Michael Buckner/Getty ImagesThom Yorke doesn't mind singing about "Electioneering" in Radiohead's seminal album, OK Computer. But ask him what he thinks of politicians who use his band's music as campaign anthems, and he's a bit apoplectic.
In an interview with Dazed & Confused magazine via NME, Radiohead's twitchy vocalist goes off on British Prime Minister David Cameron, an admitted fan of the U.K. quintet, threatening a lawsuit if he should try to appropriate a Radiohead tune for his own conservative agenda.
"Politics is not a fun thing to write about…I can't say I love the idea of a banker liking our music, or David Cameron. I can't believe he'd like [Radiohead's last album] The King of Limbs much. But I also equally think, who cares?" Yorke said.
He continued: "As long as he doesn't use it for his election campaigns, I don't care. I'd sue the living shit out of him if he did."
While the 44-year-old alt-rocker made clear he and Radiohead won't tolerate their hits being exploited by politicians like Cameron running for office, he and his mates are more than happy to make gems from their catalog available to promote causes they believe in. Most recently, those include the campaign to halt climate change (see the tracks they donated to the environmentally themed doc The Island President) and Record Store Day.
While Radiohead takes a break from touring in support of TKOL, Yorke meanwhile is gearing up to play some shows with Atoms for Peace, his supergroup/side project with the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Flea. The band's debut album, Amok, hits stores on Feb. 25.