UK tribute band getting a cease and desist

Lost In Ohio

lastexitlondon said:

Foo fighters uk have same logo and dave gets the singer up on stage. Seems odd to me

Spiritual_Chaos said:

Could it be PJ getting involved with some new people/legal burue and them acting by themselves?

When Bruce Springsteen got signed to Universal or whatever it was... some dude from that record company started purging Bruce-stuff from youtube - I doubt that mandate came from Springsteen.

And doesn't Dave Matthews allow bootleggers to take professional tripods and plug into the board? And then some bands make fans put phones into those bags so that everyone can see the show and not an idiot jumping up and down while recording...no wonder half of YouTube has shit videos. People forget they're recording. (Yes, morons. Your screaming sounds like shit on YouTube.)

What others do...what Pearl Jam does.

Two different worlds.

JOEJOEJOE

I think the issue is the name used by the cover band....a bit too close to the original, especially if they are selling merch.  I am sure the tribute band meant no harm in their actions.  I am not a fan of tribute bands, but I respect the fact that they are trying to make a living as long as they go about it the right way.

In terms of playing PJ songs, as long as the venues have the proper BMI/ASCAP/SESAC licenses, tribute acts are entitled to play the original band's material.

I am a CPA who works with bands.  You'd be surprised how much money they lose due to their works/image being improperly exploited.

mookeywrench

Ledbetterman10 said:

Talk about lacking in creativity....

The essence of all tribute bands.

Lost In Ohio

mrk2 said:

Nothing against them, but maybe try using a bit more imagination when giving a name to your tribute band. I'm sure Led Zeppelinn or Pink Floydd would be hearing from their lawyers too.

Instead, Pink Floyd's UK tribute is Brit Floyd. The Canadian tribute is Pigs.

Any idiot can clearly tell it's a tribute band. That's the key. You need to distance as far as possible.

Then again, I wouldn't be surprised if Brit Floyd has some sort of financial arrangement set up with Pink Floyd.

Lost In Ohio

JOEJOEJOE said:

I think the issue is the name used by the cover band....a bit too close to the original, especially if they are selling merch.  I am sure the tribute band meant no harm in their actions.  I am not a fan of tribute bands, but I respect the fact that they are trying to make a living as long as they go about it the right way.

In terms of playing PJ songs, as long as the venues have the proper BMI/ASCAP/SESAC licenses, tribute acts are entitled to play the original band's material.

I am a CPA who works with bands.  You'd be surprised how much money they lose due to their works/image being improperly exploited.

And I'm sure the same applies with Pearl Jam covers of The Who, Pink Floyd, The Guess Who, The Beatles, and whoever else.

Lost In Ohio

mookeywrench said:

Ledbetterman10 said:

Talk about lacking in creativity....

The essence of all tribute bands.

Didn't Eddie once say that most (all?) tribute bands were crap and he hated them?

I feel like that's a quote from someone..Kurt?

Or else it's one heck of a Mandela Effect.

mattcoz

It might also be an issue of needing to defend their trademark. I'm not a lawyer, but it is my understanding that they are required to defend their trademark against infringement or risk losing it. This would need to be done legally and not with a friendly letter. But, again, not a lawyer, so I may be wrong.

Lost In Ohio

tempo_n_groove said:

mrk2 said:

Nothing against them, but maybe try using a bit more imagination when giving a name to your tribute band. I'm sure Led Zeppelinn or Pink Floydd would be hearing from their lawyers too.

Dread Zeppelin?

Steel drums, mon!

The all-stripper group Boob Marley can open the show.

Lost In Ohio

Hobbes said:

I thought Pearl Jam was a cover band.

Also, do Pearl Jam cover bands cover songs that Pearl Jam covers?

You can find a version of "Save It For Later" by The English Beat where they tag Betterman.

cp3iverson

Naming your band Pearl Jamm is the issue here.  Of course you’re going to get a letter.  Surprised it didn't happen two years ago. C’mon man

Pearl Jam openly promotes cover bands like Black Circle so it’s not a problem with cover bands.   

Lost In Ohio

BV84003 said:

pjl44 said:

For all the people shocked that someone could be fooled, understand that we're the outliers. When I tell people I'm going to see them, I often get a "they're still around?" Casual music fans or non-music fans aren't necessarily aware of who's selling out ballparks and sheds vs. what's on the radio. They're certainly not keyed into what the capacity of a venue is and whether it's too big or small for a band they haven't thought much about in a decade or more.

All of this. When I got (crappy nosebleed) tickets to their show at the Joe (in total disbelief that it's been over 6 years now, btw), one of my co-workers gave me a bewildered - if not disgusted - look that anyone would actually be interested in still going to see them live. Not to mention that he certainly had no idea they were playing an arena and that it had sold out within minutes. To him they were a 90s relic that weren't worthy of even being mentioned anymore. And that's hard to fathom from inside the fan bubble - but I feel like TOOL is in a similar standing where they have an extremely large, dedicated fan base but are well outside the mainstream for everyone else that's stopped paying attention.

Such is life in the radio world. If you're not releasing a new hit single every few months, you get left behind. When rock radio plays Pearl Jam, there's an almost 100% chance it'll be Alive, Jeremy, YLed, Daughter or Even Flow.

When was the last time rock radio played Worldwide Suicide or Lightning Bolt?

HughFreakingDillon

Lost In Ohio said:

BV84003 said:

pjl44 said:

For all the people shocked that someone could be fooled, understand that we're the outliers. When I tell people I'm going to see them, I often get a "they're still around?" Casual music fans or non-music fans aren't necessarily aware of who's selling out ballparks and sheds vs. what's on the radio. They're certainly not keyed into what the capacity of a venue is and whether it's too big or small for a band they haven't thought much about in a decade or more.

All of this. When I got (crappy nosebleed) tickets to their show at the Joe (in total disbelief that it's been over 6 years now, btw), one of my co-workers gave me a bewildered - if not disgusted - look that anyone would actually be interested in still going to see them live. Not to mention that he certainly had no idea they were playing an arena and that it had sold out within minutes. To him they were a 90s relic that weren't worthy of even being mentioned anymore. And that's hard to fathom from inside the fan bubble - but I feel like TOOL is in a similar standing where they have an extremely large, dedicated fan base but are well outside the mainstream for everyone else that's stopped paying attention.

Such is life in the radio world. If you're not releasing a new hit single every few months, you get left behind. When rock radio plays Pearl Jam, there's an almost 100% chance it'll be Alive, Jeremy, YLed, Daughter or Even Flow.

When was the last time rock radio played Worldwide Suicide or Lightning Bolt?

how much of radio play is determined by record company "incentive"? any? not sure why radio would ignore bands unless there was a financial reasoning for it. 

SHZA

demetrios said:

https://www.facebook.com/pearljammband/posts/1674076889459143

Pearl Jamm Tribute

To Eddie, Jeff, Stone, Mike, Matt, Boom; to Pearl Jam, you have broken our hearts.

You have known of our tribute band for years yet have waited until a global pandemic to have threatening legal letters sent. This isn’t the Pearl Jam we know and love, the Pearl Jam that stands up for social issues and against corporate giants. Yet your lawyers tell us it is indeed you, the band, that are behind this. 

We know how Matt Cameron felt about his heroes, Kiss, when they took umbrage to his own tribute band ‘kiss’ (lower case). No one has ever confused us or our merchandise with you or your merchandise, and so to say that is “likely” is clearly nonsense. We have not caused you or your brand any damage whatsoever, in fact we have done quite the opposite. 

Such was the pressure exerted by the aggressive wording of the legal letters we received, we have questioned whether we even want to continue. We know of at least one other tribute band that decided to call it a day over this. It may have been easier, cheaper and more effective for one of you to reach out to us personally. We would have done that for you. But not like this. 

Your actions are out of character and unreasonable yet our love for the music endures. We sincerely hope that, despite confirmation to the contrary, you are blissfully unaware of actions being taken in your name. We invite you to respond either publicly or privately and rescind the legal threats that have been made. 

We would like to thank our own fans who have shown us overwhelming support since this story broke and who have voiced equal disappointment in the actions of Pearl Jam 

With love,

Santi, Richard, Matt, Tim & Andy (‘Pearl Jamm’)

#pearljam #pearljamm #eddievedder #stonegossard #mikemccready #mattcameron #jeffament #boomgasper #tributeband #pearljamtribute

This is the best thing that could have ever happened to this "band." Far more publicity than they ever would have received otherwise. They should be thanking the boys, not complaining 

Gern Blansten

I can't believe they got by this long...Should have called themselves "Yield"

Lost In Ohio

cp3iverson said:

Naming your band Pearl Jamm is the issue here.  Of course you’re going to get a letter.  Surprised it didn't happen two years ago. C’mon man

Pearl Jam openly promotes cover bands like Black Circle so it’s not a problem with cover bands.   

Ding!

helplessdancer

this pj cover band needs pick a different name. it's too close to the real name imo.

and perhaps the shitty timing is based on if PJamm are makings waves, ie) getting good, then maybe that's why they did it now.

excessive pjamm merch might have killed it as well. online presence etc

for the good people who think cover bands suck, they are wrong !! there is a need and a fit. imo.

even mike mc likes black circle, right?!!

one of my faves did gabriel era genesis and max webster only. it was heaven.

and DSO has personally helped save me from massive depression. no kidding there.

=love cover bands. fun. it's supposed to be fun.

Lost In Ohio

HughFreakingDillon said:

Lost In Ohio said:

BV84003 said:

pjl44 said:

For all the people shocked that someone could be fooled, understand that we're the outliers. When I tell people I'm going to see them, I often get a "they're still around?" Casual music fans or non-music fans aren't necessarily aware of who's selling out ballparks and sheds vs. what's on the radio. They're certainly not keyed into what the capacity of a venue is and whether it's too big or small for a band they haven't thought much about in a decade or more.

All of this. When I got (crappy nosebleed) tickets to their show at the Joe (in total disbelief that it's been over 6 years now, btw), one of my co-workers gave me a bewildered - if not disgusted - look that anyone would actually be interested in still going to see them live. Not to mention that he certainly had no idea they were playing an arena and that it had sold out within minutes. To him they were a 90s relic that weren't worthy of even being mentioned anymore. And that's hard to fathom from inside the fan bubble - but I feel like TOOL is in a similar standing where they have an extremely large, dedicated fan base but are well outside the mainstream for everyone else that's stopped paying attention.

Such is life in the radio world. If you're not releasing a new hit single every few months, you get left behind. When rock radio plays Pearl Jam, there's an almost 100% chance it'll be Alive, Jeremy, YLed, Daughter or Even Flow.

When was the last time rock radio played Worldwide Suicide or Lightning Bolt?

how much of radio play is determined by record company "incentive"? any? not sure why radio would ignore bands unless there was a financial reasoning for it. 

Pay to play is allegedly illegal in the US.

Here's what my active rock station is playing. It's the current stuff plus the best stuff by current bands. That stuff drives listeners drives ad revenue.


https://theblitz.com/index.php/features/top-10-all-out-blitz

Spiritual_Chaos

PJNB said:

Spiritual_Chaos said:

I find myself surprised by the sizes of arenas Pearl Jam are able to play - compared to their contemporaries... so obviously the average joe will be.

Curious who you would consider their contemporaries that are still touring. 

Good question... hmm.. what was I thinking, well I guess Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Smashing Pumpkins, Nine inch nails... which here in Sweden play/have played a ”lower tier” of arenas than Pearl Jam. 

And then you have Guns N Roses and Foo Fighters that play a tier above Pearl Jam. 

Crowd size wise

rummy

Off topic but the Foos are bigger than PJ? Damn.

on2legs

I'm missing why this is a big deal.   I'm no lawyer, but I'm guessing Pearl Jam would have been well within their rights to just skip the letter and sue them for infringement, no?  But instead they made a polite yet firm request for them to cease & desist.  Basically saying... please stop infringing on our name and we'll be cool and not sue you.  That doesn't really make the band bad guys to me.  But maybe I'm missing something here.