Major threat indeed
So it looks like Nike with its bazillion dollar marketing budget decided they should just go ahead and steal some old album art work from the band Minor Threat to promote a skateboarding tour they are sponsoring. The irony of this situation is unbeatable. Ian MacKaye (front man for Minor Threat and Fugazi,
| as well as lesser known Embrace) has always promoted anti-establishment ideals. Even though both Minor Threat and Fugazi gained enormous underground popularity, the bands always refused to sign on with big labels. I remember when Fugazi was still touring, their shows never cost more than $5 and their albums were always priced considerably lower than even their Indie counterparts. Needles to say, MacKay is pretty pissed off, and rightfully so. I hope that they sue the hell out of Nike and get a chunk of cash. |
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Speaking of, Tom Waits has had a few issues that I might compare to this. He has been approached on a number of occasions to use his distinct and highly recognizable voice for advertising, which he has always refused. Waits says, “Commercials are an unnatural use of my work. It’s like having a cow’s udder sewn to the side of my face. Painful and humiliating.” Waits has gone to court on more than one occasion to defend his stance on the issue. Hopefully MacKaye and his record company Dischord will have as much luck.
Carly said,
June 30, 2005 @ 12:02 am
I couldn’t agree more. I know it’s not exactly the same, but I am reminded of Michael Jackson allowing Nike to use “Revolution” in one of their ad campaigns. Just the idea of doing such a thing goes against everything that song stood for.
I understand large amounts of money can be made by selling rights to advertising companies, but nothing bothers me more than hearing one of my favorite songs on a Pontiac commercial. I LOVE Razorlight, but I fear I will soon be tired of hearing their music now that they have been associated with a commercial.
post-script: I love this new blog. My work has disabled MySpace, but now it’s okay because I can still read your fantastic blogs…yea!
Chipmonkey said,
July 1, 2005 @ 2:38 pm
Thanks girl! I am glad you get to come around
I figured it was only a matter of time before employers started realizing their employees were spending endless hours on MySpace and in turn blocking it.
badresa said,
July 3, 2005 @ 2:14 pm
Yeah, Nike published this LAME ass apology letter. and if you wrote to them in protest, they sent you like four emails pointing to the apology.
I wonder what ad exec thought this would fly? He is so fired right now.
rob said,
August 3, 2005 @ 9:59 pm
razorlight is donating all the proceeds from “Golden Touch” being played on the Pontiac commercial to “Make Poverty History”. Not a bad way to use one’s creative talents, I’d say.
Chipmonkey said,
August 4, 2005 @ 9:45 am
That is great news to hear, thanks for the info. While I am always happy for the musicians and artists I love to make some money, it does always make me a little bit sad when they get too “corporate”. I am glad that Razorlight is putting the corporate cash to good use. Big cheers to them.