Twisted Sister lead singer Dee Snider says Palmer ad making band look bad

The lead singer of US metal band Twisted Sister has called Clive Palmer out over what he says is a “terrible and blatant rip-off” of his band’s most famous song in TV ads, saying it’s been used without permission or paying royalties.

THE lead singer of US metal band Twisted Sister has called Clive Palmer out over what he says is a “terrible and blatant rip-off” of his band’s most famous song in TV ads, saying it’s been used without permission or paying royalties.

Appearing on Channel 9’s Today show this morning, Dee Snider told Richard Wilkins that Mr Palmer was using the tune from their 1984 hit We’re not Going to Take it for his United Australia Party television advertisements without permission or paying royalties.

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“It’s a blatant rip-off, it’s terrible, and a poor Dee Snider impersonation as well,” he said.

Mr Snider conceded other politicians, including US President Donald Trump, who had used the song had either paid for it or stopped using it once requested.

“But he’s using it in a commercial without licensing,” he said.

“To use it at a rally or something like that that’s one issue and those politicians like, Donald Trump, when asked to stop they stopped.”

The Queensland politician, who Mr Wilkins said was invited but did not appear on the Today show, claims to have written the ad’s lyrics that include “We’re not going to cop it” and “Aussies aren’t going to cop it,” himself.

Mr Snider said he was on the beach in Belize when he was informed of the use of the tune.

“I’ve been on holiday for the past seven weeks. I was on a beach at home in Belize and I get rudely interrupted,” he said.

“Apparently he approached my publishing company, put in the request for the license and then never paid and started using song in the commercials.

“They’re in the process of suing right now.”

Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider has said Clive Palmer was refusing to pay royalties for using one of the band’s songs in political advertisements.

The musician said he had to ask an Australian friend what “cop it” meant.

He also said he did not agree with Mr Palmer’s political stance.

“I’ve looked into Clive’s thing and he does not represent what I represent,” Mr Snider said.

“I mean the first line of the song is we have the right to choose. That’s a big deal to me. I stand by freedom of choice for everybody.

“What I discovered about his stance is he’s not pro-choice.”

In a previous statement to News Corp Australia, Mr Palmer said that he held the copyright for the words in the ads and said the band’s upcoming Australian tour was “slow to sell tickets.”

He also previously said that he would take legal action if the band attempted to use any of his own lyrics in their songs.

Mr Snider told Mr Wilkins that he had heard Mr Palmer had “said all kinds of things.”

“He’s that guy, look my wife’s family are mobsters so I know criminals but usually criminals have dignity and own up to it,” he said.

“They don’t accuse the victim of being a criminal.”

Mr Snider, who has a new album out and is scheduled to appear in spoken-word gigs in Sydney and Melbourne said the shows were booked months ago and the publicity was a coincidence.

Twisted Sister singer Dee Snider says he does not agree with Clive Palmer’s political stance. Picture: Jeremy Piper/AAP

“It’s good for shows and to get the attention but I’d pass it and deal without rather than have that SOB use it.”

Mr Snider, who then had a dig at the Today show by pointing out they ran the United Party Ad, said the damage had been done.

“They’re in court … They’ll negotiate a settlement, in the meantime he’s already ran his spots did his damage and people out there think I’ve endorsed his campaign.”

There are at least four different United Party Australia ads on YouTube, some of which have been aired on TV.

The four ads that News Corp Australia previously found online were about the NBN, foreign control of politicians, more taxes under Bill Shorten and the GST in Western Australia.

The rewritten song can be heard in the background with new lyrics that state “We’re not gonna cop it”.

Mr Snider and the band’s manager Jay Jay French were alerted to the song’s use by fans and revealed on social media they did not endorse Palmer’s party and had not given permission for song to be used.

Mr Palmer previously called for Mr Snider’s tour to be axed due to the singer’s alleged “defamation and threats.”

He claimed We’re Not Gonna Take It is not an original Twisted Sister song, but rather a rip-off of the classic hymn O Come All Ye Faithful.

Comment has been sought from Clive Palmer.