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Twisted Sister Not Gonna Take Ryan Using Its Song

Dee Snider denounces use of metal anthem

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 23, 2012 12:10 AM CDT | Updated Aug 23, 2012 12:24 AM CDT

(Newser) – In yet another campaign music clash, Twisted Sister has told Paul Ryan's campaign that it's not gonna take Ryan's use of its 1984 hit "We're Not Gonna Take It." Frontman Dee Snider has demanded Ryan stop using the heavy metal anthem at rallies, reports the New York Daily News. "I emphatically denounce Paul Ryan's use of my song as recorded by my band," Snider said in a statement. "There is almost nothing on which I agree with Paul Ryan—except perhaps the use of the P90X," he added, referring to Ryan's "extreme" workout regimen.

A Ryan spokesman's reply? "We're not gonna play it," he emailed, reports AP. Guitarist Jay French says two Tea Party candidates have already stopped using the song after complaints from the band, reports the Los Angeles Times. "We understand it’s a protest song, but the use of our particular version of the song connotes our support," French says. (Rage Against the Machine had some harsh words for Ryan, too, after he mentioned the band was one of his favorites.)

The is the cover of remastered version of Twisted Sister's first CD, Under the Blade.
The is the cover of remastered version of Twisted Sister's first CD, "Under the Blade."   (AP Photo/Eagle Vision)
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This video helped make "We're Not Gonna Take It' a hit in 1984.   (4xmckWVPRaI)

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 31 comments
CentristIntelligence
Aug 24, 2012 2:50 AM CDT
"Mr. Romney,  Hank Williams Jr. is on line 2...Also sir, you still have Ted Nugent on hold on line one."
jaamuse
Aug 23, 2012 6:27 PM CDT
Bravo Dee Snider!
DougMasters
Aug 23, 2012 11:21 AM CDT
I have been back and forth with this at a few bars for which I used to work. We got sued by BMI once. It was a blanket suit and it was fine and we purchased the performing rights that we had already thought we did. No big deal. But contrary to popular belief, no musician can or will succesfully sue you for playing music in public. It isn't as cut and dry as the music industry would like you to think even if money is changing hands. There really does need to be a tie in. If it were that easy BMI would have sued a lot more establishments and people then they already have. Those people are SUE CRAZY!!! They are very complicated laws. And very simple kind of at the same time. The most pathetic thing is a lot of artists get screwed. It's sad. They will complain and bitch about the rights and the contracts and how they are getting nailed. BUT they will love the rights and the contracts as soon as someone they don't like plays their song. What I wanna know about this article is were people paying Mittens to get into this? I would imagine so but it dont say for sure.
 

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