Upon hearing of an Edmonton punk band that made the nervy decision to also go by the name of Metallica, the original Metallica’s lawyers have issued some stern requests to the counterfeit band. By Friday they must cease using the name. If the band does not comply serious legal action has been promised. Unless these Edmonton punks have been living in a cave, they must assume that these guys aren’t bluffing.
Members of the band who have caused the controversy, Blair William Piggott and Joey Caliente, have confessed to the fact that the name change was somewhat of a publicity stunt. Fully aware that they are not allowed to use the name, they claim that they were spurred to do so as a reaction to Metallica’s endless stream of legal actions. Actions that they believe distanced the successful band from their once dedicated fan base.
In an attempt to reach some common ground in the dispute, Piggott hoped to pass their CD along to the band. The request was denied on the grounds that it was against Metallica’s corporate policy to accept unsolicited material. An amused Piggott believed that the fact that the band was suing them was ample solicitation.
In recent years there has been more than legal battles for the platinum-selling band to contend with. Lead singer Hetfield checked himself into a rehabilitation clinic to conquer his addictions in 2001, plus reports of notorious infighting led to the eventual departure of bassist Jason Newsted.
Hopefully, Metallica won’t be worrying too much about this particular trial. It’s unlikely any misidentification will occur with their new competition. All the casual fan will have to do is look for the Flying V guitars and the exhausted horde of lawyers standing nearby and odds are you will have spotted the “real” Metallica.
—David Summers
Source -Chart Communications
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