Botch bassist Brian Cook responds to Sargent House allegations

Bassist Brian Cook (Botch, Russian Circles, SUMAC, These Arms Are Snakes) who has been a Sargent House artist for 17 years, took to Twitter to share his thoughts on the situation involving accusations against Sargent House founder Cathy Pellow and former associate Graeme Flegenheimer. Cook claims to know a lot of the petty drama and dirt that goes on behind the scenes at Sargent House, but is not privy to any scandals.

Cook states that he does not know what is actually going on in this situation and urges people to consider that they may not have the full picture either. He applauds people for being angry given the information they have at hand, but cautions against jumping to conclusions before all the facts are known. Cook also notes that people fear internet mobs more than anything right now, and urges people to be careful before casting stones.

The full statement reads:

Hi.

I've been a Sargent House artist for 17 years. I'm friends with a bunch of the artists & employees past and present. I know who's slept with who, who's mad at who, who lied to who, who has been privately talking to who… I know so much petty drama and dirt that you don't.

Cathy can be blunt and uncouth, but I've never witnessed anything warranting public outrage. Maybe I'm just lucky. Conversely, I've seen her routinely bail people out of bad situations. She's housed people, paid medical bills, co-signed mortgages, talked people off of ledges.

In many instances, I know why certain people were let go and why other people have chosen to leave over the years. Sometimes the private grievances don't line up with the public explanations. But I'm not privy to any scandals.

I know which shit adds up and which shit doesn't. And I still don't know what the hell is actually going on, but I know people fear internet mobs more than anything right now. So if you want a public statement, here it is:

I applaud people for being angry given the information they have at hand. But if I don't know what's actually going on, then consider that maybe you don't have the full picture either. And I'm not casting stones until I know who I can actually trust in this mess.

Sorry for the cryptic thread. Been living in the most convoluted and crappy soap opera this last week and I'm just trying to assume the best about all my friends in this situation, but a bunch of shit isn't lining up.

Artist Noelia Towers responded to Cook's tweets, bringing attention to the fact that some who have denounced the alleged abuse and assault may have skeletons in their own closets.

Botch bandmate, and Minus the Bear guitarist David Knudson, also responded to Cook's tweets, praising him for his perspective, saying:

"Well said as always"