ROCK BAND PRODUCER ARRESTED, 'BEAT UP'

The producer of Toronto's critically acclaimed rock band Broken
Social Scene is claiming he was arrested and beaten on Thursday night
by four New York City police officers after being caught with a small
amount of marijuana, and is considering legal action, according to an
American indie music website.

The article, published yesterday on http://www.pitchforkmedia.com,
alleges that producer Dave Newfeld was "ambushed" after he and
another man purchased $20 worth of marijuana in Washington Square.
The skirmish left Newfeld with two black eyes and two cracked ribs.

Heidi Kronhert, publicity director for Arts and Crafts Productions,
the band's record label, confirmed the report.

His attackers "started punching me in the face and beating the s--t
out of me and throwing me on the ground ..." Newfeld was quoted on
the website. "They threatened to break my hand and I'm like, 'No,
don't break my hand! I'm a musician.'"

While recovering in hospital, he was informed that he'd been charged
with four counts of assaulting an officer.

The scuffle happened just moments before the band took to the stage
at the Intonation music festival. Lead singer Kevin Drew shared news
of the clash with the audience and announced that the band was "suing
the cops of New York City."

Kronhert says Newfeld is consulting his lawyers but that no legal
action has been set in motion. The New York City Police Department
didn't answer the Star's request for a confirmation of the assault
charges as of late yesterday afternoon.

A band member who asked to go unnamed said yesterday that Newfeld,
back in Canada, is rattled by the confrontation.

"Dave is emotionally, physically and mentally beat up," said the
source. "It's unbelievable and it's horrible."