The Black Keys are tackling an ad agency after an unauthorised use of ‘Tighten Up’.
The Black Keys are now big business. The Ohio duo have built their career steadily over a decade, moving from independent obscurity on Fat Possum to mainstream success on a much larger label.
Returning last year with their new album ‘Brothers’ the group kept packaging to a minimum. The vein of authenticity ran throughout the campaign, with The Black Keys issuing a strange non-video for ‘Tighten Up’.
The track became their most played yet, reaching areas The Black Keys have never dreamed of. Being used on high profile ad campaigns, it seems that one Stateside commercial has overstepped the mark.
‘Tighten Up’ was used in an advert for New Jersey’s Valley National Bank earlier this year. The ad ran for two weeks, crossing the Grammy period where The Black Keys of course won two awards.
It seems that ‘Tighten Up’ was used without permission, now Billboard reports that The Black Keys are set to tackle the ad agency. According to lawyers for label Nonesuch the song was used despite cease and desist letters.
Now Nonesuch wants to stop the ad airing again, while also asking judges to award damages “in proportion to the popularity of the song.”
By far their most played song on Stateside radio, the total amount could reach something staggering…
Meanwhile, a Twitter remark from drummer Pat Carney has landed him in hot water with Lady Gaga fans. Light-heartedly comparing Lady Gaga to Madonna, fans of the ‘Poker Face’ singer have been inundating the drummer’s feed in protest.