New Wave Nigel

New Wave Nigel is a plastic toy figurine distributed with McDonald's Happy Meals in 2008 as part of an American Idol-themed promotion. The figurine sports an "energy dome," a hat made famous by the 1970s and 1980s band, Devo. Devo's Gerald Casale has claimed the energy dome is trademarked, and claims the band is suing McDonald's.¹

Fast Facts

1. Placed in Happy Meals
2. Figurine wears hat trademarked by Devo¹
3. Figurine plays song described by band as "Devo-esque"
4. Devo is suing McDonald's for copyright infringement¹

Devo is...

• Mark Mothersbaugh - Synthesizer, Guitar, Vocals
• Bob Mothersbaugh - Guitar, Vocals, Keyboards
• Gerald Casale - Bass Guitar, Bass Synthesizer, Vocals
• Bob Casale - Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
• Alan Myers - Drums, Electronic Percussion

New Wave Nigel's Devo-ness

Casale claims that not only is the "energy dome" trademarked, but that when a button is pressed on the side of the figurine, it plays a "Devo-esque" song. Casale points out that Devo's is "doubly offended" because the band's message is severely at odds with the mass-marketing campaigns of American Idol and McDonald's.¹

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