Geoff Tate Issues Another Detailed Legal Response in Queensryche Case

The mudslinging in the Geoff Tate vs. the rest of the members of Queensryche lawsuit continues. Remaining 'Rychers Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson and Scott Rockenfield want to continue on as Queensryche with a new singer, while Tate is trying to stop them from using the name. The remaining members filed a response to Tate's motion to deny their plans, and now, Tate filed another reply declaration last Thursday, July 12, which was obtained by Blabbermouth.

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Tate's latest response is lengthy and full of legalese, but here's the gist of what it says:

Tate does not deny that he was the last to join the band when it was formed under the name The Mob but he takes issue with allegations that he did not contribute to the 'Queensryche' EP when he sang and co-wrote 'Lady Wore Black' with ex-guitarist Chris DeGarmo and helped pay recording costs.

He also states that leaving the band was not something he ever wanted. In the filing, he contends, "From then until last month, when I was kicked out of the band, I have been the lead singer and predominant songwriter for the band. I have never quit the band or wanted to quit the band. And contrary to what Rockenfield, Jackson, and Wilton allege, I never threatened to quit the band. Queensryche has been my life."

Tate goes into detail about the distribution of songwriting credits, the question of whether or not he liked to perform classic material (he does!) and the cabaret tour the band did recently, which turned out to be incredibly lucrative and a suggestion by a former manager. He maintains that he shared songwriting credit even when it was not due on albums like 'Q2K' and 'American Soldier.' He says he did not want to hire outside songwriting help because it was not cost effective but that the band was less than interested, enthused or helpful when he asked them to partake in the writing process.

There are other lengthy details about the band's management situation and how his wife Susan Tate came to manage the band despite her reluctance and at less than half the rate of previous managers. He reveals that at one point, Wilton tried to bring in a new manager without telling anyone, creating a culture of awkwardness around the band. Merchandise squabbles were also addressed.

All in all, it sounded like this split has been simmering for quite some time.

He also addressed the rumors about the physical altercation between himself and the other members earlier this year, maintaining that while he did raise his hands to his ex-bandmates, he is not violent and recognized the error of his ways by getting physical. He also referred to his action of telling the Rocklahoma crowd that it sucked earlier this year, saying that he was trying to rile up an unresponsive crowd.

Tate has been vocal in the press about this increasingly public drama, but it's quickly becoming a bitter battle.

What a mess!