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June 4, 2007

"Arcade Fire Stole My Basketball"

It's a crazy post-Stop Peter Bjorn & John world we're living in. Got a problem with an indie rocker? Start a blog about it! Dave writes in to tell us about a slow-brewing blog beef between some dude who claims to have had his basketball stolen by Win Butler (find him at arcadefirestolemybasketball.blogspot.com), and Butler-brother Will, who claims that, in fact, Arcade Fire didn't steal this dude's basketball (and you can find him at arcadefiredidntstealdudesbasketball.blogspot.com).

Given this is all entirely unsubstantiated internet hearsay, we'd like to add this fact to the controversy: In the recent Rolling Stone (P. 67, para 2, Issue 1027 -- Depp/Richards cover), Win told Gavin Edwards that "he tries to play basketball at least once a week, even on tour"! (Emphasis added for additional sensationalistic effect.)

Sounds like Win is totally guilty.

Posted at 6:38 PM
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145 Comments

My continued drama with Jack White is much more interesting.

Posted by: E.D. Pennypacker/Sonic Parthenon at 06/04/07 7:19 PM | Reply
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the altercation is real. win mentioned on stage that he almost got arrested for trying to play basketball earlier that day before Saturday's show in Berkeley.

Posted by: Brad at 06/04/07 7:20 PM | Reply
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Win mentioned that onstage in Berkeley, claiming that the security guards got all hysterical and called for backup. Or something.

Posted by: Dolly at 06/04/07 7:20 PM | Reply
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Atleast he only *almost* got arrested

Posted by: classical music at 06/04/07 7:23 PM | Reply
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"Boycott all Berkeley athletic facilities!

Now here's Intervention."

Posted by: C-Note at 06/04/07 7:24 PM | Reply
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now this is entertaining stereogum!

Posted by: ko at 06/04/07 7:32 PM | Reply
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I think I need to start my own beef blog titled "I Just fuckin' hate Jared Leto."

Posted by: Jeff at 06/04/07 7:34 PM | Reply
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hahaha I ran into Win and the gang after the altercation, they were standing on the sidewalk outside of UC Berkeley. They didn't seem to have the basketball in question with them though... and they were pretty jokey about the whole deal, didn't seem that pissed off at all

Posted by: mona at 06/04/07 7:46 PM | Reply
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oh so fun!

Posted by: bleep at 06/04/07 7:53 PM | Reply
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Didn't expect a headline like that. What's next? "I Was Mugged and Raped by Belle and Sebastian"?
"Sufjan Stevens Broke My Hockey Stick"?
"I Got Yelled At By Jack White"?
... No, wait. That one's already happened.

Posted by: Groucho at 06/04/07 7:53 PM | Reply
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This reminds me of the time Sufjan Stevens knocked me down after gym class and stole my lunch money in 7th grade. You hear me, Stevens! I'm the big kid now! WATCH YOUR BACK!!! etc.

Posted by: Jordan at 06/04/07 7:53 PM | Reply
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hilarious.

i know he's not a rocker but he is a known fan so here it is: danny devito killed my dog.

Posted by: kooky at 06/04/07 8:03 PM | Reply
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what, no arcadefirestolemybasketball.ytmnd.com?

Posted by: jim at 06/04/07 8:07 PM | Reply
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"Sufjan Stevens Broke My Hockey Stick"

I'd buy that t-shirt.

Posted by: scott at 06/04/07 8:12 PM | Reply
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Vic Chesnutt kicked my ass once. I've never forgiven that bastard.

Posted by: Steve at 06/04/07 8:20 PM | Reply
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While we're on it, Colin Meloy broke my glasses. I WANT THEM REPAIRED, DAMMIT.

Posted by: Groucho at 06/04/07 8:26 PM | Reply
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He stole my dog too!

Posted by: Wendy at 06/04/07 8:44 PM | Reply
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arcadefirestolemypuppy.blogspot.com

Posted by: Wendy at 06/04/07 8:47 PM | Reply
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"The Shins gang-fucked my girlfriend", anyone?

Posted by: Liam at 06/04/07 8:51 PM | Reply
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Bobby Mcferrin raped my grandmother

Posted by: ZACH at 06/04/07 8:52 PM | Reply
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"The Shins gang-fucked my girlfriend". Gosh, even the hairy drummer was involved?

Posted by: Julie at 06/04/07 8:54 PM | Reply
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This was a better and more hilarious when I read about it on gorilla vs. bear about 4 hours ago, but thanks. Still funny, but their photo is timeless omg.

Posted by: Yusef at 06/04/07 9:39 PM | Reply
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I seriously hope that this is not some viral marketing bullshit. The whole point of AF not doing music videos and not having a fan club and barely updating their blog is to keep their distance from the internet to retain their mystique.

Posted by: Finchmeister at 06/04/07 9:48 PM | Reply
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"The whole point of AF not doing music videos and not having a fan club and barely updating their blog is to keep their distance from the internet to retain their mystique."

"Mystique"? Yeah...that all went out the window when they adorned the cover of Blender a couple of months ago.

What's really shocking here is that Win Butler apparently plays organized sports.

Posted by: Cherry Ghost at 06/04/07 10:39 PM | Reply
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I understand why it's easy to be jaded, but there's no way this is some viral marketing hogwash.

Posted by: Jennifer at 06/04/07 10:49 PM | Reply
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"retain their mystique"

I love the arcade fire, but this is every thing i hate about the arcade fire fan.

Posted by: jimm at 06/04/07 11:03 PM | Reply
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Integrity? mystique? They're a band that does theme songs for TV shows. Give me a break.

Will Butler's behavior on this matter should earn him the title of Biggest Douche In The Universe.

Posted by: Billy at 06/04/07 11:45 PM | Reply
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the Hold Steady killed my Grandpa and kicked my dog

Posted by: Layne at 06/04/07 11:50 PM | Reply
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white people white people white people

Posted by: white person at 06/05/07 12:43 AM | Reply
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Tapes N Tapes stole my cd player

Posted by: Elliot at 06/05/07 1:18 AM | Reply
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I highly doubt thats actually Will, just someone acting like him to add to this whole little "controversy." While the incident obviously happened, it has even more obviously been blown out of proportion like everything having to do with any group. I mean come on, two people got angry at each other and because one happens to be in a band, he's suddenly the douche bag.

Posted by: someone at 06/05/07 1:39 AM | Reply
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if you guys think 'will' comes off as a douche bag in his blog, you have no sense of humor whatsoever

Posted by: kevin at 06/05/07 1:53 AM | Reply
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Grizzly Bear stole my picnic basket

Posted by: 2 sheds at 06/05/07 1:57 AM | Reply
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Courtney Love was a bitch to me. :´(

Posted by: Sham Ibrahim at 06/05/07 2:12 AM | Reply
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patrick wolf threw up on me. :(

that said, this is just silly. good silly.

Posted by: pearl at 06/05/07 3:00 AM | Reply
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Broken Social Scene fire-bombed my country and left it's economy in shambles.

Posted by: jayfarer at 06/05/07 7:00 AM | Reply
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The Hold Steady Almost Killed Me.

(waaaaiitt a second...)

Posted by: campfirewood1980 at 06/05/07 9:15 AM | Reply
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modestmousestolemycheese.com

Posted by: Christopher at 06/05/07 9:16 AM | Reply
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The Decemberists trained a falcon to crap on my head at my wedding.

Posted by: Erin at 06/05/07 9:16 AM | Reply
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Bo Diddlied My Chemical Romance

Posted by: faz at 06/05/07 9:45 AM | Reply
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Sam Cooked My Bloody Valentine

Posted by: faz at 06/05/07 9:49 AM | Reply
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megwhitestolemyheart.blogspot.com

Posted by: the mercy fox at 06/05/07 10:16 AM | Reply
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The Raconteurs hacked my blog.

Posted by: Rochelle Nikita at 06/05/07 10:27 AM | Reply
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Super Furry Animals ate my homework.

Posted by: bill at 06/05/07 10:49 AM | Reply
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"The Decemberists trained a falcon to crap on my head at my wedding."

My fave. Hands down. You win!

www.xanga.com/noiseburrow

Posted by: Jesus H. Christ at 06/05/07 11:05 AM | Reply
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Rufus Wainwright gave my uncle a handjob.

Posted by: Steve Sanders at 06/05/07 11:23 AM | Reply
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Rob Crow encouraged the Muppet Civil War henceforth compromising my dignity

Posted by: calebs at 06/05/07 11:37 AM | Reply
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Destroyer sunk my Battleship

Posted by: grzond at 06/05/07 12:25 PM | Reply
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Good one, grzond

Posted by: Rochelle Nikita at 06/05/07 12:32 PM | Reply
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Rumors about me viciously spread by The Liars

Posted by: LaLaLaplunk at 06/05/07 1:34 PM | Reply
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Noel Gallagher stole my songs

Posted by: Marc Bolan at 06/05/07 1:51 PM | Reply
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GIGANTIC ROFLcopter. THANKS 'GUM, you made my day.

Posted by: PacificLight at 06/05/07 2:01 PM | Reply
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win butler plays basketball. bet he shoots underhanded and only watches the wnba.

Posted by: dude at 06/05/07 2:26 PM | Reply
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Jeff Tweedy Sold Me a Used Jetta.

Posted by: eugene at 06/05/07 2:28 PM | Reply
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The Polyphonic Spree took my acid

Posted by: 2 sheds at 06/05/07 2:50 PM | Reply
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Amy Millan stole my whisky

Posted by: Alise at 06/05/07 3:40 PM | Reply
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Voxtrot made fun of my Gammy

Posted by: lennyx at 06/05/07 3:43 PM | Reply
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The Donnas got way more than their fair share of promo money!

Posted by: numerous Lookout! artists at 06/05/07 4:00 PM | Reply
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The Eyeliners made me Emo.

Posted by: flick at 06/05/07 4:15 PM | Reply
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The Decemberists stole Christmas.

Posted by: Matthew Lingo at 06/05/07 4:31 PM | Reply
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The National borrowed my sweater and returned it with a stain.

Posted by: fexxy at 06/05/07 4:45 PM | Reply
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Beth Ditto stole my sandwich!

Posted by: Jake at 06/05/07 4:52 PM | Reply
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The Decemberists stole Christmas.

Posted by: Matthew Lingo at 06/05/07 4:52 PM | Reply
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Mika flamboyantly absconded with my scooter.

Posted by: Hondo at 06/05/07 4:53 PM | Reply
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Christopher Marlow wrote my plays

Posted by: nay-lo at 06/05/07 4:53 PM | Reply
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Whoops double post. Fuck.

Posted by: Matthew Lingo at 06/05/07 4:54 PM | Reply
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The Yeah Yeah Yeahs stole my girlfriend (all 3 of them)

Posted by: A at 06/05/07 5:00 PM | Reply
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Dingo ate my baby...oh wait...

Posted by: mykietown at 06/05/07 5:09 PM | Reply
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Spoon forked my knife!

Posted by: Scott K at 06/05/07 5:15 PM | Reply
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fall out boy tickled my cornhole...i'm not joking, that fucker pete wentz was the worst offender. my poor, ex-virgin cornpipe

Posted by: jdubs at 06/05/07 5:28 PM | Reply
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Phil Spector shot me in the mouth and killed me.

Posted by: Lana Clarkson's ghost at 06/05/07 5:51 PM | Reply
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Arctic Monkeys ate my bananas

Posted by: 2 sheds at 06/05/07 6:25 PM | Reply
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Jeff Mangum ruined my game of shuttlecock.

Posted by: Liam at 06/05/07 6:27 PM | Reply
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didn't carlos d allegedly give someone herpes?

Posted by: ummm at 06/05/07 6:53 PM | Reply
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Marilyn Manson robbed my cradle

Posted by: evanrachelwood'smom at 06/05/07 6:57 PM | Reply
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Animal Collective gave my dog rabies.

Posted by: jjacques at 06/05/07 7:54 PM | Reply
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Voxtrot bummed a ride from me to the airport, and didn't say thanks.

Posted by: Jonny Q at 06/05/07 8:24 PM | Reply
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"Mika flamboyantly absconded with my scooter"

^Props to hondo for this winner right here

Posted by: Melissa at 06/05/07 9:45 PM | Reply
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Youth Culture Killed My Dog

Posted by: Sezah at 06/05/07 10:00 PM | Reply
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ExplosionsInTheSkyStoleMyThunder.com

Posted by: Christopher at 06/05/07 10:39 PM | Reply
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Conor Oberst burrowed underneath my house and stole it's support beams

Posted by: Mel at 06/05/07 11:49 PM | Reply
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Camera Obscura were overly earnest in my general direction.

Posted by: Miles Doornbos at 06/06/07 1:40 AM | Reply
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^^ lol!

Posted by: kooky at 06/06/07 1:51 AM | Reply
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Milli Vanilli stole my idea

Posted by: Deuce at 06/06/07 8:27 AM | Reply
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Death Cab for Cutie took a bat to my mailbox.

Posted by: Hilary at 06/06/07 9:56 AM | Reply
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Interpol cracked my Creme Brulee.

Posted by: Kevin at 06/06/07 10:47 AM | Reply
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Amy Winehouse left my cake out in the rain.

Posted by: Kevin at 06/06/07 10:49 AM | Reply
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The Cold War Kids taped over my wedding video.

Posted by: Tom at 06/06/07 11:00 AM | Reply
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The Dandy Warhols cancelled Veronica Mars.

(sorry if this is a double post, comments are a bit twitchy today)

Posted by: Jason at 06/06/07 11:34 AM | Reply
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Somebody *please* make a t-shirt with the Decemberist quote on one side and the Sufjan quote on the other. I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

Posted by: Martha at 06/06/07 11:52 AM | Reply
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Art Brut used a metal spatula on my non-stick pan and scratched the shit out of it.

Posted by: Jason at 06/06/07 11:58 AM | Reply
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Yoko Ono broke up the Beatles.

Posted by: not really at 06/06/07 2:28 PM | Reply
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Amy Winehouse stole my drink.

Posted by: Mac at 06/06/07 3:53 PM | Reply
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Billy Joel crashed into my house.

Posted by: your cousin on Long Island at 06/06/07 7:29 PM | Reply
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Pepper's Ghost stole my sample ballot.

Posted by: lolly at 06/06/07 8:42 PM | Reply
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Heres a true one...Michelle Malone and Drag The River stole my zippo. I dislike them so!

Posted by: Tez Fahmequika at 06/06/07 9:43 PM | Reply
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Wow, you guys are just too good!

"Conor Oberst burrowed underneath my house and stole it's support beams" and "Camera Obscura were overly earnest in my general direction" ftw

Posted by: Melissa at 06/07/07 1:40 AM |