Flaw Vocalist Responds to Plagiarism Allegations
Flaw vocalist Christopher Volz has responded to the allegations that his band blatantly plagiarized a song on their new album, “Wake Up,” from a metal YouTuber.
In a statement posted to Facebook which has since been removed or is not available to the public (screen shot posted below, sent in by a MetalSucks tipster), Volz attempted to skirt accountability, saying that as the band’s vocalist he is presented with musical ideas by other band members, then asked to write his parts on top. He also says that the issue is being addressed with the unnamed member who ripped off the song, that he’s reached out to the YouTuber to make amends, and that he’s really quite torn up and embarrassed about the whole thing. Fair enough… I buy it.
Unfortunately Volz severely downplays the extent of the plagiarism at hand, frequently referring to “this one guitar riff” as if that was the only part of the track the band lifted, and not, ya know, the whole fuckin’ song (or at least several important parts of it). He also fails to mention, or perhaps hasn’t considered, that this could be the tip of the iceberg. If the band member in question so blatantly ripped off one song from a mostly unknown internet guitarist, is it possible he’s done the same in the past, only no one noticed? Flaw are a low profile enough band that such thievery, major or minor, could easily slip under any original creator’s radar.
You can have a look at Volz’s statement below.
“Flaw Family, I feel like I need to address the recent article in PRP about Flaw plagiarizing someone else’s riff. I’m addressing this here first because there has been so much crap and rhetoric being spread by our ‘haters’ and people who just want to spread drama on social media. The article also makes the whole band look bad and that is just simply not the case.
“First and foremost in my 20 years in this industry I have NEVER and will NEVER steal anyone else’s music or ideas. I pride myself on writing my own lyrics and melodies and take the personal side of my music VERY seriously. I also take intellectual property rights very seriously since it is also what protects my work and art. I recorded this new album the same way I have done all the others, I may write a full song here and there but the bulk of the albums music is written by the band members and I rearrange the songs after they are presented to me if needed. I have never ever had to experience any doubt about the tracks being presented to me as ‘legit’ originals.
“This new album was no different. I was presented 12 tracks with no vocals by a member and began writing vocals right away, I had absolutely NO reason to believe the songs weren’t written by them. The fact that this one guitar riff was written by someone else years ago is a shock to me and I am still trying to process how upset I am over this. I am dealing with this band member internally and will make the appropriate future decision based on the circumstances and severity of the issue.
“I have also made contact with the YouTube guy that wrote the riff and have made an offer to compensate him for his work, he is being cool about the whole thing. This whole situation has been extremely tough on me, I take my job and my art VERY seriously and seeing the way people reacted to this on social media has me questioning if I even want to continue to be in this industry anymore. I did nothing wrong at all, all I did was write and sing my heart out like I always have and then this happens.
“I am beyond upset. For those of you buying into the crap being spewed by the ex-members and our ‘haters’ please remove yourself from anything related to Flaw. If you can’t see that this was not perpetrated by the whole band, just one member who royally screwed up and is being dealt with, and that 20 plus years of blood sweat and tears pouring my whole life and soul in this industry has taken integrity and sacrifice, then I don’t know what to tell you.
Thanks: FP
