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Violent Femmes Still Feuding Over Wendy's Ad

Violent Femmes bassist Brian RitchieThree years after a Violent Femmes' song was used to advertise a fast food joint, bassist Brian Ritchie still has a bad taste in his mouth. In fact, he's so soured by the incident, a Femmes reunion appears unlikely for the foreseeable future.

"I don't like having my sound misappropriated to sell harmful products, such as fast food," he tells Spinner. "That's not why we made the music. It should not be hijacked. "

Ritchie blames frontman Gordon Gano for selling Wendy's the rights to use 'Blister in the Sun' for a commercial that advertised chili and baked potatoes. Ritchie was so enraged by the ad, he actually sued Gano in US District Court, saying the commercial hurt the band's reputation. He also claimed Gano had misappropriated jointly-owned property.

While the Femmes did record a cover of the Gnarls Barkley song 'Crazy' after the lawsuit was filed, Ritchie claims he has no interest in getting back with the band right now.

"There are certainly some disputes that haven't been resolved," he says, adding this jab at his ex-band mates: "There's no will to do anything creative there."

Of course, Ritchie is busy now with his new surf band, the Break, formed with members of Midnight Oil. Meanwhile, Gano is busy with his new band, Gordon Gano and the Ryan Brothers, and most recent Femmes drummer Guy Hoffman is with Radio Romeo.

Oddly enough, the song Wendy's used is about masturbation, a fact Ritchie confirmed. Written in the '80s, the acoustic punk song became popular with college crowds in the '90s.

"The simplicity of it is very appealing," Ritchie says. "It gets into people's minds very easily."

Sounds like the perfect song for a commercial.

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Bettwice2

I obviously don't know Ritchie at all but I sure hope that there's more to this than he being pissed about the Wendy's ad on moral grounds. I sure hope it's more about money; that part I can understand. If there's anything I've learned, anyone should grab the opportunity to make a buck whenever they can--how can you blame Gano for that? It's not like he sold the song to a political party or something. Now, if the song was truly more of a collaborative effort and the other bandmates have been cut out of some rightly-earned dough, that's a legitimate beef and Gano should have come up off. In any case, I hope these guys can put this stuff behind them because they are one hell of a live band; I miss seeing them and am tired of checking their website for news. Please guys, get this thing over with and get back on the road where you belong.

May 13 2010 at 7:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Boele

The first time I saw that commercial I thought it was a little wierd that a song about masturbation was being used to sell food ("..I stain my sheets, I don't even know why..."). Kinda gross and amusing at the same time.

April 05 2010 at 5:36 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Gar

Sounds like the media is running out of material.

April 04 2010 at 2:04 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dori

Now he's back in the spot light! Why sue? Did he already spend his millions? Don't give me it's point he's trying to make, not the $$. If it's only the point, I hope he wins & donates the $ to a good cause.

April 04 2010 at 1:51 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
katieleebanky

Wow. It's really embarrassing that so many people from my age group are so illiterate. Regardless, I would be annoyed if someone used my musical creativity to promote crap food.
....Chick who wrote about Dolly and Whitney- Dolly wrote the song, Whitney made it popular through the movie The Bodyguard.
I actually prefer to hear Dolly's voice sing her own version.

April 04 2010 at 1:31 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mike

Gordon wrote the lyrics, so it's his to sell. But the bigger issue is" the bands reputation"? gimme a break, it's yesterday's news. This band almost invented ALT music....I love this band, but it is soooo not revelent in today's music. Today's kids have never heard of them...how sad

April 04 2010 at 12:40 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Glen

all i know is that while you are all arguing over who wrote and sang what, I'm going to Wendy's for a bowl of chili; that commercial made me hungry.

April 04 2010 at 12:20 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Brian Workman

I can barely hear the song under the loud voice of the commercial talking??!!

April 04 2010 at 12:01 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2lazyp2

I would like to know if he made a profit on ticket sales. If he is true to his music shouldn't he only sell the tickets at a break even price?

April 03 2010 at 11:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
PEGGY T

Ok..two comments: linda ronstadt did the best version ever of I Will Always Love You...but Witless made DP richer than rich from it so she should be grateful.....and as for the Femmes "ruined reputation"...they have no reputation so get over it and do something productive with your sorry lives....these people! if they only knew what it meant to really work for a living!

April 03 2010 at 10:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply