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Visitors to TMZ.com, that website of all things puerile, foul and demeaning, recently learned that Yoko Ono--constantly on the prowl for punks looking to defame her hubby's legacy--is suing some poor woman who happens to be named Lennon. Lennon Murphy--singer, songwriter, and apparent inheritor of an average Irish name--was only trying to spread her music and make a buck when, TMZ reported, Ono hauled her off to court. Whoa is me! Oh Darling!

But the site known for harassing vapid celebrities and parading its TV spokesman like a reject from an L.A. hair salon was up to their usual low class business. Not only did Ono originally and apparently happily grant permission to Lennon Murphy to use the family name for her band, but (Gigwise.com reports) she categorically denies current accusations that she is out to get Lennon (the younger). Ah, the dread lies with Murphy.

"However," reports Gigwise.com, "[a statement from Ono's label, Parlophone] goes on to say that without Ono's knowledge, Murphy made an application to the United States trademark office ‘requesting the exclusive right to utilize the name Lennon for musical performances.'

"According to the release, Ono's representatives asked for this registration of exclusivity to be removed, but apparently Lennon Murphy went on to apply for the trademark regardless.

"The statement concludes: ‘Yoko did not sue Lennon Murphy, but sought to stop her from getting the exclusive right to the name Lennon for performance purposes. For that, Yoko's attorneys, simply notified the Trademark office that Yoko did not believe it was fair that Ms. Murphy be granted the exclusive right to the ‘Lennon' trademark in relation to musical and entertainment services.'"

So the time-tested (and profitable sales) practice of portraying Yoko Ono as the dragon lady continues, until corrected by the powers that be (Ono herself). What a shame. As one who has interviewed Ono (as part of a Japanese rock issue for ‘90s alt rag Ray Gun), I can report that she was one of the sweetest, most relaxed and conversational artists I have encountered in this, my long in the tooth career as a journalist. Downright chatty, Ono came off as a friendly den mother, not the dragon lady/money hungry/calculating mogul often depicted in the press.

So back off boogaloo, and Lennon Murphy. And here's another artist with a familiar name. Let's hope Don Lennon doesn't get any ideas, cause his riveting pop tunes (from Radical) are the real thing: lyrically incisive, melodically rich and as gooey as good ear candy.

Don Lennon
"A Secret Band" (mp3)
from "Radical"
(Martin Philip Associates)

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Don Lennon
"Our Bodies" (mp3)
from "Radical"
(Martin Philip Associates)

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Don Lennon
"Young People Need Guidance" (mp3)
from "Radical"
(Martin Philip Associates)

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Mexicans movin' on up: And that's a good thing. From Nortec Collective to Kinky, Mexican artists are rejuvenating myriad musical styles with their brash mix of native folk and genre busting energy. Ten: Fifteen's Welly Well Well recalls XTC, early Elvis Costello, The Clash, and Human League. A good thing? A damn fine thing! If it's good to you, it's got to be good for ya!  

Ten:Fifteen
"M&Marcus" (mp3)
from "Welly Welly Well"
(Noiselab Records)

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