In the Rough

Sonance Records is suing former Saved by the Bell star Dustin Diamond; the local label has a contract with Diamond's band Salty the Pocketknife. The suit seeks $200,000 and claims Diamond agreed but failed to promote a 2004 Sonance CD during a New York City publicity tour paid for by the label.

According to the filing, "Diamond failed to wake up for scheduled radio interviews, complained about his picture not being on a billboard in Times Square, and spent almost a full afternoon auditioning for a television part that had nothing to do with the Salty CD." The actor/bassist also allegedly blew off appearances on The Tonight Show and Howard Stern's radio show.

"I had a long-term contract with them, but that was a sore disappointment," says label CEO Rick Frimmer. "[Diamond] never helped me move the product.... You can't put out a record if that band won't even play live." Diamond's recent notoriety over a sex tape and his turn on the new season of TV's Celebrity Fit Club haven't helped moved Salty CDs. "On the contrary," says Frimmer, "we haven't had a single sale of that album in two years."

Salty the Pocketknife, formed in 2001, reportedly split earlier this year. Sonance Records, based locally since 2004, still lists Salty CDs for sale on its website, with a bio showing no indication the band is defunct. Says Frimmer, "That stuff's just up there to help us sell a little product, maybe recoup some of our losses."