I play guitar in the Meat Puppets, and I'm writing in response to Joshua Westlund's ill-researched article "Fresh Meat for Rotting Puppets" (June 2). Joshua, or Jerkua, as I have come to know him, has done a disservice to your paper and music fans. His condescending, misinformed writing failed to tell the real story behind the new members of the band, which does not include white trash "Ugly Kid Joe wannabes."

Here are some facts about the new band members: I formed Pariah (not a "snotty hair band," Jerkua) in 1986 with my brother Sims Ellison on bass and current bandmate Shandon Sahm, son of legend Doug Sahm of the Sir Douglas Quintet and the Texas Tornadoes--giving Shandon a musical history I doubt Jerkua is aware of. Sadly, the band broke up after Sims took his own life on June 6, 1995. The Sims Foundation was formed in his honor, offering mental-health care to musicians. The foundation has offered to help over 200 people this year, including Curt's brother Cris.

I joined the original Meat Puppets on the "No Joke" tour, which included Minnesota--at the Target Center with Oasis. Then I toured with the Butthole Surfers (still no connection to Ugly Kid Joe).

Then there's Joshua the Blowhard Bubba, whose job should be to fill a music news hole with well-researched, insightful journalism, not desperate drivel. The Meat Puppets' new sound is exciting, and our ability to turn tragedy into soulful, psychedelic sound should jolt the jerk out of even the most jaded writers.

Kyle Ellison
Austin, Texas