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[Neil]

Well, kinda.

I received a rather surprising phone call today from a representative of SMG Television (aka ITV for those of you in Scotland). Here’s the deal:

A member of a local band (which I'm not going to name at this time!) wants to “prosecute” the aberdeen-music.com web site over comments made regarding their band on the forums that have subsequently made it difficult for them to get gigs in the local area. This court case is thankfully not a real court case but instead will be shown as a case on The People’s Court TV show. The phone call I received today was asking me if I was prepared to come on the show and defend the web site – something I had no hesitation in accepting to do.

Although the show isn’t meant to be taken too seriously I do intend to vigorously defend this web site’s case and I will need your help to do this. I don’t like calling on others support unless absolutely necessary but this is a golden opportunity to further raise the web site’s profile and with it, the profile of the local music scene of Aberdeen. It’s not often things like this get talked about on national TV so lets all make the most of it!

Here is what I need from you to help me:

- One volunteer to appear as a Witness

I’m allowed to “call upon” a witness to help defend my corner. This witness, like me, will have to travel to Glasgow for filming in two weeks time and take a couple of days off work for this. It will be all expenses paid I hasten to add however. I could just pick a mate for this but that wouldn’t be fair nor in the spirit of things. Instead, I’m ideally looking for a local musician, band member, manager or promoter that can wax lyrical about aberdeen-music.com, how it benefits the local music scene and, possibly most importantly, how both negative and positive feedback on local bands on the web site is important. Remember, this band’s gripe is how feedback from members of this web site has now hampered their chances of getting gigs in the area (or at least, this is what I’ve been told so far).

The Witness will have to sit in front of TV cameras and so obviously you will have to be pretty good at getting your point(s) across while under a little pressure (I think you can get cross-examined!). I already know there is a few people on these forums that would make ideal candidates for this role so please, can one of you step forward and contact me for further details.

- Collection of evidence

Although I’m not going to reveal the band at the centre of this case for now, I will be contacting individuals who have seen and dealt with this band privately and asking them to make statements expanding on remarks they have already made about the band on the forums. Can I please ask of those of you that I do contact to keep this confidential until after the show is broadcasted (in around two weeks time).

I’m also happy to receive other submissions from members that might help the case. Namely any further opinions on aberdeen-music.com, the local music scene, bands, promoters, venues or even broader topics like online discussion communities and free speech online. Whatever anyone submits you will get full credit for it.

- An audience!

Although I think most of the show is pre-recorded, the verdict of the case is made live and in front of an audience. Although this will be down in Glasgow and during the day (it looks like being a Monday) I think I should be able to get some free tickets sorted out for anyone that might want to come along and give some vocal support. If you are interested then please, just let me know.

I’ll have much more information regarding all this on Monday but as I only have two weeks to sort this out then I thought I better let you know sooner rather than later. Keep an eye out for further updates!

P.S. Thanks for all the applications sent in regarding the staff positions. I’ll be picking two new moderators over the weekend.

[psydoll]

Ready your suit Maxwell

[Alkaline]

This is gonna be really great exposure for both the forums and the band, i hope it all goes ahead well and i wish both parties the best of luck in it.

[Moshulu Rob]

I could remove the Mothballs from my suit and appear as a witness if you wished Neil...

[Skull Commander]

Lets open a book on who the band in question is. I think it's Identity......

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Skull Commander

Lets open a book on who the band in question is. I think it's Identity......

considering the good feedback they've had on this site and the fact that they actively use the site to ask promoters for gigs I would say that's highly unlikely.

[psydoll]

Originally Posted by Chris

considering the good feedback they've had on this site and the fact that they actively use the site to ask promoters for gigs I would say that's highly unlikely.

Considering they've been criticised for playing about a million gigs a week as well I'd say it was unlikely

[Skull Commander]

Originally Posted by Chris

considering the good feedback they've had on this site and the fact that they actively use the site to ask promoters for gigs I would say that's highly unlikely.

I was thinking from the perspective that some people won't give them gigs anymore, cause they are sick of them playing all the time. Also any publicity helps....

This is a crafty ploy by the band for some publicity, possibly the band Stranded, they've had lots of bad comments made about them and the people who they appear to bring along to gigs recently.

I am confident Neil/aberdeen-music.com will be victorious.

[psydoll]

Book opening time! Bets on MMw, SPD, Identity, Stranded, Quik, Stayover and The Videos being taken now!