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The Ting Tings slam 'That's Not My Name' cash-in

The Ting Tings, Islington Mill, Salford, Manchester, October 19, 2007.                Pic: Claire Morris

The Ting Tings, Islington Mill, Salford, Manchester, October 19, 2007. Pic: Claire Morris

Band hit out at a former friend who is flogging rare singles

The Ting Tings have hit out at a former friend who has been selling rare copies of the band's Number One single, 'That's Not My Name', for around £60 each online.

The band originally pressed up 500 copies of the single last year, with the rare vinyl record now hot property since the band became a Number One-selling act.

Writing on Thetingtings.com, the band urged fans not to fork out for the singles.

"Unfortunately, when we put out our first vinyl copies of 'That's Not My Name' with a friend last year for kicks, she kept some back and is now trying to sell them to you guys for £60 apiece," they wrote. "This is nothing to do with us.

"We would never charge that money for our singles. Cashing in is shocking. We pressed up 500 copies which we put on our credit card because we had no money."

However the label involved Switchflicker denied they were doing anything wrong.

"Switchflicker Records supported The Ting Tings in the early stages of their career and released 1000 copies of their debut single ('That’s Not My Name'/'Great DJ') in June of last year," they explained in a statement. "Switchflicker has the invoice, order form and credit card receipt to prove that the label paid for these and not The Ting Tings. These 7" vinyl copies were sold at £2 each."

They added that the any unsold singles they had were now being sold at a price in line with its current value.

"Switchflicker is selling the remaining stock (which the label owns) at today’s market price - people have already sold unsigned copies for £50 on eBay," they explained. "Switchflicker wishes them [the band] well."

Comments (11)

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CertainRomance 

May 19, 2008

I bought an original seven inch and this is what happens when bands become more famous .Why shouldnt the original record label be allowed to sell these at a profit . It would be interesting to see what the original record label has to say over this matter .

cubak 

May 19, 2008

CertainRomance - did you read the story at all? This isn't a record label, its someone they thought was a friend who they gave copies of the record that they shelled out for when they had no money and are now punting it. Its the equivalent to giving your mate some tickets to come see your band and him flogging them at the door.

whatawasteoftime 

May 19, 2008

cubak, i think YOU should read the article.. the friend in question put the record out with them, as such, she's basically the record company, it's her property and she should be allowed to do what she wants with it. If people don't want to buy it, they don't have to..for the ting tings to be lecturing someone on cashing in on their music is highly ironic given that most people know them from an itunes commercial anyway.... oh, and they suck.

shitbird 

May 19, 2008

Sorry cubak, it is a label and further to what you're saying here that record was for sale, a commercial enterprise. I know because I own a copy having bought it from the label for £2.00. Those who are late and want a rare copy now have to pay. If the Ting Ting's hadn't wanted the original to remain costly then they should have re-issued exactly the same 7" single, they didn't. Tough luck, they an be happy with the money they earn from their festival dates this year.

gazmassie 

May 19, 2008

I agree with "Whatawasteoftime" - If people are silly enough to pay £60 for this single when they can buy the same song for 79p on iTunes then let them do it. Its the same with copies of 5 minutes with Arctic Monkeys, why would people pay upto £100 for it when they can get exactly the same songs on it for next to nothing. What odds does it make to the Ting Tings if "a friend" makes a profit out of them.

tannertron 

May 20, 2008

to be honest if people want to pay that then they are stupid cos the song is absolutly shocking!

dan_forest 

May 20, 2008

"we pressed up 500 copies which we put on our credit card"??? erm, OK... i'm so glad to see folk here backing up switchflicker, the _label_ that put out the 7". it's pretty disgusting to see the ting tings pissing all over where they come from, especially when they like to make so much of the fact they're a real band doing pop (as opposed to a pop band) - if it wasn't for decent indies like swithcflicker (who never had any way of making a profit off 500 7"s at £2 a pop) the uk music scene would be even crappier than it is.

anarchy77 

May 21, 2008

Well said dan_forest it was swichflickers own money on swichflickers own credit card that went into those 1000 7"s actually. I just can't believe the Tings Tings and their sudden diva attitude. Who do you think you are??!! Don't forget those who supported you. Tings Tings I'm truly disappointed in you!

all_about_the_music 

May 22, 2008

In articles I have read about the band you like to promote the fact you are from a true indie background and I am astounded that you’re now trying to deny that you were involved with an indie record label and saying that a former friend put out your music for ‘kicks’ – I’d be very surprised that anyone would invest time/ energy/ money for ‘kicks’! That record label owns the unsold records – and the market is deciding their value so its all fair play - get off your high horses and enjoy your success!!!

wideeyedpoodle 

May 22, 2008

Yep, I completely agree with anarchy77. Switchflicker is a great small record label, who paid for and released the first 1000 'That's not my Name' single last year. I went to the first early Ting Tings shows put on by Switchflicker at Islington Mill in Salford. Switchflicker did nothing but back them from the very beginning. I'm absolutely appalled at the way the Ting Tings are slagging Switchflicker off! They should be totally ashamed of themselves. They are just biting the hand that fed them when nobody knew who they were. They should stop telling blatant lies, and should never forget where they came from. Just give it a rest guys, and try and enjoy your success while you can!

that_blue_eyed_girl 

May 22, 2008

Drippy wannabees who have completely sold out and stabbed a 'friend' in the back who believed in them and helpedthem. Switchflicker stood by you when you were the appalllingDear Eskiimo which sounded like (again) more bland pop meets Annie the musical.No-one will know who you are by next year. You're just a bland pop act who have tried every route to stardom and have eventually found it. Not really a natural sound more of a forced one to make money. And you're worried about somebody selling 7"s that they paid for. Are Sony not paying you enough? Is travelling around the globe not enough for you that you have to slag off the people who gave you a leg up to get where you are today.Do you really have this much free time to look up the label you ditched to see if they're selling the 7"s they bought with their own money!!! Grow up. You're not that important. Enjoy your success while you have it. It certainly has a short shelf life.

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