Headlines

June 05, 2008

MTV fined $484K for playing Aphex Twin's Windowlicker video...

Variety | Read Full Story >

Variety:

MTV Networks Europe has been fined a total of £255,000 ($484,500) by U.K. media regulator Ofcom for “widespread and persistent” breaches of its broadcasting code by four of its channels.

The Viacom-owned operator will have to pay the following penalties: TMF £80,000 ($152,000), MTV France £35,000 ($66,500), MTV UK £80,000 ($152,000) and MTV Hits £60,000 ($114,000).

The “highly offensive language and material” was broadcast before the 9pm family-viewing watershed.

Auds complained about a number of shows. They included: repeated use of the words “motherfucker”, “fuck you” and “fuck” in a music video by Aphex Twin for the song “Windowlicker” on TMF, and racist and homophobic text messages aired by MTV France in “Belge Chat.”

Additionally TMF screened a trailer for the reality skein “Totally Jodie Marsh” on seven occasions between 9.48am and 3.15pm on July 24 last year containing the sentence: “I just don’t want you settling down with some fucking wanker from a modeling agency.”

Other breaches identified by Ofcom included a 4.30pm broadcast of MTV UK show “Totally Boyband” in 2006 featuring “extensive offensive language.”


Post a comment


24 Comments

#1 RWMS says:

Call it what you want, but...

Richard's work is always thought provoking and tends to push buttons. Chris Cunningham's video work for him is also timeless and note worthy!

This stuff [ The MTV fine ] just creates more buzz for the project in general.

FYI - Music Video Headz, go get the Palm Pictures Director's Series, Vol. 2 DVD "Chris Cunningham" collection. It is well worth it!

-Ron Wiles

#2 Affected Twin says:

wait, what part of the Windowlicker video is homophobic?

#3 HAHAHAHAHA says:

$500,000 is a bargain to air this during family dinner hours.

#4 re: ron says:

dude ron,

get lost man, do you really think cunningham or richard give a fuck about MTV.

i sincerelly doubt either of them are looking for an mtv "buzz", he is a person that doesn't need one, unlike usher...

#5 lau says:

as much as i dislike censorship, i cannot help but enjoying mtv getting fines. once back in the day they actually used to play music, now its all about money.

windowlicker is a masterpiece. thank you rdj&cc.

#6 #4.2 says:

#4
Ditto
Get lost RWMS, and take your half baked observations with you, you write like a 4 year old.

#7 #4.3 says:

Ditto again

Piss off RWMS, you always come across like you're some expert without whose advice we'd be listening to Backstreet Boys. Your posting actually betray your pedestrian understanding and taste in music. It's not my place to say you can no longer post but I wish (and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone on this) you'd change your style because it's mad corny.

#8 RWMS says:

Hey, some of you folks are being down right surly to me, and without merit. "Piss-off" is a prime example. I don't recall me attacking everyone elses post un-provoked?

Chill with this stuff.

I'm not posting here to piss you off or to have you attack me.

I'm posting on stuff that I have some knowledge about first hand. i.e. - I followed Chris Cunningham's career as he is a director who's technique I respect.

[ Chris Directs - said "Window Licker" music video ]

Moreover, Richard David James a.k.a. Aphex Twin is an artist who I find to be fascinating for several reasons.

His "Come to Daddy" video blew me away with its otherworldly imagery and traces of Jacob's Ladder type elements brought to the project via director Chris Cunningham.

See the video below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp_clx...

Also, for a little insight into who is this Ron Wiles guy...

Here's some of my music video work as a director below:

Indie band Moe and Don - "Gotcha" music video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_bIN1...

Indie band The Pyrokleptics - "Kludge" music video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTf-n9...

Enjoy!

DMGTH

-Ron Wiles

#9 Alan says:

Ron, wow, gotta say that your videos were not that great. If these are students projects, like something for a directing class, that's fine. As a commercial product though, very uninteresting and uninspired. The first one offered a few stereotypical images of "thug life" that were interspersed with shots of your two rappers who shamelessly ducked in and out of frame as they rapped, as if they were either boxing or experiencing vertigo.
The second one is even worse. It offers one scene, the band playing in a poorly and sporadically lit red room. The "action" comes from you changing between different shots and angles of the same scene occurring. Also, the timing your segues from shot to shot appear to have no rhyme reason and are related to neither the progression of the or to the actions of the players.
Furthermore, in what seems like a tremendously underhanded ploy, you've tagged both of you videos with the word "like" and then proceeded to tag the videos not with names of moderately populars bands who have any sort of musical or stylistic relevance to your artists, but instead you tag the names of the most prominent artists of the same genre. You name "Nas," "50 Cent," "Kanye West," and "Jay-fucking-Z" on your rap track, even though it sounds like none of these artists in any way, except maybe that its rap. If I thought that you were trying to reach people by placing the names of artists who actually sound similar, I know that you would have used names of early 90s rappers or groups who possess more of an old school set, like Dre's "Chronic" or something. Clearly this was a ploy to try to trick viewers into thinking that your music will sound like their current favorite artists, giving you videos more hits by accidental views, which I sure gives you a massive internet hard-on.
Also you listed the PyroKleptics as "like" The Beatles and Nirvana. This is bullshit. They sound more like The Toadies had a love child with White Zombie, only the child is very stale sounding and unoriginal.

----->In conclusion,
I give your posts a D, your (likely wikipedia based) "wealth" of music knowledge a C-, and your directorial showcase an abysmal fucking F.

#10 ha says:

o

#11 4.11 says:

Actually, RW, the "attacks" on you are not without merit. You seem to be the only person on TDS that, more often than not, finds a way to plug your own projects by inserting links. You also, very frequently, come across like you're blessing TDS readers with your profoundly deep understanding of music when your comments aren't that insightful ("indie is the new black, and indie is about to get paid!").

I'm sure that there are people reading and posting on TDS that have cool professions, maybe even play in great bands. But you never see them flaunt or push any of that. So your true name/radio host sign off is just fucking lame. I'm pretty sure people have tried to tell you this more tactfully . . .

#12 nail in the coffin, hopefully says:

RE:RWMS

'Alan' nailed it.
RWMS is all about being self referential/self plugging, tying his name to bigger names by either name-dropping or thinly veiled ass kissing ('Richard's work is always thought provoking') disguised as 'writing'. Then wrapping the whole turd up by plugging his show with a bunch of links.

I've been following Aphex's career since 92', and just because I describe his work as 'groundbreaking' and I know who Chris Cunningham is, DOESNT make me a rock critic, much less a good one.

#13 RW, don't you get it? says:

"Also, for a little insight into who is this Ron Wiles guy..."

Nobody cares! You're the fucking Inspector Clouseau of TDS

#14 re: ron (again) says:

All the points above are exactly what our friend doesn't understand, his remarks are basically crap because he is trying to preach the, apparently limited, musical knowledge he has to possibly the most musically geeky crowd out there, in turn using the, rather small, industry cred, he claims to have, to support his views.
In this case especially, stating that he has followed Cunningham's work etc, who cares?

Also, if you want free publicity, send your stuff to the TDS Editors, and see if they make a post about it.

You don't see Richard, Cunningham, anyone in this blog, or even Usher, posting comments as publicity, it weak, and completely devalues any value your work might have had.

Hope you understand man, once and for all!

#15 RWMS says:

PUT UP, OR SHUT UP!

Yes, it's that simple.

Most of the bands I've worked with are indie in nature.

What galls me - a lot of you simpletons are posting in a very skewed-view manner. As in, I write, therefore I know.

(Get Real)

What do you know? What are your credits? Really, what do you know about the music biz? What do you know about being an artist? Have you ever written a song from start to finish? Can I hear it?

Do you even know who Rupert Neve is?
How about Les Paul and his contribution to multi tracking?
What is an NS10? Who made it? Who uses it? Why?

Sound off on your experiences.

Share them here, whether it's major, indie or not, share it... Share your work for all the world to see here, like I did.

CUE: [ standard cricket sound FX ]

Here's my best suggestion:

When comparing your take on things related to music against mine be sure to partake in the following:

Study music theory at a reputable school - like I have.
Be in an indie unsigned band - like I have.
Learn to run pro audio boards like Amek Galileo - like I have.
Get advanced Avid certified - like I have.
Negotiate a music contract - like I have.
Get hired as a staff songwriter/producer - like I have.
Direct/produce a music video start to finish - like I have.
Write several songs (complete with music and lyrics) - like I have.
Track indie artist and mix their songs - like I have.
Create and promote concert events from concept to event - like I have.

Get this or similar experience under your belt!

Then you might appreciate talent, artistry, what it takes to write a song from your heart, The long hours of recording (tracking) a song, and what it takes to direct a music video with a film crew of 22+ people for 14+ hours, and what it takes to keep believing in your talent when others seem to dismiss you. I and many others will tell you first hand, it can be lonely in this business of music until you get a hit. Then everyone wants to be your friend, everyone always knew you were the next big thing!

This is the point where you truly understand what Jack Johnson is talking about when on "Symbol in my drive way"

he says, " I got a hundred million dollar friends..."

I'm speaking from first hand experience!

Bottom Line - If the most you've done with music is "talked" about it with your friends and purchased a CD, concert ticket,etc. while in college and read a book about a band or two... You're a consumer and a casual observer at best. This does not make you stupid, but it does not give you license to attack me on this sound board.

Once again, share your work. Show the world how creative you really are musically or visually for that matter.

Hands on, gets it done!

DMGTH

http://www.myspace.com/ronwilesmusicshow

-Ron Wiles

#16 re: ron (again and again) says:

You're not getting the picture man, nobody gives a fuck about who you are, or what you have to say. Like mentioned many here are not mere people that live with their parents and only come into TDS to gloat.

The point is, you're crossing the line now... In terms of cred, yes I for one went to a reputable school, Berklee, yes I have my own studio and produce my own stuff. I am moving in a couple of months to Italy to develop soundtracks for films studios.

Now for one, you don't see me or anyone posting their myspaces, or any other kind of personal information as a form of marketing so vile that totally denegrates and little amount of artistry found in your links.

Second, find you place man, look where you're posting, TDS is for music fanatics and you think you know more than anyone.

IF YOU WERE A TRUE ARTIST YOU WOULD KNOW AS JOHN COLTRANE SAID HIMSELF AND WAS PROOF, I AM ALWAYS A BEGINNER LEARNING THE LIMITS OF MY INSTRUMENT, THERE WILL ALWAYS BE SOMEONE SOMEWHERE WHO WILL KNOW MORE THAN ME.

Now to be humble and great, that is the true virtue of a REAL artist.

Now please, shut up bitch.

#17 ditto #4 says:

ron = The TDS's comments deutsch

#18 RWMS says:

Everybody makes mistakes, I'd like to apologize for being such a selfish and foolish prick. I know it's just down right ridiculous to try promoting my work here at the comments, but I seriously need it, I can't manage to get hits on myspace any other way.
Also I acknowledge that I actually didn't got to music school, and just created some phony arguments to give me cred. I have actually read the Idiot's Guide to Music Theory once or twice, and had a couple of piano lessons. That explains why on myspace I only have other artist's track on the player, because I can't get the concept of key to produce an actual track and promote it. Going into that, I am no indie producer either, all of my friends on myspace are actually not friends, they are just part of the promotional scheme I have designed, to show me as the one with the in crowd.
As a matter of fact, I also do not fully comprehend what it means to be an indie, because I believe in the hype so much, that I can't see past corporate labels or anything that is not produced by Usher.
Finally I would like to thank The Daily Swarm for sharing musical knowledge with me, because until this moment I had not heard about Richard and Cunningham's work, but as soon as I saw I knew I had to put my label on it. Finally, the video itself is great, and now I will stop replying here, and leave the attention where its due, the post.

Peace

-Ron Wiles

http://www.myspace.com/ronwilesmusicshow

PS - please be my friend on myspace

#19 RWMS says:

^^ The real "RWMS" says - posting stuff under my board name is really shameful.

FYI - I have not a single thing to apologize for here.

If a bear shits in the woods, do we smell it?
So great that you have a Berklee background and a home studio, but you still have not shared with this audience any of your work via links, like I have.

I will post here and I will speak my mind. If you attack my post, my opinion of the music and subjects that come up, I may or may not reply. Nothings changed. Good luck in Italy.

Much success!

DMGTH

-Ron Wiles

#20 re: ron says:

hahahaha, I'm not getting this Ron, are you a schizo?

Also, if you want I'll be your friend on myspace.

Good luck with the music, you humble guy.

#21 hmm says:

RW, when people initially say that they don't care about your links it's not really a dismissal of your projects, people are trying to tell you that TDS is not a proper forum for self-promotion. Don't YOU think it would suck if every discussion board on every TDS article had a bunch of people plugging their own projects, pushing cred by listing their professional title? People read TDS to get away from that type of hype . . .

(aaaaaaggghhh, why do I fucking bother)

#22 RWMZzzzzzzzzzzzz says:

Well put 'hmmm'.
But something tells me no matter how many times or in how many ways you tell him, I don't think he gets it, as evidenced by him STILL linking to his sites/projects.

Has it sunk in yet RWMS? How about now?

And I thought MasterNServant was bad, jeez.

#23 RWMS says:

NOPE, still not sinking in...

In fact, I think this site would be much cooler if more people would post links to other indie projects. Seems to me, that only artists that are making pay dirt and starting to get press in general end up here... How is that fair?

Is that really serving the cause of music and music fans and aficionados?

As much as I can tell, more than 90% of TDS content is not original in nature at all. So, it's success is coming off of the sweat of others (i.e. - posters to this site) Eyeballs from people like you and me!

It seems to make sense to me, that others with original indie music would at least try to chime in...

And at least get a fair exchange for some of their buzzworthy remarks as freebie writing contributors at TDS, or do some of you with your great music projects and private home stidios get paid to post here?

Should we all just feel glad that we have a place where music news headlines gather? Is that all that we are about?

Think about it, even my "sad misguided postings" at TDS get more remarks from posters than most of the "TDS" headlines.

So no, still not sinking in.

DMGTH!

-Ron Wiles

#24 anus says:

fuck MTV.


Click Here