Sparta’s Jim Ward “Appalled” After Song “Air” Used In El Paso Border Patrol Border Wall Video

Sparta vocalist and guitarist Jim Ward has publicly condemned the unauthorized use of the band’s song “Air” in a recent video shared by the El Paso, Texas Border Patrol.

The clip — which documents a controlled explosion conducted near El Paso as part of border security preparations — drew criticism after featuring the track without the band’s approval. Ward, who grew up in El Paso and first gained widespread recognition as a member of At The Drive-In before forming Sparta in the early 2000s, addressed the situation via social media on March 17th.

According to Ward, the band is actively working to have the song removed from the video and strongly opposes how it was used.

He wrote:

“I’m not going to repost it or give it any attention but please know we are aware of our song being used in a border wall propaganda video and are working on having it removed. You absolutely know we are appalled.”

At the time of publication, no official response has been issued by Border Patrol regarding the band’s objection. The incident adds to a long history of artists speaking out against political or governmental use of their music without consent, particularly in promotional or messaging-driven media.

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