Although the BBC had previously been rotating new MBA single 'Hey Man!' on stations such as 6Music, the recent inclusion of B-side 'E-V-I-L' has meant that they are now refusing to play the record, citing the 'Representation Of The People' act. Hmm.
The release date for the new single was pushed back after the announcement of the General Election, as it seemed a fitting opportunity to repackage it with a song inspired by the frustration caused by New Labour. MBA's appointed premier Grandmaster Gareth, however, insists that the song is a more general tirade towards the majority of politicians. Have a look for yourself:
"Scheming, that is all that they do, just scheming
Most of us are happy just believing
But I don't like the way they're leaning
Corporate holiday for some team building
And I'm wondering where this is leading?
Nothing that they say has any meaning
I know I wish they'd all stop breathing
Make them take a beating and back down
It's a four letter word that means nothing at all
E.V.I.L."
Says the Grandmaster: "We are living in an age when we need musicians, artists and everyone involved in the creative industries to be able to say what they want to say. Particularly during an election campaign when every voice and opinion should be heard, not just those of the major parties, especially as the British National Party is given prime time slots on BBC radio and television to air their disgusting views."
The double A-side single 'Hey Man!/E-V-I-L' is released, and available for free download, on the week of May 5th. Fancy that. Both tracks will also be featured on the band's forthcoming second album, 'The Black Hole', which is slated for July 4th. Coo.
DiScuss: Isn't this merely censorship? Are Misty's the new Frankie Goes To Hollywood? Why aren't Kasabian banned? Are you thinking what we're thinking?
Little Bit Of Politics: BBC ban Misty's for Evil-doing
Re: Little Bit Of Politics: BBC ban Misty's for Evil-doing
"
Hello.
Myself, and many people on our message boards, have been critical of
the BBC for not allowing our song to be played. But being the liberal
minded chap I am (not always........but sometimes) maybe we shouldn't
blame the BBC for this. Having learnt more about the Representation
of the People Act (fascinating reading!), I now think it's not really
their fault. The BBC are being cautious to not infringe it. And maybe
rightly so. They're not exactly New Labour's best friends, and
imagine how bad it would be if the BBC were replaced by Rupert
Murdoch.
Then we'd NEVER get played!
I don't know what's on his iPod, but it ain't Mistys. I also should
say that Radio 6 have been good to us in the past. They've played us
a lot, even when no one had really heard of us.
Still be annoyed though! But annoyed with the right wing fools in
power. Again. Who tell us all about how great it is to live in the
free world. And we can say what we want. So long as you don't
disagree.
Thanks for all your support on this strange occurance. It's really
great to see so many people behind us. And now I'm going to return to
writing songs about headless monkeys, biscuit tins and taking
goldfish on holiday to the beach. Maybe!
(Don't really take goldfish to the beach or we'll get into trouble
with the RSPCA)
Happy Bank Holiday Monday!
Gareth"
so there you go...
'Evil' is available for download at their website now, by the way...
and what the fuck happened to free speech?
fucking WHAT? they let me appear on their radio with MY VIEWS and they ban THIS.
WHAT.
FUCK OFF.
What did
you say?
Little Bit Of Politics: BBC ban Misty's for Evil-doing
Seems like a slightly odd story. I'd like to see what their rationale was for doing this.
Little Bit Of Politics: BBC ban Misty's for Evil-d
Little Bit Of Politics: BBC ban Misty's for Evil-doing
Any idea what their reason for citing the 'Representation Of The People' act is?
Little Bit Of Politics: BBC ban Misty's for Evil-d
Re: Little Bit Of Politics: BBC ban Misty's for Evil-d
Re: Little Bit Of Politics: BBC ban Misty's for Evil-d
Re: Little Bit Of Politics: BBC ban Misty's for Evil-d
Re: Little Bit Of Politics: BBC ban Misty's for Evil-d
Re: Little Bit Of Politics: BBC ban Misty's for Evil-d
Little Bit Of Politics: BBC ban Misty's for Evil-d
Go Gareth!
Re: Little Bit Of Politics: BBC ban Misty's for Evil-d
Little Bit Of Politics: BBC ban Misty's for Evil-doing
Little Bit Of Politics: BBC ban Misty's for Evil-doing
just weird really.
Jamie
Little Bit Of Politics: BBC ban Misty's for Evil-doing
If they don't play it when the polls close on the 5th May then I'll take that back and reside with the line that they are all assholes.
Re: Little Bit Of Politics: BBC ban Misty's for Evil-doing
Otherwise, it could just destroy all voter confidence and make levels of voter apathy soar. but anyway...
very funny people at auntie...
Re: Little Bit Of Politics: BBC ban Misty's for Evil-doing
Re: Little Bit Of Politics: BBC ban Misty's for Evil-doing
or for just being crap?
i'll let you decide...
Little Bit Of Politics: BBC ban Misty's for Evil-doing
The entire point of them seems to come down "politicians... well their all bad aint they?"...
Sorry I'm in a bad mood.
Little Bit Of Politics: BBC ban Misty's for Evil-doing
Little Bit Of Politics: BBC ban Misty's for Evil-doing
To be fair, since the Hutton inquiry and the chain of events that led to Greg Dyke stepping down, the BBC has trod ultra-cautiously over anything that could even vaguely be libellous. Check out the censorship that goes on inside some of the football forums on BBC Sport, even the cricket forums are not immune. Anything that might be libellous or could end up in court, however remote, is ditched. Instead of saying how shite the BBC is, people should be saying how fucking bastardlike Blair's boys are, for they effectively have been able to hold the BBC over a barrel since the Hutton inquiry.
Re: Little Bit Of Politics: BBC ban Misty's for Evil-doing
The main thing is the BBC need the next Labour Government to renew its charter on generous terms. The best way of sucking up to the government without being too obvious is to pretend that some story/piece of music is somehow anti-government (pretend, coz the Misty's lyrics quoted above clearly don't attack anyone more than anyone else) and then ban it. Then Blair say 'ahh, someone stamped down on artistic freedom all for me'
Re: Little Bit Of Politics: BBC ban Misty's for Evil-doing
More worrying is that this is the sort of overcaution is manifesting itself as self-censorship at the BBC.
Re: Little Bit Of Politics: BBC ban Misty's for Evil-doing
...and then get banned by the BBC?
and so it goes on...
Anyway, the original single release ('Hey Man!') isn't that politically libellous, is it? But that's the one they're refusing to continue playing...