hash Pipe” was released and copyrighted more than suggests that the band was aware of “Hash Pipe”’s existence, yet lifted the riff nonetheless with blatant disregard for the rights and clearances of those concerned.
As you undoubtedly are aware, blatant copiers of such work are just as guilty of copyright fraud as the current wave of music downloaders. Unauthorized use of intellectual property - which is clearly done here - is a violation of federal trademark law.
This has, in fact, been brought to the attention of Weezer’s publishing company (see attached) and they are so enraged that they are suing the band for an undisclosed amount in damages.
Even granting that the riff is merely just a “sample,” a sample is a copy, and therefore, permission must be sought before usage is allowed. If a separate work can be recognized within another, a license or other form of permission must be obtained, or an infringement is committed. It is not illegal to sound like another artist, however, it is illegal to use songs or parts thereof without permission of the original artist. Moreover, the fact that the “sample” is used throughout the entire body of the song - and is, in fact, the basis of the song - automatically ensures that permission must be obtained, which it clearly has not.
This song is not in small production, either. Not only is this song available on Pretty Suicide’s attached aforementioned album, it is available on every “Suicide Sampler” that was distributed to college radio stations, magazines, and other promotional companies before and after the album was released, is freely distributed at all of the numerous shows that the band plays (thereby making production of same well over the 10,000 unit range - in fact, it is probably safe to say that the “Suicide Sampler” production numbers well over the 10,000 unit range alone), and - perhaps most offensively - is available for download, in its entirety, from Pretty Suicide’s website. As for the offending album, it is available for purchase, not only at the band’s numerous shows and on the band’s website, but also at Tower Records, a major music retail chain, which clearly indicates that the band is doing this for profit.
Weezer's publishing company and legal team are currently seeking financial remedies against Pretty Suicide, and THEY are happy to go on record and state same.
This, and other unprofessional behavior, has caused Pretty Suicide to be shunned by many members of the musical community, save for a sparse few ‘fans’ to whom they have portrayed themselves as the ‘victims,’ when clearly, Pretty Suicide (and most especially Courtney Samborsky) are the perpetrators.
In case you think there is ANY doubt left WHATSOEVER that Courtney Samborsky is CRIMINALLY INSANE, consider a posting made BY HER OWN FRIEND (this same friend who, according to prior testimony, BULLIED fans of other bands whenever she sees them). According to this testimony, Courtney Samborsky went to a "homeopathic man" (though MANY on the independent circuit KNOW that Courtney Samborsky has a bit of a NASTY HABIT of POPPING ILLEGAL PILLS, so her "homeopathic man" is most likely a drug dealer; there's also a few rumors that Courtney Samborsky is into Satanic arts, and is into putting "hexes" and other forms of evil onto those she considers a threat, which basically means THE WHOLE WORLD, so there is a possibility that said "homeopathist" is really an evil witch doctor) and this "homeopathic man" gave Courtney ARSENICUM ALBUM to give to this friend.
Now, you don't need to be a rocket scientist to figure out that the word "ARSENIC" in the root of that word. Anyone who took a half-day of a science class in elementary school would know that ARSENIC is a poison.
Not surprisingly, ARSENICUM ALBUM, when literally translated, is ARSENIC OXIDE (see attached). According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), A REGISTERED GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY, PART OF THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC), ARSENIC OXIDE is a synonym for ARSENIC TRIOXIDE. This 25-page report (also attached) goes into extensive detail about the side effects of ingesting ARSENIC TRIOXIDE, but two key phrases here are as follows:
-"Toxicity usually results from ingestion."
and (most frighteningly)
-"Ingestion is the most important route of acute exposure of arsenic trioxide. Ingested arsenic trioxide is quickly absorbed and can be extremely hazardous. Significant tissue and organ damage and death may result. MOST ACUTE INTOXICATIONS ARE FROM SUICIDAL OR HOMICIDAL INGESTION."
Of course, the intelligence of this friend comes into question (who puts something in their body without doing the research on it first?), but the fact of the matter is, the intent is clear: COURTNEY SAMBORSKY GAVE SOMEONE WHO CONSIDERS HER A FRIEND A HIGHLY TOXIC POISON. DRAW YOUR OWN CONCLUSIONS -- COURTNEY SAMBORSKY IS SO EVIL, AND SO INSANE, THAT SHE HAS NO QUALMS ABOUT POISONING A 'FRIEND'. WHAT, THEN, WILL SHE DO TO SOMEONE ELSE?
In summary, Pretty Suicide is merely following a very self-destructive, and very illegal, pattern, which has now come to include blatant theft of intellectual property.
The fact is, this pattern will continue, to the detriment of other music industry professionals (including the musicians themselves), unless someone puts a stop to this.
Now, obviously, this band’s insanity (because there is really no other word to describe it) is extending over into everyone else's good name. Simple warnings from other professionals were clearly not enough - and if this continues, there’s no telling who else this band may besmirch with their questionable reputation.
I would also appreciate the strictest of confidence and anonymity when dealing with this band, because it is almost assured that they will ask where you got your information from, and it is not beneath them (most specifically, Courtney Samborsky) to wage a personal vendetta against those who dare cross her and/or thwart and question her “plan.” Several instances - to which sworn affidavits can be provided upon request - of unprofessional, blatant, and rather public, mistreatment of music industry professionals have been notoriously reported by those who have had the supreme misfortune of dealing with Courtney Samborsky. Of course, all the necessary legal channels are being utilized, and Courtney Samborsky WILL be facing criminal charges if this continues.
SO ASK YOURSELF AGAIN: DO YOU WANT TO BE AFFILIATED WITH A BAND THAT BRINGS THIS MUCH NEGATIVITY, THIS MUCH HATRED, THIS MUCH EVIL, THIS MUCH CRAZINESS -- IN SHORT, THIS MUCH OF A LIABILITY? I think not.
FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR CLUB -- FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR ARTISTS -- FOR THE SAKE OF EVERYONE INVOLVED -- DO NOT BOOK PRETTY SUICIDE IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM.
The contact information for Pretty Suicide is as follows:
Pretty Suicide
460 Henley Avenue
New Milford, NJ 07646
ATTN: Armand Minassian (armandminassian@hotmail.com or armand@prettysuicide.com)
Vache Minassian (hotvache@hotmail.com or vache@prettysuicide.com)
Larry Nimmo (prettysuicide@hotmail.com or pictures@cowbelljunkies.com or larry@prettysuicide.com)
Courtney Samborsky (prettysuicide@hotmail.com or Courtney@cowbelljunkies.com or courtney@prettysuicide.com)
Phone numbers are as follows:
201-634-0516
201-260-9660
917-406-5979
I would appreciate your prompt attention to this matter. Please make the right decision, AND DO NOT BOOK PRETTY SUICIDE FOR ANY EVENT, NO MATTER WHAT!
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