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Scott Stapp disputes 311's account of bar brawl

Former Creed frontman Scott Stapp has responded to 311 's account of his recent Thanksgiving-day melee with the group, which 311 claimed the singer started.

"This is a very unfortunate situation; however, there are two sides to every story," Stapp said in a statement issued Wednesday (12/7). "I was at the hotel celebrating Thanksgiving and my engagement with my new fiancee when the fight started. As the Associated Press reported and confirmed, I did not instigate this altercation," stated Scott Stapp.

The Associated Press report Stapp referred to in his statement quoted a man identified as Jonathan Jordan, director of security at the Maryland hotel where the incident took place, as saying that the fight "was definitely started by 311."

Stapp's tour manager, Rob Kern, is quoted in Stapp's statement as saying that Kern "spoke with the front desk of the hotel and they confirmed that Scott was not at fault."

Last week, 311 issued a statement in which it alleged that several group members were relaxing in the hotel's lounge when Stapp, whom the group said "appeared intoxicated," entered the bar and, shortly thereafter, touched off the melee.

"We stand by our initial statement 100%," 311's Chad Sexton said in a message posted Wednesday (12/7) night at his group's website. "With complete certainty, I can tell you that Scott Stapp was acting totally belligerent, he smashed a shot glass on the bar, he got into an argument with patrons at the bar, he made a disrespectful remark to [311 band member] SA's wife and he threw the first punch which started the fight.

"Scott can say whatever he wants," Sexton continued, "but that's what happened."