UPDATE: Kevin Parker responds: “This is a joke, right?” And the editors of Chilean news site Rata, who made the original allegation, say it was a joke. But Ruiz is not laughing; he tells ESPN Radio Argentina he’s considering a lawsuit.

//

Pablo Ruiz is an Argentine pop singer who had his greatest success as a child star in the ’80s. He is not, shall we say, a person you’d imagine to be among the top influences of Australian psych-rockers Tame Impala. But a new YouTube video that’s making the rounds makes a case that Tame Impala ripped off Ruiz’s 1989 single “Oceano” for their Lonerism jam “Feels Like We Only Backwards,” which has essentially become their signature song. It seems like a coincidence, but Tame Impala will be in Argentina later this year, so maybe Ruiz can holler at them about it. Below, check out that video along with Kevin Parker’s first “FLWOGB” demo and some newly announced Tame Impala American tour dates.

“Feels Like We Only Go Backwards” 1st Demo:

Tour Dates:
11/09 New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre *
11/12 Los Angeles, CA @ Shrine Auditorium *
11/13 Las Vegas, NV @ Brooklyn Bowl *
11/15 Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater *
11/20 Bogota, CO @ Royal Center
11/22 Santiago, CL @ Placina Espacio Broadway
11/24 Buenos Aires, AR @ BUE Fest
11/26 Rio de Janerio, BR @ Circo Voador
11/28 Sao Paolo, BR @ Popload Festival

* = w/ Delicate Steve