A grievous grievance

Now, here I was, up early, minding my own business, watching the news and having some coffee - and what do I see??

An inane cell phone commercial where Geekyboy #1 is enjoying a song that his cell phone is playing, and singing along.

He gleefully sings, "Rock the cash box..." while Geekyboy #2 corrects him thinking that it must be, "Stop the cat box..." and then they both continue on their merry way.

By now, I'm sure you know that we're talking about "Rock The Casbah."

The Clash.

Now, while this was not one of their most definitive - though it was a commercial hit - songs, they were a band of the utmost artistic integrity, and I can't help but think that if Joe Strummer were still with us, he would have pummeled anyone who suggested that his music be used in this way.

The Clash respected their fans, too. The surviving members even refused to play at their induction into the Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame because this was not an event open to the public - their fans.

I understand that artists have to make a living too, but this isn't some random nobody electronica band who will continue to starve if they don't get their needledrop fee - this is The Clash, whose catalog, I'm convinced, continues to generate revenue.

Look, picking music and using it in other spots is part of what I do for a living - but dumbing down the music I choose is not, which is why commercials like this piss me off.

Quite frankly, this dumbs down the fans, too.

Just imagine some kid asking their mom or dad, "Hey, do you know that song in the commercial, Mom/Dad?"
"Yes, honey, that's The Clash! They were amazing!"
"Um, sure...they...were, Mom/Dad..."

There are lots of great ads that do justice to the often expensive music used in them, and then, well, there's crap like the ad I'm talking about.

I'm done venting now.

Morning all!