Whoops! Nick Cave has found himself the subject of an accusation of plagiarism from Dundonian songsmith Frankie Duffy (the Fife Courier via teh Graun).

“Frankie (29) says he was astonished when he heard the track Palaces Of Montezuma from Nick Cave’s band Grinderman’s new album.

“I couldn’t believe it when I heard that track,” Frankie said. “It stood out a mile, it’s exactly the same chords and the same hook as the intro to Grey Man.

“I was never really a Nick Cave fan, but I really like Grinderman, that’s a different kettle of fish. But when you hear that track you can totally spot the similarities. I sat down with my guitar and played along with it and it’s exactly the same A, E and B chords, which to be fair anybody could use to write a song at any time.

“But it’s the chord progression and when the vocal hook comes in with some ooohs, it’s exactly the same, you can just hear it’s the same thing.*

Cave’s response?

“You may have read that some 17-year-old kid in Dundee is trying to sue me and is claiming to have written this song,” Cave said at a concert on Friday. “That’s funny, because I wrote it for my wife.**

According to Duffy, he was going to play both songs at an event he compered in Dundee on the 1st and ask the audience if they could tell the difference. Well, at least he was able to increase the exposure for his song!

Here’s a live performance of the song in question – “Grey Man” – performed live in 2006 by Duffy’s former band, Rising Signs:

To be honest, I’ve only heard “Palaces of Montezuma” the once and I can’t say that I can detect any deliberate thievery. Maybe it’s just a coincidence? IT WILL FOREVER BE A MYSTERY!!!

*The Fife Courier: “Nick Cave’s six strings that drew the attention of a Dundee rocker” (Alan Wilson)

** The Guardian: “Nick Cave denies plagiarism allegation” (Sean Michaels)