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Men at Work Guitarist Threatens Singer

Men at Work guitarist Ronald Strykert was taken into custody by L.A. County sheriff's deputies last Friday (February 13) after he allegedly threatened to kill the band's singer, Colin Hay (pictured).

The incident dates back to December 2007, but Strykert had apparently missed his May 2008 arraignment on the misdemeanor charge of making criminal threats. The guitarist -- who played on the band's early '80s hits 'Who Can It Be Now?,' 'Down Under' and 'It's a Mistake' -- denied making the threat and was hauled on an outstanding bench warrant.

According to L.A. Times reports on Wednesday, Strykert supposedly made the threat over the phone from his residence in Bozeman, Montana. Sheriff's officials sent Strykert a letter in April ordering him to appear in Malibu court on May 30th.

Hay reportedly told investigators that he didn't believe the guitarist would carry out the threat.

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Wayne Quinton

Saw Ron playing the other month and really nice guy. He's doing fine and has a new website; http://ronstrykert.com

Don't believe everything you read in the press.

August 25 2009 at 1:30 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Susan

The jurisdiction is where the threat was recieved, not where it was made. So if the case was filed in LA county, the threat was recieved by the victim in LA county. The article indicates that the victim was interviewed by the police, so more than likely he made the report. The fact that the victim stated he didn't believe the suspect meant to carry out the threat doesn't negate the threats charge, all that is required is evidence that the suspect intended the threat to be threatening, not a serious intent to follow through.

Probably what happened was one or more harrassing phone calls/blow-ups on the phone, and the victim went to make a report, whereupon the threat was discovered and the report was upgraded, since threats is a wobbler (can go felony or misdemeanor) and annoying phone calls are only misdemeanors.

Used to be you could threaten people with anything and it was not a crime (other than the phone call issue), until a couple decades back when some guy threatened to kill his wife. She called the local PD, was told "there's nothing we can do, that isn't a crime" and then he whacked her and four or five other people. In a church, if memory serves. That got the legislature's attention... et voila, we have stuff like...this.

February 22 2009 at 7:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
joblo

If the threat was made in Montana, why is the case in California? Who made the complaint? Have they played together since? The link to the LA Times doesn't say either. Great reporting, everyone.

February 22 2009 at 5:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
cf77777

who?

February 22 2009 at 3:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
YoFrankeee

Talk about a 'Who cares?' news item! This band, if they can even be called that, was popular 20 years ago, and except for an appearance on Scrubs a few years back, the only time you'd hear them was on an 'All 80's" radio show. Oh no. Here comes another yawn!!!

February 22 2009 at 3:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to YoFrankeee's comment
UncleBigBad

if you don't care then why did you take the time to read the story AND respond?

February 22 2009 at 3:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply