Fenix TX's Homage To Prince Gets Them A Cease-And-Desist Letter
11.03.2005 5:59 PM EST

Band ordered to alter album art featuring musician's symbol merged with a Slayer logo.
Fenix TX
Photo: MCA

This week, a cease-and-desist letter from Prince's attorneys was delivered to the management offices of the reunited, Houston-based punk outfit Fenix TX. The letter may transform the band's forthcoming live album, Purple Reign in Blood, into




"It was just our way of trying to let people in on what kind of music we like." — Fenix TX's Willie Salazar



an unintended collectors' item.

It seems the singer is not pleased with the band's use of the androgynous and unpronounceable glyph that has long served as the artist's symbol — and, for a time, his name. He may be even less pleased that the symbol has been merged with the pentagram-like Slayer logo that graced the cover of the metal band's classic 1986 LP, Reign in Blood. Either way, Fenix TX needs to come up with an alternate cover for Purple Reign in Blood.

Frontman Willie Salazar said the letter arrived after 30,000 copies of the album were pressed, printed and loaded onto trucks that then began lumbering toward the nation's music retailers. Thus, when Purple Reign in Blood hits stores on November 8, it will still feature the artwork that peeved Prince's camp.

"We're trying to play nice, and it was just our way of trying to let people in on what kind of music we like, and the range between Prince and Slayer," Salazar said. "We were surprised — but then again, we're no strangers to cease and desist orders."

Salazar is referring to the band's original name, Riverfenix. Although actor River Phoenix had died two years before the band formed in 1995, that didn't stop Phoenix's estate from threatening legal action against the group.

Fenix TX had split up back in 2002, but regrouped this summer for a single gig, which they'd planned on recording and releasing in the form of Purple Reign. That one show rekindled the band's desire to play together, and led to the band's current reunion tour, which runs through December 4 in Chicago. Salazar said the band is even open to the idea of recording and releasing a new studio album, which could surface in 2006. But first, they've got a legal matter to address.

"It kind of made perfect sense to us to use the symbol, and it was almost like we were just letting him know we really liked his music," the singer said with seeming innocence. "He's a musician we grew up with."

A representative for Prince had no comment on the matter.

I was wondering how long it would take. Not long.

Didn't they realize (knowing the way Prince is) that he wouldnt let this fly?

What label are they with? I bet WB is behind all this...Purple Reign