Concluding (I hope!) the Brown Whörnet vs. Zulu as Kono battle, here’s a letter from the prodigal son himself, Tyler Harwood:
“Sorry so long to reply! I have been away. These rumors are all very saddening. I will shower you with truths: 1.) I am indeed leaving Austin. I have joined the National Guard in this time of crisis, and will be stationed in an undisclosed location. I am seeing it as an opportunity to do something to get myself out of the destructive rock & roll environment that I have been immersed in for the last 10 years, and also a great thing to do for my country. 2.) Brown Whörnet will continue to play, but on the condition that the elements of Satanism and debauchery be removed from our music. We have all agreed this is for the better. Zulu as Kono and the Peenbeets did not share my views, and so I have refused my services to them. Brown Whörnet has also released a new album entitled The Secret, which is the first product of our new positive direction. The title hints at the truth that has been boiling in our hearts the last year or so, while we temporarily continued to fill our obligations as Austin’s premier “funky-punk” band. 3.) Peter [Stopschinski] and I have been working on a new act, but it is called Saxon Honey, not “Sax & Money.” It’s a musical throwback to a more simple, romantic time. It will feature some members of Brown Whörnet as the backing band, but they’re hardly losers as Josh [Chalmers] has stated. They can express their sexuality in a non-violent way, unlike him and his cohorts. I hope this has clarified some things, and the rumors can now be stopped. Please forgive Peter and Josh. They both get a little hot-headed sometimes, and it’s true they’ve been in the dark about my reasons for leaving town, which explains the crazy stories they told.
Thanks, and goodbye for now,
Tyler Harwood”
This article appears in April 19 • 2002.