Joel Veitch
Encyclopedia
Joel Veitch is a British
web animator
, singer-songwriter
, and member of the humour website B3ta
. Veitch is owner of the web site RatherGood where he showcases many of his animations. Joel has also created the Mr. Stabby animations in collaboration with Jonti Picking
, and his early work includes several installments of Tales of the Blode.
Joel's working pseudonyms include "Crab Bloke" (which is the name of his user account on B3ta
), "The Crab of Ineffable Wisdom" (used on his website), and "Stallion Explosion" (as lead singer of the band 7 Seconds of Love
which he promotes heavily on his site by making music videos for them).
Veitch was once threatened with legal action by Gullane Entertainment Inc.
for uploading a flash cartoon which parodied Thomas the Tank Engine
. As a result, Veitch removed the animation from the site. Although the link is still present, it now points to an explanation of why the animation was removed.
Several of Veitch's movies, including one featuring a remake of Destiny Child's Independent Woman by Elbow
, are played and sung by kittens, similar to the Crusha
adverts which Veitch also created.
Some of Veitch's other movies feature actual songs by artists such as Madonna
, with either slightly edited lyrics, and/or with modified subtitles, and always with fitting, and sometimes mildly disturbing, animations.
In December 2006, Veitch and his band 7 Seconds of Love produced their own version of the "12 Days of Christmas" song, in support of the charity Tommy's.
In January 2007, Veitch reached a settlement with Coca-Cola
after they used music and video very similar to 7 Seconds of Love
's song 'Ninja' on one of their adverts in Argentina without permission.
, a Webbys People's Choice Award and a further Webby nomination for rathergood.com
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
web animator
Flash cartoon
A Flash animation or Flash cartoon is an animated film which is created using Adobe Flash or similar animation software and often distributed in the .swf file format. The term Flash animation not only refers to the file format but to a certain kind of movement and visual style which, in many...
, singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
, and member of the humour website B3ta
B3ta
B3ta is a high-profile British website, described as a "puerile digital arts community" by The Guardian. It was founded in 2001 by Rob Manuel, Denise Wilton and Cal Henderson....
. Veitch is owner of the web site RatherGood where he showcases many of his animations. Joel has also created the Mr. Stabby animations in collaboration with Jonti Picking
Jonti Picking
Jonathan "Jonti" Picking , otherwise known as Weebl, is a British Internet personality and flash animator and is the creator of Weebl's Stuff....
, and his early work includes several installments of Tales of the Blode.
Joel's working pseudonyms include "Crab Bloke" (which is the name of his user account on B3ta
B3ta
B3ta is a high-profile British website, described as a "puerile digital arts community" by The Guardian. It was founded in 2001 by Rob Manuel, Denise Wilton and Cal Henderson....
), "The Crab of Ineffable Wisdom" (used on his website), and "Stallion Explosion" (as lead singer of the band 7 Seconds of Love
7 Seconds of Love
7 Seconds of Love are an English ska/2 Tone band, fronted by musician and animator Joel Veitch that writes and plays songs with often nonsensical lyrics. Veitch animates many videos of the band's songs, such as "Ninja" and "First Drink of the Day". Some songs have had videos directed by guitarist...
which he promotes heavily on his site by making music videos for them).
Veitch was once threatened with legal action by Gullane Entertainment Inc.
Gullane Entertainment
Gullane Entertainment was the name of the company that replaced that of The Britt Allcroft Company in 2000, when Britt Allcroft herself left the company she had originally co-founded with her then-husband Angus Wright....
for uploading a flash cartoon which parodied Thomas the Tank Engine
Thomas the Tank Engine
Thomas the Tank Engine is a fictional steam locomotive in The Railway Series books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher. He became the most popular character in the series, and the accompanying television spin-off series, Thomas and Friends.Thomas is a tank engine, painted blue...
. As a result, Veitch removed the animation from the site. Although the link is still present, it now points to an explanation of why the animation was removed.
Several of Veitch's movies, including one featuring a remake of Destiny Child's Independent Woman by Elbow
Elbow (band)
Elbow are an English rock band. They have played together since 1990 and recorded five studio albums, the most recent of which is Build a Rocket Boys!, released in March 2011...
, are played and sung by kittens, similar to the Crusha
Crusha
Crusha is a well known brand of milkshake mix sold in the United Kingdom. The brand first appeared in the 1950s and was bought by the sugar processor British Sugar coming under its Silver Spoon retail brand in December 2001....
adverts which Veitch also created.
Some of Veitch's other movies feature actual songs by artists such as Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
, with either slightly edited lyrics, and/or with modified subtitles, and always with fitting, and sometimes mildly disturbing, animations.
In December 2006, Veitch and his band 7 Seconds of Love produced their own version of the "12 Days of Christmas" song, in support of the charity Tommy's.
In January 2007, Veitch reached a settlement with Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
after they used music and video very similar to 7 Seconds of Love
7 Seconds of Love
7 Seconds of Love are an English ska/2 Tone band, fronted by musician and animator Joel Veitch that writes and plays songs with often nonsensical lyrics. Veitch animates many videos of the band's songs, such as "Ninja" and "First Drink of the Day". Some songs have had videos directed by guitarist...
's song 'Ninja' on one of their adverts in Argentina without permission.
Commercial work
Veitch is responsible for many adverts and other spots on both British and US TV.- SwitchSwitch (debit card)Switch is a debit card in the United Kingdom. It is a sister to the Solo debit card.Switch was launched in 1988 by Midland Bank, National Westminster Bank and the Royal Bank of Scotland as a multifunction cheque guarantee and cash card. The brand was merged with Maestro, an international debit card...
/MaestroMaestro (debit card)Maestro is a multi-national debit card service owned by MasterCard, and was founded in 1990. Maestro cards are obtained from associate banks and can be linked to the card holder's current account, or they can be prepaid cards...
adverts featuring singing penguins. - CrushaCrushaCrusha is a well known brand of milkshake mix sold in the United Kingdom. The brand first appeared in the 1950s and was bought by the sugar processor British Sugar coming under its Silver Spoon retail brand in December 2001....
adverts featuring singing kittens. - Quizno's Subs advertised by the Spongmonkeys (through the song "We love the subs", based upon "We like tha Moon").
- Virgin TrainsVirgin TrainsVirgin Trains is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. It operates long-distance passenger services on the West Coast Main Line between London, the West Midlands, North West England, North Wales and Scotland...
viral online ads at www.littlerbritain.co.uk, featuring only-barely double entendreDouble entendreA double entendre or adianoeta is a figure of speech in which a spoken phrase is devised to be understood in either of two ways. Often the first meaning is straightforward, while the second meaning is less so: often risqué or ironic....
s about large things wreaking havoc on a "Smaller Britain" - VH1VH1VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
promo spots featuring singing kittens with songs such as "Welcome to the JungleWelcome to the Jungle"Welcome to the Jungle" is a song by American rock band Guns N' Roses, featured on its 1987 debut studio album, Appetite for Destruction. It was released as the band's second single on October 3, 1987, and reached number #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number #24 on the UK Singles Chart...
" by Guns N' RosesGuns N' RosesGuns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
and "I Love Rock 'N Roll" by Joan JettJoan JettJoan Jett is an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and actress.She is best known for her work with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts including their hit cover "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", which was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 from March 20 to May 1, 1982, as well as for their other popular...
. - The television programme Rathergood Videos featuring his own and others music videos, which aired early in the morning on Channel 4.
- Various animations of his were featured on the Channel 4 music programme Born Sloppy.
- Written and composed songs for the CiTVCITVCITV is a British television channel from ITV Digital Channels Ltd, a division of ITV plc. It broadcasts content from the CITV archive, as well as commissions and acquisitions. CITV itself is the programming block on the main ITV Network .The CITV channel broadcasts from 06:00 to 18:00...
series Jim Jam & Sunny. - Joel now regularly appears as the "Internet go-to guy" for Nuts TV, and appears on Sky News and BBC News as an internet savvy guest.
Charity work
Awards
Veitch has received 3 Webby AwardsWebby Awards
A Webby Award is an international award presented annually by The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences for excellence on the Internet with categories in websites, interactive advertising, online film and video, and mobile....
, a Webbys People's Choice Award and a further Webby nomination for rathergood.com
External links
- B3ta interview and making animations with Joel – prior to his worldwide kitten success.
- RatherGood.com