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Light Fingered Skinner? Streets Accused

added 19 July 2004 at 16.09

Musician Michael Gagliano has sparked controversy with his claims that the new single from The Streets, ‘Dry Your Eyes’, has sampled one of his own songs without permission.

Gagliano claims he first wrote the tune last year on a track called 'Yesterday And Today Pt 1' which was released in 2003 on the album 'Sunshine State' under the name EPIC on Revolver Records.

He’s now saying that Streets main man Mike Skinner sampled his song (specifically the opening string arrangement) for ‘Dry Your Eyes’ without asking permission and is demanding a cut of the profits and Revolver Records is considering legal action.

"'Dry Your Eyes' came on the radio one day and I couldn't believe it. I pointed at the radio and said: 'That's my song',” Gagliano told The Sun, "There's absolutely no doubt about it - listen to both and you can see exactly where he's got the tune from.

“The only thing is, he hasn't contacted me, given me any credit - or offered to give me any royalties. I'm not taking legal action yet but I've signed a publishing deal with US label Rainbow and will be looking into the question of getting royalties from The Streets.

"To be honest, the money isn't an issue for me, I got into this game for the women. I would be happy if The Streets would give me the acknowledgment I deserve and credit me on the sleeve notes for the record."

Gagliano also reportedly plays gigs as George Harrison in Beatles tribute band The Counterfeit Beatles.

Not that we’re saying that this story might be an elaborate hoax, but there has been no official statement from The Streets representatives as yet and - by amazing coincidence - ‘Dry You Eyes’ is released this very day (July 19).

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Matt Everitt

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