Write your post here. Sex, Drugs and Rock-N RollIt’s No Myth
As written recently in The Tacoma News Tribune, “ You just can’t make this shit up!” The rock n roll industry has always thrived on controversy.Madonna’s sexual escapades much to the dismay of parents around the world and to the pleasure of rock musicians everywhere changed an entire generation of young girls. Jim Morrison’s mysterious death in Paris, The death of Jimi Hendrix, the Tommy Lee Sex tapes and suicides attributed to the likes of Marilyn Manson and Ozzy Ozborne. What does it all comes down to? Controversy sells records and record sales equals cash!
For the past two years in Pierce County Washington in the Pierce county superior court a criminal trial has been shaping up the likes of which has all the makings to rival any MTV reality show currently in production. The script has it all. Marijuana grows, alleged Rico charges, cash, alleged money laundering rock stars, sex, orgies, scorned groupies and did I mention cash, lots and lots of cash! Anyone who knows anything about the music industry knows that it is a cash business. More cash flows through the music industry each year then California’s marijuana and citrus crop combined. Bands and their tours are fueled by cash. Everyone from the band managers, band members, road crews, booking agents, promoters and everyone else in between are paid in cash. The bands need cash when on tour. The buses must be fueled., plain tickets bought, and thrashed hotel rooms booze, drugs and meals must be paid for. A rock band can not take a check and move on to the next town hoping that the check actually clears the bank.
Most rock stars become rock stars for one main reason, (WOMEN!) It is no secret to anyone that rock stars are known for attracting hot and wild women. Groupies are waiting at every stop along the road waiting and willing to raise their skirts at the drop of a guitar pick. Rock stars wives learn early on that their man is only married when he is at home and even then not so much. Most industry wives are at ease with this sexual life style if not willing participants.
The trial of Steve Unger The Bassist for Metal Church began when a Groupie, Kimberly Irene Hoage, AKA Black Lite Barbie. The AKA comes from a Tramp Stamp Tattoo she has that can only be seen under a black light that says FUCK ME STEVE. Black Light Barbie became shall we say disgruntled after Steve Unger ended a sexual relationship with her. She was obsessed with Steve and wanted him to leave his live in girlfriend of over 15 years. Steve had been growing Marijuana for a very close long time friend who was dieing of Cancer. Black Lite Barbie saw her opportunity to gain revenge for the ended relationship by calling Crime stoppers and turning Steve in for growing Marijuana. The entire story is much to long to go into here and may be saved for a MTV type movie later but long story short, Steve was a few Plants over his legal limit at the time of the raid. He and several friends were arrested and charged with illegal manufacturing of Marijuana. An over zealous Prosecutor Karin Platt then got hold of the case and made deals with Steves Friends to have them turn on him to secure better sentences for themselves and she then attached Rico charges and Money Laundering charges against Steve Unger based on the fact that Steve had thousands and thousands of dollars in cash deposits into his bank accounts. Of course Steve had cash deposits in his accounts. He is a rock star. His entire life he has been involved in a cash business. Playing music, promoting shows, renting studio time and tour busses is in fact a cash business. We do not take checks or credit cards in the music business. As a promoter I pay the bands that perform at my shows in cash. I am also paid in cash. As a club manager, I pay out the bands that play in my club in cash. I do not write checks. As a videographer in the music business I am also paid in cash. All cash is up front before the video is delivered.
For a Rico Charge in Washington State the prosecution must prove two elements. Number one (1), that the defendant directed, supervised and profited from, number two (2), three separate criminal actions. In this case all the evidence shows is that yes, Steve Unger was probably growing marijuana. The evidence also shows that Unger probably supplied medical marijuana to qualified Washington State patients. And the evidence does show that Unger was a qualified provider for at least one (1) patient. However, no marijuana plants were ever found in Unger’s possession. There is no evidence what so ever to prove a Rico or money laundering charge.
The case is now in the hands of the jury. And a verdict is expected sometime next week. In the words of Unger’s attorney Jay Bernburg in his closing arguments to the jury last week taken from Emerson Lake and Palmer, “Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends We're so glad you could attend come inside come inside.”
Article by: Jud W. MorrisJWM News Productions LLCRock Steady Video Productions© 2012