The Dave Matthews Band have responded to that previously reported story regarding their tour bus, a septic tank full of human waste and one hundred tourists on a boat. As you may recall, said tourists were covered in the contents of the septic tank on the Dave Matthews Band's tour bus when the driver of the bus hit the 'empty' button as he drove over a bridge above the Chicago River.
Although the band were not on the bus at the time, and while the driver has been suspended, the story won't go away because the band is being sued by the Illinois Attorney General office. In a bid to find closure, the band have offered to make donations to organisations who work to keep the river clean and to get in touch with all 100 passengers on the boat to make personal amends.
On their website the band write: "We know we cannot erase what happened that day, but we hope by reaching out and helping now this will help demonstrate our commitment to step up if we are found to be the responsible party. As a first step, if we were the responsible party, we offer our deepest apologies to the passengers on the boat, the City of Chicago, our fans and those who have worked so hard to clean up the Chicago River."
Melissa Merz, a spokeswoman for the attorney general's office, told reporters that all parties were currently trying to negotiate a settlement, but added that the band's intention to donate money to relevant environmental groups would not affect those talks. "We certainly ... appreciate the gesture of goodwill, but legal negotiations are based on evidence and legal procedures and we have not yet reached a resolution in this case".