Oh-oh-oh, it's a working-class ban.
Cold Chisel frontman Jimmy Barnes has a message for those playing his classic Australian songs at anti-Islam rallies around the country: stop.
In a message posted on his Facebook page, Barnes said it had come to his attention that "certain groups of people" had been playing his songs at rallies.
Two anti-Islam groups - the United Patriots Front and Reclaim Australia - have been staging rallies around the country, brandishing Australian flags and protesting against the "spread" of Islam, halal food and Asian immigration.
Barnes' wife, Jane, was born in Thailand.
Cold Chisel's best-known song Khe Sanh has become a patriotic anthem and is often named as one of the best Australian songs ever.
Barnes himself is an immigrant, having moved to Australia from Scotland in 1956.
"I only want to say the Australia I belong to and love is a tolerant Australia. A place that is open and giving," he posted on Tuesday night.
"It is a place that embraces all sorts of different people, in fact it is made stronger by the diversity of its people.
"If you look at my family you can see we are a multicultural family. Australia needs to stand up for Love and Tolerance [sic] in these modern times.
"None of these people represent me and I do not support them."
I've posted a letter on Facebook in relation to the use of my songs at recent rallies in Australia. Read it here: http://t.co/eKcQRnO486— Jimmy Barnes (@JimmyBarnes)
July 21, 2015
Reclaim Australia reportedly played Khe Sanh, the song written about an Australian Vietnam veteran returning home and suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, at the relatively peaceful Brisbane Reclaim Australian rally on Sunday.
Whistles v khe sanh. Noise at 10 paces. pic.twitter.com/YqQoM2395z— Michael Best (@michaelbesty)
July 19, 2015
While there was no violence at the Brisbane gathering, where about 300 protesters from the far left and far right exchanged racist and anti-racist sledges, similar events in Melbourne and Sydney descended into chaos as protesters were sprayed with capsicum spray.
According to witnesses at the Sydney event, Lee Kernaghan's Sprit of the Anzacs was also used as a rallying cry by Reclaim Australia.
Barnes' post, which has been shared more than 2000 times, has been met by mixed responses from fans.
Commenter Eric Algra, said Barnes had "opened a big can of worms".
"Full of respect for your taking a stand on this highly devisive [sic] issue," he said. "And, of course, I'm with you on this. Fully. We must not let fear and ignorance define what we are and what we stand for as Australians."
A comment from Wendy Lisac said: "I don't have any problems with anyone, black or white, religions or political views ... I have a problem with people who want to hurt, kill, rape, and don't respect others."
Redgum songwriter John Schumann also said recently he did not support his song I Was Only 19 being played at Reclaim Australia rallies.
"I am very, very disappointed to see my work co-opted by what I, at my most charitable, consider to be a very confused 'patriotic' movement," Schumann said at the time.
with Jenna Clarke
