I'd love an alternate version of What We Do in the Shadows, where instead of a group of vampires, it's just a group of failing scam artists. Or maybe Thorn is like an energy vampire from the show and he's just doing this to feed off everyone who responds?
AT sounds like a narcissist with delusions of grandeur. I'll be sure to give him a wide berth.
Shoveling through all the piles of fraudulent drivel must be exhausting work David, make sure you practice good self care and remember we respect you and value what you do.
This dude is a study in shitheadedness - and a total scam artist to boot. It's hideous how such twats make us feel like crud by simply hurling abuse - but that's coz we (you) are decent and wouldn't think if doing such a thing to anyone. Coz you are not a shithead. Thanks heaps for this work that you do - one of the reasons I am so committed to supporting it is because I know how this crap feels - and all I do is review the internet and challenge people for icky stuff (via the same links you use, Companies Office, District Court records etc....handy stuff!) and I cop some regular abuse for it - especially during the election in the process of calling out the Billy T Bonkers crowd et al for their lies and rubbish - along with challenging other (gNat) stuff that was clearly crap. But I have the option of deleting people, and blocking them, and hiding from them. A luxury that, as a journalist, you do not allow yourself. For that you have my wholehearted admiration - and support - and empathy. Bullies farking suck the big sucky thing. HUGS!
I have vague memories of a pie in the sky "bring Tool to nz" Facebook event (maybe a page?) being around years ago, the type of event that people click yes to because it's appealing but obviously not going to happen. But then it changed and was a Silverback event and started promoting this event with this huge pre-built group of followers/attendees...which presumably can be leveraged to demonstrate the hype around a dubious event to potential parties who would perform/finance such a thing. This is a vague memory but the name Silverback is sparking it.
Imagine trying to start a fight with a journalist who has both the curiosity and investigative skill to find out everything dumb or bad you've ever done and the audience to tell the whole of new zealand (and beyond) about it
Keep at it, David. You do the hard work for those of us who are sick of crap like this. I applaud and support you. Thank you for putting yourself out there.
It's interesting how reading about this "music festival" made me think of how each time there is a major gig at, say, Spark Arena, there's all these event pages popping up on Facebook, rife with scammers trying to sell you second-hand tickets they obviously don't have. Don't know why I made this analogy, it just seems to be a very similar vibe with "dodgy" and "scam" being the keywords...
By the way, David, I'm new here and I first became familiar with your work only about a month ago when you talked to NIN (my favourite band!) for their RRHOF induction. Truly an amazing interview and I've been a fan of your work and writing ever since (just about finished watching Dark Tourist now). Keep up the good work and I truly appreciate there is someone who keeps fighting bullies! We need more of that.
Here's what I find fascinating. New Zealand is SUCH a small community. I've lived here for 13 years and two degrees of separation is accurate. So how do these people (Thorn, Lonely, etc) continue to find new markets after they show their truly horrible selves? Is part of it our quite relaxed approach to litigation, phoenix corporations, or just generally not wanting to be accused of cutting down tall poppies?
I definitely would buy a keyring that says "Will sue. Talk later." Also the clamping, did I have a fever dream or did you say we were going to get a follow up to that whole batshit saga?
You know, 'Will sue. Talk later' could work pretty well on a T-shirt/hoodie/etc too.
It's up there with 'Wormy piece of shit' IMO.
There's a whole line of merch just itching to get out here.
I'd love an alternate version of What We Do in the Shadows, where instead of a group of vampires, it's just a group of failing scam artists. Or maybe Thorn is like an energy vampire from the show and he's just doing this to feed off everyone who responds?
I really want to be friends with a couple called Will and Sue now so I can eventually say "will sue, talk later" to them.
AT sounds like a narcissist with delusions of grandeur. I'll be sure to give him a wide berth.
Shoveling through all the piles of fraudulent drivel must be exhausting work David, make sure you practice good self care and remember we respect you and value what you do.
Reminds me of all the fyre festival quackery. This guy’s off his rocker.
This dude is a study in shitheadedness - and a total scam artist to boot. It's hideous how such twats make us feel like crud by simply hurling abuse - but that's coz we (you) are decent and wouldn't think if doing such a thing to anyone. Coz you are not a shithead. Thanks heaps for this work that you do - one of the reasons I am so committed to supporting it is because I know how this crap feels - and all I do is review the internet and challenge people for icky stuff (via the same links you use, Companies Office, District Court records etc....handy stuff!) and I cop some regular abuse for it - especially during the election in the process of calling out the Billy T Bonkers crowd et al for their lies and rubbish - along with challenging other (gNat) stuff that was clearly crap. But I have the option of deleting people, and blocking them, and hiding from them. A luxury that, as a journalist, you do not allow yourself. For that you have my wholehearted admiration - and support - and empathy. Bullies farking suck the big sucky thing. HUGS!
I have vague memories of a pie in the sky "bring Tool to nz" Facebook event (maybe a page?) being around years ago, the type of event that people click yes to because it's appealing but obviously not going to happen. But then it changed and was a Silverback event and started promoting this event with this huge pre-built group of followers/attendees...which presumably can be leveraged to demonstrate the hype around a dubious event to potential parties who would perform/finance such a thing. This is a vague memory but the name Silverback is sparking it.
So intense. It's interesting psychology to go up against as you aren't dealing with anything rational.
Thank you for doing what you. A subscription to you will be a gift to a few people from me this year.
What you are doing is amazing ❤
Imagine trying to start a fight with a journalist who has both the curiosity and investigative skill to find out everything dumb or bad you've ever done and the audience to tell the whole of new zealand (and beyond) about it
Also with all the empty biz talk he throws in there I imagine he's like Bob Mortimers 'train guy'.
Keep at it, David. You do the hard work for those of us who are sick of crap like this. I applaud and support you. Thank you for putting yourself out there.
It's interesting how reading about this "music festival" made me think of how each time there is a major gig at, say, Spark Arena, there's all these event pages popping up on Facebook, rife with scammers trying to sell you second-hand tickets they obviously don't have. Don't know why I made this analogy, it just seems to be a very similar vibe with "dodgy" and "scam" being the keywords...
By the way, David, I'm new here and I first became familiar with your work only about a month ago when you talked to NIN (my favourite band!) for their RRHOF induction. Truly an amazing interview and I've been a fan of your work and writing ever since (just about finished watching Dark Tourist now). Keep up the good work and I truly appreciate there is someone who keeps fighting bullies! We need more of that.
Here's what I find fascinating. New Zealand is SUCH a small community. I've lived here for 13 years and two degrees of separation is accurate. So how do these people (Thorn, Lonely, etc) continue to find new markets after they show their truly horrible selves? Is part of it our quite relaxed approach to litigation, phoenix corporations, or just generally not wanting to be accused of cutting down tall poppies?
As always David, love your work!
Good old-fashioned grifting for the modern-era man.
Wow! Wonderful article David. Thank you. Is this the definition of delusional?
I definitely would buy a keyring that says "Will sue. Talk later." Also the clamping, did I have a fever dream or did you say we were going to get a follow up to that whole batshit saga?