Somehow, it seems like getting your panties in a bunch over a group of gay rappers (mis)approriating your logo seems like more of an Eddie Van Halen thing and less of, say, an Alex Van Halen thing. We’re not gonna bring even bring Diamond Dave into this one: Surely he, if anyone, must be aware of the merits of having a bunch of coke-sniffing homos owe you a favor or two, no? Oh well. Note to bands: Beware of “art deco lettering”!!! If it can happen to V.I.P., it can happen to anyone.

Full press release (with hilarious band “statement” after the jump.

:::::::::::::PRESS RELEASE::::::::::::::::::::::

Gay Hip-Hop Group “V.I.P.” has received notice that they are being targeted
for a lawsuit by non other then the 80’s rock icon Van Halen.

V.I.P.’s record label, Collision/Collider, was served with papers from Van
Halen’s lawyers: King, Holms, Paterno & Berliner, LLP; saying that they were
in violation of a service mark patent:”…unfair competition,
misappropriation of commercial identity …” over the cover of V.I.P.’s new
“Mad Coke E.P.”

The cover depicts an Art Deco style lettering similar to many 80’s metal
bands.

When asked if he thought the logo looked significantly like the Van Halen
logo Ryan replied; “We didn’t think it looked more like Van Halen then any
other 80s glam group. We wouldn’t be getting sued if the first letter wasn’t
a ‘V’”

Jonny Makeup, one of the three MC’s in V.I.P., said “I don’t know what to
make of all this, I’m just a coalminer’s daughter![laughter..] I don’t think
this would be happening if we weren’t quarreling lovers. [laughter..] The CD
has only been out for a month, how did they even think that was going to
impact them?”

V.I.P. Made its start a little over a year ago with rapid promotion through
the hipster community. Their first show landed them a record deal with
Spacefoundation and Collision/Collider labels, their third show landed them
at the famous Trocadero Theater in Philadelphia with girl rappers
“Fannypack.” Since then the boys have been on everyone’s wish list with
their flamboyant display of skills and style.

Support The Cause: V.I.P. On The Web
Philebrity’s Greatest Hits: V.I.P. In Blowjob Shocker

This entry was posted on Monday, January 24th, 2005 at 9:24 am.