Merch Beef 2016: Jarrod Alonge vs Knuckle Puck

If you ask any old random how to pronounce Knuckle Puck's name, they would say just that - Knuckle Puck. But according to an old video from YouTuber, parody musician and comedian Jarrod Alonge, the band's name is actually Kanookla Pook, which the band isn't too fond of apparently. Especially not since one of his recent pieces of merch parodies one of the bands own T-shirts.

You can see the comparison of the two shirts below.

[caption id="attachment_1088223" align="alignnone" width="550"] It's hard to tell the difference, I know.[/caption]

Now, the above design, in particular, isn't a trademarked design by Knuckle Puck as Neck Deep, Seaway, As It Is, Real Friends and State Champs - just to name a few - have also used very similar designs for their own merch. Yet still, KP spat the dummy about this apparent infringement (which it isn't) and it seems that they don't really understand copyright laws and the use of parody. Because in case you were not aware, parodying someone else's product or their art is indeed legal.

The YouTuber, who some people seem to label the "Weird Al Yankovic" of the pop-punk world, recently released one of the most passive aggressive videos I've seen him do thus far addressing the issue and it's fucking great. (You can find that video just below.) However, what is actually most sad about all of this is that Alonge is actually a big fan of the Chicago pop-punk outfit, and to have them handle things this way must have been a gut-punch to him. I mean, that'd be like My Chemical Romance calling me out and personally insulting me online.

To quote The Wonder Years song, 'Hoodie Weather', "Growing up means watching my heroes turn human in front of me".

Now, things would normally have been left there and we'd all move on, but nope! The pop-punk band had to take it one fucking step further, with guitarist Nick Casasanto accusing Alonge of a whole host of things, from being homophobic and sexist - none of which being the slightest true - among others things. The Tweets from which he spewed said BS has since been deleted.

However, in response to those accusations, Alonge addressed the band publically, saying that "your band isn't as special as you think it is. I love your music and I'm sure you've positively affected and inspired thousands of fans, but get over yourself." You can read his full statement below.

"I honestly wasn't expecting Knuckle Puck to stoop this low over something as petty as mispronouncing a band name, but it l guess I was mistaken. Look, I get that you don't think I'm funny (I don't think I'm that funny either), but claiming that I use homophobic slurs and incite violence in my music with literally no evidence is appalling.

Does anyone remember me ever using the word "faggot" in a song? Because I don't. It's 2016, I'm not idiotic enough to do something like that. I FEEL LIKE I'M TAKING CRAZY PILLS.

The "Kanookla Pook" joke isn't funny because it sounds silly, it's funny because people like you put your band on this self-righteous pedestal that is immune to any form of mockery. I mispronounced about 100 other bands in those videos and people forgot about it. For a band that claims to be so easygoing and "down with the memes," this all seems very contradicting.

I hate to break this to you, but your band isn't as special as you think it is. I love your music and I'm sure you've positively affected and inspired thousands of fans, but get over yourself. You're an adult, learn to take a joke."

Now, while I'm sure that situation this will eventually go the way of Joyce Manor's stage diving gripes (ah, what a time) and be forgotten about in a matter of weeks, if not days, I must bring attention to a recent post on KP's Facebook. See, a post about an upcoming hometown show in Chicago has been hijacked in the comment sections by people siding with Alonge on the issue and shit is just going crazy!

Seriously, go take a look for yourself on their Facebook page. Here's a screenshot from earlier this evening I took just in case the band pull a burnt Steam developer and start deleting comments left, right and center.

[caption id="attachment_1088227" align="alignnone" width="540"] And these were just the top comments![/caption]

As parody is indeed the name of the game for Alonge, the comedian also takes the piss out of Atilla's Chris Fronzak with a meme page and merch page called Chodezilla, and you can find said merch store right here.

Knuckle Puck released their latest album 'Copacetic' last year and you can find their latest single, 'Evergreen' below. Also - Knuckle Puck - here is the dictionary meaning of 'joke' for you. I think that you needed a reminder.