Althouse: "Please stop using our music in any way .. . we literally hate you !!!"

January 27, 2015

"Please stop using our music in any way .. . we literally hate you !!!"

"Love, Dropkick Murphys."

"You" = Scott Walker.

73 comments:

Jaq said...: If you need to find somebody who loves to hate, you have to find a liberal.; 1/27/15, 8:25 AM
MadisonMan said...: I think their campaign for him to stop using their music would be more successful if they could outline exactly what they disagree with, so that Walker's use would jog everyone's memory about some particularly bad policy point.

As it is, it's just gonna be musicians complaining. So what?; 1/27/15, 8:26 AM
Scott said...: "We literally hate you ... love"

The Dropkick Murphys really do hate Scott Walker, but it's not progressive to express hate, so they sign their tweet "love"

What disgusting people they are.; 1/27/15, 8:27 AM
Oso Negro said...: Musicians are necessarily socialists. Few will ever earn enough to pay rent and eat regularly, let alone make enough money to afford healthcare.; 1/27/15, 8:31 AM
Ann Althouse said...: I'm going to give them credit for humor. The "hate... love" tweet is so much nicer that sending out a lawyer with the threat of a lawsuit.; 1/27/15, 8:32 AM
Ann Althouse said...: Keep the music coming, musicians. I don't care about your political opinions. You've registered your desire not to be linked favorably to Walker. And everyone can move on. Music played. Problem solved.; 1/27/15, 8:33 AM
Ann Althouse said...: Yeah, "hate" is a bad word. But "literally" makes even hate funny.; 1/27/15, 8:34 AM
Curious George said...: "Celtic rock band Dropkick Murphys protested Scott Walker’s use of its song “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” at the Iowa Freedom Summit Saturday."

I doubt Walker had anything to do with the music selection.; 1/27/15, 8:36 AM
jr565 said...: The drop kick who?; 1/27/15, 8:36 AM
Curious George said...: "Ann Althouse said...
I'm going to give them credit for humor. The "hate... love" tweet is so much nicer that sending out a lawyer with the threat of a lawsuit."

For what?; 1/27/15, 8:38 AM
Michael in ArchDen said...: People who misuse the word "literally" figuratively make me crazy.; 1/27/15, 8:38 AM
Michael The Magnificent said...: See, hate is bad. Unless you're hating on a hater, and then hate is good!

Just ask a leftist.

Better yet, watch a leftist demonstrate this principle by asking them their thoughts on Sarah Palin. She's a hater (they prayed for the souls of homos in her church, ZOMG!) so it's A-Okay to hate on her.; 1/27/15, 8:41 AM
Ann Althouse said...: "People who misuse the word "literally" figuratively make me crazy."

They meant to make you crazy, probably... really... literally...; 1/27/15, 8:41 AM
Ann Althouse said...: Anyway... they do literally hate Scott Walker, I think.

"Hate" literally means "To hold in very strong dislike; to detest; to bear malice to." (OED.); 1/27/15, 8:43 AM
Ann Althouse said...: Double plus unlike.; 1/27/15, 8:44 AM
Xmas said...: I dunno why the Dropkick Murphy's would hate Scott Walker. They've got one of the best anti-Nanny state songs I've ever heard.

(Of course, Boston Irish == hardcore "Billy and Whitey Bulger" Democrat).; 1/27/15, 8:46 AM
jr565 said...: how could you not literally hate someone you hate?; 1/27/15, 8:52 AM
MadisonMan said...: They're masters of the twittersphere. Look at everyone talking about them!; 1/27/15, 8:54 AM
jr565 said...: I hope the drop kick murphys die when their stage collapses and they are all buried under rubble. Figuratively.

It would also be funny if the lead singer literally lost his leg in the accident.; 1/27/15, 8:56 AM
dbp said...: Odi et amo.; 1/27/15, 8:59 AM
rhhardin said...: Rush's theme is rented from Chrissie Hynde, who, being a leftist, cut him off a few years ago. There was a Rush search for another theme.

Then Hynde's parents tole her they liked the show, and she started renting it to Rush agaon.; 1/27/15, 9:00 AM
Scott said...: Yeah, "hate" is a bad word. But "literally" makes even hate funny.

Only in self parody.

Hate is not a bad word. Hate is a natural human emotion. Dishonesty is bad though.; 1/27/15, 9:01 AM
jr565 said...: how could you not literally hate someone you hate?

To answer my own question, I suppose you could be ironic when saying you hate someone. but usually you don't have to add a literal in front of the word hate, since we get the gist because you used the word. I would only add a qualifier if you didn't actually mean what you said.; 1/27/15, 9:03 AM
Wince said...: It's belief in the efficacy of union solidarity. Although I'm not sure Ken Casey takes a vote of all DKM band members when "band" decisions are made. Heterodox in many ways, the love/hate thing I believe is meant to show "hate" for opinions, not people.

[Ken Casey's] father died when he was very young and he was brought up under the wing of his grandfather, John Kelly, a teamster and union worker. The Dropkick Murphys song "Boys on the Docks" is dedicated to Kelly...

In October 2014, Casey, a lifelong Democrat announced that he was co-hosting a fundraiser for [Massachusetts] Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker. Casey stated "Charlie is a Republican and I’m a Democrat, but I will take a big heart and strong character over political party any day" Casey, who publically backed Mayor Martin J. Walsh's campaign in 2013 also said of Baker that he also helped the Dropkick Murphys charitable causes over the years including supporting military families. Casey is among many Democrats in Massachusetts who threw their support behind Baker.

Nazi salute concert incident... On March 13, 2013, Casey was alleged to have assaulted a concertgoer who went on stage and displayed the Nazi salute. He then went on to say "Nazis are not fucking welcome at a Dropkick Murphys show!" He later went on to say in a June of 2014 Rolling Stone Magazine interview, "F'ing Socialists and Communists beliefs to the likes of vile creatures such as Hitler and Stalin are what fuel some of the rage in our lyrics. People are sometimes surprised to find that at our core we staunch conservatives, we'll all but Ken. Haha. The incident back in March of 13 really awoke something in us. We need to focus our message that the Constitution is becoming lost in this country. We are currently working on a new album set to release September of 2015 that will no doubt rock our fans and give them cause to question what is going around them. When did our country get so far off track? The new album is titled 11/17/1787 for obvious reasons. Dropkick Murphys are going to start a revolution and 11/17/1787 is just the very beginning."; 1/27/15, 9:03 AM
Shanna said...: I am so tired of these rock bands getting mad at people who like their music.; 1/27/15, 9:05 AM
traditionalguy said...: As I recall hate is the other side of love. Both denote a strong reaction to a person. And hate often morphs into love.; 1/27/15, 9:05 AM
Hammond X. Gritzkofe said...: ...as contrasted with a figurative or metaphorical hate?; 1/27/15, 9:05 AM
Big Mike said...: Would it be okay if we dropkicked the Murphys instead?

Hey guys, no one is going to be playing your music at Walker's inaugural ball unless you apologize right this minute!; 1/27/15, 9:06 AM
PatHMV said...: I thought hate was bad.; 1/27/15, 9:10 AM
Jake said...: Haha. Those one-hit-wonders will do anything for attention.; 1/27/15, 9:11 AM
Anonymous said...: I hope the Walker campaign drops the music with no comment - as if the band no longer exists.; 1/27/15, 9:17 AM
Jason said...: I've been an Irish traditional musician for many years and have dedicated much of my spare time to mastering the art of the traditional Irish fiddle, much in the style of the old masters of Clare.

The Dropkick Murphys suck ass.; 1/27/15, 9:28 AM
Birches said...: Keep the music coming, musicians. I don't care about your political opinions. You've registered your desire not to be linked favorably to Walker. And everyone can move on. Music played. Problem solved.

This is what I thought too. Dropkick Murphys just wanted to make sure all the right people knew they didn't like Scott Walker, so they tweeted something out. However, they're still going to take his money...; 1/27/15, 9:34 AM
Diamondhead said...: "Celtic rock" is garbage music. Sham Irish accents, self-consciously "lilting" tunes, 3-4 acceptable song topics... Walker should stop using their music as a matter of taste.

This seems almost like a mirror image of an earlier flap involving Walker and his use/disuse of "art."

http://althouse.blogspot.com/2011/06/scott-walker-replaces-artwork-in.html; 1/27/15, 9:37 AM
rehajm said...: In other news, NFL punters demanded The Dropkick Murphys stop using the name of their signature move as part of the band's name.

..and Former NFL Punter Nick Murphy told everyone to go to hell.; 1/27/15, 9:39 AM
Birches said...: Frankly, conservatives should find less political bands to serenade their political appearances. Contrary to belief, not all conservatives enjoy country music and the few political rallies I've been to have been all country, all the time.

I doubt Def Leopard would turn down a paycheck because some Republican Wisconsin governor is playing "Rock of Ages" before appearances. What about that EMF song, "You're Unbelievable"---I doubt those guys are turning down royalty checks on principle. Think outside the box Republicans!; 1/27/15, 9:41 AM
Brando said...: Groups like the Dropkick Murphys are to the Irish what the Jersey Shore kids are to the Italians--a sad embarrassment to their ethnic brethren who'd rather not be caricatured. But whatever sells albums to Masshole dudebros with 1/32 Irish ancestry, I suppose. It's a living, of sorts.

And what shameful misuse of the word literally. I figuratively could murder someone who misuses the word "literally."; 1/27/15, 9:47 AM
mccullough said...: I doubt that these lace-curtain charlatans own the rights to their version of the song. That's why there is no lawyer letter.; 1/27/15, 10:04 AM
James Pawlak said...: "Hate" is not good. It spoils my aim.; 1/27/15, 10:05 AM
Matt Sablan said...: If you want control over your music, don't sell out.; 1/27/15, 10:14 AM
Matt Sablan said...: [At least, my understanding in how this happens frequently is the artist sells the rights to the music to someone who doesn't care what the politician who plays it believes, hence the, "don't sell out."]; 1/27/15, 10:16 AM
John henry said...: Any musicians here? Or someone familiar with law in this area?

My understanding is that if I want to use some music, I use it and pay ASCAP (or one of the other licensing agencies) a fee.

Assuming that Walker did that, do the DMs have any legal basis for preventing Walker's use of the song?

John Henry; 1/27/15, 10:16 AM
Curious George said...: "rehajm said...
In other news, NFL punters demanded The Dropkick Murphys stop using the name of their signature move as part of the band's name.

..and Former NFL Punter Nick Murphy told everyone to go to hell."

Drop kicking is not punting. It's a version of a field goal or extra point. The last NFL player to succesfully drop kick in the NFL was Doug FLutie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIQMq7JrSv8; 1/27/15, 10:18 AM
Shanna said...: Contrary to belief, not all conservatives enjoy country music and the few political rallies I've been to have been all country, all the time.

It's because country musicians are actually happy to have their music played by republicans, and don't send obnoxious tweets about it, or refuse to let them use their music, or any number of the ways all these other musicians seems to act when their music gets used. Country music is less of a hassle, I guess.; 1/27/15, 10:19 AM
Michael K said...: "Rush's theme is rented from Chrissie Hynde, who, being a leftist, cut him off a few years ago."

I don't recall any change but I don't listen regularly; 1/27/15, 10:27 AM
Jaq said...: Basically Rush is funding PETA in order to use that song.; 1/27/15, 10:28 AM
Tank said...: Walker should challenge them to a debate, or invite them to a Beer and Cheese Summit.

Yeah, a Summit. Presidential.; 1/27/15, 10:30 AM
Ann Althouse said...: Why would Walker want an Irish theme song anyway?

(I don't think his people chose the music for that event.); 1/27/15, 10:30 AM
Laslo Spatula said...: The Dropkick Murphys should be happy that someone, somewhere, is actually playing their music on a day that isn't St. Patrick's Day.

I am Laslo.; 1/27/15, 10:39 AM
gerry said...: "Celtic rock" is garbage music. Sham Irish accents, self-consciously "lilting" tunes, 3-4 acceptable song topics

Dead one description. There's a guy who works at the tavern we hang out at who plays them occasionally on the TouchTunes jukebox, and it's really rather boring stuff.

Irish rap...and, remember, the "c" in rap is silent.; 1/27/15, 10:39 AM
gerry said...: "Dead one" should have been "dead on"...

I'm a thick-fingered farmer's son...; 1/27/15, 10:40 AM
walter said...: Well..he is Hitler, you know. So Walker should be glad Casey isn't physically threatening him..in the name of the constitution, of course.
But this is less annoying than a Madison musician who injected "Recall Walker" into a classic Latin Jazz song and led the crowd in a ritualized chant of "Fuck. George. Bush!" Every damn show..; 1/27/15, 10:57 AM
Gahrie said...: It's because country musicians are actually happy to have their music played by republicans

Except the Dixie Chicks. (They are still around aren't they?); 1/27/15, 11:03 AM
NorthOfTheOneOhOne said...: Celtic Rock? That's a new one! Normally they're referred to as Punk.

Talk about passe....; 1/27/15, 11:17 AM
Hazy Dave said...: ASCAP and BMI are strictly songwriter royalty organizations. Licensing a particular recording/performance of a tune is a separate thing, but I don't know the nuts and bolts of it all.; 1/27/15, 11:31 AM
Anonymous said...: John Henry said:
"My understanding is that if I want to use some music, I use it and pay ASCAP (or one of the other licensing agencies) a fee. [¶] Assuming that Walker did that, do the DMs have any legal basis for preventing Walker's use of the song?"

You are right in suggesting that many public establishments acquire a "blanket license" to use anything in the licensing agency's (BMI, ASCAP) catalogue in the establishment's business. But there are different kinds of USES, and if my memories of law school serve, "public performance" of a song, or a "featured use" such as Limbaugh's use of "My City Was Gone," is usually required on an "a la carte" basis -- and that is costlier.

Of course, even if a politician acquires the proper licenses for "featured use"/ "public performance" of a song, the licensor can still bitch and moan and ASK the politician not to use it.; 1/27/15, 11:36 AM
Mary Beth said...: I'd never heard of them before I read a discussion of this in /r/music last night. The impression I got was that they didn't hate him for being Republican, they hate him because the unions say they should. But that was last night, today there's a lot of "haha, Republicans suck" type comments.

Since they had dedicated one of their songs, "Take Em Down" to the union side of the Wisconsin recall, I have to wonder why one of their songs was chosen to be played as Walker's entrance music. I'd like to think that it was a wonderful trolling to get everyone to talk about him. That way, later, his name will sound familiar but not for anything bad enough for people to remember.; 1/27/15, 11:40 AM
Anonymous said...: Come on, you UW folks! Someone mentioned "Irish rap" awhile ago here, yet no one's mentioned the biggest hit -- especially big at UW -- in that genre, House of Pain's "Jump Around"?; 1/27/15, 11:41 AM
walter said...: Not a very "Irish" sounding tune.; 1/27/15, 11:44 AM
Skipper said...: Do they literally understand English language usage?; 1/27/15, 11:48 AM
Titus said...: Why would Walker play a tune Shipping Off To Boston? Very liberal of him.; 1/27/15, 11:53 AM
walter said...: ode to Tea Party?; 1/27/15, 12:29 PM
Anthony said...: Palin had the same thing during the 2008 campaign, using Heart's "Barracuda", which was licensed quite legally through the record company, but Heart -- who had no legal leg to stand on -- got all pissy about it so Palin stopped.

OTOH, I vaguely recall that some Democrat was using a (conservative) Country artist's song, and when asked about it he said only that he was okay having it used.

I can kind of see their point, as it makes it seem like the creators of the song are supporting the person. But with that crowd I just see it as their usual juvenile pissiness.; 1/27/15, 12:34 PM
Chef Mojo said...: Drop Kick Murphys are a bunch of Pogues wannabe posers.

Pogue mahone, ya fookin' wankers!; 1/27/15, 12:38 PM
damikesc said...: Keep playing it. Fuck those hacks.

It's sad that Progressives are more laden with hate than the KKK is nowadays.

Rush's theme is rented from Chrissie Hynde, who, being a leftist, cut him off a few years ago. There was a Rush search for another theme.

Then Hynde's parents tole her they liked the show, and she started renting it to Rush agaon.

Could've sworn he paid the licensing fee for the song but then stopped using it in honor of her asinine request.; 1/27/15, 1:13 PM
MadisonMan said...: I actually kinda like Funky Ceili by (thinking) Black 47. Never heard anything from Dropkick Murphys.; 1/27/15, 1:38 PM
Birches said...: It's because country musicians are actually happy to have their music played by republicans, and don't send obnoxious tweets about it, or refuse to let them use their music, or any number of the ways all these other musicians seems to act when their music gets used. Country music is less of a hassle, I guess.

That's my point; they aren't looking hard enough. Steer clear of American bands, especially working class bands and bands that have a political bent. There's a whole lot out there, they just need to get more creative. I'm sure there's a whole lot of one hit wonders who don't mind where the royalty check comes from.; 1/27/15, 2:57 PM
Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...: It's always hilarious when retrogrades fail to realize how much cultural comfort they seek in the places where they're pretty much massively hated.; 1/27/15, 5:48 PM
chillblaine said...: Walker should go full crossover with Celtas Cortos, which is wicked cool latin & celtic fusion.; 1/27/15, 8:15 PM
Saint Croix said...: Do or Die has to be in the top 3 punk albums of all time. It's amazing. You can steal a listen here.; 1/27/15, 8:45 PM
Deb said...: Ha ha. My eyes are getting bad . I thought they were the Drop Kick Monkeys.; 1/28/15, 5:04 AM
Anonymous said...: Yup. Like everything else, that decision was most likely made for him by the people above him.; 1/28/15, 1:55 PM
Anonymous said...: I doubt Walker had anything to do with the music selection.

Yup. Like everything else, that decision was most likely made for him by the people above him.; 1/28/15, 1:56 PM