Turns out the new Radiohead release is even getting some notice at the White House.
Deputy press secretary Tony Fratto said he is a big fan of Thom Yorke and the boys, and plans to get their new album, "In Rainbows," which came out yesterday.
Mr. Fratto, however, appeared to be the only person in the press shop who was aware of the new album, which has drawn attention for its release. The band did not use a record label, distributed it over the internet, and allowed fans to pay what they wanted.
White House deputy press secretary Scott Stanzel said that while he does not own any Radiohead albums, he is an "appreciator" of their music.
Gordon Johndroe, spokesman for the National Security Council, said he is "90 percent sure" that he has a few Radiohead tunes on his iPod.
When asked if any of those songs were from their 2003 album, "Hail to the Thief," which some consider a reference to President Bush, Mr. Johndroe said, "not that one."
And what about press secretary Dana Perino, the No. 1 mouthpiece for President Bush?
"I don't even know what that is," she said, when asked. "Is that a band?"
— Jon Ward, White House correspondent, The Washington Times
Comments (33)
I never heard of Radiohead until a few weeks ago. I wonder how many Radiohead fans have heard of Jethro Tull? Or Frank Zappa? Or who made the album Billion Dollar Babies? (Is my age showing?)
Posted by Ray | October 11, 2007 8:01 PM
Shutup old man!!
Posted by Rob | October 11, 2007 8:17 PM
I love radiohead and Jethro tull . two favorite bands
Posted by jt | October 11, 2007 8:49 PM
I actually was into Tull just before I got into Radiohead. After that there was no turning back. And I'm in my early 20s.
Posted by monk | October 11, 2007 8:55 PM
I've heard of both radiohead and frank zappa. And I own albums from both (and from both eras). And I'm 23.
Music appreciation - true music appreciation - is timeless / ageless. Might not be classless. Will have to get back to you on that one.
;)
Posted by RD | October 11, 2007 11:11 PM
Ray, you think all of us youngsters are idiots. i know who jethro tull is and frank zappa. we all know alice cooper, he does a pretty funny late night radio show nowadays. Its just that Radiohead is better than them.
Posted by ray come on | October 12, 2007 3:03 AM
yes
Posted by Charles | October 12, 2007 7:41 AM
Radiohead fans tend to have very (one might even say "oddly") eclectic tastes in music. Not only have they probably heard of Jethro Tull, Frank Zappa and Alice Cooper, don't be surprised if you find some Nina Simone, John Coltrane, Throbbing Gristle, New York Dolls, Eric Satie, Go-Gos, Beyonce, Mastodon and/or some Learner and Lowe in their CD/record collections. And "Karma Police" is an insanely great song. I'm just sayin'.
Posted by Derek | October 12, 2007 9:00 AM
Well, knock me over with a feather!
I thought Radiohead was a code word for those who get off vicariously while listening to Limpbaugh or perhaps just another word for Dittomonkey.
Posted by N.N. | October 12, 2007 2:47 PM
Radiohead is one of the best bands in the history of popular music, they will be remembered in the same line as the Beatles or Pink Floyd.
Beautiful album.
Posted by H | October 14, 2007 5:28 AM
we know jethro tull and zappa. if you ask perino, she prolly thinks zappa is a lighter
Posted by arbouler | October 15, 2007 11:42 AM
Ray - You sir are as ignorant as you seem to think Radiohead fans are.
Posted by Ben | October 15, 2007 11:46 AM
Radiohead fans are more likely to also listen to Zappa and Jethro than Zappa/Jethro fans are to listen to Radiohead (or attempt to expand their taste in music at all).
Posted by Me | October 15, 2007 11:57 AM
Whoa whoa whoa.
As a 23 year old fan of Radiohead (though not uber-fan the way most people claim to be), I'd like the mention that not only have I heard of Jethro Tull, Frank Zappa, and Alice Cooper, but consider myself a big fan of Zappa and Cooper. However, I don't see a big link between the four artists other than they all make rock music in some way, shape, or form.
The implication that you're not really a music fan without Tull, Zappa, and Cooper is laughable. As great as they may or may not be.
However, I'd be interested in knowing of anyone in the White House has heard of/listens to The Residents or Captain Beefheart...
Posted by The Theory | October 15, 2007 11:59 AM
also, dana perino is what? 35 years old?
i'm sorry, i can understand someone in their 50's not knowing who radiohead are, but someone who is 35!!?
it's quite apparent that anyone working for bush is living under a rock (maybe a big pile of rocks even), but, that's just ridiculous.
did she grow up on another planet?
Posted by missdawn | October 15, 2007 12:00 PM
It is somewhat shameful to have never heard of the greatest band since the Beatles. OK Computer? Kid A? Essential albums for an music appreciator's canon.
Posted by Austin | October 15, 2007 12:59 PM
Radiohead changes the world again, this band a refference of pop music, like the beatles, pink floyd, nirvana, jethro tull, zappa, miles davies, john coltrane, the rolling stones...
Posted by Marcos | October 15, 2007 2:32 PM
Too many power lunches in college to listen to popular music.
Posted by cs | October 15, 2007 2:53 PM
I have 5 of the 7 Radiohead albums. I have about 15 Zappa discs. I used to have Jethro Tull and Alice Copper albums when I was in Jr. High (along with Yes), but kinda outgrew all of them as I aged (kids, your tastes do change with time, trust me). My collection also contains work by Bach, Nina Simone, Calexico, Captain Beefheart, The Fiery Furnaces, Joni Mitchell, Miles Davis, Philip Glass, The Residents, Tom Waits, Sufjan Stevens, The Roots, Billie Holiday, Iron & Wine, Puccini, etc. I'll be 50 years old in May.
So...not only do I think that Ray might be a little behind the times, but that it is not impossible for us old folks to like and listen to new music too. Really. I also know that you young folks out there are pretty aware of my generation's music, much more so that my generation was aware of Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey from my folk's generation. Good for you.
Someone IS going to have to claim responsibility for the (former??) mass popularity of Britney Spears -- who's 25. That might rest on some of your heads. Sorry, but accountability on this one is essential (written with tongue firmly in cheek).
Anyway as far as the White House goes -- I don't think that Ms. Perino not knowing about Radiohead is as big a deal as George Bush not knowing that there were Black people in Brazil...or that Iraq didn't have any WMD's. That's worse.
Posted by George | October 15, 2007 3:14 PM
It's kind of frightening that our leaders are so fixed to static values. not listening to new music seems to go hand in hand with not expanding political horizons beyond what has already been done before. Change is a good thing, even if the first thing you land on isn't the solution. Spoon for 2009 inauguration?
Posted by C | October 15, 2007 3:45 PM
Wow, how could one person be in public relations and not know about Radiohead? Forget about Ray. The real issue here is Dana. She's 35 and even has a British spouse. Unbelievable.
Posted by Thurryl | October 15, 2007 4:45 PM
^^^george speaks the truth.
Posted by lily | October 15, 2007 5:34 PM
what would be a real trip is if George Bush was secretly a huge animal collective fan
All this time he's had us fooled ;) lol
Posted by Matt | October 15, 2007 8:52 PM
George hit it on the head...no pun intended.
Posted by Jesse | October 15, 2007 10:43 PM
the bees, the bees!
Posted by David | October 15, 2007 11:30 PM
ignorant muse. frank zappa?
Posted by Anonymous | October 16, 2007 1:14 AM
I think Radiohead is the best band in the world beside of U2, pearl jam, nirvana, smashing pumpkins and other alternative group in 90s. They only survival in this era is try to creative in every matter in show bisnis, music, marketing, artwork and even concert venue. They deserved to crown legend beside The Beatles and Stones.
Posted by Roni Pratomo Yudistian | October 16, 2007 3:26 AM
Who is Dana Perino?
Signed,
Radiohead fan
Posted by Anonymous | October 16, 2007 6:00 AM
according to wikipedia...dana perino even lived in the UK for a year. weeaak...
Posted by Tim A | October 17, 2007 12:13 AM
naturally what first came to my mind was....
Jimbo: Oo what's a Radiohead?
Cartman: You know, that band that sings that song: Well, I'm a creep. I'm a winner...
Ned: Mmuh what am I doing here?
Jimbo: Oh, Jesus, don't start singing, Ned!
Cartman: So, the subject is a big Radiohead fan, huh? Maybe I should come up with a [British accent] li'l ol' scheme [normal] that involves them.
Posted by Tim A | October 17, 2007 12:15 AM
Major [British] Radiohead fan here, fairly well aware of Zappa, Tull and Alice also, but I'd certainly never heard of Fratto, Johndroe or Perino ...hmmm.
Posted by Clare | October 19, 2007 5:29 AM
Whoever even brought up the idea of pitting fans of any music against other fans of other (or the same?) music is just ridiculous. Radiohead is so brilliant precisely because fans of every music genre appreciate and/or respect them. Hell- what OTHER band has ANYONE in the White HAUS talked about? Seriously, Ben is right when he says that Ray is as ignorant, if not more so, than he seems to think Radiohead fans are. I'm 24, and while I don't care for Zappa's sound, I like him and what he's done for music, and I love Jehtro Tull, own several of their albums, and I love Radiohead, always have and always will. That's called loyalty. What about Silver Apples? Have you heard of them, Ray? Maybe they were before your time. :)
-Jacob
Posted by Jacob (Drew's brother) | October 24, 2007 6:07 AM
YES!!!! THE BEES!!!!!
Posted by Jacob (Drew's brother) | October 24, 2007 6:10 AM