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Ron Coppetti sent me email that said "I was the bass player in the band for about 4 years, I am still alive and well and have a new Band that I play Bass in. I was never kicked out of the band, I quit the band because some of the members were doing Heroin and I knew I didn't want to die from trying that type of Drug, nore would I ever try it. Also I'm the guy who wrote the song 'Shot In The Head'."

The part about being kicked out is mentioned in the interview page that I link to at the top. I'll do an interview with Ron that will be here sometime.

Brian Thalken replied on May 17, 2002:

A friend forwarded this thread from Ron Coppetti to me so I thought I'd comment.

Yes, technically Ron did quit the band, although his reason he gives is not true. The real story is that we had set up a tour of the Pacific Northwest and at the last minute Ron and Dave Kambestead refused to go, so we didn't, but that decision sealed their fate. Shortly thereafter we played at the Galactica 2000 and after the show there was a silly fight about something real important (like who got the last beer) and Ron stormed off saying that he quit the band (as he often did). We jumped on the opportunity and immediately hired Tony Smith who was patiently waiting in the wings. The next morning Ron phoned to see what time practice was and I told him that since he quit he was out. Shortly thereafter we relieved Dave of his drumming duties and brought in Victor.

As for Ron saying that he left because some members of the band were into heroin, horseshit. At the time Ron was in the band no one, including Nick, had ever touched heroin. Also, the only member of the band to die of a drug overdose was Nick. We stopped playing in 1983, Nick died in 1989. As far as I know the only other former members that have died are Dave Kambestead, in about 1991, of AIDS (which was in no way drug related) and Dexter who died of cirrhosis of the liver (I'm not sure exactly when), but Ron and Dexter never met.

In any case, I wish Ron nothing but the best now and I sincerely hope that he's doing well. I would love to hear more from him and see the photos he has too.

Ron replied (Sept 4, 2002):

Hi I just read the last email from Brian Thalken -- a bunch of lies!

like I said I quit the Band because of the (some) members were doing Heroin.
as for the leaders of the band were Nick Kappos $ Curt Hall. as I recall Brian Thalken played with us on and off ( not really a band member )

as for the Tour of the Pacific Northwest, the Problem with it was I didn't want to go passed the Canadian Border and get busted with Heroin that other members were doing.

And responding to Brian Thalken's "As for Ron saying that he left because some members of the band were into heroin, horseshit. At the time Ron was in the band no one, including Nick, had ever touched heroin. Also, the only member of the band to die of a drug overdose was Nick." ( fucking liar Brian Thalken you always talk behind other peoples back and I was one of them the fact is you would get your ass kicked if you said that to my face fucker! come to CA and we can talk this out man to man ASS!

better yet I know your buddy Brian Stocker and I told him this BS get a fuck
life ass!!

just think I used to like Brian Thalken alot after this he has prove what a
lier he still is today best Regards to you Brain :-)