Mid-show preaching. Also fwiw the book that Chris has referenced is frowned upon by most Christians because it looks at Jesus as one of the many spiritual advisors rather than the one son of god. More in the vein of Joseph Campbell than CS Lewis. Got really into mythology for a while…
Chris deserves to have a new life and forgiveness (if people choose to). He doesn't deserve to go back on tour and claim/advertise this new religious experience he is having because it's bullshit and in his mind it fully justifies him going back on tour. The more people advertise their 'newfound faith' the more full of shit they are. Sorry Chris, this is just more ego-fueled, self-seeking bullshit to cover up you being terrible to others while you had a drinking problem.
I work in a rehab, they do have a faith program, but thankfully there are two tracks for substance abuse so if they aren't into the 'Jesus forgives you' stuff they can completely avoid it with the other track.
I think this line is incredibly important and you've summed it up well. People can attempt a new life and forgiveness without going back to tour/shows or whatever. It's obviously not as simple as that but it's a start. Does he deserve to go back to shows? Definitely not. Doesn't mean they can't try and be better.
They'd take a moment in their set to preach about jesus being everyone's savior. Then it was straight back in to hardlining. Even as a believe back then, I thought it was super weird. Especially at fucking warped tour lol.
Growing up in Utah (Provo area where BYU is, etc) as a non-religious kid, I was constantly swarmed by Mormon kids and missionaries who wanted to "save" me. So when I go see a band I like and they start preaching, it's an immediate turn off for me.
what chris did should (in a better world) put him on some kind of sex offender registry and it goes without saying that people on said registries shouldn't perform all ages shows. I'm also not against people finding faith/forgiveness, but this doesn't get you a free pass to endanger others (and yourself)
This whole thing rubs me the wrong way. They aren’t being transparent or open about this return at all. It’s seems to be intentionally vague with a portion of proceeds going to some recovery charity without actually addressing any of the issues that led to them disappearing. All while using a random album show to entice hometown fans. Just seems gross to me. Also like everyone has said, Chris has every right to recover and try to move on, but he has no place in a position of influence and should not be playing shows.
I’ll definitely get on the anti preaching bandwagon. It doesn’t even have to be religious. One of the worst offenders is Stick To Your Guns who must have talked through a quarter of their set about self belief and a bunch of other positive hardcore bro BS lol
I know God is a BIIIIIG part of most AA programs so this isn't unexpected. I don't see him 'preaching' during sets though lol
This whole situation is so fucked. I feel terrible for those he has abused, and it's troubling to see this play out for all to see. I agree that it's super insensitive at best to just announce a show after such a long period of silence. I get it. Chris likely feels that he has "paid the price" already, and the fact that the show sold out so quickly just reinforces that shit. There is no way I would be cool with this if I was in that band. If I truly was his friend and somehow believed he was being unfairly painted in a negative light (which I don't believe), then I would first demand he make further statements and attempts at reparation before even contemplating the thought of moving forward with shows. Our culture's relationship with artists, especially with musicians, is still in desperate need of repair. I mean, just look at someone like Anthony Kiedis, who openly wrote about having sex with a minor, and his career didn't suffer at all. It almost feels like there's a dividing line - like, if the assault(s) occurred in the pre-me too era and it's more of a known thing, then it's regarded as "that's just the way it was", and it's easier for people to overlook and willfully forget. I'm especially thinking of people like Bowie, Led Zeppelin, etc. Those who hide their transgressions and are outed in the post-me too era seem to be more fairly judged, as in the accusers are believed and the fanbase is rightfully angry. But, then again, it also has a hell of a lot to do with how big the band is.
I don't think he's been their drummer for a while, no? they had that other guy but I was told that they were letting him go after the TBC20 run
I've heard so much shitty generic preaching in my days of going to local New Jersey hardcore shows lmao. Give an, angry white-kid a microphone and he's going to tell you what's wrong with the hardcore scene 'these days'.
I don't know if anything changes for me when we don't know where "more details" are coming from. Because if they're coming from Chris, or anyone with any stake in him or the band, it's slanted.
Yep. The roll out and behavior here is rather fishy and has me skeptical of this whole thing even more than I was before. Those details or any statement should have been released before the show announcement.
Sounds like Chris approached everyone and gave his presentation on 'why it's okay for us to play a show now'