Politics of music
Reason’s Damon Root has a look at the politics of hardcore punk and alleged efforts to keep non-leftist voices out of music. I’ve never thought of the hardcore folks, generally, as right wing though they do share some views associated with conservatives. I suspect political ideology doesn’t matter much for record sales. I don’t listen to music for its political message. I listen to it because I like it. If I didn’t listen to those with whom I disagree, I’d miss out on some good music. Like anything by REM, since Stipe is onto every lefty cause no matter how silly. Or Hed PE, a group comprised of truthers but they can bring the noise. And I am also not a straight-edge vegan animal rights activist but I’m digging Earth Crisis.
December 9th, 2009 at 10:51 am
Similar vein to Earth Crisis, in that they were a hardcore straight-edge band Strife. the late 90s produced some amazing underground music. Now there appears to be no underground punk scene whatsoever, as every “underground punk scene” band is a cheap mimicry of everything that’s popular, or a Misfits cover band.
December 9th, 2009 at 11:05 am
I’d try to be pure, but I can’t quit Bruce Springsteen. He’s dreamy.
Besides, a lot of the best artists aren’t just politically wrong, they’re certifiable. Back in the day when System of a Down first broke out on the national scene, they were convinced that the CIA was bugging their brains among other things . . . and I’m talking about what they wrote in the liner notes, not a slip in an interview after a few drinks.
December 9th, 2009 at 11:31 am
When “punk” is discussed @ reason.com ‘s not punk anymore đŸ™‚
Most HC bands – and I grew up in NYC during the height of NYHC – didn’t really care about politics. Although many, if not most, advocated for individual responsibility, honesty, integrity, and self reliance.
So, I guess we were certainly NOT leftisit! But we weren’t moshing to Regan either.
December 9th, 2009 at 11:39 am
I listen to classic (i.e. real) rock, old (aka real) country and blues/blues rock.
I listen to a lot of great music generated by hippies.
It’s what I grew up with and I like it.
December 9th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Minor Threat, Gorilla Biscuits, and later CIV … The HC movement was all about some personal responsibility.
December 9th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Rage Against the Machine are a bunch of hypocritical douchebags, but they made some rockin’ music.
Also a lot of the punk I listened to might be considered Anachro-Liberarian….if not pure Anarchistic.
Certainly most punkers wouldn’t like ANYBODY telling them what to do, left or right.
December 9th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
“Anachro-Liberarian” would have to be
Ralph Randolph Gurley. Sure you weren’t shooting for
“an Ankara Librarian”?
I was in a band with one of those, in college.