Politics In Music

DeadChannel · 05-31-2016, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by William_the_Bloody

I totally get where your coming from, politics is great in music if your a true believer, but otherwise it kind of ruins the music.

When I was a teenager the Dead Kennedys were one of my favourite bands, in part because I loved the sound in the music, but also because they spoke to me as a disenchanted youth.

Today I can't stand listening to them because of the lyrics, and I personally think Jello Biafra is a left wing loonie, wish I had a dad growing up to stear me clear of that garbage.

Oh come on, you know you still like Plastic Surgery Disasters.

**Janszoon** · 05-31-2016, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by William_the_Bloody

I totally get where your coming from, politics is great in music if your a true believer, but otherwise it kind of ruins the music.

When I was a teenager the Dead Kennedys were one of my favourite bands, in part because I loved the sound in the music, but also because they spoke to me as a disenchanted youth.

Today I can't stand listening to them because of the lyrics, and I personally think Jello Biafra is a left wing loonie, wish I had a dad growing up to stear me clear of that garbage.

Interesting. I'm not, and never have been, a super huge DK fan but I still like them—as well as other Jello projects—and I find Jello's lyrics entertaining. For me they've aged well because they're humorous and sarcastic, unlike someone like Zack de la Rocha whose self-righteously earnest lyrics I've come to find more annoying over time.

William_the_Bloody · 05-31-2016, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

Interesting. I'm not, and never have been, a super huge DK fan but I still like them—as well as other Jello projects—and I find Jello's lyrics entertaining. For me they've aged well because they're humorous and sarcastic, unlike someone like Zack de la Rocha whose self-righteously earnest lyrics I've come to find more annoying over time.

Well, without delving to deep into my personal life, I was indoctrinated to hardcore left wing politics at a very young age (13-14) so there might be some hidden resentment there, as it was primarily my exposure to punk rock that led me down that path.

I still like the music of the Dead Kennedys though, I just don't care for the lyrics.

Blank. · 05-31-2016, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by William_the_Bloody

I totally get where your coming from, politics is great in music if your a true believer, but otherwise it kind of ruins the music.

When I was a teenager the Dead Kennedys were one of my favourite bands, in part because I loved the sound in the music, but also because they spoke to me as a disenchanted youth.

Today I can't stand listening to them because of the lyrics, and I personally think Jello Biafra is a left wing loonie, wish I had a dad growing up to stear me clear of that garbage.

It's funny how some of the stuff you like when you're young is in reality terrible. I use to love extreme metal. It was my favorite genre hands down as a teenager. I recently listened to some of it and said to myself, "Why did I like this? It's just an endless series of rolling the bass drum." Maybe that's the cynic in me. Lol. I'm getting off topic. Were the Dead Kennedys for you a band that inspired you at all as well?

William_the_Bloody · 06-01-2016, 09:51 PM

I don't mind say liberal politics in music like Neil Young or R.E.M. but I have a problem with people on the hard left who preach the evils of capitalism and American Imperialism, while becoming millionaires on a big corporate record label (Rage against the machine, anti flag)

Music is kind of different now though, since the collapse of the industry. Outside of big pop stars like Miley Cyrus and Kayne West, I think most new artists are pretty small scale now?

DeadChannel · 06-01-2016, 10:01 PM

^Yeah, RATM are certainly hypocrites, but plenty of that sort of political music is still underground.

Blank. · 06-01-2016, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeadChannel

^Yeah, RATM are certainly hypocrites, but plenty of that sort of political music is still underground.

I kind of hope it stays that way. When I listen to music, I don't want to be bombarded with political messages. I want to hear a beautiful sound with a wonderful construction of effects.

Zhanteimi · 06-01-2016, 10:40 PM

When music (or any art) gets too political, it easily crosses over into the realm of propaganda. I'm of the opinion that art and propaganda cannot coexist, so if it crosses over, it ceases to be art. And I stop listening.

**Frownland** · 06-01-2016, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mordwyr

When music (or any art) gets too political, it easily crosses over into the realm of propaganda. I'm of the opinion that art and propaganda cannot coexist, so if it crosses over, it ceases to be art. And I stop listening.

Battleship Potemkin. Your argument is invalid.

**Janszoon** · 06-02-2016, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frownland

Battleship Potemkin. Your argument is invalid.

Yep. There's a ton of great art that's propaganda, from Soviet poster art to the fire and brimstone triptychs of Heironymous Bosch to the imposing statuary of ancient Egypt. In fact, most classic art from antiquity is propaganda of one form or another.

06-01-2016, 09:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
William_the_Bloody Music Addict Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Sunnydale Cemetary Posts: 2,093	I don't mind say liberal politics in music like Neil Young or R.E.M. but I have a problem with people on the hard left who preach the evils of capitalism and American Imperialism, while becoming millionaires on a big corporate record label (Rage against the machine, anti flag) Music is kind of different now though, since the collapse of the industry. Outside of big pop stars like Miley Cyrus and Kayne West, I think most new artists are pretty small scale now? Last edited by William_the_Bloody; 06-01-2016 at 10:08 PM.

06-01-2016, 10:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
DeadChannel Music Addict Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Canada Posts: 1,259	^Yeah, RATM are certainly hypocrites, but plenty of that sort of political music is still underground.

06-01-2016, 10:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
Zhanteimi Mord Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Tokyo Posts: 4,873	When music (or any art) gets too political, it easily crosses over into the realm of propaganda. I'm of the opinion that art and propaganda cannot coexist, so if it crosses over, it ceases to be art. And I stop listening.