Much like a totally stink-eyed Easter Bunny who brings eggs full of anger and frustration instead of delightful, teeth-rotting candy treats, the Drama Llama is wending his less-than-merry way across the loopy yet sorta poppy shores of Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffitiland. In layman’s terms, that means that s#!+’s getting raw. As in, Haunted Graffiti former drummer Aaron Sperske is suing the band for $1 million in punitive damages.
“Whhhhhhy?!?!?!? Why is this HAPPENING!?!?!?” you ask, alternately wringing your hands and balling your fists threateningly towards the sky. Well, according to The Entertainment Law Digest, Sperske is claiming he was “squeezed out” of an “oral partnership” agreement between the band members back in 2008. Sperske alleges that he and fellow band members Ariel Rosenberg, Tim Koh, and Kenny Gilmore wrote the band’s album Mature Themes together, and that he therefore should be awarded 1/4 of the album’s ownership, which means money from royalties and future shows.
Sperske has played with Beachwood Sparks, Lilys, The Pernice Brothers, and many more. The Drama Llama has performed in presidential elections, internet comments sections, and the UK teen drama Skins. Mature Themes comes out this week via 4AD. Read our review NOW.
Tourdates:
09.07.12 - Austin, TX - Mohawk *$
09.08.12 - Dallas, TX - Granada Theatre *$
09.10.12 - Atlanta, GA - Goat Farm (Goodson Yard Room) *$
09.11.12 - Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle *$
09.13.12 - Washington DC - 9:30 Club *$
09.14.12 - New York, NY - Webster Hall *!
09.15.12 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer *%
09.16.12 - Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club *%
09.18.12 - Montreal, QC - Cabaret Du Mile End *%
09.19.12 - Toronto, ON - Lee’s Palace *%
09.20.12 - Oberlin, OH - Oberlin College *
09.21.12 - Chicago, IL - Metro *#
09.22.12 - Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line Music Cafe *#$
09.24.12 - Denver, CO - The Summit Music Hall *#
09.25.12 - Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge *#
09.27.12 - Vancouver, BC - The Rickshaw Theatre *
09.29.12 - Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom *
10.01.12 - San Francisco, CA - Bimbo’s 365 Club *#
10.05.12 - Los Angeles, CA - The Fonda Theatre *
* BODYGUARD (James Ferraro)
$ Moon Diagrams
! TEEN
% Phedre
# Dâm-Funk
$ Mr P
• Ariel Pink’s Haunted Grafitti: http://menopausemen.tumblr.com
• 4AD: http://www.4ad.com
