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Dropkick Murphys: Pro-Union Punks Slam Republican for Using Their Song in Rally

Michael Buckner, Getty

You have to give American politicians some credit as it's been several weeks since anyone's been caught using an artist's music without permission. But according to Punknews that streak came to an end over the weekend when Boston band Dropkick Murphys called out Wisconsin Republican Jeff Fitzgerald for using "Shipping Up to Boston" in a campaign stop.

"We just got word that Wisconsin State Rep and Speaker of the State Assembly Jeff Fitzgerald used 'Shipping Up to Boston' as his walk-on song yesterday at the Wisconsin GOP Convention in Green Bay," the band wrote in a Facebook post. "The stupidity and irony of this is laughable. A Wisconsin Republican U.S. Senate candidate -- and crony of anti-Union Governor Scott Walker -- using a Dropkick Murphy song as an intro is like a white supremacist coming out to gangsta rap!"

The group continued by saying that if Fitzgerald and his staff "can't even figure out your music you might wanna give up on the politics!!!!!" Dropkick Murphys finished by stating their support of the union movement in Wisconsin and across the U.S.

What makes the incident even odder is that the song is based in part by lyrics of folk icon and noted union proponent Woody Guthrie.

Approximately 80 minutes into a video clip taken from the state convention Saturday shows a video introduction with Fitzgerald speaking before there's a break in recording. However, the tail end of the band's song is clearly audible with Fitzgerald at the dais.

"Well, how's that for a little change on the music," the politician says before commencing his speech.

Late last night, following over 1,000 comments on their Facebook page regarding the post, the group added another statement on the page.

"Ummm...if this man had asked permission like he should have we would have declined the request and none of this would be taking place on here," the band wrote. "So weather you agree with our politics or not is irrelevant...it's really a copyright issue!!!!"

Last year the group went so far as to release the song "Take 'Em Down" as a single to support the unions in Wisconsin who were under threat by the state legislature. According to the Cap Times the group also created a t-shirt with the song's title with sales benefiting the Workers' Right Emergency Response Fund.

The Dropkick Murphys mount a European tour in early June but will be part of a special "Red Sox Night" at Boston's Symphony Hall on May 24 by performing with the Boston Pops. The concert is to celebrate Fenway Park's centennial anniversary. The group released its last studio album Going Out In Style in 2011.

Watch Dropkick Murphys' "Going out in Style" Video

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tcous13974

Never heard of the pukes. They are up the arse of Obama then I don't want to hear of the them. Brown nosing pukes. Lefty nazis as far as I am conserend. Just another band to keep the the lefty pukes pleased and on the Democrat Plantation.

May 17 2012 at 9:34 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to tcous13974's comment
sifuchuck

"Lefty nazis?" LOL! I'm not saying you are stupid or anything, but you might want to do a little research on those terms. Histoically, it has always been "Lefty Commies," and "Right-wing Nazis."

May 17 2012 at 3:15 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
drcarplove

To quote RRPATREILLY [Somehow I find this very funny. Do bands and singers really think that people listen to the words in these songs? Maybe a catch line or two but that's about it. The folks who do listen and really get off on the words really need to get a life.]
I am sure this attitude of his applies to the National Anthem too?

To

May 17 2012 at 9:27 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
puckhead1296

Never heard of these guys, only part of their song, they should be thanking that Republican he just made them relevant or a few more moments since their 15 minutes of fame have moved on.

May 17 2012 at 9:26 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
gregg

Typical GOP.

May 17 2012 at 9:25 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
katydid579

Funny how it's always the goppers being told to stop using a musicians intellectual property and not a Democrat, isn't it? Maybe the radical rightists should just use their brain dead rock poster boy, teddy nugent's music and leave it at that. What? His lyrics are all so lame? Oh..... well.......

May 17 2012 at 9:25 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
hatchetwrath

political opinion doesn't matter here, it IS a copyright issue and politicians need to play by the rules just like anyone else. this was a careless mistake. I'm not saying this as a Dropkick Murpheys fan, I can't honestly say I've ever heard their music.. but I support them here. they have every right to be angry.

May 17 2012 at 9:18 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ironwolfmd

Never heard of this band, but (politics aside) since they're just a bunch of whiney little bitches, I'll pass.

May 17 2012 at 9:17 AM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to ironwolfmd's comment
sifuchuck

That's very whiney of you.

May 17 2012 at 3:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
masseurrs

Stealing intellectual property is stealing ideas and using them for yourself. Playing a song without permission is a completely different subject. Silly people trying to make every accusation possible.

May 17 2012 at 9:04 AM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
William

Well, that settles it for me, The Dropkick Murphys have spoken and since they are the "go to guys" on all things political......... . . . . . .
I may safely assume that all of you guys are in the musicians union? And your roadies, they're all teamsters?

May 17 2012 at 9:01 AM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
fredlynn07

You know stealing intellectual property is a crime! Kinda fits their integrity doesn't it?

May 17 2012 at 8:55 AM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply