Help, help, he's being opressed!  Witness the violence inherent in the music business!
I didn't write this (as I am not nearly brilliant enough), I'm just posting it. Ooh, stealthy!

(Much love to l_s_q for the subject title.  Spelling intentional.  You'll see why below.)

Fans of the UK music scene are no doubt aware of the new outfit fronted by ex-Libertine Pete Doherty called Babyshambles.  After what can only be described as a tabloid shitstorm (and that's as understated as I can get with that) involving supermodels, drugs, arrests, band members quitting, and rehab, the band has been back to gigging, and when a recent gig in Stoke ended in disaster (yet again), lots of fans decided to pack it in and call it a day.

Quite a few say Babyshambles' manager, James Mullord, is to blame for letting things escalate the way they have.  And have let him know through email and mobile calls.  Which he's responded to in

In my original post and email to James i said there was a strong
rumour that he hit Gemma, I actually heard he headbutted her but did
not say that, however I have just received another email off him.....

>From: James Mullord <james@1234records.com>
>To: John Shambles <sackmullord@hotmail.co.uk>
>Subject: Re: Babyshambles Management (or not)
>Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2005 18:27:29 +0000
>
>You should think carefully before you go around saying people headbutt young
>women.
>
>Anybody who is courteous enough to ask me what is going on gets my time to
>answer their questions. People who gob off get no respect, as non is due.
>
>How do you choose to present yourself in life?
>
>J

So who mentioned headbutting her to him? I think that maybe there is
some truth in this rumour.

See how he has left his number out now.

> and Another e-mail
from him, seems he is angry now hence the caps

From : James Mullord <james@1234records.com>
Sent : 28 February 2005 20:45:01
To : John Shambles <sackmullord@hotmail.co.uk>
Subject : NASTY

| | | Inbox

WHO IS NASTY, YOU SEND ME AND ABUSIVE MAIL FROM A NAME SACK MULLORD,
THAT IS AGGRESSIVE. YOUR MANNER ACCUSATIONAL FROM THE START.
AS I SAID ANYONE WHO IS POLITE TO ME WILL GET A POLITE RESPONSE

WHY ARE YOU SO KEEN TO CONVINCE YOURSELF AND OTHERS THAT I HIT GEMMA. WHAT
EVER YOU MIGHT DEDUCT FROM OUR COMUNICATIONS, THE FACT IS THAT YOU ARE
WRONG, IF ANYONE WOULD MAKE THIS ACCUSATION IN WRITTING I WOULD BE HAPPY TO
DEFEND IT LEGALLY.

IT IS VERY UNPLEASANT TO HAVE PEOPLE MAKING THESE COMMENTS IN A RELETIVELY
BROAD PUBLIC DOMAIN. I THOUGHT THE MATTER HAD BEEN RESOLVED BY GEMMA'S
DEPARTURE RATHER THAN MINE. IF THIS WERE TRUE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ME LEAVING
I CAN ASURE YOU.

ON THE WHOLE YOU APPEAR OPINIATED ON A SUBJECT YOU HAVE NO UNDERSTANDING OF.

SUFFICE TO SAY

PETER D, PAT W, DREW M, JIMMY E, GEOFF T, ALAN M, STEVEN K, MIKE S, PAUL L,
JOHN G ETC SEEM TO THINK I AM DOING OK UNDER TOUGH CONDITIONS, DON¹T YOU
THINK THESE PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE A BETTER GRASP OF THE SITUATION THAN YOU, OR
HAVE YOU HEARD A RUMOUR TO THE CONTRARY.

OF COARSE EVERYONE IS ENTITLED TO THEIR OWN OPINION

J

extremely unprofessional diatribes, calling the fans "OPRESSIVE NEGATIVE PEOPLE".  Yes, in all caps.

For background, the alleged incident involving the drummer was reported on popular gossip list Popbitch, suggesting drummer Gemma Clarke's departure was due to a violent incident with Mr Mullord.


       >> Hit me with your rhythm stick <<
       The heavy hand of the management

   Pete Doherty's band Babyshambles recently
   lost its drummer when Gemma Clarke quit,
   citing a breakdown in her relationship with
   the management. Keeping up a steady flow
   of bad behaviour has brought the band great PR
   but insiders say it went too far, and the
   relationship broke down, when Gemma was hit up
   for drug money. With the emphasis on the "hit".

And the post mentioned by the poster named Tia that occurred after a no-show and riot at London's Astoria, in which she claims Mr Mullord behaved unprofessionally, is here.

For the record, I can't speak for whether or not James Mullord is professional enough to manage a band, but judging from the emails and public opinion, most would say no.  I can however say he gets the wank on like a true pro.  And could probably benefit from a course or two in public relations.