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September 20, 2006

Of Montreal Like Steak

Over the last few weeks we've received about a dozen e-mails like this:

Hey Stereogum -- I was watching some television last night and an Outback Steakhouse commercial came on with a jingle that sounded very very familiar. I then realized that it was "Wraith Pinned To The Mist And Other Games" by Of Montreal with the words changed to something like "Eat at Outback." What the fuck???
To those who e-mailed, and to those who are curious, Pitchfork reported on this over a month ago. Kevin Barnes confirmed: "We were approached by Outback Steakhouse's ad agency asking about making their own cover version of 'Wraith Pinned to the Mist (And Other Games)' for one of their commercials. We thought it would be totally amusing to hear their take on one of our songs as a jingle."

Of Montreal - "Wraith Pinned To The ... Outback Steakhouse!" (MP3)

AND ... the winner of our signed Of Montreal double vinyl is Jeff R., who should check his e-mail and give us his address. Badly Drawn Boy insisted on autographing it too. Don't ask.

Yo La Tengo, Beach Boys, and Tortoise contest winners will be contacted shortly.

Posted at 5:30 PM in , ,
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46 Comments

Totally random. But congrats to Jeff R!

Posted by: tk. at 09/20/06 5:42 PM | Reply
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dammit jeff r

Posted by: max at 09/20/06 5:57 PM | Reply
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woohoo! It turns out i'm a huge Badly Drawn Boy fan, too, so I'm quite excited. Thanks Stereogum!

Posted by: Jeff at 09/20/06 6:03 PM | Reply
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woohoo! It turns out i'm a huge Badly Drawn Boy fan, too, so I'm quite excited. Thanks Stereogum!

Posted by: Jeff at 09/20/06 6:10 PM | Reply
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Saw this on Pitchfork today -> http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/page/news/38701/Beck_and_Devendra_Are_Friends#38701


I could be way off on this but... I was just at the beck site and I think Devendra Banhart was in one of the backgrounds?

This might be old news but its the first time I've been to his site in a while, and i hadn't heard anything about it.
Posted by: Ben at September 15, 2006 12:38 AM


BOOYAH MOTHERFUCKERS!

Posted by: Ben at 09/20/06 6:23 PM | Reply
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Saw this on Pitchfork today -> http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/page/news/38701/Beck_and_Devendra_Are_Friends#38701


I could be way off on this but... I was just at the beck site and I think Devendra Banhart was in one of the backgrounds?

This might be old news but its the first time I've been to his site in a while, and i hadn't heard anything about it.
Posted by: Ben at September 15, 2006 12:38 AM


BOOYAH MOTHERFUCKERS!

Posted by: Ben at 09/20/06 6:25 PM | Reply
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*sigh*

did hearing the outback version make anyone else shed a single tear?? Wraith is probably one of my favorite dance songs of the last 10 years.......


grr....

Posted by: caleb at 09/20/06 6:52 PM | Reply
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*sigh*

did hearing the outback version make anyone else shed a single tear?? Wraith is probably one of my favorite dance songs of the last 10 years.......


grr....

Posted by: caleb at 09/20/06 6:54 PM | Reply
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Aren't the creatures in Of Montreal vegan or something?

Posted by: tjxm at 09/20/06 6:58 PM | Reply
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I personally can't see why either party would agree to this, or who this commercial would appeal to. The small portion of viewers who know the song will probably want to eat at Outback less because of this, and the rest will just be baffled.

I'm disappointed in Kevin Barnes.

Posted by: Mike at 09/20/06 8:00 PM | Reply
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HAHAHA. What?

Posted by: david at 09/20/06 8:42 PM | Reply
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The funny thing about the song is that I had it in my head the whole day and then when I saw the commercial, I thought to myself, "That sounds an awful lot like that song."

Posted by: Shahid at 09/20/06 9:12 PM | Reply
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Jeff R. won because his website name kicks ass, didn't he?

Damn it. I need to get bacon on my site.

Posted by: Gary at 09/20/06 9:34 PM | Reply
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Ahahahaha. I can't muster up any disappointment in Of Montreal because I'm laughing too much. That's just...too silly.

Posted by: Haley at 09/20/06 11:15 PM | Reply
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if you're upset, concentrate instead on Tones on Tail selling Dockers, or the Buzzcocks being used to sell... mountain dew? cars? Whatever it was. And be mystified by Psychic TV being in a commercial for anything.

Posted by: matthewaaron at 09/20/06 11:16 PM | Reply
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if you're upset, concentrate instead on Tones on Tail selling Dockers, or the Buzzcocks being used to sell... mountain dew? cars? Whatever it was. And be mystified by Psychic TV being in a commercial for anything.

Posted by: matthewarron at 09/20/06 11:16 PM | Reply
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I'm not gonna call Of Montreal "sellouts" or whatnot... but this is just too funny. "Let's go Outback tonight... life will still be here tomorrow..." Oh gees...

Posted by: efs man at 09/20/06 11:27 PM | Reply
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if by "totally amusing" he meant "totally insulting to our few remaining fans" then hes right on the money. he deserves the heave ho from elephant 6

Posted by: dick trickle at 09/21/06 2:05 AM | Reply
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really hope they do that version at irving on tuesday!

Posted by: ej at 09/21/06 2:10 AM | Reply
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Did anyone read the Pitchfork interview with Kevin Barnes? When a band like Of Montreal gets offered a deal like that, they've got to take it. There's not a ton of income for them, so this gives them the money they need to put on better shows. But I mean, they're just 'sellouts' right? And so are Spinto Band (Sears), Stephen Malkmus (Sears), the Magnetic Fields (Cat/Dog Food), and a slew of other great bands.

Posted by: Ben at 09/21/06 7:58 AM | Reply
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Ah the great corporate debate. Spoon and Led Zep in car commercials. Rolling Stone had a blurb about Courtney letting Nirvana tunes be used, possibly "Come As You Are" for KY lube. Hopefully Of Montreal got a few bucks for their (or your?) trouble.

Posted by: vino at 09/21/06 11:34 AM | Reply
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That's pretty awesome...I actually *gained* respect for both parties. Also, while I love "Wraith", it happens to have a really painful emotional association for me so...now I can listen to "Outback" and groove fancy-free. Yes.

Posted by: Matt at 09/21/06 12:36 PM | Reply
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Of Montreal are experiencing a sort of rebirth as of late. They are playing more sold out shows than ever. I haven't even been able to get in to see them the last 2 times I tried. They don't need the money in the typical sense, but Kevin does have a family to support now (Nina and little Alabee) so he probably will take money wherever he can get it. I don't think that this move is very insulting to his fans, or at least for those who care about him personally.

Posted by: whistle at 09/21/06 2:01 PM | Reply
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Of Montreal are experiencing a sort of rebirth as of late. They are playing more sold out shows than ever. I haven't even been able to get in to see them the last 2 times I tried. They don't need the money in the typical sense, but Kevin does have a family to support now (Nina and little Alabee) so he probably will take money wherever he can get it. I don't think that this move is very insulting to his fans, or at least for those who care about him personally.

Posted by: whistle at 09/21/06 2:11 PM | Reply
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Maybe Kevin could change his kid Alabee's name to Applebee's and make even MORE money! Just kidding. I was actually laughing out loud watching this commercial, and I don't usually get upset by this kinda thing, so more power to Of Montreal for making some quick cash and having fun doing it. Shows you someone at Outback's corporate has good taste.

Posted by: Devin at 09/22/06 11:19 AM | Reply
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"They are playing more sold out shows than ever."

that's not true actually... i bought tix to see them in ny on tuesday, and apparently, it's not sold out (yet!) http://irvingplaza.com/bands/bio.php?ID=1876

Posted by: sarah at 09/22/06 12:11 PM | Reply
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To Sarah: "that's not true exactly", By exactly, do you mean, it is not true for the one single show that you have cited or in comparison to the entire tour history of this band? I live less than 25 miles from the 40 Watt in Athens, Georgia and have frequented Of Montreal shows steadily for the past 8 years. I have met and spoke with Kevin, Dottie, Brian, and James on most occasions and they concur that their popularity is at a high point that they have not experienced since the turn of the century. Plus, dig this from their website: "Thanks so much to everyone who came or tried to come to the shows!!! Sorry about all of the sell outs. Next time we'll play bigger venues:)"

So, your particularly experience doesn't "exactly" paint an accurate picture of thier entire tour history, does it?

Posted by: whistle at 09/22/06 2:04 PM | Reply
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i don't think i was trying to suggest anything other than this:

the one show i have tix for has not sold out yet, and it's in new york city, where i would expect them to sell out in a second.

that's all. i didn't do a city by city look at their history or see how many more shows... just wanted to add in this upcoming show is not sold out, which i'm shocked by!

Posted by: sarah at 09/22/06 3:09 PM | Reply
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If they are sellouts, it's funny that I'm driving two and a half hours to see them perform a show that's complete FREE.

Posted by: fido at 09/24/06 9:19 PM | Reply
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I don't know. I liked the voice in the Outback song and now that I know there's a real song to get my hands on, that I didn't know before, I don't think that's necessarily selling out.

Anything to get exposure that might not've happened before is cool by me.

Posted by: dove95 at 10/01/06 6:28 PM | Reply
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I find the Outback version better than the original. Much better intrumentation, singing, and a catchier chorus. I never liked the Sulandic Twins version but this one I find very catchy and bouncy.

Posted by: jeremy at 10/01/06 9:12 PM | Reply
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About a year ago here in Australia the same thing happened with Modest Mouse's Float On being used in ads for Dominos Pizza.

Posted by: TriggerCut at 10/05/06 7:37 PM | Reply
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Okay, just because Of Montreal said they thought it would be funny doesn't mean they aren't sellouts. Using a song for a car commercial or something like that is one thing. I mean Grandaddy did it. But having a restaurant actually change the words to your song to sell overpriced foodstuffs is TOTALLY selling out. That's it. I’ll step off of my soapbox now.

Posted by: Shawn A. Green III at 10/19/06 6:45 PM | Reply
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I just heard an Of Montreal song on another commercial! It was Everyday Feels Like Sunday for something called Trade Up for Nasdaq or something. Unlike the Outback commerical, the words aren't changed. I wonder if an Of Montreal song will be in the next Levi's ad...

Posted by: Jessie at 10/29/06 8:10 PM | Reply
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Who actually did the vocals for the Outback commercial? I am having trouble determining if it is a guy or a lady with a deep voice. Does anyone know?

Posted by: Philip at 12/11/06 1:46 AM | Reply
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I think the Outback jingle is better than the original song.

Posted by: Kathy at 12/16/06 1:52 PM | Reply
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I think it's awesome and I hope someone buys me a damned Outback gift card as a result!

Posted by: Melina at 12/18/06 12:39 PM | Reply
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I knew that sounded familiar. I wouldn't go as far as accusing them of selling out. They did it for their own amusement, not money. Now, a major record label, THAT would be selling out.

Posted by: Macklin Reed at 12/19/06 9:15 PM | Reply
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"Artists" gotta eat too, man.
Lighten up - if you like Of Montreal
this will give them some cash so they
can keep making music.
If you don't, then you shouldn't care if
their music is used on a commercial.

Personally, the original is great (and the
video!), the Outback version just sucks.

bill

Posted by: bill at 12/29/06 4:52 PM | Reply
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I have read almost all of theese and i just want to know one thing. Who is the artist that dose the outback version. i am not a long time listener to the originall band. hell iv never heard them befor. call me an ass or what ever you want. i like both songs because there appy songs and make me feel better.

Posted by: SAL at 02/16/07 1:00 PM | Reply
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The outback version is way cooler than the of montreal song

Posted by: anomous at 03/02/07 3:25 PM | Reply
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this is not an insult to the song or the band...they aren't sellouts either...wraith pinned to the mist is a great song nonetheless...this is very amusing...no harm, no foul...it's not like they wrote the lyrics to the jingle themselves...outback was smart to sell this pitch...i can guarantee everyone recognizes this song when outback shows it's commercials

Posted by: hugo at 06/17/07 10:08 PM | Reply
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of montreal was doing fine without the outback exposure, nobody would be discovering them through outback. all this says to me is that the song didnt mean anything to them in the first place so they had no qualms about selling it. i was really disappointed by this move and think it is things like this that continue to kill the music scene and stifle any true creativity.

Posted by: dorian at 07/29/07 9:30 PM | Reply
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hi guys. i dont know wat the heck this website is, but i found it on google. "Lets go Outback tonight" was stuck in my head and i searched it. and i came on here. so..yea...its still stuk in my freakin head

Posted by: Giuliana Marks at 11/02/07 9:43 PM | Reply
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hi guys. i dont know wat the heck this website is, but i found it on google. "Lets go Outback tonight" was stuck in my head and i searched it. and i came on here. so..yea...its still stuk in my freakin head

Posted by: Giuliana Marks at 11/02/07 9:44 PM | Reply
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