Either Muse are very naughty or complainant Charles Bollfrass is pulling a massive swifty. According to Bollfrass Muse stole his his idea for a sci-fi rock opera about space travel to populate planets with humans post apocolypse.
Apparently Bollfrass wrote a sci-fi rock opera titled "Exogenesis" and contacted a few bands inclusing Muse in 2005 to write the musical score. According to Bollfrass Muse replied in the negative about a year later. The band has been furnished with a synopsis and storyboard. In a nutshell the opera tells the story"of humanity's impending doom as the planet breaks down, and the exploration of space to spread human life to new planets. The protagonists of the story slowly realize that 'their actions are merely part of a larger cycle they have been predestined to undertake.'
Skip to 2009 and Muse release The Resistance album that features 3 songs by Matthew Bellamy titled; "Exogenesis I," "Exogenesis II" and "Exogenesis III"..........Interestingly, apparently the cover art was also "stolen" by Muse from the storyboards Bollfrass had created for the sci-fi opera.
The liner notes on the album also allude to a similar idea as above as they describe the thoughts behind each version of Exogenesis I, II and III, "It is a story of humanity coming to an end and everyone pinning their hopes on a group of astronauts who go out to explore space and spread humanity to another planet. Part 1 is a jaded acceptance that civilization will end. Part 2 is a desperate hope that sending the astronauts to find and populate other planets will be successful alongside the recognition that this is the last hope. Finally, Part 3 is when the astronauts realize that it is just one big cycle, and recognize that unless humanity can change it will happen all over again."
Obviously lawyers representing Bollfrass feel that his arguments are compelling, not to mention the fact that bringing a case of copyright infringement, unfair trade practices and unfair competition against a massive international band is also a great way to get your mug and name recognised.... Bollfrass is seeking 3.5 million in compensation.
