Iovine Takes Blame for Trail of Dead Mistakes, Regrets
12/19/2007 -- by merlin

NEW YORK, New York (AP) -- Interscope Records supremo Jimmy Iovine has taken the unprecedented step of apologizing to music fans, critics, and the industry as a whole for the recent acrimonious break-up between his label and the band he signed himself, indie favorites ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead.

Iovine took time out of his normally unengaging schedule to personally deliver a statement of apology which he hopes will begin to bury the many hard feelings felt by the band's fanbase, born out of nearly seven full years of indifference, thoughtlessness, and neglect.  "First and foremost I would like to apologize to the band, Trail of Dead, who went above and beyond any and every initial expectation I had for them," read Iovine.  "They were one of the few bands I negotiated with myself.  I signed them to a long-term contract because I always knew what they had to offer on record and on tour.  Back then [in 2001] they were the future of rock 'n' roll and I still believe they can be, even if it is with a minor-league label.  I'll admit we made a few small mistakes with their handling, release dates, tour planning, press, marketing, and radio promotion, but I always thought they'd break through with us eventually."

"When I received the call from their management telling me they had decided to leave I was gutted," continued a remorseful Iovine.  "One hundred and ten percent.  I didn't leave my Manhattan townhouse for almost a day.  It affected me that much.  I'm not at all an unfeeling person as some make me out to be.  Of course there are many things I regret about the past few years, not least of which is how we treated their fans.  They gave the band their complete and utter support and we didn't even come close to doing the same.  For this, and a few other things, I am forever sorry.  I wish Trail of Dead all the best in their newest endeavors and should they ever wish to come back to Interscope, I'll be more than happy to possibly consider it."

Iovine didn't answer questions following his statement, refusing to say whether he would issue an apology to Trent Reznor, Josh Homme, 50 Cent, or other present and former unsettled Interscope artists.

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