"Tormented" was released in 1994 on Long Island Records, your ex Unruly Child band mate Bruce Gowdy has said some things in a recent interview about his songs being used without his permission and the fact that he was never paid for his contribution. Is this something you were aware of and if so would you care to offer your side of the story?

First of all, it is very unfortunate that Bruce doesn't have the courage to deal with me face to face, and feels his only recourse is to attack me in the media.

Secondly, I am not aware of what Bruce's comments were, or what his allegations were regarding this matter...but since you brought this up.... feel obliged to do what I do best. Tell the truth. So, for the record... Bruce was fully aware from the very beginning that I intended to release those songs as a Marcie Free solo album, and I had his blessings.

Most of those songs were the demo's we did after the failure of Unruly Child, and were just sitting around collecting dust; because after I came out with my gender identity issue, he and I and everyone else in the band went searching for the nearest lifeboat, and knew that they had little or no chance of ever being released legitimately. (By that I mean a major US label release). That being said, months after the disbandment of Unruly Child/12 Pound Sledge, was starting to receive offers from a German record company, for doing a solo deal as Marcie Free - and they would be willing to accept anything wanted to release to them. I then presented the idea to Bruce that would release those songs as a Marcie Free solo album, and he agreed that as long as paid him 20% of the advance money, he would be happy and willing to go along with it. After I had hired a lawyer, and negotiated with this company for four months, they decided at the very last minute, not to go through with the deal. I was quickly reaching the end of my rope. I decided that / was done with the music business, and, after receiving an offer to come home from my brother, I left LA and moved home permanently to be with my family. A month later, I got a call from Khalil Turk, a friend who lives in the UK, who guaranteed me he could land a deal with these songs through his connections with Long Island - but to expect considerably less advance money than I had previously been asking for. Being unemployed, and in a disastrous financial state, I agreed to have him represent me, and present the offer to Long Island.

About a month and a half later, on 20/11/95 / received a wire transfer for the advance money we had agreed on. Needless to say, that money went out as quickly as it came in. Shortly thereafter, I received an employment opportunity with a mortgage company, and worked and saved my money until I finally had a surplus large enough to pay both Bruce and Guy Allison. Although I had no agreement with Guy, I felt his input in the creation of those songs, and for being a good friend through-out the years should not go unrewarded. On 11/12/97, Bruce Gowdy received a cheque from me for 22% of the advance money I had from Long Island. Guy Allison received a cheque from me for 7.5% of those same advance monies. I was left with a gross of 70%, out of which taxes and legal fees were paid. Let me say this - shortly after the release of the "Tormented" album, Long Island went out of business. To this day I have not received one penny in addition to the advance money I initially received. Where is all the money from the sales of those records going? Not to me that's for sure!!!

I realise Bruce feels he was treated unfairly by me, but as I explained, he was paid in accordance with our original agreement. I cannot help the fact that the advance money was not as large as we initially anticipated. Nor would it have made any financial sense for me to attempt to pay everyone else involved in the making of that record. The poultry amount! would have been able to offer them would have been an insult to their hard work and superb talent. The problem is (and I have found out the hard way!) so many of these so called 'record companies' throughout Europe and Japan are nothing but a big SHAM who entice artists with a following to sign with them only to sell tons of their product and turn round and either not pay the artist, or go out of business.

I do feel very badly about how Bruce's and my relationship has ended up. I tried contacting him to make amends but he hung up on me the last time I phoned him. I absolutely HATE having to air our dirty laundry in public like this.

This is precisely the kind of SHIT that makes me glad I will never record another album as long as I live.