Donald Trump is in the music community's bad books again, with another landmark act slamming the Republican presidential candidate for using their music on his campaign trail without their permission. Following an earlier debacle involving Neil Young, the Donald is now being scolded by folded Athens, GA greats, R.E.M.
During a rally yesterday (September 9) that proposed an end to a U.S./Iran nuclear agreement, Trump took the stage while R.E.M.'s famous 1987 single "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" was piped through the overhead speakers. As news of this was relayed to bassist Mike Mills, he quickly tweeted out the message, "Cease and desist."
"Personally, I think the Orange Clown will do anything for attention. I hate giving it to him," he wrote ahead of the band issuing an official statement on the misappropriation of the Document number.
A message on R.E.M.'s official Facebook page reads:
"While we do not authorize or condone the use of our music at this political event, and do ask that these candidates cease and desist from doing so, let us remember that there are things of greater importance at stake here. The media and the American voter should focus on the bigger picture, and not allow grandstanding politicians to distract us from the pressing issues of the day and of the current Presidential campaign."
While the statement reads rather diplomatically, Mills was also asked to deliver a decidedly more pointed message on behalf of vocalist Michael Stipe. Though it doesn't target Trump by name, Stipe succinctly tells off "power hungry little men" that think they can use R.E.M.'s music for political gain.
Back in June, Neil Young objected to Trump's use of his "Rockin' in the Free World." The Republican hopeful later called Young a hypocrite, as the rocker had apparently approached Trump for financial backing on his Pono project.
Trump has yet to call Mike Mills or Michael Stipe losers.
During a rally yesterday (September 9) that proposed an end to a U.S./Iran nuclear agreement, Trump took the stage while R.E.M.'s famous 1987 single "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" was piped through the overhead speakers. As news of this was relayed to bassist Mike Mills, he quickly tweeted out the message, "Cease and desist."
"Personally, I think the Orange Clown will do anything for attention. I hate giving it to him," he wrote ahead of the band issuing an official statement on the misappropriation of the Document number.
A message on R.E.M.'s official Facebook page reads:
"While we do not authorize or condone the use of our music at this political event, and do ask that these candidates cease and desist from doing so, let us remember that there are things of greater importance at stake here. The media and the American voter should focus on the bigger picture, and not allow grandstanding politicians to distract us from the pressing issues of the day and of the current Presidential campaign."
While the statement reads rather diplomatically, Mills was also asked to deliver a decidedly more pointed message on behalf of vocalist Michael Stipe. Though it doesn't target Trump by name, Stipe succinctly tells off "power hungry little men" that think they can use R.E.M.'s music for political gain.
Upcoming is Michael's statement about Trump using our song at the rally. His opinions are HIS, please do not tweet angry responses at me.
— Mike Mills (@m_millsey) September 9, 2015"Go fuck yourselves, the lot of you--you sad, attention grabbing, power-hungry little men. Do not use our music or my voice for your 1)
— Mike Mills (@m_millsey) September 9, 2015...moronic charade of a campaign."--Michael Stipe
— Mike Mills (@m_millsey) September 9, 2015Back in June, Neil Young objected to Trump's use of his "Rockin' in the Free World." The Republican hopeful later called Young a hypocrite, as the rocker had apparently approached Trump for financial backing on his Pono project.
Trump has yet to call Mike Mills or Michael Stipe losers.
