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Violent Femmes Bassist Sues Singer

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In 2007 the Violent Femmes singer and guitarist Gordon Gano licensed the band’s hit “Blister In the Sun”, one of the most poppy songs about masturbation to be released for a Wendy’s advertising campaign. However, it seems bassist Brian Ritchie wasn’t as comfortable with the idea. Ritchie told Spinner, “I don’t like having my sound misappropriated to sell harmful products, such as fast food. That’s not why we made the music. It should not be hijacked. ” After the commercial aired, it took some time but Ritchie sued Gano for the song’s licensing, claiming that it not only tarnished the band’s credibility, but also for Gano’s conduct with the band’s property. It’s interesting because Gano is credited as the sole songwriter on most of the band’s material. Ritchie responded to this by stating this long diatribe: “For the fans who rightfully are complaining about the Wendy's burger advertisement featuring "Blister in the Sun," Gordon Gano is the publisher of the song and Warners is the record company. When they agree to use it there's nothing the rest of the band can do about it, because we don't own the song or the recording. That's showbiz. Therefore when you see dubious or in this case disgusting uses of our music you can thank the greed, insensitivity, and poor taste of Gordon Gano, it is his karma that he lost his songwriting ability many years ago, probably due to his own lack of self-respect as his willingness to prostitute our songs demonstrates. Neither Gordon (vegetarian) nor me (gourmet) eat garbage like Wendy's burgers. I can't endorse them because I disagree with corporate food on culinary, political, health, economic and environmental grounds. However, I see my life's work trivialized at the hands of my business partner over and over again, although I have raised my objections numerous times. As disgusted as you are I am more so." Gano’s a vegetarian? Well that makes this even stranger. This not only hurting the band’s chances for another reunion anytime soon, Ritchie says “There are certainly some disputes that haven't been resolved,” but also puts out the question – how is a song about masturbation appropriate for a burger ad? Since the band’s not jumping at a reunion, each member has been busy with their own side projects. Richie’s been playing in a surf band called the Break, Gano plays in the Ryan Brothers, and Femmes’ drummer Guy Hoffman is in Radio Romeo. Oh well, we always have “Add It Up”, and “Blister In the Sun” is the song I usually skip on their albums.

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Top Ten Covers of 80's Songs In The Last Decade

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Ah the 80’s, you simultaneously shame me and make me want to break out into dance. 80’s covers have always sort of been horrible, why is that? I’m guessing that has to do with the overall quality of music in that time period. No one seemed to know what the hell was going on (except Michael Jackson). Here’s a list of some odd covers coming from some odd bands in the last 10 years.

10. Dinosaur Jr. “Just Like Heaven” (The Cure)

Every band has covered this song, but no one makes it their own like Jay Mascis. The amount of distortion and sloppy shredding going on before the lyrics come in is truly inspiring. It’s the most ballsy a Cure song has ever sounded.

9. Kings Of Convenience "Free Fallin’” (Tom Petty)

This is one of those songs that guy at the party who brought a guitar always plays. Luckily, these guys do it so well, that you’re free to smash that guy’s guitar and play this instead.

8. Postal Service "Against All Odds" (Phil Collins)

The first time I heard this cover I almost thought it was an original until I heard the chorus. Postal Service does it so well, adding a good amount of desperation in a way only Ben Gibbard can.

7. She & Him "Please Please Please, Let Me Get What I Want" (The Smiths)

I’m admittedly not a fan of sad British pop music from the 80’s, but I do love me some Zooey Deschanel and I very much enjoy this cover that was set to 500 Days Of Summer’s soundtrack.

6.  Band Of Horses "You Make My Dreams Come True" (Hall & Oates)

Come on, you knew I wouldn’t make a list like this without some Hall & Oates, the king and queen of the 80’s (I’ll let you decide who the queen is).  This song makes me want to get up and just kick the air.

5. David Byrne "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" (Whitney Houston)

David Byrne makes this song funky, not that it already didn’t have a good rhythm for dancing. I remember my sister all scrunchied up dancing to this song back in the day.

4. Gnarls Barkley "Gone Daddy Gone” (Violent Femmes)

Hearing Ceelo sing this song works, but it’s really all about the xylophone, and Danger Mouse does the Femmes proud here. Yes he can play instruments, no he’s not just a DJ anymore.

3. The Lemonheads “Skulls” (The Misfits)

This is one of my favorite covers of all time, and I’ve spent many weeks attempting to find it after it disappeared from my iTunes. While most of the Lemonheads’ other work doesn’t quite hit me, hearing Glenn Danzig’s song about mounting skulls on his wall sung so sweetly is just perfect.

2. Gary Jules "Mad World" (Tears For Fears)

Thanks to Donnie Darko, Gary Jules came under most peoples’ radars with his whisper soft cover of this totally 80’s hit. This version just makes a bit more sense to me without a lot of overused synthesizers.

1. Tori Amos "Raining Blood" (Slayer)

Yes, this really happened. I actually don’t like Tori at all, she’s very much a diva and is not polite to those she doesn’t know. But, behavior aside, this is one of the more interesting covers of any band ever. I wonder if Slayer enjoyed it? Honorable Mentions: Gossip "Careless Whisper" (Wham!) Boy Least Likely To "Faith" (George Michael) The Flaming Lips “Borderline” (Maddona) The Arcade Fire “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”  (Cyndi Lauper) What are your favorite covers of songs from the 80's?

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The VSQ Study Hall Companion

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If you still want to rock out to your favorite songs but fear being shushed in the study hall, The Vitamin String Quartet has transformed dance party anthems into sophisticated string arrangements to accompany you and your homework assignments. Violin, viola and cello minimize the racket yet maintain the raw energy in songs such as "15 Step," "Sex on Fire," and "Viva la Vida." You'll be living the good life with this instrumental tribute as you get your tunes and your A+. Tracklist: 1. 15 Step - Radiohead 2. The Way We Get By - Spoon 3. Sex on Fire - Kings of Leon 4. Soul Meets Body - Death Cab for Cutie 5. Viva La Vida - Coldplay 6. Good Life - Kanye West 7. Across The Universe - The Beatles 8. Blister in The Sun - Violent Femmes 9. Rebellion - The Arcade Fire 10. Between The Bars - Elliot Smith

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