Rock Band Doesn't Do Drugs

Who is Nick Smith and why is he calling my brother a "junkie fag?"

The music review he published on Lightning Bolt's Wonderful Rainbow was deeply irresponsible. Why? Because it fowards unsubstantiated rumors about drug abuse and homosexuality by the band instead of reviewing a great album. Nick Smith's article was neither music criticism nor responsible reporting. It was a poorly-written third-rate hack job. Nick Smith should be forced to print an apology and a retraction.

I am writing to tell you that Lightning Bolt is a marvel of music. Both members of the band are committed and serious artists who should be treated with respect, if not awe. Bass player Brian Gibson is my younger brother, and I can assure you that he first achieved breakneck speeds on bass in our family basement at age 14...without narcotic enhancements.

Take it from me, Gibson worked tirelessly over a period of many years to perfect the unique creative vision he now contributes to Lightning Bolt. One can imagine that confronted with a musical statement beyond his limited comprehension, Mr. Smith chose to devolve into scandal and slander rather than confront his own inadequacies as a music reviewer.

Unfortunately, your sad little Pomona paper is accessible all over the world by the marvel of the internet, and you do not do yourselves a service by publishing garbage. My brother and our family deserve better than to run into this trash on the world-wide-web. I will be waiting for the retraction.

Sincerely,
Matthew Gibson