For a time in 2003, there were incidents where certain people were impersonating me over the Internet; giving my music away and forming online relationships with young girls. One of these people was known as "Reece." This person was affliliated with someone named "Matt" and was friends with a girl named "Holly." I do not know that anybody besides "Reece" was involved for certain in this. Not certain enough that I can state publicly. I tried to out the truth about the whole matter, but the level of deception on the parts of these people (person?) grew too tangled for me to continue wrestling with.

Regardless, you should be warned that there has, in the past, been cases of people claiming to be -- "the wreckingboy" -- over AOL Instant Messenger, and in online correspondence and using trust gained under that name. They do not, however, have either the "wreckingboy[[at]]wreckingboy[[dot]]com" email address, nor actually use "the WRECKINGBOY" AIM screen name. But I'm sure they would give you an excuse for why they weren't or couldn't.

This is for the record: My name is Joaquín Ramon Herrera. That is NOT a psuedonym. I am also known as "the WRECKINGBOY." My name is not "Reece," I do not know any "Reece," and if you have been told anything to the contrary, please email me immediately. I'll clear it up for you! (I use NO other email. Send only to this one. If "the WRECKINGBOY" you have been interacting with gives you any non -"@wreckingboy.com" addy, there is your first clue. I also use no other IM as "wreckingboy" and if I do, I will change this notice to reflect that.)

Upon being threatened with litigation, the involved parties promptly responded by removing all stolen images from their website and blog. Yet, it seems that people still cannot come clean, completely. I have heard accounts of one of these people lying to their friends about what happened. One of them (and I withhold her name out of pure undeserved respect) told everyone to refuse any email from "wreckingboy," (thus stopping me from telling them the truth), that I was some mad hacker who spreads viruses, etc. (I own a mac, and don't even have any viruses to spread!) This resulted in a huge amount of suspicion being turned toward me. Consequently, I am now the enemy of some people who listen to my music on a regular basis! They treat me with hostility, as if I am the fake. When I tried to tell them the truth of what was happening, then they hung up on me and went back to playing my songs!

Enough time has passed, finally, that it makes me laugh now. But it really infuriated and disgusted me for a while. I hate to think of someone using my name to hurt or manipulate others. I like to do all that stuff myself!

Ways to tell this person from me is:

1. I use a much wider vocabulary. This imposter used typical 15 year old lingo and Internet/text messaging abbreviations (e.g, "ur" (your), "neway" (anyway), "LOL," "ROFL," etc). I do not prefer to use these types of slang, although I do use others. The imposter has a manic, hurried, adolescent vibe. I speak articulately and carefully. Unless I'm dead drunk, in which case I talk just like George W. Bush.

There can really be no mistaking us, once you have read the content on this site. I wrote it all. This imposter could not write a B paper for a tenth grade teacher.

2. This person cannot access the wreckingboy .@. wreckingboy.com email. If you have been interacting with me and are really worried, send me an email there, I can confirm if I have been speaking to you.

3. "the WRECKINGBOY" IM name remains mine and mine only.

To my knowledge, this activity began in the Michigan area. However, if and where it is still going on, I do not know. I had to walk away from it. There was nothing more I could do. Please, if you have either observed something like I've described above, or if you have been interacting with me (the WRECKINGBOY) and have any doubt as to my authenticity, email me now. Thank you.

EDIT: This whole episode seems to be dormant since 2003, so I think we can lower our guard to Green. Everything's cool. Only in NYC do we remain on code Yellow as a matter of course.

EDIT #2, Nov 7, 2006— Nor do I have anything to do with this person, who seems to enjoy both my name, and chess.

Adios.

To hear the song Imposter Child, as well as many other succulent WRECKINGBOY musical concoctions, please visit the infamous site immediately.