R.E.M. absolutely torches Donald Trump for using the band's music without permission

R.E.M., a local Georgia band with songs about both gardening and swimming after sunset, is the latest to join the ranks of bands none too pleased with Republican presidential candidates for using their music without permission.

After Trump used the band’s “It’s The End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” as a very-on-the-nose intro to his anti-Iran deal rally, several Twitter users asked R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills what he thought of the well-coiffed candidate using their song without a hint of irony. Mills responded with a simple “cease and desist.”

Mills then took the next several hours to respond to critics. He RT’d a good joke that invoked the band Simple Minds, talked about the music industry, how musicians get paid, and sparred with several other opinion-havers.

The band then released an official statement telling everyone to look at the bigger picture.

Mills then tweeted what he claims was R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe’s official response to the matter.

On Tuesday, Mike Huckabee threw a rally outside of the Kentucky prison Kim Davis had just been released from after being charged with contempt of court and played “Eye of the Tiger” by the band Survivor. Survivor was not happy. In June, at his campaign kickoff event, Trump used Canadian Neil Young’s “Keep On Rockin’ In The Free World” and was similarly chided.

Maybe these politicians should try a new walkup song: silence.

David Matthews operates the Wayback Machine on Fusion.net—hop on. Got a tip? Email him: [email protected]