AFI do not support ex-bass player selling reissues of AFI recordings — UPDATED
UPDATE: Aug. 3 at 6:37 p.m. ET:
AFI's former bassist Geoff Kresge has spoken out to defend his actions and resale of the band's Dork EP. He clarifies that the label has accounted to AFI for the sales of these records and that because the EP is currently just available for presale, no royalties are due at this point.
Kresge also explains that Key Lime Pie Records is not a joint venture, rather solely owned by him, as he paid for these records to be originally released.
Read his statement in full below:
Dear AFI fans, friends, and family:
It’s unfortunate that the band has decided to not participate in this part of their history and in turn, make incorrect and untrue remarks about why these records exist.
To set the record straight, we HAVE indeed accounted to AFI for sales of these records, whilst the band is reporting otherwise, is unfortunate and untrue. Additionally, the DORK release is at a pre-order stage and no royalties would be due at this point.
Additionally, Key Lime Pie Records is not a joint venture, partnership or otherwise anything but a business entity solely owned by Geoff Kresge. Geoff paid for these records to be released originally, and is choosing to re-issue them, and he is completely within his rights to do so, contrary to the band’s erroneous statements.
Since the band are choosing to make incorrect and defamatory remarks about Mr. Kresge, the choice to own these records is up to you (the fans). We appreciate all the business that you have given us, and we will continue to offer you quality products in the future.
You can pre-order Dork, or purchase Behind The Times and/or Eddie Picnic's All Wet via atomageindustries.com
ORIGINAL: Aug. 3 at 2:30 p.m. ET:
AFI have shared a statement on Facebook regarding the recent—unapproved—sale of their previous recordings.
“Our former bass player, Geoff Kresge, is selling reissues of original AFI recordings. While we remain proud of every era of our 26 year existence, and certainly do not begrudge Geoff feeling reflective towards the four years he spent with us before he quit, we are confused why he has taken it upon himself to assume control of the shared Key Lime Pie label and release these records without notifying or consulting us,” The band’s statement reads.
Read more: AFI’s ‘Blood Album’ debuts at No. 5 on Billboard 200
The band released three EPs on the Key Lime Pie label that was founded by Geoff Kresge back in 1992: Dork, Behind The Times and Eddie Picnic’s All Wet.
The releases were extremely limited—and the band liked knowing that each of these records were a rare, special piece in the band’s history.
However, without consulting the band, Kresge assumed control of the label and have been selling rereleases of the records the label originally released, clarifying that no profits have been shared with the band, nor has he consulted the co-owners and songwriters of a previously unreleased song that he is sharing as an exclusive part of these orders.
Read the band’s statement in full below:
Our former bass player, Geoff Kresge, is selling reissues of original AFI recordings. While we remain proud of every era of our 26 year existence, and certainly do not begrudge Geoff feeling reflective towards the four years he spent with us before he quit, we are confused why he has taken it upon himself to assume control of the shared Key Lime Pie label and release these records without notifying or consulting us. We had always loved the fact that these releases were special limited edition items, pieces of history that we wanted to keep rare. Geoff has begun accepting pre-orders of the Dork EP and is including on it an unreleased song which he wrote no part of, without getting permission from the co-owners and songwriters. Geoff has never paid anyone in the band, including Mark Stopholese, their share of the proceeds of these sales, despite our repeated requests that he do the right thing and pay our shares. While we do feel for what we can only assume is Geoff’s financial need, it simply is not fair for one person – a person who left the band willingly in 1996 – to benefit to the exclusion of the other owners of these recordings and writers of the songs. As fans, of course, we support your right to buy as you please, but we wanted you to know that we do not support these sales.
They are currently telling fans that the decision is ultimately their own, but the band does not support these sales.
What are your thoughts on AFI’s situation? Let us know in the comments below.
