January 25, 2001 10:00

CHOCS AWAY!

The bands refuse the controversial multi-national permission to use their songs for a TV commercial...

OCEAN COLOUR SCENE and SHED 7 have refused permission for NESTLE to use their songs on a TV commercial, following the controversy surrounding the multi-national's V2001 promotion.

NME.COM revealed last week how Pulp, Ian Brown and Dodgy refused to take part in the Nestle/V2001 promotion on wrappers of Aero, Yorkie, Munchies and Milky Bar Chunky. The bands were asked for permission to use their songs on a give-away CD featuring bands from previous V festivals. But each of them declined because of the international boycott on Nestle products; campaigners claim the multi-national uses aggressive marketing strategies for its substitute baby milk in developing countries.

The V2001 promotional CD is still going ahead from March. A Nestle spokesman told NME.COM: "Everything is still on track. No bands have withdrawn as far I'm aware."

A track listing remains to be confirmed, which is being compiled by record label Universal. But Cast's 'Live The Dream', Ocean Colour Scene's 'Profit In Peace' and Shed 7's 'Disco Down' are included. Following NME.COM's story last week, bands discovered that they were unable to remove their tracks at this stage.

Ocean Colour Scene's manager Chris Cradock told NME.COM: "We were totally unaware of these allegations until the NME mentioned them. As a result, we have turned down a TV ad for a Golden Grahams CD. As far as I'm aware it's too late to remove our song (from the V2001 CD), but if the allegations are true we will donate our fee in full to a suitable third world charity."

Shed 7 have also prevented Nestle using their single 'Disco Down' on the TV advert for Golden and Cinnamon Grahams cereal. The track is featured along with 'Profit In Peace' on promotional CDs given away with packs of the cereal, which are in shops now.

Shed 7's spokeswoman told NME.COM that the band were not aware of the Nestle controversy before agreeing to let 'Going For Gold' appear on the promotional CD.

But she added: "Shed 7 have since been asked for permission to use 'Disco Down' on a TV advert for Golden Grahams but they refused after seeing the NME story."