Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Hot Goss / Wow How I Became the (Cherry) Bomb
Posted by Tracy Moore on Tue, Jul 24, 2007 at 11:23 AM
So, like many people I've been geeking out over the new Spoon record, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. The first time I listened to it, I wasn't over the moon about it, but upon repeated listens, I gotta say this shit is a total grower. This record is all about the craftsmanship—flourishes and handclaps and horns and shakers that pop in and out unexpectedly, all over loungey, shuffling beats and bendy guitar parts. And yet, for all that's going on, it's a record that still exercises restraint. Sweet production values, too—it manages to sound really crisp and warm at the same time.
But, uh, track 3—"You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb"—has the same intro as How I Became the Bomb's "Killing Machine." Check it:
Spoon: "You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb" - MP3
How I Became the Bomb: "Killing Machine" - MP3
Comments (63)
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Whoa! Bizarro! And even in the same key. How weird is that? And the whole bomb connection? And come to think of it, I've never seen How I Became the Bomb in the audience at a Spoon show...kind of makes you think...
like
dislike
a friend of mine did see britt daniels at a how i became the bomb show when they were making that record. coincidence? or complete and utter artistic theft?
Joey...is this in fact true? I know Spoon were in town for a while a few months ago. Could we have the makings of a scandal? Idolator, are you listening?
I'm by no means a musical expert... but that is more of a lift than George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord". I vote downright theft.
I noticed it right away. If you're at all familiar with HIBTB, it's glaringly obvious that it's the exact same melody. I'm kind of disappointed. Is it time to lawyer up?
yes, but have you ever heard the story of the christian punk band in Alabama called Spoon who sent the following email to the Indie-Rock band you all know and love:
"We have registered the Spoon name in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and South and North Carolina and are the sole owners of it. Not trying to be mean, but you guys aren't doing anything big. We are on the verge of making it big, so we are going to use the name. Hope you understand, 'cause you really have no choice!"
I met the Alabama Spoon, they really are terrible.
well....since someone mentioned "My Sweet Lord" i guess i should say that these chords are exactly those used in that song as well.
also very close to "jackie wilson said" by van morrison.
...and this is old but was there ever a stink about the similarity between the flaming lips song "fight test" and Catsteven's "father and son"?
The chords are also identical to "Razzmatazz" by Pulp.
This does not change the fact that the Spoon song is an intentional or unintentional lift. Punishiment by banishment.
"Razzmatazz", however, is an entirely different song altogether.
G-C-D is used in a whole bunch of songs, y'all.
Yeah, but all those songs still manage to sound different.
G-C-D does not appear in "Killing Machine."
I am confident that everyone will agree that it's not the chord progression per se, it's the way it's used. Every blues song ever written has the same chords.
Any and all interested parties may rest assured that How I Became The Bomb and Lake Fever Productions have a phalanx of lawyers.
And when I say "phalanx," I mean it in the true Macedonian sense of the word.
i dont believe there is enough substantial similarity to even bother with talking about infringement.
Also, they would have to have proof of copying whether it be established either by direct evidence of copying or by indirect evidence showing access to the original work, ie being at the spoon show
it's likely just a quinkydink
Just ask Avril
It's been awhile since my one semester as a music business major, but if I remember correctly, you can't copyright a chord progression, or even a riff. Am I wrong?
I noticed it when I first heard the song, which happened to be in the radio station a couple of weeks ago. I then proceeded to play both tracks back to back.
Spoon sucks and so does their new record. Boring music . Tracy Moore, you had your first assumption right . Always trust your first instincts. As for HIBTB-all their music is simple fun pop stuff. Of course it's gonna sound like a million other things. No need to get all "copyright law."
Alright Matt! Droppin' that Nashville Number System on us. Well done.
For what it's worth, a long, long time ago (2000), in a land far, far away (The Great Escape employee break room), Kels Koch told me a story from his days of sludging through the local Austin some years prior with his band, The Million Sellers. He spoke of one probably drunken night wherein Mr. Daniel confessed that he had one of Kels' songs in mind when he had written one for Spoon.
To which my 20 year old self replied "Who's Spoon?"
So yeah, maybe ole' boy has a track record for this kinda stuff. I'm thinking such obviously anti-social behavioral patterns hold up in a court of law - even in effing Texas. So... when should we sick Kent Marcus on his ass?
Hey, I just like to give things more than one play if I have the time, and this time I was rewarded for it. Nonetheless, I was just pointing out the similarities between the two intros. But by all means, someone get all copyright law on that shit, at least for kicks.
Wait, wait... Baldwin - are you implying that our lawyers are penis-shaped?
...word!
you can only copyright lyrics and melody, and there has to be at least 10 or more (i think) identical notes of the melody before it can be infringement.
flaming lips settled with cat stevens,Am D G C is a standard circle of 5ths progression (music theory 101), and Soon ripped off HIBTB
If you could copyright chord progressions and the style that they're used in, most instro, surf, and blues bands would spend more time in court than on stage. That being said neither of those two songs warrant a second listen.
I admittedly know almost nothing about music theory, but wouldn't Am D G C be a cycle of 4ths, Evil Pants?
And I definitely here the similarities in the intros of these songs, but I don't think The Bomb would have a chance in hell in court.
And I find Spoon in general to be an acquired taste or in Tracy's words, a "grower." It took me a long time to get it, but now I like 'em a lot.
Cherry Bomb.... Became the Bomb... hmm.
I'd like to thank whomever [Tracy] just for bringing "Killing Machine" to my ears. Great song! I'd've stole from it too.
yes keith intervals are 4ths.
"The Cycle (or circle) of 5ths" is just a theroy standard and works going forward (5ths) or in reverse (4ths).just google "Circle of 5ths" or wiki for the nitty gritty.
I'm still disappointed nothing came of the Privates/Simple Plan rip off. This is surely an interesting trend though.
And to chime in on the chord progression discussion, yes these chords are used all the time, and from my quick listen it sounds like Spoon's using the chords in a different order (even though it starts with the Am). However, its the offbeat accents, the chord voicings, the quarter note drum beat, and the "Bomb" reference that make it all so fishy.
Anyone wanna make a merged mp3?
meh - it's a chord progression. the spoon song is way better as a whole so they win.
Guys, that's not the same chord progression. There's nothing "exactly the same" about them.
It sounds suspiciously similar, for sure. Especially since I do remember seeing that ugly Britt fellow at HIBTB, at Mercy Lounge.
Coincidental or not, I don't think it's a big deal. My friend Noel Gallagher says it happens all the time...
Did I say ugly? Sorry, I must be in kind of a bad mood. He's certainly not any less attractive than me, and considerably taller.
He's certainly not any less attractive than me, and considerably taller.
And let's not overlook what snappy dressers those Spoon folks are. 2 kudos!!
reminds me when Lifeboy had to change the melody of Number One because of the Green day song. isn't it like 6 or 7 notes before they can actually do anything? and anyways chord progressions are always ripped-off..it's the melodies that make the difference.
HIBTB starts on C, SPoon's starts on A. Yeah relative minor, whatever. And the melody is totally different, both are good tunes, leave it at that. So I guess Johhny Cash ripped himself off every third tune. Talk about something interesting and learn some fucking music theory, it won't make you sound too polished.
Oh, take the cycle of fifths and go backwards, you have the cycle of fourths...smartass.
If you take the second track out of the sequence, this is Spoon's best record in 10 years. If you ask me. But who's askin'?
the 'i became the bomb' song is terrible. TERRIBLE. Even if spoon stole the idea from them, they made it better. making good from garbage is okay in my book.
I gave HIBTB a chance and even volunteered a couple of visits to their shows. I have to be honest and say that this band is really overrated. It's all novelty and their good musicians but it says "nothing". I am glad spoon ripped it off if they did cause why should a good riff go to novelty BS.
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