Changing the record: R.E.M. slams Fox News for unauthorized song use

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Published time: September 08, 2012 01:05
Edited time: September 08, 2012 05:05

Famous US alternative rock band R.E.M. has denounced Fox News for unauthorized use of their song, “Losing My Religion”, during its coverage of Democratic National Convention, adding it has no respect for Fox’s “puff adder” reporting.

The band, which broke up last September following over three decades on stage, released a statement on its website slamming the news network.

“R.E.M. today, through its music publisher, Warner-Tamerlane Music, demanded that Fox News cease and desist from continuing its unlicensed and unauthorized use of the song.”

"We have little or no respect for their puff adder brand of reportage. Our music does not belong there," said band’s frontman Michael Stipe.

The conservative news network apparently used R.E.M.’s hit “Losing My Religion” in order to indirectly comment on what the Republicans see as the Democrats lack of faith.

This is not the first such incident during the 2012 election campaign connected with the Republicans. Last month another US alternative rock band, Silversun Pickups, demanded that Mitt Romney’s campaign stop using their song “Panic Switch”, during their events.

"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 wrote. "We're nice, approachable people. We won't bite. Unless you're Mitt Romney!"