Like many bands of yesteryear, the Scottish rockers Big Country, makers of the 1983 hit "In A Big Country," have splintered into various units on the touring circuit over the years. Also like many of those bands, they're now fighting about who gets to use the band name.
Guitarist Bruce Watson had been touring under the Big Country banner until early this year, when he switched the name to Big Country Redux. He explained that the change was in honor of the 25th anniversary of frontman Stuart Adamson's death, which is also set to be marked by the launch of an Adamson biography called Stay Alive and a new Big Country website devoted to Adamson's memory:
Stuart’s words, music, and presence were at the very heart of Big Country. Without him, it can never truly be what it once was. Big Country Redux allows us to acknowledge that, while still performing the music we created as Big Country. It brings clarity, draws a line under recent uncertainty, and it is the right thing to do at this stage.
Drummer Mark Brzezicki has historically toured under the name From Big Country, but on last year's Lost '80s Live package tour, he was billed simply as Big Country. The tour is coming back this year, and his band is set to perform as Big Country again. His surviving Big Country bandmates are not having that. A new statement attributed to Watson, Tony Butler, and Adamson's Estate asserts that they do not authorize, consent to, or endorse Brzezicki's use of the band name:
The Stuart Adamson Estate, together with original members Tony Butler and Bruce Watson, do not authorise, consent to, or endorse any use of the name
“Big Country” by Mark Brzezicki.While we have previously supported Mark’s touring project From Big Country, his intention to use the original band name for upcoming tour dates is not agreed upon and is being undertaken without approval.
We have made repeated efforts to resolve this matter both privately and professionally. Regrettably, those efforts have not been successful.
We remain committed to protecting the legacy, reputation and intellectual property associated with Big Country and will take all appropriate steps necessary to do so.
We thank fans for their continued understanding and support.Stuart Adamson Estate
Tony Butler
Bruce Watson
Your move, Brzezicki.
