"Thunderbird" Controversy Ripples Through Music World

by Alex Wilson

In early July, Abysmal Crucifix made the mistake of releasing their song "Thunderbird," popular in Southern California, as a national single. This couldn't have been a bigger mistake for the controversial rockers.

Though the single has not yet made a dent on our charts, it was at least popular enough to get the attention of Ernest & Julio Gallo, the successful winemakers whose popular fortified wine gives "Thunderbird" its title. They accuse Kelleystein Recordings, Abysmal's label, of trademark infringement (partly for using the name of their wine as a song title, mostly for the single cover that resembles their wine label).

To add insult to injury, the Ford Motor Company announced last week that they will file suit against Kelleystein Recordings and Girth McDürchstein personally, alleging that the song makes several veiled references to drunk driving as a positive experience. Furthermore, Universal Pictures plans to file suit alleging that negative references to "Thunderbird" will hinder the success of a long-awaited feature film adaptation of the 1960s British television series, Thunderbirds.

Girth McDürchstein, representatives from Kelleystein Recordings, and members of Abysmal Crucifix could not be reached for comment. Counsel for E & J Gallo, Ford Motor Company, and Universal Pictures could not be reached for comment.

Reprinted from Billboard Magazine, week of August 24, 1996