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[Psamtik]

I was going to read the entire thread before speaking but I got antsy. Forgive me. I have been against Bush since he was the governor of Texas so this album was not a deciding factor for my affiliation and I have strongly believed in voting anyway.
I am 19 and have listened to the entire album over and over and have watched the companion DVD about as many times and for the most part find it to my liking. As far as it being "dangerous," I would have to disagree. The first thing this CD does is make America's youth turn from their average apathy. So many teenagers are "punks" for style and shock value and have no concern for politics. Once they see their favorite bands that usually sing about relationships, societal manipulation, and conformity (Sum 41, The Offspring, The Get Up Kids, The Ataris, New Found Glory, and Less Than Jake are not known to be political per se) affiliate themselves with a political movement denouncing war, corporate deceit, environmental blight, Dubya, and the such, they are introduced to the sincere activist/anti-authoritarian culture that rock is so kin to and has such deeps roots in. Anyone smart enough to make out the metaphorical and rhetorical lyrics eloquently put forth in this compilation is usually smart enough to think for themself anyway. There are plenty of kids just old enought to vote that will listen to this just for the Epoxies' synth in "Need More Time" or The Offspring's guitar intro in "Baghdad". For those that do actually listen, if anything, this album replaces the opiate sludge that the record industry churns out to young, impresionable minds, with constructive dissent. To address the title of this thread, politics and rock have gone hand in hand since rock was defined. I would go so far as too say that rock only exists because of issues such as the ones brought up in the Rock Against Bush Comp. It is a prime example of awareness, collaboration between bands of seperate records labels, and the true punk/rock spirit relived in an age where history repeats itself and prefab, lip-synching, apathetic sterotypes win out. God Bless the Dixie Chicks and long live freedom of expression.

[jenreiautter]

I would go so far as too say that rock only exists because of issues such as the ones brought up in the Rock Against Bush Comp. It is a prime example of awareness, collaboration between bands of seperate records labels, and the true punk/rock spirit relived in an age where history repeats itself and prefab, lip-synching, apathetic sterotypes win out. God Bless the Dixie Chicks and long live freedom of expression.

Wow! Great first post, Psamtik!

I agree with the idea that the spirit of punk/rock is very political.

Wouldn't it be a shame if a young man or woman voted against a president just because they were told to by a rock star?

That's kind of how I feel about talk show hosts and most of the corporate media.

To those of you against Bush, is the vote all that matters in the end?

If it stops the destruction (for more info see many other threads, not trying to start a bash here) -- yup.

[DaffyGrl]

The Question: Could this album actually help Kerry or Nader? Is it not dangerous to our country (even if you agree with the message) for today's youth to receive political advice from admitted alcoholics and drug addicts. Wouldn't it be a shame if a young man or woman voted against a president just because they were told to by a rock star? Yes, some people are that easily manipulated. To those of you against Bush, is the vote all that matters in the end?

Every citizen of this country has a right to vote and express their opinion on the candidates, regardless of their knowledge or lack thereof, or even whether or not they are “admitted alcoholics and drug addicts”. I think that’s a non-issue.

Anything that gets young people interested and involved in the political process can’t be a bad thing. Creating Rockthevote was a brilliant move. There is a HUGE group of potential voters who generally don’t bother to get out there and make their voice heard (in 2000, 32% of eligible voters 18-24 actually voted). The decisions made in this election will have a profound impact on this age group. There are rumblings that a mandatory draft may be put into place as early as 2005…and there won’t be any college deferments this time around. I think it’s great that something is making young people sit up and pay attention, and yes, get angry. If that’s what it takes to change the political face of this country, I’m all for it-and I’m an old fart.

There is a great history of anti-war and political views in music. It’s not just young people, either. No radio station in LA would play John Mellencamp’s “To Washington” (though Jim Ladd played it every chance he got) because of corporate radio censorship, even though it’s fairly innocuous…

Rock on!!!

And he wants to fight with many
And he says it's not for oil
He sent out the National Guard
To police the world
From Baghdad to Washington

What is the thought process
To take a humans life
What would be the reason
To think that this is right
From heaven to Washington
From Jesus Christ to Washington

Edited to add:

"My name is Bob Smith. You should vote for me because I will lower taxes, increase funding to the police force, and because my opponent is a cannibalistic satanic pederast who has hates jews and flowers and murders kittens by drowning them in bleach for fun. Voite Smith!!!"

I almost blew soda out my nose when I read that!

This post has been edited by DaffyGrl: May 20 2004, 09:59 PM

[Cube Jockey]

The Question: Could this album actually help Kerry or Nader? Is it not dangerous to our country (even if you agree with the message) for today's youth to receive political advice from admitted alcoholics and drug addicts. Wouldn't it be a shame if a young man or woman voted against a president just because they were told to by a rock star? Yes, some people are that easily manipulated. To those of you against Bush, is the vote all that matters in the end?

Whoa, nice loaded question there TommyGriswold.

Is it not dangerous to our country (even if you agree with the message) for today's youth to receive political advice from admitted alcoholics and drug addicts.

First, to assume that all of these bands are alcoholics and druggies is exagerating and falling prey to stereotypes. Secondly, why does that matter? Afterall the president himself allegedly was an alcoholic, even had a DUI and there are also unproven allegations of cocaine use. While that can't really be proved, I'm inclined to believe the allegations are true or there probably would have defamation of character or slander/libel suits handed out.

Anything that gets the younger age groups out there to vote is a good thing, I don't care what it is. In the 2000 election only 32% of those 18-24 voted, the lowest turnout in history. Politics is something that many of the teenagers and twenty somethings out there really don't care about these days and that needs to change. The result is that politicians don't care what we think.

Could this album actually help Kerry or Nader?
Probably, because Bush doesn't care about that demographic at all. Democratic, Green, Independent candidates, etc have traditionally been more oriented towards the younger generations simply due to their progressive nature.

So yes, these young adults probably would vote Kerry or Nader because they actually have their interests at heart. If Bush wants in on this demographic, he had better start factoring America's youth into his decisions a little bit.

This post has been edited by Cube Jockey: May 20 2004, 10:17 PM

[slim]

Personally, I think that it is very bad for America to have a bunch of rock stars, who most of which wake up daily with a hang over, become this involved in politics.

You think it is bad for citizens to become involved in politics?!? Even if I don't agree with someones message or their chosen path in life, I always thought it was in the best interest of society for as many people as possible to be involved in the political process.

Yes I know it is their right, but their is something wrong with it. Most of the song's lyrics go no deeper than "Bush is a moron who craves war" or "The economy sucks" (outdated argument  ). This is surface politics. While informed citizens laugh at the bands' lack of credibility, young rock/punk rock fans hang on every word.

Credibility comes from the people, not from the speakers. It is earned by politicians and artists by their actions, bestowed upon them from the population. Laugh if you wish, but these artists have far more credibility than you think, even if you and the other 'informed citizens' don't recognize it.

I think before young voters buy this album and become anti-Bush they should listen to John Kerry, Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, Ted Kennedy, or one of the many other outspoken democrat's professional reasons for disliking our president.

I don't. I think they should look at Bush's record, his values, and his actions to decide whether he is a candidate that they like. You are recommending that people listen to other politicians to make their decision, and I see that as just as bad as, if not worse than, listening to the message of a band. A politician slamming Bush in public is most often doing so for personal gain and out of support for their own party and best interests. These bands appear to dislike the path Bush is taking us on so much that they have come together to make this album. And with a $6 price tag, I don't think they're doing it for the money!

Could this album actually help Kerry or Nader?

Sure it's possible, and that's the goal of the album.

Is it not dangerous to our country (even if you agree with the message) for today's youth to receive political advice from admitted alcoholics and drug addicts. Wouldn't it be a shame if a young man or woman voted against a president just because they were told to by a rock star?

Not exactly. It's dangerous for anyone to blindly support and accept political advice from anyone, but that doesn't mean that this is what's happening. You assume that most, if not all, people listening to this album are sheep without the ability to think for themselves. Some are, some aren't. This is true across all race, economic, age, gender, sexuality, nationality, (etc., etc.) lines. Just because someone puts out an album and people buy it and listen to it doesn't mean those same people are going to run out and do what the album says. Some will, some won't.

To those of you against Bush, is the vote all that matters in the end?

Yes. And I'm sure that Bush supporters are only concerned with the vote also. That's politics.


BTW, thanks for bringing this topic up. I didn't know about this album until I saw your post, and thanks to seeing it here I was able to purchase it for $8 (including shipping) from the Fat Wreck Chords website!

[nebraska29]

First, to assume that all of these bands are alcoholics and druggies is exagerating and falling prey to stereotypes.  Secondly, why does that matter?  Afterall the president himself allegedly was an alcoholic, even had a DUI and there are also unproven allegations of cocaine use.  While that can't really be proved, I'm inclined to believe the allegations are true or there probably would have defamation of character or slander/libel suits handed out.

Great response Cubejockey. I can't help but feel that this thread is similar to those in the past who played records backwards and who think that Ozzy Ozbourne records have led to young people committing suicide. What proof is there that they drink or do drugs? Why does it matter in the first place? Who is really going to base their vote due to the influence of their favorite band? What person over the age of 18 likes these bands? I've seen the advertisement for this album in Mother Jones recently-I'm seriously thinking of buying it just for the heck of it.

[Psamtik]

I have to reply to some of what I'm reading in this thread. Having listened to this album, read the lyrics, and watched the DVD, I am amused and bewildered by some of what is being said about it. It's like hearing someone say "Germany is underdeveloped because they used to be Nazi," or something like that. First off, this album might help Kerry but will NOT help Nader considering the Franco Un-American music video on the DVD by NOFX (Fontman Fat Mike, hence Fat Wreck Chords) makes fun of his 2000 vote for Nader and shows falling Nader heads with Bush reaching out to eat them. Secondly, the artists on this album are NOT admitted alcoholics and druggies. In fact, I would be very surprised if a lot the bands do ANY drugs at all. That is a ridiculous stereotype that sounds as bad as saying "that Rocking and Rolling is of the devil." Take it to a different web forum, we at least try to mask our ignorance here. Lastly, the lyrics are not surface politics. Look at this excerpt:

To the World - Strike Anywhere

...we fight to balance our minds
petty powers pushing profits over our lifetimes
world leaders mortaging our lives with words
I don't need to be reminded of whom you really serve.

Brothers in spirit, sisters in rage,
will we live out or lives in this concrete cage?
another hearbeat lost another police murder
buried in the public eyes on the back page.
(Too many) heartbeats lost in the new world order
while we're standing alone with our backs to the maze

I pledge allegiance to the world
nothing more, nothing less than my humanity...

Does that look simplistic to you? Does that look like the anthem of a menace to society? Does that look like ignorance and hate? I didn't think so.