In an unusual move, Milwaukee band 9mm SOLUTION has issued an anti-violence statement in the wake of the shootings Monday at Virginia Tech University. The statement, sent via e-mail by the band's singer Hobbes Caltous, reads:
“We would like to send our thoughts and prayers to the dozens of families who were tragically affected by today's shooting at Virginia Tech. That someone would willingly strive to affect this kind of chaos is beyond all of us.
“With a name like 9mm SOLUTION, it's not uncommon that we would get e-mails and such, like Anthrax did, and we have. but, while our name suggests violence, we would like to say for the record that we are STRONGLY against social violence, and the killing of innocents in any way. To us, our moniker means that you have to grab life by the balls, and deal with things your way. But that someone would do something like this, well, it just jams home a very startling picture.
“9mm SOLUTION in no way condones what happened in Virginia. I know I speak for all of us when I say that if the guy hadn't taken the COWARD'S way out, he'd be hiding for his life. But he was a coward. We may never know why this freak did what he did -- much like Nathan Bray -- but what is plainly visible is that this guy effectively pussed out.
“How can someone justify taking 32 lives for no apparent reason? At least, when Dave and I were in the military, we were training and fighting for our country. What did this guy pull the trigger for?
“Now someone's going to point fingers. What's important is to keep art out of it. For them to not point those fingers at the music. A lot of bands who's names suggest a violent nature, or violence period, have to really kind of put it out there that they're angry. yes, we're angry. We're angry at the way things are, and this is how we deal with it. But when someone comes out and says this kid was listening to such and such (because SOMEONE will), someone's going to have to say "look this guy was screwed up and it wasn't music that did it." I KNOW someone's going to do that.
“They did it with the kid who killed himself listening to Black Sabbath. They did it at Columbine (did anyone else notice how the media IMMEDIATELY connected the two shootings?), because any kid who listens to KMFDM is obviously troubled. yeah right.
“We're not trying to milk a tragic situation, we're simply addressing a horrible, traumatic event that affects us all. This is a dark day in the history book of men and it just so happens the guy broke Texas' world record for mass murder by one person.
Did he use twin 9 mm pistols? We don't know. Some people are saying yes, some say no, but the fact that it comes back to us is reason enough for us as a band to say that violence against innocent people is f-ing wrong.
“9mm SOLUTION is a metal band that plays from the heart. And what's in our hearts is pain, frustration, and perseverance. Perseverance to accomplish what we know in our very souls is a reachable goal. Not this.
“Our thoughts go out to each of the families affected in this horrible event.”
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
