This is a message from Pat Badger, Extreme's Bass Player, posted on the Extreme folder on America Online.

Subject: To Clear the Air
Date: 96-10-05 17:41:31 EDT

I have been reading all of your posts here for quite some time and I'm sorry that I couldn't have written sooner to clear up some of this mess. Up until a couple of weeks ago, we were still trying to patch things up and contractually, there was alot at stake for all of us, especially for Gary. First of all, You guys are great and have alot of class (unlike some fairweather fans on another board I've been reading lately) and I felt you deserved an explanation for all of this. For obvious reasons, I created a new screen name for the occasion.

The members of Extreme have dedicated the last 10 years of our lives to each other and to all of you. We've made some great music, shared some great moments (some bad ones too) and really have accomplished alot since our early days in the Boston club scene.

Unfortunately, all things must come to an end some day, only I never thought that this would end so soon, and with such a bizarre twist.

Three of us waited around Boston since the end of the Punchline tour hoping to start working on our 5th album. In the meantime, Nuno completed his solo record and he and his wife, Suze brought a beautiful baby girl into the world. During that time, Gary made a trip to Australia to begin the creative process with him for the next Extreme record. When Nuno returned to Boston, Gary and I went to his house to talk about the future of his solo release and the making of the next Extreme record. Soon after, he called us saying that he wanted to leave the band to persue his solo career. Needless to say, we are all disappointed with his decision.

Half of the material was already written for the record and I honestly believe it would have been our best to date. Like our other records, it was unique and headed in yet another direction from anything we'd done in the past. This has always been a trait that has been a blessing and a curse for us. As change was always refreshing to us, it also caused a misperception and confusion as to what the band was all about. As you also know, in this era trends change and the music business seems to chew up and spit out hundreds of artists a year. Unfortunately, on our last effort we got spit out. That's OK though, we've always been able to rise to the occasion when we were the underdog. I guess this time, Nuno wants to try it alone, and we wish him luck.

In the meantime, Sam's out... Dave's back. At least 2 new tracks for a Greatest Hits album. I guess in their eyes, Dave hasn't changed much since their heyday and I guess it was pretty apparent on the MTV awards. Gary did get the call to write some songs in the very least with the man who changed Rock history as we know it. Without Extreme as a possibility, why not? When Gary showed up at 5150, I guess they must have seen what we've known all along. I know that the 3rd incarnation of Halen will be different and they'll come up with the best stuff they've done in years.

These fair weather VH fans who have been trash talking Gary are just upset about change. It's great to see some of you sticking up for him. I just can't believe that people are already judging it before they hear it... pretty close minded. What these people don't realise is that being in a band is all about being a "team player."

Ed, Al, and Mike, You couldn't have picked a better guy to add to your team.

Pat Badger