Queensryche, which is engaged in a lawsuit with former singer Geoff Tate and former manager Susan Tate, has launched a new Facebook page ( Facebook.com/QueensrycheOfficial), and will officially launch a new band website ( QueensrycheOfficial.com) tomorrow, Aug. 14. The group has also launched a new Twitter feed, but has since switched back to its original Twitter account.
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Everybody Listening: Queensryche-Tate Lawsuit
“Because of the inability for us to have access to our login information for our Internet portals, and because of the ongoing legalities, we decided it was best to launch the new website and Facebook. However, our current and active Twitter account for Queensryche is now under our control and remains the same,” drummer Scott Rockenfield says.
He is referring to the original social media sites of Facebook.com/Queensryche and Queensryche.com. The Facebook site is still active, with recent band posts solely referring to Tate’s activities. The website only has a screen that says it’s down for maintenance. The new Twitter feed, @rycheofficial, directs fans back to the band’s original feed, @queensryche. An Aug. 10 post states, “Good news! We are back in control of our original Twitter account – please follow us @queensryche.”
However, both Facebook pages state they are the official Queensryche page.
The Tates field the suit June 22 in Washington state’s King County Superior Court after guitarist Michael Wilton, drummer Scott Rockenfield and bassist Eddie Jackson announced June 20 that Geoff Tate had left the band. Their claim states the trio fired Tate illegally and are tarnishing the Queensryche brand by moving forward without him. The Tates requested an injunction to prevent the band from conducting business until the court resolved the matter, but the injunction was denied July 13. Crimson Glory singer Todd La Torre has replaced Tate as vocalist.
Q&A: Ex-Queensryche Frontman Geoff Tate Discusses Split
It appears Tate is also preparing to tour with a version of Queensryche. His personal website, GeoffTate.com, was recently upgraded with a new banner that reads “Geoff Tate: The Voice of Queensryche.” He is also billed on the website for booking agency Monterey International as “Queensryche Starring Geoff Tate: The Original Voice.” The band’s lineup isn’t listed. A request from Billboard to Monterey to verify Tate’s responsible agent was not returned by press time.
Tomorrow (Aug. 14), Billboard will publish an interview with Wilton, Rockenfield and Jackson where they discuss their side of the lawsuit.