Cover Art Gone Wrong

Ok, I know all about freedom of speech and artistic freedom, but where does it end? To use an image of a slain police officer as an album cover not only show a gutless disregard for human life, but a blatant disregard for the family and friends of the deceased officer.

I will not name the band, nor would I post the image, I feel that strongly about it. Sure, I have posted some images that some would find obscene; some naked images, some devil-type figures, and cartoon creatures- all part of album cover art. But this crosses a line, morally, spiritually and humanly; this isn't "art," it is an attempt of sensationalism that this group thinks will help sell their music.

Read the opinion of the newspaper as they try to justify their publishing of the photo. Then read the comments from their readers; there is much to be debated about this scenario. How could a record company allow this? How do these idiots think that this is appropriate? This in the name of art? You can count me as one of the people who thinks that this is unbelievable and just plain wrong; no matter what side you take.

Opinion

STORY
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/275938

Band's cover art shows shocking lack of sensitivity

Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 01.15.2009

A Tucson punk-rock band has plumbed the depths of crassness and insensitivity by using the photo of a dying police officer as its album cover.

The actions of the band — which will not be named here as to not afford it further publicity — are repulsive and were rightly condemned this week by local police.

The Star's Alexis Huicochea reported Wednesday that the band, without permission, used an Arizona Daily Star photo from last year that showed Officer Erik Hite lying on the ground mortally wounded as two fellow officers rendered aid.

The band's lead singer told Huicochea that the album cover was an attempt at "dark humor."

We see nothing funny about the death of a police officer, and neither does the police force.

"What part of an officer giving his life is humorous?" Capt. Clayton Kidd, a Tucson police chief of staff, told Huicochea. "I ask for the community's support in recognizing this as an absolute disgrace to Officer Hite, who gave his life defending our community."

The band is probably relishing the attention.

It's a time-honored tradition for musical groups to do something controversial and anti-establishment to set themselves apart from the crowd and get rebellious peers interested in their music.

However, that doesn't make the band's actions any less callous and despicable.

The Star was roundly criticized by police and the community for publishing the photo in the first place.

The difference between the Star's use of the photo and the band's is that the paper used it to inform the public and to help tell the story of a major news event. The Star followed the story all the way — from the shooting to Hite's touching and memorable funeral services.

The band that will not be named is using the photo to promote its music and make money.

The band goes on to pay homage to "cop killers" on its album, mentioning John Montenegro Cruz, who killed Tucson Officer Patrick Hardesty in 2003, and David Delich, who is accused of killing Hite, Huicochea reported.

The band's actions are a violation of federal copyright law and MySpace has removed the image.

The band's members are not immature teenagers, but are grown men who should have the developed the sense to know right from wrong.

The band's singer says he does not apologize to anyone the group may have offended.

We can only hope band members somehow find their moral compass, apologize and stop using the photo. They're a punk-rock band, but they don't have to be punks.


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