Future Ghosts (NC) Changes Name to Unifier

By Andrew Hertzberg

This is update to last week's posts on Chicago's Future Ghosts sending a cease/desist letter to North Carolina's Future Ghosts. For full background, check out those posts here and here.
 
"A rose by any other name"…That’s what the Future Ghosts of North Carolina have decided, so as not to waste any more time in writing and releasing new music. From a statement on their website:

Due to the unfortunate events surrounding the name Future Ghosts in the past week, we have elected to seek out a new name and brand for ourselves. We had originally hoped to come to some sort of understanding in a timely manner that would allow us to retrieve our sites and move forward. However, it became clear to us that there would be no quick or easy resolution, and also seemed apparent that we would not be taken to court over the issue.

Our only focus as a band should be to write, play and release music – goals which this situation was seriously obstructing. All of our plans for the release of the new album were being strained, and we did not want to push the date back any longer. Rather than waste any more time, we began work to find a new name, alter artwork, create new websites, and remove the sour taste from our mouths.

They released a new song today as well on Absolute Punk and have created new a new Facebook page and updated their Twitter and Soundcloud accounts.

As for the Future Ghosts of Chicago, they posted this on their Facebook page earlier today:

Having endured a whole week of bizarre negativity and confusion, we'd like to move forward with something positive. From now until the end of 2013, 100% of the money made from our Bandcamp downloads will be donated to charitable organizations. 50% will go to Blue Cure Foundation for prostate cancer, and 50% will go to Equality Now for global women's rights. Life's too short.

Future Ghosts (Chicago) Responds

By Andrew Hertzberg

By now, I'm sure you've all seen my post yesterday regarding Future Ghosts cease and desist letter to a band from North Carolina with the same name. It's since developed into a anonymytic comment war, and both sides going in circles. We encourage commenting on this blog, and for the most part everyone has been respectful and we appreciate that.

A few hours ago, Sean Whittaker of Future Ghosts (Chicago) posted this on the bands Facebook. He reiterated to me that this is the first comments he has made himself, not from any other representative.  I am reposting it here, without any edit.

I urge you before commenting to please read the whole thing very carefully. As someone suggested on the other other comment thread, it may be best to let the smoke clear before rushing to rash judgements against either side. Keep in mind while you comment that right now, both bands are not only dealing with the fallout of this event, but are continuing to work on their art. I know people still have plenty to say on the issue. It is an important one involving what it means to be a small band in 2012.

Read the full response after the jump.

UPDATE: Future Ghosts under attack after cease/desist letter to NC Future Ghosts

By Andrew Hertzberg

Chicago's Future Ghosts (facebook.com/futureghosts)

Local shoegaze/dream poppers Future Ghosts have come under harsh attacks today. According to a press release from Earshot Media:

"In a crippling blow that should be cause for concern among independent musicians everywhere, Greensboro, NC buzz band Future Ghosts have been hit with a cease and desist letter from an obscure band of the same name out of Chicago, IL, resulting in the removal of the band’s social media sites (Facebook, Reverbnation, Bandcamp, etc) leaving them scrambling with virtually no social media presence."

The press release goes on:

"The Chicago band trademarked the name “Future Ghosts” back in April 2012, despite not have been active since 2006 and despite the fact that Greensboro’s Future Ghosts had already released an EP (Oh, Great City) back in 2011. Only recently did the Chicago band decide to reform and release a new record this year."

Followers of Windy City Rock have seen Future Ghosts name quite a bit over the past few years, so I'm not sure where the alleged hiatus came into play. Unless there’s a second band from Chicago called Future Ghosts, not sure who I’ve been seeing live around the city and listening to at home. The worst part about this is how many other blogs have been reposting this email verbatim without checking the facts (sigh...), inciting hateful comments on the Future Ghosts (Chicago) Facebook page. Even a quick glance at Future Ghosts bandcamp page shows releases over the past three years.

For their part, the Greensboro Future Ghosts have remained calm and trying to figure out what best to do in this situation. While it would be silly to succumb to an “us vs. them” mentality, it's important that we support our Chicago artists.

I’m still waiting to hear back from Earshot about their sources and why they are spreading libelous remarks. We’ll keep you posted as new details emerge.

UPDATE 2:00 PM - Got an update from both sides of the argument. Earshot responds:

[T]he info was given to me by the band and their management...according to their label/management, when future ghosts in North Carolina started, the Chicago band had no website no Facebook page no music on iTunes nothing online to show they even existed. Chicago's future ghosts had all social media sites take down the Greensboro bands stuff prior to sending this cease and desist letter. im also told that by law since the Greensboro band released music before the trademark was made they have pre existing rights to the name that cannot be revoked. Chicago band has no right to control the name or take away the rights the Greensboro band has to it.

 And from the Future Ghosts camp:

It is truly a travesty that this had to happen. You have two talented bands with the same name, both elevating their status and careers. One with legal right of usage on without. Wouldn't you think a band preparing for success would have his manager at least take the time in doing due diligence like, protecting your band? However, I don't see anybody posing as the band name "Rolling Stones" and selling records on iTunes. I also can't understand why bands post covers of others people's music on Youtube without permission. It just has a lack of intellectual integrity to me. What is independent and original music supposed to be? Everyone stealing others names? Thoughts and ideas and contrived to their own? Taking credit for others shows and performances on their Facebook page? Is that right? Future Ghosts (Chicago) will never do these things.

Record review: Future Ghosts - 'Light on Canvas'

By Andrew Hertzberg

Local shoegaze group Future Ghosts released their first album in three years a few weeks back. Okay, I know shoegaze is a vague term, and in fact isn’t entirely appropriate for the band. They don’t overpower the wall of sound technique, and there are quite a few lucid guitar solos that add a psychedelic quality to the songs as well. While the influence of My Bloody Valentine is prevalent all throughout the album, there are certain parts that express other '90s rock influence. The upbeat album opener “When You’re Dead” brings to mind Brit-poppers Suede before “Radiatorsong” brings thing back locally with lead-Ghost Sean Whittaker affecting his best Billy Corgan.

The first three tracks hit hard, before “The Wake” takes things down a notch. The track isn’t as cluttered as some of the other ones, allowing more empty space between the single notes of the electric guitar, the airy quality of an acoustic guitar and the electronic drums giving way to real ones. The overall relationship between gloom and romance that hangs over the album is reminiscent of the Wedding Present. While the whole album is quite upbeat, “Time” is an unexpected dancier number that’s a nice change of pace from the more distortion heavy songs. “After the Party,” one of my favorites live for Sean’s frenetic energy, doesn’t carry quite the same weight recorded, but comes off more haunting; the confusion of the lyrical content is mirrored by the layered vocals, psychedelic guitar and the mantra/prayer “Oh Lord, let us get to the next place.”

New single, video from Future Ghosts

By Andrew Hertzberg

Future Ghosts have been keeping busy lately. A full length (Light on Canvas) is in the works, and they released the first single, "Radiatorsong," (b/w "Orange Peel") a couple weeks back. The A side is a hazy, atmospheric number with nomadic guitars, a sweet and dreamy chorus and some la-la-la’s to bring it all home. The B side is driven by the toms, and right when it pulls you into a trance with the "right now" mantra…well, just you listen. Download both for free on Bandcamp. Did I mention there’s a video to go along with the A side too? Check out that sucker below. So audio and video ain’t your thing? You need the live experience? Fine. You win: tomorrow night, Friday July 22^nd at the No Exit Café (6970 N. Glenwood) at 8 PM. Wasn’t sure all ages, FREE shows still existed, but apparently they do. They’ll be playing with like-minded dream-poppers Panda Riot.

FUTURE GHOSTS - RADIATORSONG from sean whittaker on Vimeo.