D Nuts || September 9, 2006

Trying to enjoy my vacation, but as I was sending an "I'm in Uganda and haven't died yet" e-mail to friends, I noticed this little update from former Pleasant Grove drummer Paul Burrough and couldn't help but post it. Here ya go (in its unedited glory):

this'll be the one and only O-fficial statement regarding my departure from the fab dallas band Pleasant Grove, so here's to hopin' it makes at least a little sense:

In short, my dedication to the band had finished...ehhh..."running it's course" over the past couple of months. I was growing increasingly weary of the drunken shows, lack of direction, and overall blase approach toward everything, including-but-not-limited-to keeping your instruments and amplifiers out of the pawn shop for shows and practice (i won't mention any name(s)). So, I simply up-and-left. I really regretted it initially. Things were tense at first, and some ugly stuff was said, but we're all merrily headed in different directions now. Supposedly, my departure has kick-started a new wave of motivation amongst the boys...and I hope that's true. I'll always be a fan...i just don't wanna deal with the ugly side of it anymore. I still respect Bret and Marcus as songwriters tremendously. Without sounding too condescending...the band really needs some tough-lovin' management that can stay on their asses every waking moment...a band-nanny, if you will. If they're able to muster enough gumption to finish the next record, it'll be fantastic...i'm sure of it. That's my story in a nutshell. Godspeed, PG!

PS. keep your eyes peeled and ears perked for the triumphant return of one Jeffrey Ryan.

Adios, mofos

Paul David Burrough

As far as I'm concerned, I won't believe Jeff's return until I see it; to be as nice as I can, the things Paul says in this e-mail sound MIGHTY familiar after talking to Jeff in the past. But PG would be incredibly lucky if this turns out to be true; Jeff's recent playmanship in Chao has proven that he hasn't lost a bit of his remarkable, unique touch since departing the Grove. Don't expect many more updates while I'm away, but if I see any other juicy e-mails while I'm outta town, I'll probably post them. I'm too dedicated to this crap. -SM