Foo Fighters Slam McCain Campaign

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1596540/20081008/foo_fighters.jhtml

Oct 8 2008
Foo Fighters Slam McCain Campaign Over Unauthorized Use Of 'My Hero'
Band claims that candidate's use 'perverts the original sentiment ... [and] just tarnishes the song.'
By Chris Harris

First, the campaign of Republican presidential nominee John McCain angered the members of Van Halen. Then, about a week later, it incensed Heart. Now, the campaign has raised the ire of Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters.

In a statement issued by the band's publicist Wednesday morning (October 8), the Foo Fighters slammed the McCain camp for its unauthorized use of the group's 1997 hit single "My Hero" as its latest campaign theme tune.

"This isn't the first time the McCain campaign has used a song without making any attempt to get approval or permission from the artist," the statement reads. "It's frustrating and infuriating that someone who claims to speak for the American people would repeatedly show such little respect for creativity and intellectual property. The saddest thing about this is that 'My Hero' was written as a celebration of the common man and his extraordinary potential. To have it appropriated without our knowledge and used in a manner that perverts the original sentiment of the lyric just tarnishes the song. We hope that the McCain campaign will do the right thing and stop using our song — and start asking artists' permission in general."

The band issued the statement after receiving press reports that McCain had been using "My Hero" as the "latest in a number of unauthorized theme songs at his campaign rallies," without seeking permission from the band, its management, record label or the song's publisher.

In late August, Van Halen lashed out at the McCain campaign after it used their track "Right Now" as the candidate's entrance theme during a rally in Dayton, Ohio. The band's publicist told MTV News that Van Halen were not informed that McCain was going to use their song and that they were never approached for permission. "Had they asked, permission would not have been granted," the publicist said.

About a week later, Heart objected to the campaign's use of their song "Barracuda" at McCain rallies and events. The campaign continued to use the track, even after Heart asked that they cease further usage.

"The Republican campaign did not ask for permission to use the song, nor would they have been granted that permission," Heart said in a statement. "We have asked the Republican campaign publicly not to use our music. We hope our wishes will be honored."