Metallica Suing, Again
Published July 16, 2003
From 411Mania comes this absurd story:
Metallica Sues Band Over Usage Of E, F Chords
Posted By Mindy Turner on 07.16.03
Just when you thought things couldn't get more bizarre. According to MTV.com, Metallica are suing independant Canadian rockers Unfaith over what they call "unsanctioned usage of two chords [Metallica] have been using since 1982 : E and F." "People are going to get on our case again for this, but try to see it from our point of view just once," stated drummer Lars Ulrich. He adds that they're not saying they own the two chords, individually - "that would be ridiculous" - just that in that specific order, people have grown to associate E, F with their music, and their continued usage in the same song causes "confusion, deception and mistake in the minds of the public."
Credit: MTV.com, Metallica.com
In other news, Fly Over Country was informed that the Southern Black Preacher's Association (SBPA) filed a lawsuit yesterday against Metallica lead singer James Hetfield for improperly adding "huh" after every word sung. A spokesman for the group, Miles Jackson, had this to say:
"It has recently come to our attention that one of the Devil's minions stole the distinctive 'huh' that our members have been using for years while preaching to emphasize the importance of The Holy Father's words. It saddens us, but it is not surprising that one of Satan's children would take something Holy and pervert it for the futherance of the Kingdom of the Flesh."
This is not the first time the SBPA has brought a lawsuit against a singing star. Back in the early 70's the SBPA filed a lawsuit against James Brown for using a cloak dropped over his shoulders to exit the stage.
UPDATE
Well, it looks like the story is BOGUS. I thought it was absurd, and it turns out that it really was . . .
411 Mania seems to be a real site, and I guess Mindy Turner got sucked in by a site called
Scoop This.
It looks pretty freaking convincing when you click over to the page Scoop This created, which you can by clicking here.
I apologize for posting this as if it were real, I should have known better.
Two Things:
1. Mindy Turner at 411 Mania should also issue some sort of statement and
2. Do I still get credit for the "huh" take off?
- Metallica Suing, Again
- Published: July 16, 2003
- Type:
- Section: Music
- Writer: Chris Cotner
- Chris Cotner's BC Writer page
- Chris Cotner's personal site
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Comments on this articleComments
Wow, someone went through a lot of trouble to make this up. I don't know anything about 411mania, but if you click the link in their story, it takes you to a site that looks just like MTV.com. Go to the real MTV.com and there is no story.
There is a story about how Lars is mad at the army for using Enter Sandman in its PsyOps in Iraq.
He then goes on to recommend the army plays music by Venom (never heard of them). Well, I doubt anyone in Iraq has ever done anything to hurt the members of Venom, either, so what Lars really seems to care about is unauthorized Metallica publicity.
1. Yes, and 2) Yes.
It still says something about Metallica that their reputation is such that something this stupid sounds even halfway credible.
I'm sorry, Chris and Eric, I have to strongly disagree with you. James clearly does not lift "huh," but, as I mentioned in my first comment, he has instead invented his own filler sound by extending and modifying the much-used "yeah" into a characteristic "yeah-UH!" "Huh" really has more funk connotations than metal, and therefore would be entirely inappropriate to express the twisted anguish lurking within the guarded persona of the metalhead. Given the opportunity to express the rage and grief within, a metalhead is going to take advantage and really let it out, and even the most high-velocity "yeah!" isn't going to release nearly enough energy, even attached to the ends of each and every word-yeah! To attain the most appropriate amount of sustained anger release, James invented the "yeah-uh!" which is both sung/yelled alone and in tandem with words at the end of a line of lyrics.
In fact, so important is this device that James has patented this trademark sound. Recognizing its very importance in metal, James, et al., have actually resisted the urge for litigation against those who propagate his "sound," opting instead at this time to allow it to proliferate as his legacy to the metal world. Those outside of metal found abusing the free use James has allowed will, however, be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and required to pay royalties on each usage.
Thanks for the word word Tom! So Joni Mitchell can't use it?
Mindy Turner never existed. Check out http://www.unfaith.net/hoax for what the real story behind this hoax is.
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Silly, James doesn't say "huh," he says "Yeah-uh!"
I guess I'd have to hear the song in question. Metallica does have it's own trademark chugging sound, but I really doubt they can claim the chords that cause it as theirs. That's essentially what they're saying. Based on the above, I'd say this is pretty damned stupid, and I'm a frequent defender of the band.
It'll be interesting to watch this unfold, and how the fans react. Me, I just expect stupid things like this from the band from time to time . . .