UPDATE, January 15: Metallica have apologized for their lawyers actions, and have resolved the matter in the best way possible.
Metallica’s lawyers want to put Sandman’s logos to sleep.
A local tribute band got quite a surprise before a gig this past weekend in London, Ontario — a 41-page cease-and-desist letter which takes issue with Sandman using Metallica’s “official, stylized logos” on social media, specifically, Facebook and YouTube. Sandman, billed as “Canada’s tribute to Metallica,” currently has 523 fans on Facebook.
The band was served with the notice when they arrived at the venue for their show.
Writes guitarist/vocalist Joe Di Taranto on Facebook, via Ultimate Guitar: “So as some of you may or may not know, in my spare time from Warmachine, I play in a couple tribute acts, one being a Metallica tribute called Sandman. Well last night when we arrived at the venue for our show in London, ON, we were served with ‘Cease & Desist’ papers courtesy of Metallica’s lawyers. Quite funny! LOL!”
Some fans and fellow tribute bands have offered support on Sandman’s Facebook page, including a rather uplifting show of solidarity from Red Hot Chili Peckers, a Canadian tribute to the Red Hot Chili Peppers. “Just wanted to say from one tribute musician to another we’re in your corner on this… and think you should stick to your guns,” the Halifax-based RHCP writes. “Lame that they would ask you to stop using your logo just because it looks similar to theirs. It’s not like you are selling bootleg mech [sic].”
Read the cover to the cease-and-desist below:
