BLABBERMOUTH.NET - VELVET REVOLVER Settles Plagiarism Claim Out Of Court, Awards UK Songwriter Share Of Hit

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VELVET REVOLVER Settles Plagiarism Claim Out Of Court, Awards UK Songwriter Share Of Hit - Aug. 20, 2008

Tony Newton, the bass player and chief songwriter of UK rock band VOODOO SIX, has been awarded a share of VELVET REVOLVER's song "Dirty Little Thing", which appeared on VR's debut album "Contraband". Following a claim brought by Newton's publishers Universal Music, VELVET REVOLVER has now signed over 20% of all royalties on the record since its release on the album in 2004 and as a U.S. single in 2005. The claim alleged that the melody and core guitar riff from the VELVET REVOLVER track was an unmistakable copy of Newton's track "Cyber Babe", which was released in 1999 on the album "Real World" by Newton's former band DIRTY DEEDS. The agreement between the parties covers all commercial uses of the record including live performances and video plays as well as digital and physical album and single sales worldwide.

DIRTY DEEDS - "Cyber Babe": Audio
VELVET REVOLVER - "Dirty Little Thing": Audio

"It was all a bit surreal, really," stated Tony Newton. "A couple of years back, a mate of mine in L.A. called me to say he'd heard what he thought was my song on the radio, and that he had been a bit shocked when he realized it was VELVET REVOLVER. When I checked it out myself, I genuinely couldn't believe it, because it wasn't as if it was close... it was basically the same riff. Anyway, I called my publishers to check whether they knew anything — which, of course, they didn't — and then basically left it with them. I never really expected to hear any more about it and was as surprised as anyone when I heard that Universal had settled with VELVET REVOLVER."

Following the success of the band's debut album "First Hit For Free", which was released in the UK in March 2008 (a wider European release is expected on October 10 via Locomotive), VOODOO SIX is gearing up to take its live show around the UK in support of digital single release "Feed My Soul" on September 29, 2008 on White Knuckle Records through Pinnacle. The tour is in association with Live Nation and is partnered by Planet Rock radio.

For more information on VOODOO SIX, visit www.voodoosix.com.

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	COMMENT \| Ummm yeah... posted by : Badmotrfngr 8/20/2008 10:11:35 AM

	sounds just like it........RIGHT. Just looking for a payday.

	COMMENT \| posted by : RiotAct666 8/20/2008 10:19:13 AM

	They both kinda sound the same.

	COMMENT \| Bollox posted by : My Secret Circus 8/20/2008 10:21:32 AM

	Dirty Little thing Sounds more like Sex Type Thing in a decending version ..... Maybe S.T.P should sue Velvet Revolver...... (for more than giving them Scott back) ..... Love S.T.P - but from what I have seen of Weiland on losertube, he's looking like shite and sounding whiny and sick..... Drugs are bad mmmmmmmmmmkay But really - how many songs sound like other songs - this was close - but, what a toss..

	COMMENT \| surprising posted by : Night_Prowler 8/20/2008 10:32:49 AM

	that Axl rose didn't somehow get involved in some way to obtain part of that cash

	COMMENT \| !!! posted by : Doros78 8/20/2008 11:05:18 AM

	ok then Iron Maiden should sue Papa Roach for 1-2 of their songs and Motley Crue should sue Green Day for one song on their last album, cant remember the name, part of it is just like on with the show on Too fast for love. and even thoug Velvet are paying him i dont think they had even heeard the song before but sometimes this happens.

	COMMENT \| wow posted by : Jubijuju 8/20/2008 11:10:55 AM

	i can't believe they got money for this. granted it was settled out of court but come on.

	COMMENT \| There's Nothing That Original Here posted by : Cloud Connected 8/20/2008 11:27:07 AM

	amazing how some people get money so easy...

	COMMENT \| at 20%... posted by : dogman 8/20/2008 1:18:06 PM

	at 20% Mr. Newton will earn a whopping $12.80. I walked out of a Velvet Revolver show a few years back. Really awful.

	COMMENT \| THRASHMONGER posted by : Ronnie Black 8/20/2008 2:40:24 PM

	Best post ever - LMAO - KI$$ also invented The Beatles

	COMMENT \| AC/DC posted by : JJJB 8/20/2008 2:40:59 PM

	should of sued a million bands in the 80's.

	COMMENT \| duh... posted by : londonrocker 8/20/2008 3:55:12 PM

	'Its the same notes, but completely different songs'... Err, doesn't that make it a rip-off then? Even the drums are the same so they must've heard the original one. Good luck to the guy, getting some money from the big corporate bloodsuckers. And VR do suck!

	COMMENT \| posted by : ingvay7 8/20/2008 4:52:42 PM

	maybe 'Cyber Babe' was written abt Slash and "Dirty Little Thing" was written about Tony Newton... anyways, VR = Dirty Little Cyber Babe Thing

	COMMENT \| posted by : The Grand Wizard 8/20/2008 5:16:22 PM

	What a load of shit they don't even sound the same, but they're both generic as fuck so I guess that means sue sue sue. What a load of shit with these fucking lawyers man. I swear that Dirty Deeds song sounds like Lovefist from GTA: Vice City. Its a parody, not real music, but none of that matters if you get the lawsuit money. A truly load of shit.

	COMMENT \| LOL! posted by : Rock Lobster 8/20/2008 5:17:21 PM

	Maybe the Stones should sue the Cult for Love Removal Machine, lol.

	COMMENT \| There was a news item long ago in Kerrang! posted by : Hawkwinder 8/20/2008 5:55:33 PM

	about some legal action concerning one riff of 'To tame a land' by Iron Maiden sounding like it was copied from Hawaii's 'Escape the Night'. Don't know whatever became of that. Thought maybe I'd see it 'Metal that sounds like other metal' by Bak 'n Blak!

	COMMENT \| posted by : sweetcache 8/21/2008 6:15:14 AM

	perhaps before tony newton gets too excited and cries 'plagerism' he should step back and listen to the intros of the following two songs: into the night by patti smith and walking on nails by voodoo 6. the similiarity between THESE two songs is rather extraordinary - wouldnt you say......

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