Accountability in Music • Page 26

I just think it’s impossible to separate art from artist in a medium where the subject matter is supposedly coming from the heart. We relate to music because it’s honest, because it makes us feel something, because we feel connected to the experience the artist is putting to paper. Once you find out those experiences were based on hurting others...idk man. I’m not sure what there is to “separate” or “get over.”

 

I can seperate it on some accounts.

I still like Moose Blood and Neck Deep, because I don't consider what they did to be so horrible that it ruins the music from me, and I think the mistakes made aren't so heinous as to rob them of a second chance (although the way MB ignore the Eddy thing rather than just own up to it definitely leaves a slightly sour taste for me).

Something like Lostprophets is different. It goes beyond a mistake or one fucked up shitty action. It was a year or two of long, drawn out, purposefully taken evil actions that threatened countless children and preyed on the weak and defenceless. And never once has he expressed guilt or regret (not that it would matter in this case).

I think it largely comes down to how you feel as an individual, we all have different limits and if you can listen to Lostprophets without feeling bad, then I guess you do you. For me, it's too far, but I wouldn't dream of telling you that you were wrong for it.

 

people can do what they want but I have a massive problem when people get mad about people coming in and discussing gross things band dudes have done, because it’s obvious that they don’t want to feel uncomfortable relating to the band. They’re trying so hard to separate the artist and the more they hear about it bothers them.

 

Yeah, I was definitely guilty of that in the earlier days of the website, mostly in the Turnover thread.

I think it took that discourse though to realise that it wasn't very appropriate behaviour, even if I wasn't trying to stifle it, it was borne out of frustration at the language used towards me for liking and trying to discuss their music. I think part of liking bands that have done this kind of thing is realising that people are going to want to discuss it and not let it go unmentioned and you kind of have to take that on board.

 

Generally true but not all lyricists write about themselves.

 

I've been thinking about song covers a bit. Say another artist covers a truly problematic artist's songs, would I feel better listening to those? Can the songs, the work themselves, transcend the wrongs of its creator and be redeemed? Is it worth it to seek them out, if the original song and the cover are good enough, even if a royalty is paid? This is unique to music I suppose, versus other types of art, where recreations aren't so much a thing, maybe except Hollywood remakes (which are often bad).

 

Personally, I could not. While it may not be the original artist, I would not want to listen to one of my favorite artists (or any artist for that matter) perform a song written by a toxic person or group of people; says a lot about the person(s) covering it, too. To pull from an example posted earlier, a Lostprophets song will always be a Lostprophets song, no matter who is performing it.

 

I understand this is often the case with covers, but it isn't necessarily tacit endorsement of the covered artist's behaviors. I've thought about this with Phoebe Bridger's cover of SKM's "You Missed My Heart," for example, which I *think* she reclaimed in a way, given Kozelek's notoriety as a misogynist. Hearing her sing those lines, particularly the second verse, really changes the whole thing, it's suddenly a meta-narrative on his behaviors towards women and within his work, as well as her acknowledgement and possibly own grappling with those issues.

 

Because it's retarded to put down *good music* because of a shitty man's actions. If you listened to the music before, why not jam it now? It's stupid. If you didn't like lostprophets before, that's different. But if you liked them before, why not like them now?

 

Quoting me with terms like “retarded” is really, really not a good way to win me over. Let’s start with stopping that.

Because he tried to rape babies is the reason. That’s the reason. It’s that.

 

I'm not trying to win you over, because obviously your opinion won't change. What he did was vile, but it's still dumb to suddenly stop liking them because of the actions. When I pop in my lostprophets' cds, I'm not thinking of a vile baby rapist. In fact, I think nothing of it. It's music.

 

Cool. Don’t use that term on my website at me again. Thanks.

Good for you. You asked the reason others don’t wanna hear his voice. I gave it.

 

It's still petty, but k.

 

Ok this guys gotta just be trolling right?

 

no, i'm not. black fans worship shitty people all the time but when I say I enjoy lostprophets AND NOT THE PERSON behind it, people act like I'm some vile human.

 

And that’ll do it.

 

You’re not punk and I’m telling everyone / save your breath i never was one / you don’t know what I’m all about / like lostprophets and thinking they’re cool

 

Punk is all about defending the worst possible things a human can do if done by a dude you think is sick

 

Justifying your support of a paedophile by way of ableism and racism is some kind of virtuoso performance.

 

"not actual punk"

Dude was talking about Lostprophets...

 

Jason man I'm sorry you have to suffer through these insults. I know that tweet must cut deep. I'm here for you through these trying times.

 

He’s 16, hopefully he’ll learn soon how to be a decent person and listen to others

 

I said a lot of dumb shit in my teens but i dont think I ever blamed anything on the "black fans"

 

totally missed that part too, welp

kid obviously lives in a bubble, doubt he's a real troll just totally misinformed and shitty right now. my comment still stays, hopefully he finds more of the right people to be around and will learn and grow