The highly controversial eighth edition in [FatCat's Split Series](https://discogs.com/label/376393) was planned for release in October 1999. Withdrawn after [[artist:Stefan Betke]] informed the label that [[artist:Pole]] tracks on the B-side were neither recorded nor authorized by him. FatCat recalled a bulk of 200 records already pressed from its distributor [[label:264555]] and radio pluggers; only 30 to 40 copies exist. POLE IMPOSTER FORCES WITHDRAWAL OF SPLIT 12" — (12FAT024; Pole v Jim Plotkin) On 26 October 1999, [[label:FatCat Records]] released a press statement written by [David Howell](https://discogs.com/artist/2433335), which stated FatCat had to temporarily withdraw the release after mailing out promo copies two weeks prior due to rumors that [[artist:Stefan Betke]] was extremely upset. Apparently, the artist never sent anything to the label, and it was "a very costly scam on both Pole and FatCat," with Howell estimating that the costs exceeded £1000. Initially, FatCat received a DAT tape from [[artist:Pole]] in August '99, with a letter that included Betke's "new e-mail address." After cutting the 'Split #8' test pressing, Dave attempted to contact Stefan via this e-mail twice and left messages on his answering machine. Subsequently, he sent TP copies directly to [HardWax](https://discogs.com/label/296851) in Berlin. Lacking any response, FatCat decided to press 200 copies and begin the initial promotion. FatCat suspected a "prank-heavy axis" of [V/Vm](https://discogs.com/label/43509), claiming that [[artist:22466]] bootlegged Pole's New York gig for one of the tracks and additionally speculating that the English translation of track titles, "Animal Hijack" and "Milking the Cow," referred to Andy McGregor's moniker [[artist:7593]]. However, Stefan Betke clarified that the music was based on a "very cheaply sampled version of his older Pole tracks, badly manipulated without a feeling or understanding of what Pole actually is." FatCat contacted [Jim](https://www.discogs.com/artist/6823124) and [Andy](https://discogs.com/artist/22466) directly, who vehemently denied any involvement. In the follow-up letter, Jim informed the label that "outside forces" had been pulling similar pranks on them, including a 7" wrongly credited to V/Vm and a prank call to a live TV talk show from someone supposedly signed to their London-based label. FatCat reiterated that Split #8 withdrawal was only temporarily: "The Pole frack has been finished and is now being sent over. The release date has been re-scheduled for early next Spring." However, the release never happened. The "replacement" [[release:13050]] (12FAT024-X) featured [[artist:Pimmon]] on the reverse, not [[artist:Pole]]. "BURNT COVER" EDITION Subsequently, FatCat Records gave away several [copies with burned sleeves](https://discogs.com/release/19283857) at the label's events — most likely, some of the recalled ~160 copies; exact quantities unknown. GOODIEPAL SPEAKS 20+ YEARS LATER On 18 August 2020, a Danish/Faroese experimental musician Kristian Vester, better known as [[artist:Goodiepal]] and currently as [[artist:(((Pruttipal)))]], released a 3-hour 'DJ Audio$var #79' episode (part of his [eponymous "Audiosvar"](https://discogs.com/artist/3910381) commentary series) on the [[label:255291]]/Lake Radio's Danish "Podcast for Samtidskunst." One of the three sections was dedicated to the "Pole imposter" controversy. The podcast episode was accompanied by the 'Text_$var #82' document — a revised version of FatCat's Oct '99 press statement. Vester, who was closely associated with [[label:V/Vm Test Records]] in the '90s, mainly under his [[artist:Mainpal Inv.]] alias, explained the Pole tracks were, indeed, based on Betke's live concert bootleg. However, it was recorded in Denmark at [xart hybrid/DATABAR](https://discogs.com/release/603285) organized by [[artist:436407]] at Copenhagen's harbor, and not in the United States. DATABAR project room hosted multiple events between November '98 and June 1999, including [[artist:19822]]'s earliest concerts, and gathered prominent European musicians; for instance, [[artist:1373]] met [[artist:15691]] for the first time at DATABAR. Some of the featured guests included [[artist:Chicks On Speed]] and [[artist:Pole]]. According to Goodiepal, Pole's concert at DATABAR was recorded on a portable device, providing source material for FatCat's "hacked" tracks. He suggested that he was responsible for the "scam," not the V/Vm duo, without explicitly admitting any guilt. The artist further established that the prank wasn't meant to disrespect Pole and instead targeted "pretentious electronic nerds" in his audience. (Goodiepal noted that he always appreciated Betke's work and enjoyed some of [[label:~scape]] releases, particularly [Joshua Clayton](https://www.discogs.com/artist/395)'s music). In February 2021, an abridged version of "DJ Audio$var #79" was re-released as [r=20478046] by [[label:Takuroku]], a web label run by [Cafe OTO](https://www.discogs.com/label/310349) in London, UK.