The Church of Scientology has been accused of trying to “derail” actor Danny Masterson’s rape trials, according to legal documents filed in December 2023 and obtained by TheWrap. He was convicted in those trials for raping two women in 2001 and 2003 whom he had met through the church.
Masterson’s rape victims filed legal documents in December 2023, obtained by TheWrap, claiming the church launched a “campaign of harassment and intimidation directed at one of the prosecutors assigned to Defendant Masterson’s trial” in an effort to “derail Masterson’s criminal trial” as well as his second criminal trial.
The prosecutor’s name wasn’t revealed in the document, though the charges do match similar ones discussed in a speech by L.A. County Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller last year, according to the Los Angeles Times, which also reports that a spokesperson for the church has denied the claims.
“Defendants attempted...
Masterson’s rape victims filed legal documents in December 2023, obtained by TheWrap, claiming the church launched a “campaign of harassment and intimidation directed at one of the prosecutors assigned to Defendant Masterson’s trial” in an effort to “derail Masterson’s criminal trial” as well as his second criminal trial.
The prosecutor’s name wasn’t revealed in the document, though the charges do match similar ones discussed in a speech by L.A. County Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller last year, according to the Los Angeles Times, which also reports that a spokesperson for the church has denied the claims.
“Defendants attempted...
- 4/6/2024
- by Raquel 'Rocky' Harris
- The Wrap
The Mars Volta have announced a run of 2024 US tour dates leading up to their June 14th appearance at Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tennessee. Teri Gender Bender will provide support.
The brief Midwest run will find the experimental rockers making stops at Des Moines, Iowa (June 6th); Madison, Wisconsin (June 8th); Indianapolis, Indiana (June 9th); Omaha, Nebraska (June 10th); and Columbus, Ohio (June 12th). The shows mark the first time that The Mars Volta will hit these particular cities since re-forming in 2022 following a 10-year hiatus.
A Live Nation pre-sale for select dates starts Wednesday (February 14th) at 10 a.m. local time using the code Energy, while general sales begin Friday at 10 a.m. local time via Ticketmaster. Fans can also check for deals or pick up tickets to sold-out shows via StubHub, where your purchase is 100% guaranteed through StubHub’s Fan Protect program.
The Mars Volta are touring in support of their 2022 self-titled album,...
The brief Midwest run will find the experimental rockers making stops at Des Moines, Iowa (June 6th); Madison, Wisconsin (June 8th); Indianapolis, Indiana (June 9th); Omaha, Nebraska (June 10th); and Columbus, Ohio (June 12th). The shows mark the first time that The Mars Volta will hit these particular cities since re-forming in 2022 following a 10-year hiatus.
A Live Nation pre-sale for select dates starts Wednesday (February 14th) at 10 a.m. local time using the code Energy, while general sales begin Friday at 10 a.m. local time via Ticketmaster. Fans can also check for deals or pick up tickets to sold-out shows via StubHub, where your purchase is 100% guaranteed through StubHub’s Fan Protect program.
The Mars Volta are touring in support of their 2022 self-titled album,...
- 2/13/2024
- by Spencer Kaufman
- Consequence - Music
“Omar and Cedric: If This Ever Gets Weird,” a documentary about the creative partnership between Omar Rodríguez-López and Cedric Bixler-Zavala, has been acquired by Autlook for global rights.
The film, which is getting its U.S. premiere at this year’s South by Southwest festival, focuses on the duo behind the influential rock bands the Mars Volta and At the Drive-In. Nicolas Jack Davies directed the film, which was produced by Johann Scheerer of Clouds Hill Films in association with Pulse Films. Rodríguez-López also scores the doc.
Per a press release, the film “shows the iconic duo’s journey from the hardcore scene in El Paso, Texas, to rock and roll acclaim; from growing up as minorities to their rise to success; from struggles with loss, addiction and Scientology to their blazing comeback. A depiction of love, death, and inspiration — with a soundtrack that has defined a generation.”
The documentary also has a unique format,...
The film, which is getting its U.S. premiere at this year’s South by Southwest festival, focuses on the duo behind the influential rock bands the Mars Volta and At the Drive-In. Nicolas Jack Davies directed the film, which was produced by Johann Scheerer of Clouds Hill Films in association with Pulse Films. Rodríguez-López also scores the doc.
Per a press release, the film “shows the iconic duo’s journey from the hardcore scene in El Paso, Texas, to rock and roll acclaim; from growing up as minorities to their rise to success; from struggles with loss, addiction and Scientology to their blazing comeback. A depiction of love, death, and inspiration — with a soundtrack that has defined a generation.”
The documentary also has a unique format,...
- 1/16/2024
- by William Earl
- Variety Film + TV
(Editor’s Note – this story has been updated to reflect more information that has been presented about Leah Remini’s name on anti-Scientology websites) The Church of Scientology should be labelled a “criminal enterprise” due to its “pattern of racketeering activity,” say the plaintiffs in the civil harassment case against the David Miscavige-led organization and Danny Masterson. With three more rape claims against the incarcerated That 70s Show actor in a proposed second amended complaint, the accusers want the LA courts to allow mafia-inspired Rico charges to be included in the case now.
At almost the same time, in another lawsuit, the Church seems to have put forth weak evidence for its own argument that the one of the main reasons it harshly criticizes Leah Remini is because the former Scientologist has long been “inspiring violence” against Scientology and its leadership.
Heading toward a September 22, 2025, trial date, after various...
At almost the same time, in another lawsuit, the Church seems to have put forth weak evidence for its own argument that the one of the main reasons it harshly criticizes Leah Remini is because the former Scientologist has long been “inspiring violence” against Scientology and its leadership.
Heading toward a September 22, 2025, trial date, after various...
- 1/3/2024
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Two decades of solo material from Omar Rodríguez-López is coming to vinyl in an incomprehensibly massive box set called Amor de Frances, out December 4th.
Back in 2021, Rodríguez-López — best known as one of the masterminds between At the Drive-In and The Mars Volta — shared a ton of his back catalog on streaming for the first time, including fan-favorite Cryptomnesia and a collaboration with John Frusciante. Those albums are just a few of the 57 total LPs that comprise Amor de Frances, which will also include two previously-unreleased records, as well as 31 albums never before pressed to vinyl.
Along with a set of nine art prints, Amor de Frances comes packaged in four individual boxes with an eye-catching spine design that’ll look really, really nice on your vinyl shelf. It’s limited to 500 copies, and pre-orders begin on October 30th here. The albums will also be available to purchase individually early next year.
Back in 2021, Rodríguez-López — best known as one of the masterminds between At the Drive-In and The Mars Volta — shared a ton of his back catalog on streaming for the first time, including fan-favorite Cryptomnesia and a collaboration with John Frusciante. Those albums are just a few of the 57 total LPs that comprise Amor de Frances, which will also include two previously-unreleased records, as well as 31 albums never before pressed to vinyl.
Along with a set of nine art prints, Amor de Frances comes packaged in four individual boxes with an eye-catching spine design that’ll look really, really nice on your vinyl shelf. It’s limited to 500 copies, and pre-orders begin on October 30th here. The albums will also be available to purchase individually early next year.
- 10/24/2023
- by Abby Jones
- Consequence - Music
Danny Masterson’s wife Bijou Phillips has filed for divorce, less than two weeks after Masterson was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison after being found guilty of two counts of forcible rape, the Hollywood Reporter confirmed.
“Ms. Phillips has decided to file for divorce from her husband during this unfortunate time. Her priority remains with her daughter. This period has been unimaginably hard on the marriage and the family. Mr. Masterson was always present for Ms. Phillips during her most difficult times of her life. Ms. Phillips acknowledges that Mr.
“Ms. Phillips has decided to file for divorce from her husband during this unfortunate time. Her priority remains with her daughter. This period has been unimaginably hard on the marriage and the family. Mr. Masterson was always present for Ms. Phillips during her most difficult times of her life. Ms. Phillips acknowledges that Mr.
- 9/19/2023
- by Charisma Madarang
- Rollingstone.com
Over the course of 20-plus years, Omar Rodríguez-López shot 100s of hours worth of footage documenting his time in At the Drive-In and The Mars Volta, the bands he formed with Cedric Bixler-Zavala. Just some of that material will now be revealed with the upcoming documentary Omar and Cedric: If This Ever Gets Weird, which has just received its first trailer.
The teaser splices together a bunch of grainy video clips, seemingly collapsing the entire history of Rodríguez-López and Bixler-Zavala’s partnership in just over one minute.
From their early days cutting their teeth in El Paso’s hardcore scene to achieving an undeniable legacy, Omar and Cedric: If This Ever Gets Weird promises to be “a totally unique window into the incredible journey of one of this generations most progressive and prolific musical partnerships.”
Omar and Cedric: If This Ever Gets Weird will premiere at the Raindance Film Festival on October 28th,...
The teaser splices together a bunch of grainy video clips, seemingly collapsing the entire history of Rodríguez-López and Bixler-Zavala’s partnership in just over one minute.
From their early days cutting their teeth in El Paso’s hardcore scene to achieving an undeniable legacy, Omar and Cedric: If This Ever Gets Weird promises to be “a totally unique window into the incredible journey of one of this generations most progressive and prolific musical partnerships.”
Omar and Cedric: If This Ever Gets Weird will premiere at the Raindance Film Festival on October 28th,...
- 9/13/2023
- by Abby Jones
- Consequence - Music
Over the course of 20-plus years, Omar Rodríguez-López shot 100s of hours worth of footage documenting his time in At the Drive-In and The Mars Volta, the bands he formed with Cedric Bixler-Zavala. Just some of that material will now be revealed with the upcoming documentary Omar and Cedric: If This Ever Gets Weird, which has just received its first trailer.
The teaser splices together a bunch of grainy video clips, seemingly collapsing the entire history of Rodríguez-López and Bixler-Zavala’s partnership in just over one minute.
From their early days cutting their teeth in El Paso’s hardcore scene to achieving an undeniable legacy, Omar and Cedric: If This Ever Gets Weird promises to be “a totally unique window into the incredible journey of one of this generations most progressive and prolific musical partnerships.”
Omar and Cedric: If This Ever Gets Weird will premiere at the Raindance Film Festival on October 28th,...
The teaser splices together a bunch of grainy video clips, seemingly collapsing the entire history of Rodríguez-López and Bixler-Zavala’s partnership in just over one minute.
From their early days cutting their teeth in El Paso’s hardcore scene to achieving an undeniable legacy, Omar and Cedric: If This Ever Gets Weird promises to be “a totally unique window into the incredible journey of one of this generations most progressive and prolific musical partnerships.”
Omar and Cedric: If This Ever Gets Weird will premiere at the Raindance Film Festival on October 28th,...
- 9/13/2023
- by Abby Jones
- Consequence - Film News
Chrissie Bixler outed herself as one of Danny Masterson’s victims in November 2017. She joined actress Bobette Riales and two anonymous women in filing a lawsuit against Masterson and the Church of Scientology in 2019, and on Saturday posted a series of interviews with Ashton Kutcher in which he revealed Masterson bet him $10 to French kiss a then-14-year-old Mila Kunis when Kutcher was 19.
By the time the first episode of “That ’70s Show” aired, putting together Kutcher and Kunis as then-fictional love interests, Kutcher was 20.
One of the clips is from a 2002 episode of “The Rosie O’Donnell Show,” where Kutcher and Kunis appeared together. Kutcher admitted to O’Donnell that he and Kunis were told they would be kissing a lot, and he wondered if “this is slightly illegal” due to Kunis’ age.
The actress then revealed that Masterson bet Kutcher $10 if he French kissed her when the pair had their...
By the time the first episode of “That ’70s Show” aired, putting together Kutcher and Kunis as then-fictional love interests, Kutcher was 20.
One of the clips is from a 2002 episode of “The Rosie O’Donnell Show,” where Kutcher and Kunis appeared together. Kutcher admitted to O’Donnell that he and Kunis were told they would be kissing a lot, and he wondered if “this is slightly illegal” due to Kunis’ age.
The actress then revealed that Masterson bet Kutcher $10 if he French kissed her when the pair had their...
- 9/11/2023
- by Stephanie Kaloi
- The Wrap
Danny Masterson was sentenced Thursday to 30 years to life in prison after being found guilty in May of two counts of forcible rape.
The That ’70s Show actor faced 30 years in prison on the two convictions, the verdict of which came in the second rape trial against Masterson after the jury deadlocked in his first trial, resulting in a mistrial. (Masterson was charged with three counts of forcible rape, but the jury was unable to come to a unanimous decision on the third count.)
Following impact statements from the three victims,...
The That ’70s Show actor faced 30 years in prison on the two convictions, the verdict of which came in the second rape trial against Masterson after the jury deadlocked in his first trial, resulting in a mistrial. (Masterson was charged with three counts of forcible rape, but the jury was unable to come to a unanimous decision on the third count.)
Following impact statements from the three victims,...
- 9/7/2023
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
The Mars Volta’s Cedric Bixler-Zavala, whose wife was among the four women who accused Danny Masterson of sexual assault, reacted to the That 70’s Show actor’s conviction Wednesday on two counts of rape in a series of social media posts.
Bixler-Zavala and his wife Chrissie Carnell-Bixler — both former Scientologists — have long accused the Church of Scientology of persistent harassment for pursuing justice against Masterson, a prominent Scientologist.
“In case you’ve sleeping under a fucking rock placed there by scientology,” Bixler-Zavala wrote in the caption of an Instagram...
Bixler-Zavala and his wife Chrissie Carnell-Bixler — both former Scientologists — have long accused the Church of Scientology of persistent harassment for pursuing justice against Masterson, a prominent Scientologist.
“In case you’ve sleeping under a fucking rock placed there by scientology,” Bixler-Zavala wrote in the caption of an Instagram...
- 6/1/2023
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
The Mars Volta’s Cedric Bixler-Zavala, whose wife is among the women who accused Danny Masterson of rape, has addressed the actor’s guilty conviction.
“I’ll be making a list of all Danny’s helpers and rape apologists to show all of you why women don’t report rape,” Bixler-Zavala said. “We fucking told you. God bless the women that stood up to him and his shitty fucking family. Fuck Scientology. Rot in jail Danny. God bless my wife. True fucking warrior.”
Masterson was found guilty on two out of three counts of rape today (May 31st). He was arrested in 2020 after Chrissie Carnell-Bixler and three other women accused him of drugging, raping, and sexually assaulting them in the early 2000s. All four women were members of the Church of Scientology at the time, and accused the church of discouraging them from coming forward with their accusations as well...
“I’ll be making a list of all Danny’s helpers and rape apologists to show all of you why women don’t report rape,” Bixler-Zavala said. “We fucking told you. God bless the women that stood up to him and his shitty fucking family. Fuck Scientology. Rot in jail Danny. God bless my wife. True fucking warrior.”
Masterson was found guilty on two out of three counts of rape today (May 31st). He was arrested in 2020 after Chrissie Carnell-Bixler and three other women accused him of drugging, raping, and sexually assaulting them in the early 2000s. All four women were members of the Church of Scientology at the time, and accused the church of discouraging them from coming forward with their accusations as well...
- 6/1/2023
- by Carys Anderson
- Consequence - Music
Actor Danny Masterson will face a retrial on charges he forcibly raped three women at his home in the Hollywood Hills between 2001 and 2003, Los Angeles County prosecutors announced Tuesday.
The decision comes after a jury hopelessly deadlocked on the charges at a trial that ended in November.
Masterson, best known for his role on the sitcom That ’70s Show, appeared in court as his defense lawyer Philip Cohen asked the court to dismiss the three counts based on the argument that “no reasonable jury” could return a conviction based on...
The decision comes after a jury hopelessly deadlocked on the charges at a trial that ended in November.
Masterson, best known for his role on the sitcom That ’70s Show, appeared in court as his defense lawyer Philip Cohen asked the court to dismiss the three counts based on the argument that “no reasonable jury” could return a conviction based on...
- 1/10/2023
- by Nancy Dillon
- Rollingstone.com
Hours before the Mars Volta released their first new album in 10 years, the reunited prog-rock outfit staged their first concert in over a decade at the Factory in Dallas.
Cedric Bixler-Zavala, Omar Rodríguez-López, and the rest of Mars Volta debuted a pair of new tracks (“Blacklight Shine,” “Graveyard Love“) from their just-released self-titled LP — but the setlist still leaned heavily on their 2003 debut De-Loused in the Comatorium, with the band playing seven tracks off that album.
Thursday’s concert also featured the live debut of “Vicarious Atonement,” off 2006’s Amputechture,...
Cedric Bixler-Zavala, Omar Rodríguez-López, and the rest of Mars Volta debuted a pair of new tracks (“Blacklight Shine,” “Graveyard Love“) from their just-released self-titled LP — but the setlist still leaned heavily on their 2003 debut De-Loused in the Comatorium, with the band playing seven tracks off that album.
Thursday’s concert also featured the live debut of “Vicarious Atonement,” off 2006’s Amputechture,...
- 9/23/2022
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
After releasing a pair of new songs, the Mars Volta finally confirmed that they will drop their first album in a decade, The Mars Volta, on Sept. 16.
Accompanying the album announcement, the band has shared another new tune, “Vigil,” which arrived with a music video directed by guitarist Omar Rodríguez-López. Vocalist/lyricist Cedric Bixler-Zavala shared a line from the tender and swooning new tune in lieu of an actual statement, “And the obits wait for a perfect name.”
“Vigil” marks the third offering from The Mars Volta following the previously-released “Graveyard Love” and “Blacklight Shine,...
Accompanying the album announcement, the band has shared another new tune, “Vigil,” which arrived with a music video directed by guitarist Omar Rodríguez-López. Vocalist/lyricist Cedric Bixler-Zavala shared a line from the tender and swooning new tune in lieu of an actual statement, “And the obits wait for a perfect name.”
“Vigil” marks the third offering from The Mars Volta following the previously-released “Graveyard Love” and “Blacklight Shine,...
- 8/5/2022
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
The Mars Volta are back already with another new song and short film, “Graveyard Love.”
The track is a prog-y, experimental dirge that appears to be inspired by the brutal colonialist rule the United States has imposed on Puerto Rico, where guitarist Omar Rodríguez-López was born. Of the lyrics to “Graveyard Love,” vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala explains, They will seek your ruin, and burn your lands because if they can’t have you, no one can.”
Rodriguez-López directed the accompanying “Graveyard Love” short film, a black-and-white collage that captures various locales...
The track is a prog-y, experimental dirge that appears to be inspired by the brutal colonialist rule the United States has imposed on Puerto Rico, where guitarist Omar Rodríguez-López was born. Of the lyrics to “Graveyard Love,” vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala explains, They will seek your ruin, and burn your lands because if they can’t have you, no one can.”
Rodriguez-López directed the accompanying “Graveyard Love” short film, a black-and-white collage that captures various locales...
- 7/8/2022
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
The Mars Volta are back with their first new song in nearly a decade, “Blacklight Shine,” which arrives alongside a complementary short film directed by Omar Rodríguez-López.
“Blacklight Shine,” a classic Mars Volta hit of psych rock carried by a rumbling groove, marks the Mars Volta’s first new music since the release of their 2012 album, Noctourniquet. In a statement, Mars Volta vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala described the lyrics to “Blacklight Shine” in aptly poetic terms, saying they aim to capture the idea of “a wave of rolling blackouts washing memories onto shore,...
“Blacklight Shine,” a classic Mars Volta hit of psych rock carried by a rumbling groove, marks the Mars Volta’s first new music since the release of their 2012 album, Noctourniquet. In a statement, Mars Volta vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala described the lyrics to “Blacklight Shine” in aptly poetic terms, saying they aim to capture the idea of “a wave of rolling blackouts washing memories onto shore,...
- 6/21/2022
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
Chrissie Carnell Bixler was still a teen when she visited the Church of Scientology’s Celebrity Centre International in Los Angeles for the first time. It was 1997, and her then-boyfriend Danny Masterson led the way to the revivalist replica of a 17th-century Normandy castle straight down the hill from the Hollywood sign. Before they arrived, Masterson — who would go on to win fame playing Steven Hyde on That ’70s Show from 1998 to 2006 and become one of the church’s most celebrated members — prepped her for the visit by instructing her...
- 11/1/2021
- by Nancy Dillon
- Rollingstone.com
Discovering the Mars Volta has always felt like finding the key to another dimension teeming with monsters and magical arcana; twisted fables and dangerous lore. It’s fitting, then, that their new career-spanning boxset, La Realidad de los Sueños, resembles some kind of trippy, seemingly bottomless treasure chest — . Lift a hidden lid and a duo of pins tumble out — shift the LPs and a pair of 3D glasses fall to the floor that brings the album art covering the box to shivering life.
As Mars Volta impresario Omar Rodríguez-López said...
As Mars Volta impresario Omar Rodríguez-López said...
- 4/22/2021
- by Brenna Ehrlich
- Rollingstone.com
Cedric Bixler-Zavala is not a man most people know by name. However, they might know of him through his band, “The Mars Volta,” if they are fans of progressive rock and hardcore heavy metal music. The musician is very passionate about his work and what he does for a living, and he’s made quite a successful life for himself as a musician. However, he’s also a man who is unafraid to speak his mind, to share what is going on in his life, and who is happy to take a moment to share his thoughts. He’s the kind of guy
10 Things You Didn’t Know about Cedric Bixler-Zavala...
10 Things You Didn’t Know about Cedric Bixler-Zavala...
- 3/14/2021
- by Tiffany Raiford
- TVovermind.com
The Mars Volta will release La Realidad de los Sueños, a box set anthology of all of their studio albums and EPs on vinyl, on April 23rd (although it is already sold out in the U.S.) In addition to 18 pieces of vinyl, it includes a photo book with new liner notes and two pins. The band’s Omar Rodríguez-Lopéz helped oversee the release with label Clouds Hill.
The collection, which is limited to 5,000 copies, includes Landscape Tantrums, the band’s unfinished early recordings for their 2003 album, De-Loused in the Comatorium,...
The collection, which is limited to 5,000 copies, includes Landscape Tantrums, the band’s unfinished early recordings for their 2003 album, De-Loused in the Comatorium,...
- 3/5/2021
- by Kory Grow
- Rollingstone.com
Danny Masterson pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to three rape charges in Los Angeles.
The plea was entered on Masterson’s behalf by his attorney, Tom Mesereau, following unsuccessful attempts to have the case thrown out.
In June, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office charged Masterson with three counts of forcible rape stemming from accusations of three incidents in 2001 and 2003 with three different women. If convicted, Masterson faces a maximum sentence of 45 years to life in prison.
Masterson is accused of raping a 23-year-old woman between January and December 2001, a 28-year-old woman in April 2003 and a 23-year-old woman between October and December 2003.
The criminal case is separate from an ongoing civil lawsuit against Masterson and the Church of Scientology, whose plaintiffs include Chrissie Bixler and her husband Cedric Bixler-Zavala, Marie Bobette Riales and two anonymous Jane Does. In late December, a judge ruled that Bixler, Bixler-Zavala and the two...
The plea was entered on Masterson’s behalf by his attorney, Tom Mesereau, following unsuccessful attempts to have the case thrown out.
In June, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office charged Masterson with three counts of forcible rape stemming from accusations of three incidents in 2001 and 2003 with three different women. If convicted, Masterson faces a maximum sentence of 45 years to life in prison.
Masterson is accused of raping a 23-year-old woman between January and December 2001, a 28-year-old woman in April 2003 and a 23-year-old woman between October and December 2003.
The criminal case is separate from an ongoing civil lawsuit against Masterson and the Church of Scientology, whose plaintiffs include Chrissie Bixler and her husband Cedric Bixler-Zavala, Marie Bobette Riales and two anonymous Jane Does. In late December, a judge ruled that Bixler, Bixler-Zavala and the two...
- 1/20/2021
- by J. Clara Chan
- The Wrap
A stalking and harassment lawsuit against “That ’70s Show” star Danny Masterson and the Church of Scientology must be arbitrated by the Church of Scientology, a Los Angeles judge ruled this week.
The 2019 lawsuit — filed by Masterson’s ex-girlfriend Chrissie Bixler and her husband Cedric Bixler-Zavala, Marie Bobette Riales and two anonymous Jane Does — said there was a “conspiracy to cover up that Daniel Masterson sexually assaulted four young women” and that Masterson, the Church of Scientology and Scientology leader David Miscavige “conspired to and systemically stalked, harassed, invaded their family’s privacy, and intentionally caused them emotional distress to silence and intimidate them.”
In the Wednesday ruling, L.A. County Superior Court Judge Steven Kleifield said that because the plaintiffs “signed lifelong agreements to be bound to arbitrate any and all claims against Scientology” by a panel of Scientologists “in good standing with the Mother Church,” they had to...
The 2019 lawsuit — filed by Masterson’s ex-girlfriend Chrissie Bixler and her husband Cedric Bixler-Zavala, Marie Bobette Riales and two anonymous Jane Does — said there was a “conspiracy to cover up that Daniel Masterson sexually assaulted four young women” and that Masterson, the Church of Scientology and Scientology leader David Miscavige “conspired to and systemically stalked, harassed, invaded their family’s privacy, and intentionally caused them emotional distress to silence and intimidate them.”
In the Wednesday ruling, L.A. County Superior Court Judge Steven Kleifield said that because the plaintiffs “signed lifelong agreements to be bound to arbitrate any and all claims against Scientology” by a panel of Scientologists “in good standing with the Mother Church,” they had to...
- 1/2/2021
- by J. Clara Chan
- The Wrap
A judge has ruled that stalking and intimidation cases brought by four women against actor Danny Masterson must be mediated by the Church of Scientology.
On Wednesday, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Steven Kleifield ruled that the civil complaints must be settled by the Church of Scientology in “religious arbitration” because an arbitration agreement already exists that compels any disputes to be handled in that manner.
That means harassment complaints from Chrissie Carnell Bixler, her husband, musician Cedric Bixler-Zavala, and two Jane Does are now back in the Church’s hands. The judge did not rule on a similar complaint by Marie Bobette Riales , who was not a Church of Scientology member and did not have an arbitration agreement.
Masterson is scheduled for arraignment on three charges of rape between 2001 and 2003 on Jan. 6. That criminal case is still moving forward, but could be postponed by courts that are struggling...
On Wednesday, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Steven Kleifield ruled that the civil complaints must be settled by the Church of Scientology in “religious arbitration” because an arbitration agreement already exists that compels any disputes to be handled in that manner.
That means harassment complaints from Chrissie Carnell Bixler, her husband, musician Cedric Bixler-Zavala, and two Jane Does are now back in the Church’s hands. The judge did not rule on a similar complaint by Marie Bobette Riales , who was not a Church of Scientology member and did not have an arbitration agreement.
Masterson is scheduled for arraignment on three charges of rape between 2001 and 2003 on Jan. 6. That criminal case is still moving forward, but could be postponed by courts that are struggling...
- 1/1/2021
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
The stalking and intimidation cases brought by four women who have accused TV actor Danny Masterson of rape must now go through mediation within the Church of Scientology, a Los Angeles judge ruled Wednesday.
The ruling comes just days before Masterson’s scheduled arraignment on three charges of rape between 2001 and 2003. In early November, that hearing was set for Jan 6.
On Wednesday, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Steven Kleifield ruled that the harassment complaint from Chrissie Carnell Bixler, her husband, musician Cedric Bixler-Zavala, Marie Bobette Riales and two Jane Does must be settled by the Church in “religious arbitration,” since an arbitration agreement already exists among the parties that compels disputes to be handled by the Church of Scientology.
The August 2019 suit alleged the plaintiffs had been stalked and intimidated by the church’s agents after going to the police to report the allegations. Carnell Bixler has alleged that...
The ruling comes just days before Masterson’s scheduled arraignment on three charges of rape between 2001 and 2003. In early November, that hearing was set for Jan 6.
On Wednesday, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Steven Kleifield ruled that the harassment complaint from Chrissie Carnell Bixler, her husband, musician Cedric Bixler-Zavala, Marie Bobette Riales and two Jane Does must be settled by the Church in “religious arbitration,” since an arbitration agreement already exists among the parties that compels disputes to be handled by the Church of Scientology.
The August 2019 suit alleged the plaintiffs had been stalked and intimidated by the church’s agents after going to the police to report the allegations. Carnell Bixler has alleged that...
- 1/1/2021
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety Film + TV
Danny Masterson, the former “That ’70s Show” star, was charged on Wednesday with forcibly raping three women in 2001 and 2003. Though the LAPD confirmed in 2017 that it was investigating Masterson based on accusations of sexual assault, two of the women’s accounts were also featured in the finale of Leah Remini’s A&e show, “Scientology and the Aftermath,” last year.
Now, the criminal case comes alongside a civil lawsuit that four women have filed against Masterson and the Church of Scientology. Here’s a breakdown of what we know so far:
What are the charges?
The Los Angeles District Attorney’s office has charged Masterson with three counts of forcible rape. The charges stem from three incidents occurring in 2001 and 2003 with three different women. If convicted, Masterson faces a maximum sentence of 45 years to life in prison.
Masterson is accused of raping a 23-year-old woman between January and December 2001, a...
Now, the criminal case comes alongside a civil lawsuit that four women have filed against Masterson and the Church of Scientology. Here’s a breakdown of what we know so far:
What are the charges?
The Los Angeles District Attorney’s office has charged Masterson with three counts of forcible rape. The charges stem from three incidents occurring in 2001 and 2003 with three different women. If convicted, Masterson faces a maximum sentence of 45 years to life in prison.
Masterson is accused of raping a 23-year-old woman between January and December 2001, a...
- 6/19/2020
- by J. Clara Chan
- The Wrap
Danny Masterson and Church of Scientology Accused of Stalking and Invasion of Privacy in New Lawsuit
In a new lawsuit filed Wednesday, four women who previously accused actor Danny Masterson of sexual assault said that Masterson, the Church of Scientology, and Scientology leader David Miscavige stalked them, invaded their privacy and conspired to obstruct justice.
Among the plaintiffs are Chrissie Carnell Bixler and Marie Riales, both of whom previously dated Masterson, two women identified as Jane Does, and Bixler’s husband, Cedric Bixler-Zavala.
The suit says the four women came to know Masterson through Scientology. It accuses Masterson, Miscavige and the group of engaging in a campaign of harassment and intimidation in order to compel the plaintiffs to drop their accusations against Masterson. Among other accusations, the suit says that Bixler and one of the Jane Does were confronted by a member of the church at a sexual violence prevention event, that Bixler was run off the road by a car that had been following her,...
Among the plaintiffs are Chrissie Carnell Bixler and Marie Riales, both of whom previously dated Masterson, two women identified as Jane Does, and Bixler’s husband, Cedric Bixler-Zavala.
The suit says the four women came to know Masterson through Scientology. It accuses Masterson, Miscavige and the group of engaging in a campaign of harassment and intimidation in order to compel the plaintiffs to drop their accusations against Masterson. Among other accusations, the suit says that Bixler and one of the Jane Does were confronted by a member of the church at a sexual violence prevention event, that Bixler was run off the road by a car that had been following her,...
- 8/15/2019
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
A reunion of The Mars Volta is in the cards, according to band member Cedric Bixler-Zavala. After a fan tweeted, “I dream of you guys giving Tmv a new chapter,” Bixler-Zavala replied, “It’s happening.”
The musician followed up the confirmation with more details in a tweet that has since been deleted, suggesting that the band is writing new music and has plans to tour. While there is no word on when any of this might emerge, it sounds like Bixler-Zavala and bandmate Omar Rodríguez-López will be back.
“What it...
The musician followed up the confirmation with more details in a tweet that has since been deleted, suggesting that the band is writing new music and has plans to tour. While there is no word on when any of this might emerge, it sounds like Bixler-Zavala and bandmate Omar Rodríguez-López will be back.
“What it...
- 5/28/2019
- by Emily Zemler
- Rollingstone.com
While several books have explored the fertile 1990s indie rock scene, precious few documentaries truly capture the period’s excitement. “Brainiac: Transmissions After Zero,” which premiered at SXSW and which will have its New York premiere Friday, offers a notable peek into the era via the lens of this arty Dayton, Ohio-based band that reached the top of the underground before tragedy touched the band due to a car accident which took the life of the act’s charismatic lead singer, Tim Taylor, just before the band were set to sign with a major label.
“Transmissions After Zero,” directed by Brooklyn-based filmmaker Eric Mahoney — and with funding help from fellow Ohioan Trent Reznor and actor Mark Hammill — chronicles Brainiac’s unlikely rise and subsequent fall with intelligence and humor. Chronicling the saga of a band who almost made it big turns out to be as necessary as documenting the ones...
“Transmissions After Zero,” directed by Brooklyn-based filmmaker Eric Mahoney — and with funding help from fellow Ohioan Trent Reznor and actor Mark Hammill — chronicles Brainiac’s unlikely rise and subsequent fall with intelligence and humor. Chronicling the saga of a band who almost made it big turns out to be as necessary as documenting the ones...
- 4/10/2019
- by Charlie Amter
- Variety Film + TV
Hours after Beto O’Rourke lost his midterm Texas Senate race to Republican incumbent Ted Cruz, At the Drive-In frontman Cedric Bixler-Zavala — the Democrat’s former bandmate in El Paso punk band Foss — urged the politician to push forward and pursue loftier goals. “I don’t care if [you] lost,” Zavala tweeted Tuesday night after O’Rourke’s narrow defeat. “You made them tremble with the simple prospect of real change. You are one of us. I have nothing but respect and admiration for you. I’m in tears. I can...
- 11/7/2018
- by Ryan Reed
- Rollingstone.com
Beto O’Rourke showcased his air-drum skills following his debate with Ted Cruz as the Democratic senatorial candidate rocked out to the Who’s “Baba O’Riley” while waiting in a Whataburger drive-thru line.
Icymi: Beto O’Rourke went to Whataburger after the Ted Cruz debate last night and played the airdrums to Baba O’Riley pic.twitter.com/XimtqmikNj
— Alex Thomas (@AlexThomasDC) September 22, 2018
“This may be the best song ever written,” O’Rourke proclaimed of the Who’s Next classic. The impromptu air-drumming was part of a 45-minute live-streamed...
Icymi: Beto O’Rourke went to Whataburger after the Ted Cruz debate last night and played the airdrums to Baba O’Riley pic.twitter.com/XimtqmikNj
— Alex Thomas (@AlexThomasDC) September 22, 2018
“This may be the best song ever written,” O’Rourke proclaimed of the Who’s Next classic. The impromptu air-drumming was part of a 45-minute live-streamed...
- 9/22/2018
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
At his annual 4th of July Picnic near Austin earlier this summer, Willie Nelson welcomed Texas Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke onstage to join him on guitar for set-closing renditions of “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die” and “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.” There’s a good chance that the country icon and galvanizing Democratic politician will re-create the moment later this month when Nelson headlines a concert and rally for O’Rourke in Austin.
While Nelson has performed for politicians in the past — most famously for...
While Nelson has performed for politicians in the past — most famously for...
- 9/12/2018
- by Joseph Hudak
- Rollingstone.com
Texas congressman and Senate hopeful Beto O’Rourke visited Ellen for Wednesday’s episode, with the former punk rock bassist discussing his Election Day battle against Ted Cruz, his stance on the NFL players’ anthem protests and Donald Trump’s upcoming trip to Texas, where the president will voice his support for his frequent punching bag Cruz.
“First of all, we welcome the president to Texas and we are glad that he’s coming,” O’Rourke told Ellen DeGeneres. “Texas is the most diverse state in the country. It’s...
“First of all, we welcome the president to Texas and we are glad that he’s coming,” O’Rourke told Ellen DeGeneres. “Texas is the most diverse state in the country. It’s...
- 9/5/2018
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
It is a well-established fact that as a high schooler in El Paso, Texas, Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-tx) was in a band, Foss — ::pauses to take giant bong rip:: It’s Icelandic for ‘waterfall’ — with Cedric Bixler-Zavala, who would go on to considerable fame fronting the Mars Volta and At the Drive-In. On Tuesday, the @TexasGOP Twitter account tweeted what it believed was a sick burn of O’Rourke about his pre-political days.
Maybe Beto can’t debate Ted Cruz because he already had plans… pic.twitter.com/LdqKTh...
Maybe Beto can’t debate Ted Cruz because he already had plans… pic.twitter.com/LdqKTh...
- 8/30/2018
- by Tessa Stuart
- Rollingstone.com
Another entrant in the recent-reunion phenomenon: The members of At the Drive-In are coming back with new music and live shows in 2016. The hard-rock band from El Paso teased the announcement across its social-media accounts earlier in the week, and have tipped Fuse off that this year's material could potentially go toward its first fresh studio album since 2000's Relationship of Command. "Fifteen years ago, [our ambition] was, Man, this shit sounds cool, let's make a record and go on tour," guitarist Omar Rodríguez-López told Fuse on Thursday, noting he and his bandmates have been sharing partially and fully formed songs with each other again. "That's our motivation now, too."The inventive quintet (Rodríguez-López, Jim Ward, Cedric Bixler-Zavala, Paul Hinojos, and Tony Hajjar) took a prolonged, differences-and-exhaustion-fueled hiatus in the ’00s — fracturing into nearly half-a-dozen other projects including the Mars Volta, Sparta, Bosnian Rainbows, and Antemasque — before reuniting briefly in...
- 1/22/2016
- by Sean Fitz-Gerald
- Vulture
Despite what Vulture's Stoner Week package may suggest, pot doesn't work for everyone. So, as a kind of counterbalance, we spoke to singer-guitarist Cedric Bixler-Zavala. As the front man for the Mars Volta and At the Drive-In, Bixler-Zavala had a hand in some very successful, extremely stoner-friendly rock, full of hallucinatory lyrics and dense and intense song structures. (Here's a whiff.) Since leaving the Mars Volta and forming a new band called Zavalaz, the California native's music has gotten even more complex and layered — at the same time as its creator has gone from massive pothead to nonsmoker. Here, Bixler-Zavala explains why he gave up pot. (As told to Corban Goble.)I was a total monster. I was spending $1,000 a week on weed, and everyone I was in the band with at the time smoked as much as I did. There's so much stupid behavior caused by weed, but I...
- 6/30/2015
- by Cedric Bixler-Zavala
- Vulture
We're back with another installment of Radio 66.6! This week features the latest news, music, videos and tour dates from the likes of Alice Cooper, Linkin Park, The Mars Volta, Aerosmith, Opeth, The Black Dahlia Murder, Unearth, Whitechapel, In Flames, Hawthorne Heights, Misfits, Gwar and more. Don't touch that dial.
News
In honor of their late singer Dave "Oderus Urungus" Brockie, the members of Gwar have created The Dave Brockie Foundation, a charity to promote the advancement of the arts.
Alice Cooper's "doc opera," Super Duper Alice Cooper, will hit theaters nationwide beginning April 30th. Find a theater near you and watch the trailer here.
Linkin Park will release their new album, The Hunting Party, on June 17.
Opeth have announced their eleventh studio album, Pale Communion. It will be released on June 17 via Roadrunner Records.
The remaining members of As I Lay Dying have teamed up with vocalist Shane Blay (formerly of Oh,...
News
In honor of their late singer Dave "Oderus Urungus" Brockie, the members of Gwar have created The Dave Brockie Foundation, a charity to promote the advancement of the arts.
Alice Cooper's "doc opera," Super Duper Alice Cooper, will hit theaters nationwide beginning April 30th. Find a theater near you and watch the trailer here.
Linkin Park will release their new album, The Hunting Party, on June 17.
Opeth have announced their eleventh studio album, Pale Communion. It will be released on June 17 via Roadrunner Records.
The remaining members of As I Lay Dying have teamed up with vocalist Shane Blay (formerly of Oh,...
- 4/15/2014
- by Alex DiVincenzo
- DreadCentral.com
Meet your newest rock "supergroup." Now-defunct prog-rockers The Mars Volta and Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea surprised their respective fans on Wednesday by not only announcing the formation of a new joint collaboration entitled Antemasque but releasing the band's first track, a punk-styled ditty entitled "4Am": In addition to Flea - who played bass on The Mars Volta's debut album as well as trumpet on their 2005 follow-up "Frances the Mute" - Antemasque consists of Mars Volta frontman Cedric Bixler-Zavala, guitarist Omar Alfredo Rodríguez-López and drummer Dave Elitch, who toured with the group from 2009-2010. In addition to the song, you can check out rehearsal footage for "4Am" below, in which Flea takes a moment to show off his butterfly-adorned bass designed by renowned British artist Damien Hirst. So is this a real thing? Flea himself doesn't seem convinced, with the musician tweeting earlier today: Woke to find...
- 4/9/2014
- by Chris Eggertsen
- Hitfix
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Forming just over a year ago, though not becoming fully formed until earlier this year, Calling Apollo are a five piece progressive rock band based around South Wales. Mind you, that’s progressive rock in very much the modern sense of the term, and their sound encapsulates a little more than that in itself anyway. As stated the five piece became a fully formed five earlier this year, and have just released the debut Ep they’ve been working toward since then.
Though currently unsigned, and very much a rarity on the live circuit at the moment, it’s clear from the five tracks on display here that the band have been very much focussing on honing their craft first and foremost. Something that becomes pretty much abundantly clear with the first track Youth in Motion as it slowly builds from a subtly swirling atmosphere and...
Forming just over a year ago, though not becoming fully formed until earlier this year, Calling Apollo are a five piece progressive rock band based around South Wales. Mind you, that’s progressive rock in very much the modern sense of the term, and their sound encapsulates a little more than that in itself anyway. As stated the five piece became a fully formed five earlier this year, and have just released the debut Ep they’ve been working toward since then.
Though currently unsigned, and very much a rarity on the live circuit at the moment, it’s clear from the five tracks on display here that the band have been very much focussing on honing their craft first and foremost. Something that becomes pretty much abundantly clear with the first track Youth in Motion as it slowly builds from a subtly swirling atmosphere and...
- 12/4/2013
- by Morgan Roberts
- Obsessed with Film
The Mars Volta have split up. Vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala announced the break-up on Twitter, seeming to blame the group's end on bandmate Omar Rodríguez-López's involvement with side project Bosnian Rainbows. Bixler-Zavala formed progressive rock band The Mars Volta with Rodríguez-López in 2001 following the end of their previous band At the Drive-In. "I can't sit here and pretend any more. I no longer am a member of Mars Volta," Bixler-Zavala tweeted. "Thank u 2 all Volta fans u deserved more especially after the way u rooted for us on this album. I tried my hardest to keep it going. But Bosnian Rainbows was what we all got instead." The Mars Volta released their sixth studio album Noctourniquet in March 2012, before going on a hiatus in September. Bixler-Zavala added: "For the record (more)...
- 1/24/2013
- by By Tom Eames
- Digital Spy
The Mars Volta's sixth and probably final LP, Noctourniquet, dropped in March 2012. In lieu of a corresponding tour, there was talk of a hiatus. Now it's officially over, per vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala, who broke off from At the Drive In with Omar Rodríguez-López in 2001 to form the psych-prog-jazz-hardcore-math-etc.-rock group. "I can't sit here and pretend any more. I no longer am a member of Mars Volta," Bixler-Zavala tweets. "Thank u 2 all Volta fans u deserved more especially after the way u rooted for us on this album. I tried my hardest to keep it going. But Bosnian Rainbows was what we all got instead." (Bosnian Rainbows is the latest musical venture for the brain-smashingly prolific Rodríguez-López, incidentally the Lennon to Bixler-Zavala's McCartney, or vice-versa.) "For the record I tried my hardest to get a full scale North American tour going for Noctourniquet but Omar did not want...
- 1/24/2013
- by Zach Dionne
- Vulture
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