(once again, delete if it's a dupe, ibtl, etc)

Dave Matthews Band's Big Stink

news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/eo/20040825/en_music_eo/14795

By Josh Grossberg

This probably wasn't what Dave had in mind when he wrote "Don't Drink the Water."

The state of Illinois has filed a lawsuit against the Dave Matthews Band for allegedly dumping up to 800 pounds of liquid human waste from its tour bus into the Chicago River earlier this month.

The suit, filed on Tuesday by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, claims that a bus rented by the usually eco-friendly group was traveling cross town to the band's hotel on Aug. 8 when it pulled up alongside a metal grating on the Kinzie Street Bridge. That's when, the suit claims, bus driver Stefan A. Wohl emptied the contents of the vehicle's septic tank into the river.

And that was bad news for Chicago's First Lady, a passing tour boat filled with 100 people on an architecture sightseeing cruise that was doused by the falling excrement.

No one was seriously hurt by the raining waste. The boat's captain made a U-turn and headed back to the dock, where reeking passengers were given refunds and the ship was thoroughly cleaned and sanitized.

Madigan seeks more than $70,000 in civil penalties from the Dave Matthews Band and their driver for violating the state's water pollution and public nuisance laws.

"This incident may be unique, but that does not lessen the environmental or public health risks posed by the release of at least 800 pounds of liquid human waste into a busy waterway and onto a crowded tour boat," Madigan said in a statement.

DMB's spokesman, John Vlautin, says this isn't the kind of jam the band is used to and says any pollution was not intentional.

"Our driver has stated that he was not involved in this incident," Vlautin said in a statement, adding that the band "will continue to be cooperative in this investigation."

No word on whether any of the tainted tourists plan to take legal action against the rockers.

The Dave Matthews Band will presumably keep their waste under control as they continue on their current tour, which is now on the road on the West Coast for the next month before linking up with the Vote for Change tour. The politically motivated trek, featuring the likes of Bruce Springsteen (news), the Dixie Chicks (news - web sites), Pearl Jam and John Mellencamp (news), will play 34 shows in 28 cities in swing states in an effort to unseat President Bush (news - web sites).

DMB will hook up with Jurassic Five and My Morning Jacket for six dates, starting Oct. 1 at University Park, Pennsylvania, and continuing on to Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa and Florida.

Dave Matthews has always sucked cock.

How fitting.  While on this politically motivated tour of theirs, they're found shitting on good Americans.

Ya.. the Dave Matthews Band is responsible for the stupidity of the driver....

WHile I don't agree with their political view, I like their music.

I don't listen to DMB for my political views, just like I don't consult Sara Brady on which gun to buy.

Quoted: How fitting.  While on this politically motivated tour of theirs, they're found shitting on good Americans.

THey tour like this EVERY YEAR.

It's not like they never went on tour until now.

holy crap!

Quoted: Quoted: How fitting.  While on this politically motivated tour of theirs, they're found shitting on good Americans. THey tour like this EVERY YEAR. It's not like they never went on tour until now.

But isn't this one with Springstein and all those other musicians with the specific stated purpose of trying to raise money and support for Kerry?

NO.

That was the fundraiser that Whoopie opened her piehole at.

Not this shit again

ibtl

If some artist, be they an actor, singer, author or any other vocation, decides to step outside their area of talent and espouse their political views, especially if at a venue or vehicle where I am not paying to hear their political opinion, then I am damn sure going to boycott them. Why on earth would anyone want to give support (MONEY) to someone whose stated views are to deprive you of your freedoms (show me a Kerry supporter who is pro-2nd, just show me one)

It would have been akin to buying Hitler's paintings in WW2 because you "liked his art, but didn't care about his political views"

I like their music, they did a great live show I saw back in 1996 or something like that. I hate their political beliefs and views and obviously they are hypocrites to boot if they are dumping their crapper in the river.

I thought they were environment-friendly??  I think that Ferry was a lunch gathering of Democrats!!!

guess the shit has certainly hit the fan

That's a pretty funny story. I really don't like Dave Matthews band, but Carter Beauford is an awesome drummer - probably my favorite.

I somehow doubt they decided to tour in order to get voters to oust Bush. Not like they tour for money or anything...

I went to their concert last Monday in KC, and Dave (or any of his band) didn't have a word to say other than thanks, etc. It was all the show.

There was an airplane flying over with "register to vote" banner trailing behind it, and the opening (no name) band said a little 30 second speech about registering, but there was no push for any canidate or subject.

And yes, it was a great performance... which is all one should care about when listening/watching entertainers... their performance.

Quoted: guess the shit has certainly hit the fan

Quoted: I somehow doubt they decided to tour in order to get voters to oust Bush. Not like they tour for money or anything... I went to their concert last Monday in KC, and Dave (or any of his band) didn't have a word to say other than thanks, etc. It was all the show. There was an airplane flying over with "register to vote" banner trailing behind it, and the opening (no name) band said a little 30 second speech about registering, but there was no push for any canidate or subject. And yes, it was a great performance... which is all one should care about when listening/watching entertainers... their performance.

AS it should be...

DMB puts on an AWESOME show. Not to mention all the eyecandy that shows up!!

Quoted: Dave Matthews has always sucked cock.

Yeah, that 'bout says it all.

Perfect example of a band that should make maybe 1 record, then go the f**k away.