Hawthorne Heights have filed a complaint against the label Victory Records and CEO Tony Brummel, claiming that Brummel took advantage of the band, damaged their reputation and threatened music figures without the knowledge of the band.
In a statement released today, the band says 'Tony Brummel is a man that cares more about his ego and bank account than the bands themselves'.They claim they have been accused of racist remarks for things that Brummel said and in a further statement added Tony is a man whose greed knows no bounds. After selling more than 1.2 million copies of The Silence In Black and White and If Only You Were Lonely, we have never seen a single dollar in artist royalties from Victory Records. Tony will claim that we have not "recouped," a term used by those in the music business which means the label has spent more money in advertising than has been made by CD sales. In fact questionable accounting practices are the culprit and we are in fact owed substantial amounts of money much like audits from Taking Back Sunday, Thursday and Atreyu have uncovered".
The suit says that Hawthorne Heights terminated all licenses with Victory on August 3, 2006.
The band hopes to be awarded payment for all marketing, promotional and distribution costs, punitive damages, attorneys fees, costs of suit and interest on damages.
