Phish's Mike Gordon Arrested

[StrongBad]

Sorry if this is a dupe, searched the lounge but couldn't find any mention of this. Being a Phish fan, I'm surprised and don't know what to think about this...

Bassist booked for child endangerment

Phish bassist Mike Gordon, 38, was arrested Monday, August 11th, on charges of child endangerment after he was found with a nine-year-old girl in a secluded boathouse during a show by the Dead in Jones Beach, New York.
According to a statement released by Major Richard O'Donnell of the New York State Park Police, Gordon was charged with a misdemeanor count of child endangerment and trespassing. "The arrest was the result of a complaint by the mother of a nine-year-old girl," reads the statement. "The mother became concerned when she could not locate her daughter in the backstage area."

The uninjured child was reunited with her family shortly after Gordon's arrest.

According to New York's WNBC television, Gordon told police that he was taking "art photos" of the girl.

The girl's father -- who, along with Gordon, was an invited guest backstage -- has been identified as a leader of a Hell's Angels chapter. Gordon is reported to have been held by venue security and members of the motorcycle club until police arrived, with WNBC adding that the Angels "were not gentle with the sensitive areas of the rock star's body."

A joint statement credited to Gordon and the girl's family and released Tuesday by Phish's label, Elektra Records, reads, "We have had several discussions regarding the situation that occurred at Jones Beach. It is now clear to all involved that this was an unfortunate misunderstanding, and we look forward to putting this matter behind us."

Gordon is due to appear in the First District Court of Nassau County on September 29th to face the charges, which could result in more than a year of jail time, according to Rick Hinshaw, spokesperson for the Nassau County District Attorney's office. Hinshaw said the DA's office could not yet comment on the specifics of the case.

Gordon's debut solo album, Inside In, is due August 26th on Rope a Dope Records.


Link: http://www.rollingstone.com/news/newsarticle.asp?nid=18547

[GOPisEvil]

1. "were not gentle with the sensitive areas of the rock star's body."

If you go to prison, Mike, prepare for more of the same.

Art photos...right...if this was on the up and up, you'd have arranged this beforehand, not gone off to a "secluded boathouse".

[gWbush is Mabus]

4. I follow Phish as much as I follow DU.

Before the rumors get out of proportion, let me clarify what I heard actually took place.

Mike was backstage taking photos, he always takes photos.
He plays 6 instuments, writes books, directs movies, and takes photos.

He was letting people ride on his SegWay scooter and asked the girls mother if he could take photos of the girl. She said yes.

He was taking pictures of the girl on he SegWay fully-clothed behind the stage (there is no "dark boathouse" as reported).

The mother, the red-neck wife of the leader of the Hell's Angels, who was messed up on drugs started freaking out after 10 minutes saying I've lost my daughter.

The Hell's Angels then beat up Mike, who was held down until arrested.

A JOINT statement by Mike and the girl's parents said that there was a misunderstanding and that nothing inappropriate took place.

Mike, for anyobne who doesn't know, is a stange person indeed, but he loves the Dead and loves art and photography and would not do this to a little girl. He just should have had the mother go with them.

In summary: not a wise move, but NOT pedophilia.

[GOPisEvil]

5. Hmm...any reason this isn't being reported?

I'm not doubting what you're saying at all, as I am not close to the situation. But, it seems that Rolling Stone is leaving some things out, eh?

[zizzer]

10. some of that was reported

in the WP new free daily rag.

This IS being reported, it is not only coming from the patchouli stinking Phish Heads but from other sources as well.

Let's give someone the benifit of the doubt on this one please.

Zizzer

[gWbush is Mabus]

12. are you serious?

You are asking me why the media reports what they report?
how 'bout b/c they are "fair and balanced" yellow journalists.

[GOPisEvil]

16. Calm down...

...it was a rhetorical question...

[chenGOD]

2. Wow, if this is true....

it's really shocking. Very disturbing, as Phish is definitwely one of my favorite bands. Just doesn't seem in character with Mike Gordon.

Hope it's not true.

[vi5]

3. Not only is Phish horrible, but that guy always looked creepy...

Just like an uber-creep. The rest of those dudes in the band look like Vermont pseudo hippie types. But he looked a little on the disturbing side.

Either way that band is flat out horrible. And I'm someone who likes the Grateful Dead and a fair amount of "jam rock".

[chenGOD]

6. Sacrilege!!!Blasphemer!!! I cast thee down....

Well, of course, music is a very subjective thing, so I'm not really gonna disparage you for disliking Phish.

But IMHO Phish blows the Dead out of the water.

Ah well, de gustibus non disputandum :)

[vi5]

7. I don't like joke bands......

They rely too much on shtick and humor for me.

Plus, they wouldn't exist were it not for the Grateful Dead.

I'm no novice either. I've listened to enough Phish and seen them enough times to know I think that they.....how you say.....blow.

[morningtheft]

8. Well...he does

do work outside of Phish. He's toured with Leo Koetke and is absolutely a great musician.
I dislike Phish as well, but don't take away from Mike's talent and accomplishments.

If it turn out he is guilty of anything other then poor judgement, then and only then shall he be beaten with his own bass and forced to listen to "Maze" over and over again.

[chenGOD]

9. Well if you actually had read my post...

I said that music is a subjective thing. And that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So I don't understand why you're getting upset.

And they certainly don't blow. Their compositions and jam sessions reach into some very interesting territory both harmonically and melodically, but especially harmonically.

But again: different strokes for different folks...

[morningtheft]

11. Just broadening the picture

for those who think he's just part of a circus act...Definitely not upset :)

[chenGOD]

15. Sorry, not directed at you..:)

rather towards vi5

[vi5]

31. Did i give the impression I was upset?

If I did, I'm not. It also seems people got the impression I was saying he was guilty. I didn't. I just said I found the guy a bit creepy and that I really didn't like Phish's music. Anything else up and above that was reading a bit too much into my post. Sorry for any miscommunication.

[chenGOD]

33. Ok, probably just me being touchy...

interesting that we're both Husker Du fans (re the Husker Du thread happening now in Da Lounge).

Oh well, sorry for any miscommunication.

[zizzer]

13. Think what you want...

but to accept as fact that someone is a child molester because you don't like the music is wrong!

The parents have said it didn't happen that way and I believe THEM.

If Mike had done something to that girl I say he gets what he deserves and getting yer' nutsack stepped on by a herd of Hell's Angels seems appropriate...at least at the scene so long as it ain't government sanctioned.

Zizzer

[catpower2000]

17. Well...

The parents have said it didn't happen that way and I believe THEM.

Really? Above, you posted that the mother was whacked out on drugs. Why would you believe them?

When Michael Jackson pays families millions of dollars so that the parents will come out and say "Michael never molested my child", do you believe them?

I don't actually have any opinion on this case until I know more facts, but I fail to see why you should trust a child's parents, when the parents are the most likely people in the world to hurt their child.

Cat

edit: I apologize, it wasn't you who stated that the mother was on drugs, that was another poster. But my point still stands.

[zizzer]

19. I said no such thing...

and going back over the thread noone else did either.

That said, WTF are you talking about. What I said was that the news of what happened was NOT only being reported by "patchouli stinking Phishheads" but by otherwise respected news sources. Seeing as I am a "patchouli stinking Phish head" I don't see why you or anyone else would say something so ignorant.

Don't get me wrong, if and from the looks of it it is a big IF he did this then he will be prosecuted. To imply that the chances of him doing this based on dislike of his music is sick.

So tell me again what I said.

Zizzer

[catpower2000]

21. It was post 4 above, Smirky McChimpster...

I did edit my post and apologize. My point still stands.

Cat

[wellstone_democrat]

22. Uh, are you guys serious?

The parents NOW say that the big music star didn't do it---and INSTANTLY you believe that they may have no motives to do that?

You like their music and think the guy is a renaissance man so you KNOW he didn't do anything wrong?

There are certain types of defense lawyers who love to get people like you on rape and pedophilia cases...you never think the clean cut, good looking, employed man did IT!

Look, the guy may not have done anything but, the reasons presented in a few of these posts look like 13 year old fans wrote them. Of course, if you ARE indeed 13 or so, then your reasoning is perfectly sound.

[StrongBad]

25. I agree that...

...the fact that the parents were so anxious to downplay the case and make it a non-issue is a little odd. This case should at least be heard in court and if it is settled otherwise I'd be left feeling uneasy.

[zizzer]

27. No

I'll wait to see what happens at trial.

My point and my only point is that to demonize and accept as true is as false as to worship and accept as false.

To say "I believe he did it because I don't like their music" is wrong beyond words. To say "he didn't do it because I like the music" is just as wrong.

The story as reported first is incomplete or a total fabrication. Based on the new information as reported this morning in what I consider a fairly reliable source gives me some hope that he didn't do this...or at least he didn't do a terrible thing.

We don't know. We may honestly never know. I won't declare his innosance or guilt until I know more. My decision on that will have nothing to do with wether or not I like his music.

Now, who are you calling juvinile?

Zizzer

[StrongBad]

14. Well

I agree that Mike is an oddball, but in my opinion I never suspected him to be a creepy oddball type that would prey on children.

I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt. Innocent till proven guilty.

And I think that he is a great bassist and that Phish is a great band.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

18. Sounds like Phish...

Needs to hire a minder for Mike.

Rock Stars. <sigh> Their own worst enemies. Utter lack of judgement and impulse control.

[corarose]

20. I know all about the R & R world and it's common but not that young

Some of the famous have major problems that are hidden. They don't care if the girl is underage because some of the band members and crew like little girls.

But, I have never heard of anyone with a kid that young.

14 or 15 years old I have seen them go out with and it made me puke and I tried to call the police but it wasn't my business and that's what I was told.

I use to work for a few people and I know what goes on.

Sometimes the kids dress like adults and it's not the guys fault but 9 years old is disgusting and he's a damn pervert who should be arrested just like the common guy off the streets.

[chenGOD]

24. If he actually did anything wrong you mean...

assuming that there are still a few people left in America who believe in innocent until proven guilty?

[corarose]

28. Your right if he did anything wrong

What the hell was her mother doing letting her go with him in the first place also.

[zizzer]

29. Maybe

they're friends?

I let my six year old do all sorts of things with my friends.

I for one choose to trust my friends.

On the other hand, I've never taken my kid to Phish show.

I'm still going reserve judgment until we can learn more.

Zizzer

[corarose]

30. I don't think that he meant to do anything she is only 9 years old

I bet the Mother knew him because she was backstage. Who knows maybe she will sue him and win some big bucks and maybe that was the plan in the mothers head even tho the child was unharmed.

[zizzer]

32. your opinion of people

is saddening.

How do you go about life assuming the worst from people all the time?

Zizzer

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

23. Innocent until proven guilty - Mike's Song

Trapped in time and I don't know what to do
These friends of mine, I can see right through.
You don't gotta tell me and I don't gotta know
`Cuz I'm sittin' back here sharin' the groove.

Me no are no nice guys (x3)

I walk through the hallways inside my mind
I chase the backbeat from behind
Big dude in the doorway was blockin' my way
He reached to grab me and this is what he said:

Me no are no nice guys (x3)

[Fenris]

26. Hmmm. Phishy.

Art photos. Sounds like something a child pornographer would say.

Still, innocent until put on television.