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Band to Romney: Hands Off Our Song

Silversun Pickups tell campaign to drop use of 'Panic Switch'

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 16, 2012 9:20 AM CDT

(Newser) – Once again, a band is accusing a campaign of hijacking its tune. Alternative rockers Silversun Pickups have told the Romney campaign to unhand their hit "Panic Switch," TMZ reports. "We don't like people going behind our backs, using our music without asking, and we don't like the Romney campaign," frontman Brian Aubert says. "We're nice, approachable people. We won't bite. Unless you're Mitt Romney!" The band's cease-and-desist letter notes that the GOP agreed to respect artists' rights after being successfully sued by Jackson Browne over John McCain's unauthorized use of "Running on Empty."

But the band's big stink may be a little inflated: The Romney campaign say it's not even a Silversun Pickups fan, notes the Los Angeles Times. "The song was inadvertently played during event set-up before Gov. Romney arrived at the location," a spokeswoman says. "As anyone who attends Gov. Romney’s events knows, this is not a song we would have played intentionally. That said, it was covered under the campaign’s regular blanket license, but we will not play it again."

Panic Switch accurately describes Romney's campaign, but he won't let them use it, says Brian Aubert of Silversun Pickups.
"Panic Switch" accurately describes Romney's campaign, but he won't let them use it, says Brian Aubert of Silversun Pickups.   (AP Photo/Katy Winn)
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The song Mitt has been using.   (YouTube)

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 50 comments
bellmar
Aug 17, 2012 6:34 PM CDT
Typical band, they always think they have written a classic song that everyone is trying to steal, when actually they don't play an original note in their whole repertoire . 
elchucko
Aug 17, 2012 1:48 PM CDT
Most comments appear to be made by liberals. Many of these "bands" are also liberal. Makes sense now. These  unknowns ride on the backs of conservatives, making money in the process. This band didn't make shit financially....now they will!
Doctor-Zaius
Aug 17, 2012 12:33 PM CDT
It wouldn't be election season without a Republican stealing the intellectual property of music artist. This is a long standing tradition going back to Reagan and Born in the USA. 
 

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