Depressing Fucking News

Got an email today from Ryan Cano with The Loyalty Firm that needs to be read by a lot of people. The Loyalty Firm manages one of Austin's best local bands, The Boxing Lesson. According to the email The Boxing Lesson's drummer Jake Mitchell, who is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, has been sentenced to 60 months in prison and branded a Narco-Terrorist under the menacing black glove that is the Patriot Act. Jake was busted for growing Marijuana in 2006 (no one is debating the criminal aspect of this) and was somehow categorized as a Narco-Terrorist and tried under the much more stringent Patriot Act laws. On top of the wholly unnecessary severity of this conviction, Jake's wife is currently in jail herself serving a 6 month term as a co-conspirator for failing to turn her own husband in. I'm having trouble finding the words to express my indignation at these events. The whole email is available below for you to read. Jake, if you read this, my heart goes out to you and your family. If any of you reading this think this is as preposterous and outrageous as I do, help spread the word. Link to this post, or any of the myriad of similar posts made around the internet today, forward Ryan's email to your contact list, write a letter, do what it takes to make your voice heard. Thanks!

The Boxing Lesson are Narco-terrorists? Free Jake Mitchell.

Austin,TX (August 20, 2008) You know The Boxing Lesson aren't ones to keep their mouths shut after several interviews and appearances since the release of their full length LP Wild Streaks & Windy Days. The real truth of the matter is that The Boxing Lesson have kept one of the most important parts of their story a secret. It is with much sadness we make this announcement but its time the public knows what is going on. It is with much sadness we make this announcement but its time the public knows what is going on.

Jake Mitchell, drummer for The Boxing Lesson and most importantly, a
dear friend, will be put in Federal jail at the beginning of Sept
for some marijuana growing charges. What makes this story unique and
what has enraged every single one of our close friends, is that Jake
has been branded by our government as a Terrorist under the Patriot
Act. In fact, they have thrown the Narco-Terrorist tag on him.
What this does legally for a defendant is mind blowing in terms of the
new laws waged against them. If you are branded a terrorist, your
wife doesn't get spousal protections and will go to jail. If you are
branded a terrorist, each party involved in the crime gets full
responsibility for the scope of the crime. Then there are strict sentencing
minimums. And remember we are talking about Marijuana here.

It is obvious from anyone who has ever met, hung out with and gotten to know
Jake Mitchell that he is anything but a terrorist. This incorrect and unfair
branding on our own US citizen and friend, Jake Mitchell, is a disgrace
and this has caused untypical hardships on his life. He has sold his house,
lost his cars, and his freedom. We are asking our friends in the media,
in bands, in t-shirt screen shops and really, anyone who can help, to send
the message of his story to the public eye. We know there was a crime
involved but branding him a terrorist has set unfair sentencing guidelines on
a person who is anything but a terrorist.

We are accepting PayPal donations to help Jake's mounting legal bills
at : freejakemitchell@gmail.com

Jake Mitchell is available for interviews before jail or in jail
and has a lot to say right now about the music biz, The Boxing Lesson,
the system, playing drums, recording, Fecal Shock, Austin bands,
marijuana laws, and life in general. Final performances from Jake
Mitchell until he gets out will be next week in Austin,TX!

August 27, 2008 @ Emo's Lounge 101x Homegrown Live show w/ Frontier Brothers
August 28, 2008 @ Carousel Lounge (Monkey Wrench Benefit)

Come out and celebrate life with Jake before our government
intervenes. Fans of The Boxing Lesson have no fear, you can keep
hearing your favorite songs live. Keeping the seat warm for Jake
Mitchell behind the drums will be Kevin Sparks, a veteran of the
Austin music scene who has played with many bands including Bad
Motivators, Say Hello to the Angels and Megatron Triggerdick.
Until next time, we?ll see you on the Dark Side of the Moog.

For interview, please contact Ryan Cano @ The Loyalty Firm.


Cheers,


Ryan Cano, Owner
The Loyalty Firm
Management & Publicity
Austin,TX
ryan@theloyaltyfirm.com
512-905-0528

www.myspace.com/loyaltyfirm

ROSTER ::: Aster, Black Box Opera, The Boxing Lesson, Built By Snow, Fecal Shock,
Midnight Assembly

* The Boxing Lesson - "Wild Streaks & Windy Days" new LP out now!!! *