‘Cease and Desist': R.E.M. Blasts Trump for Using ‘It’s the End of the World’

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

Source: Mediaite



When Donald Trump took the stage to deliver a short stump speech at today’s anti-Iran deal rally in Washington, D.C., he did so to blaring sound of R.E.M.’s “It’s the End of the World.”

As could have been expected, the band did not appreciate his use of their song. Bassist Mike Mills responded to questions from reporters on Twitter with three words: “Cease and desist.”

David Corn ✔@DavidCornDC
.@m_millsey So when Donald Trump came to stage at anti-Iran deal they played "End of the World as We Know it." What say you?

Mike Mills @m_millsey
@DavidCornDC Cease and desist.

Mike Mills @m_millsey
Personally, I think the Orange Clown will do anything for attention. I hate giving it to him.

@m_millsey
R.E.M. will issue an official statement shortly.

Read more: http://www.mediaite.com/online/cease-and-desist-r-e-m-blasts-trump-for-using-its-the-end-of-the-world/

---

"While we do not authorize or condone the use of our music at this political event, and do ask that these candidates cease and desist from doing so, let us remember that there are things of greater importance at stake here. The media and the American voter should focus on the bigger picture, and not allow grandstanding politicians to distract us from the pressing issues of the day and of the current Presidential campaign.”
-R.E.M.
https://www.facebook.com/REMhq

In today's Rightwingers-stealing-music news.

[mike_c]

1. conservative rally goers are going to get damned tired of Ted Nugent songs...

...by November 2016.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

2. They still have Pat Boone and his renditions of songs he stole from black artists

and, failing that, they can always get that freak Victoria Jackson to strum on her ukelele.

[msongs]

11. pat boone did not steal anything from black artists. an understanding of music law would help nt

[turbinetree]

12. They can also play some......................

Charlie Daniels and Hank Williams Jr..........................there pretty boring conservatives

[Rozlee]

20. They might be able to dig up Meat Loaf somewhere again.

Wherever.

[narnian60]

21. Please, no.

[ailsagirl]

3. This is reminiscent of when Dudya used songs without artists' permission during his first campaign

Still the One
Born in the USA

I could be wrong about the song titles, but definitely his campaign team got their hands slapped

Hah!!

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

5. This follows the Huckster's theft from yesterday

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/survivor-condemn-mike-huckabee-kim-davis-for-eye-of-the-tiger-usage-20150909

[ailsagirl]

8. What a bunch of cheap, tacky crooks!!

But I'm not surprised-- it's just that the sleazy shenanigans are starting already

[IrishEyes]

29. Sarah Palin tried to use the song Barracuda

Heart was not happy with that.

[ailsagirl]

31. I wouldn't think so!! nt

[KamaAina]

4. ...and I feel fine.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

6. Poor Trump....

He can't go with "Cat Scratch Fever" because of that thing on his head.

[Thor_MN]

7. I think some enterprising lawyer could draft a collective "FU" to the GOP.

Pre-emptively banning the GOP from using the music of a collective of artists. Complete with outrageous penalties for ignoring the wishes of the artists.

[ailsagirl]

9. Hear, hear!!

Excellent idea!!

[libdem4life]

10. The stupid runs deep...you'd think by now they'd know to check with the artist

before using their music. It's really tacky to have to have intelligent musicians slap down a politician for using their music in public. It happens a lot.

[7962]

13. Easier to use it for what you want, then stop when they complain. nt

[dorkzilla]

14. If they knew anything about REM...

They’d know Michael Stipe is gay and they’d probably go “icky, no, then I’d have GAYNESS on me” and not use the song.

Or else Trump would say “the gays, they’re classy and they love me! They’re always begging me to give them jobs. YOOOOG jobs!"

[underpants]

18. No kidding

They thought the little band that could wouldn't publicly BLAST THEM for this?



I'm a huge REM fan. Anyone with even a casual knowledge of their political history would know that they would forceably reply.

The republicans have a remarkably bad history on this.
In the 80's they used Springsteen and Mellencamp songs I didn't know it at the time but those two guys were by far THE WORST POSSIBLE choices to take on. Then Palin used "Barricuda" and McCain used - for no reason I have ever been able to fathom- "Running on Empty" ( as a campaign song???) by Jackson Browne. No Nukes! Jackson Browne? Really?

Oh "End of the World" mentions Donald Trump (as part of the end of the world) but hey as long as they mention his name it's GREAT!!!!

[tanyev]

15. ...and I feel fine?

Do they even listen to the entire song before they steal it?

[dorkzilla]

16. Hahahahahaha!

Exactly, that should have been their theme song since Shrub.

[underpants]

17. Trump is mentioned in the song - as one of the problems

But hey it says his name ... So GREEAT!

[WillyT]

19. K & R !!!

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

22. Maybhe we should create a "Rightwingers-stealing-music" group to keep track of these things.

[lark]

23. A tweet of "cease and desist" means nothing.

They need to send it to him in writing, then the next time the songs is used afterwards, sue the bastard.

[Fearless]

24. It's not a republican primary without this happening, Seriously EVERY time! They have no respect.

[Bucky]

25. They re-run this story every 4 years; Just the band and Republican candidate names change.

Why don't Republican politicians ever try using Meatloaf songs?

They'd just have to change the lyrics to "I would do anything for Koch, including that!"

[ErikJ]

26. Hopefully "Its the End of the World" for the GOP. nt

[Crowman1979]

27. Maybe Trump should use "Wango Tango" by Ted Nugget.

The lyrics describe how Trump is going to fuck over the American people.

[SnakeEyes]

28. I'd be curious to know

If this is just the musician not liking their song used by republicans or if the politicians simply did not secure ASCAP/BMI licenses. If it's the latter, that's one of the downsides of labels and blanket licenses.

[Still In Wisconsin]

30. A tournament, a tournament, a tournament of lies...

Offer me solutions, offer me alternatives and I DECLINE!