Queensryche cofounders Michael Wilton and Eddie Jackson revealed their counterclaims in a lawsuit filed by former drummer Scott Rockenfield.
He commenced authorized motion in October, saying he was illegally faraway from the band’s companies in 2018 after taking depart to cope with his companion’s well being points the earlier 12 months and demanded reparation from the remaining two unique members.
Of their submitting (by way of Blabbermouth), Wilton and Jackson accused Rockenfield of bowing out at brief discover and failing to assist them discover a alternative drummer for beforehand booked exhibits, failing to reply when requested to take part within the 2018 album The Verdict and not serving to them repay the mortgage they had taken out to settle their lawsuit with former singer Geoff Tate in 2014.
After Rockenfield “made no effort to help the band to find a substitute drummer,” the submitting claimed, he “solely sporadically responded to band members and band administration about collaborating within the recording the brand new album. On these events when Rockenfield did reply … he obfuscated and refused to commit or comply with rejoin the band or to take part within the technique of recording the brand new album.” When instructed the band “needed to have a declaration from Rockenfield as as to if or not he supposed to take part in recording on the band’s album,” he “subsequently acquiesced to Queensryche hiring one other drummer.”
The paperwork revealed that, below authorized recommendation, the trio had taken out a mortgage to pay Tate his agreed settlement price following their cut up and had been required to again it with “private property” as safety, whereas sustaining month-to-month funds primarily funded from reside exhibits.
However Wilton and Jackson accused Rockenfield of getting offered solely low-value property after which promoting it, towards the phrases of the deal, and that, “since Rockenfield left the band in 2017, he has not contributed any cash to repay the Tate mortgage.” Consequently, they stated, “Rockenfield’s actions put Jackson and Wilton liable to default and lack of their very own property.”
As well as, they claimed the drummer had “deliberately and wrongfully” taken $10,000 from the band’s account for private use and had continued to make use of the band’s credit score services for his functions. They claimed he’d been given ample discover of the 2018 assembly through which they have been to debate his place. He confirmed consciousness of the date and requested to take part by cellphone however didn’t name in, in line with paperwork: “After ready for in extra of an hour with out Rockenfield both showing in particular person or calling to look telephonically, and, the remaining members constituting a quorum, Rockenfield was formally voted out of the QR corporations.”
The counterclaim, filed final month, requested the choose to dismiss Rockenfield’s claims, declare he deserted his place within the band and award “normal, particular and statutory damages and equitable treatments” to the remaining duo.
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