Popular rock band says Homeland Security used its song without permission: 'Go f... yourselves'

[highplainsdem]

https://www.pennlive.com/entertainment/2025/07/popular-rock-band-says-homeland-security-used-its-song-without-permission-go-f-yourselves.html

The Department of Homeland Security decided to share a hype video on Instagram along with a voice over featuring some Bible verses and a clip of the song, “God’s Gonna Cut You Down.”

Check out the comments on the video, and plenty of folks took issue with the video, but none perhaps as much as the popular rock band, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. And that is because the video uses its cover of “God’s Gonna Cut You Down,” and the band says it does so without its permission.

“It has come to our attention that the Department of Homeland Security is improperly using our recording of ‘God’s Gonna Cut You Down’ in your latest propaganda video,” the band wrote on Instagram. “It’s obvious that you don’t respect Copyright Law and Artist Rights any more than you respect Habeas Corpus and Due Process rights, not to mention the separation of Church and State per the US Constitution.

“For the record, we hereby order @dhsgov to cease and desist the use of our recording and demand that you immediately pull down your video,” the post continued. “Oh, and go f… yourselves.”

-snip-

[AZJonnie]

1. I think I might have to spin BRMC on steaming service today a bit, in appreciation

I've heard of 'em but never really listened to them.

But I'm suddenly a BIG FAN

[highplainsdem]

2. Same here. The name's familiar, but couldn't connect it to any song.

Wikipedia, as usual, helps as a starting point: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Rebel_Motorcycle_Club

Their frontman, Peter Hayes, had played guitar and bass with The Brian Jonestown Massacre:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Hayes_(musician)

Looking at their discography. They seem to have had more success in other countries than the US:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Rebel_Motorcycle_Club_discography

Two of their better-known songs:

What Ever Happened To My Rock And Roll (Punk Song)

Spread Your Love (live In London)

[bamagal62]

3. I have a few of their songs

On my playlist!

[Dave Id]

9. BRMC

I first heard of them in the series Hell On Wheels. They had 2 or 3 songs use in it. Really good. Great show too.

[Hugin]

4. Arrogantly appropriating everything is what entitled psychopaths who feel they are above the law do.

Bravo for standing up to them.

[Justice matters.]

6. It's nothing new. Their stupid gullible voters are as guilty as they are.

Starting with the #1 client on the Epstein list they mistake for their golden jeebuss.

[PopArtMonkey]

5. Robert Levon Been

Son of Michael Been of The Call

[chowder66]

7. Love them and love them more now!

[COL Mustard]

8. I was thinking it might be good to start a band

And call it Homeland Security. Water down their name and make fun of them.