Bands and How to (Political) Party Like a Rock Star
McCainocrats.
Obamacans.
Naderites.
Bill Barr-ians.
If your band has an opinion, then you have a political affiliation, or at the very least assorted pieces of a political party.
Musicians are typically outspoken proponents of a plethora of social issues - war, climate change, human rights.
Simultaneously loved and loathed, politicians themselves relay on songs to properly express the sentiments that they intend to stand for but would be tarred and feathered for verbalizing in public.
From patriotic anthems to modern day vitriolic protest songs, music provides political soundtracks for saints and sinners of the political season.
But should your band provide the musical setting for your politician of choice? Music can impact unconsciously affect listeners and overtly retain or repel audiences.
Campaign theme music is one such instance.
Though it can only hope to convey the essence of the politician, it is debated over like gas prices in primary season.
This year, the public has been treated to a barrage of choices: Celine, Aretha, Elvis, "God Bless the U.
S.
A.
", "The Ron Paul Song" and McCain's on-the-stump improvising of "Bomb Iran" to the tune of the Beach Boys' "Barbara Ann".
The awkward retro-fitting is, in a way, only natural.
Song selection is so important since what these choices reveal about these politicians is tantamount.
After all, political pundits and politicians themselves long to feel the love of an adoring crowd.
Tim Russert and Barack Obama are huge Bruce Springsteen fans.
John McCain loves ABBA and the Eagles and Colin Powell craves calypso music.
And there are plenty of others who tow the line, moonlighting as rock stars as frequently as the strains of enacting Congressional policy permit.
Mike Huckabee's own band, Capitol Offense, belies a sincere love of Hendrix and Grand Funk Railroad.
Tony Snow, President Bush's former press secretary also has a part-time rock band habit.
The bipartisan rocking band the Second Amendments consist of five members of Congress: Rep.
Jon Porter (R-Nev.
); Collin Peterson (D-Minn.
); Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.
); Dave Weldon (R-Fla.
); and Kenny Hulshof (R-Mo.
).
For all the children who want to grow up and become President, there are many grow-up politicians who want to be rock stars.
In a way, the lifestyles of aspiring rock stars and ambitious politicians are startlingly similar; traveling the country to spread awareness about their existence, attempting to make favorable impressions on anyone they encounter who stops to listen; existing on a few hours sleep and junk food; keeping a fast-paced schedule few understand and fewer still could keep up with.
But still, music and politics are strange bedfellows.
Rock, by its very nature is the art of rebellion, a primal scream tuned to the key of E and played through a Marshall, turned up to 11.
And despite their deceptively adverse nature to all things establishment, artists are frequently supportive of the candidate that most closely resembles their ideals.
Songwriters, after all, envision themselves the voices of a generation, speaking not only of money and unrequited love, but also to the disenfranchised, the lonely, the downtrodden - people not unlike the songwriters themselves, and not dissimilar to some of the most commonly oppressed or outraged voices in politics.
Bruce Springsteen; Ted Nugent; Rage Against the Machine; Johnny Ramone.
; NOFX; and Charlie Daniels are established artists that all have taken, at times, difficult stances for their political viewpoints.
So what about your band? Considering 'tis the season for politics, have you contemplated lending a hand and a voice to the candidate or party of you choice? And should you? Though plenty of bands have strong political opinions, few voice the truths they hold to be self-evident and fewer still speak up loudly about their closely-held beliefs.
Doing so can seem simultaneously a move of great character and self-inflicted career suicide.
After all, music makes and dismantles our identities as much as any brand of clothing, regional accent or home location can.
Because for all the people inspired by a band's stance, there will be others who see it as a personal sort of betrayal.
So for bands considering making public their political allegiances, here are a few points to strongly consider: 1) Be prepared to offend and alienate some fans.
No matter how pure and true your intentions, understand that your band will lose some fans.
Issues that involve people's loved ones, health and finances are incredibly sensitive topics and people will take it personally if you insult the person or party who they believe embodies their own truth.
If you are ever in doubt about this, there are two words to remember: Dixie Chicks.
2) Know you will be stereotyped.
The nuances of your political beliefs will be eradicated in favor of a 30 second sound bite.
It's much easier to lump your band in with a preexisting mindset than to bother to discuss and correct their opinions of who they think you are.
3) Make sure that your band is prepared to make a stand and make sure that you are making it together.
You need to ensure that your band is in agreement with taking a public stance and that all of your band members have similar enough political attitudes that the leader of the group can truly speak for all of you.
It is much too easy when the there is public dissonance to start pointing fingers if someone is not truly committed.
If you aren't all positive about taking this step, don't.
4) Realize that most people do not take entertainers' opinions seriously.
In a recent AOL Hot Seat Poll, Politico's Jeffrey Kessner asked whether celebrity endorsements affected the way people voted.
As of this writing, 96% had responded with a resounding, "No.
" Your band may not be at "celebrity" status yet, but it's worth noting how ineffective endorsements often are.
And while your political battle cry may rally the troops, it probably won't change the opinions of any that weren't already in agreement with you.
But what if your band decides to take a political stand, despite these considerations? What should you do to actually initiate action beyond the stage? To take it a step further and actively support a particular candidate, party or cause, consider what would be the most effective use of your band's time.
The following are several suggestions: 1) Play a fund-raiser with the proceeds going to the party or candidate of your group's choosing 2) Donate a percentage of proceeds from your CD and merchandise sales 3) Volunteer to perform at an organizing meeting to rally supporters 4) Feature a link to the candidate, party or cause on your web pages 5) Write and dedicate a theme song to your politician of choice 6) Contact the local organizing committee in your area and offer to pass out literature, yard signs, bumper stickers and other informative items at your shows (make sure you clear this with the venue first) Bands will always have the opportunity to be some of the most outspoken voices for things they believe in.
For those that want to publicly express their version of the country's future, regardless of the D's and R's and I's that populate our ballots, your group's own political truth is relative to your own opinions and is shaped by your own experiences.
So whichever option you choose, or don't choose, make sure the political is truly personal.
© 2008 Refugee Entertainment, LLC.
All Rights Reserved.
Obamacans.
Naderites.
Bill Barr-ians.
If your band has an opinion, then you have a political affiliation, or at the very least assorted pieces of a political party.
Musicians are typically outspoken proponents of a plethora of social issues - war, climate change, human rights.
Simultaneously loved and loathed, politicians themselves relay on songs to properly express the sentiments that they intend to stand for but would be tarred and feathered for verbalizing in public.
From patriotic anthems to modern day vitriolic protest songs, music provides political soundtracks for saints and sinners of the political season.
But should your band provide the musical setting for your politician of choice? Music can impact unconsciously affect listeners and overtly retain or repel audiences.
Campaign theme music is one such instance.
Though it can only hope to convey the essence of the politician, it is debated over like gas prices in primary season.
This year, the public has been treated to a barrage of choices: Celine, Aretha, Elvis, "God Bless the U.
S.
A.
", "The Ron Paul Song" and McCain's on-the-stump improvising of "Bomb Iran" to the tune of the Beach Boys' "Barbara Ann".
The awkward retro-fitting is, in a way, only natural.
Song selection is so important since what these choices reveal about these politicians is tantamount.
After all, political pundits and politicians themselves long to feel the love of an adoring crowd.
Tim Russert and Barack Obama are huge Bruce Springsteen fans.
John McCain loves ABBA and the Eagles and Colin Powell craves calypso music.
And there are plenty of others who tow the line, moonlighting as rock stars as frequently as the strains of enacting Congressional policy permit.
Mike Huckabee's own band, Capitol Offense, belies a sincere love of Hendrix and Grand Funk Railroad.
Tony Snow, President Bush's former press secretary also has a part-time rock band habit.
The bipartisan rocking band the Second Amendments consist of five members of Congress: Rep.
Jon Porter (R-Nev.
); Collin Peterson (D-Minn.
); Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.
); Dave Weldon (R-Fla.
); and Kenny Hulshof (R-Mo.
).
For all the children who want to grow up and become President, there are many grow-up politicians who want to be rock stars.
In a way, the lifestyles of aspiring rock stars and ambitious politicians are startlingly similar; traveling the country to spread awareness about their existence, attempting to make favorable impressions on anyone they encounter who stops to listen; existing on a few hours sleep and junk food; keeping a fast-paced schedule few understand and fewer still could keep up with.
But still, music and politics are strange bedfellows.
Rock, by its very nature is the art of rebellion, a primal scream tuned to the key of E and played through a Marshall, turned up to 11.
And despite their deceptively adverse nature to all things establishment, artists are frequently supportive of the candidate that most closely resembles their ideals.
Songwriters, after all, envision themselves the voices of a generation, speaking not only of money and unrequited love, but also to the disenfranchised, the lonely, the downtrodden - people not unlike the songwriters themselves, and not dissimilar to some of the most commonly oppressed or outraged voices in politics.
Bruce Springsteen; Ted Nugent; Rage Against the Machine; Johnny Ramone.
; NOFX; and Charlie Daniels are established artists that all have taken, at times, difficult stances for their political viewpoints.
So what about your band? Considering 'tis the season for politics, have you contemplated lending a hand and a voice to the candidate or party of you choice? And should you? Though plenty of bands have strong political opinions, few voice the truths they hold to be self-evident and fewer still speak up loudly about their closely-held beliefs.
Doing so can seem simultaneously a move of great character and self-inflicted career suicide.
After all, music makes and dismantles our identities as much as any brand of clothing, regional accent or home location can.
Because for all the people inspired by a band's stance, there will be others who see it as a personal sort of betrayal.
So for bands considering making public their political allegiances, here are a few points to strongly consider: 1) Be prepared to offend and alienate some fans.
No matter how pure and true your intentions, understand that your band will lose some fans.
Issues that involve people's loved ones, health and finances are incredibly sensitive topics and people will take it personally if you insult the person or party who they believe embodies their own truth.
If you are ever in doubt about this, there are two words to remember: Dixie Chicks.
2) Know you will be stereotyped.
The nuances of your political beliefs will be eradicated in favor of a 30 second sound bite.
It's much easier to lump your band in with a preexisting mindset than to bother to discuss and correct their opinions of who they think you are.
3) Make sure that your band is prepared to make a stand and make sure that you are making it together.
You need to ensure that your band is in agreement with taking a public stance and that all of your band members have similar enough political attitudes that the leader of the group can truly speak for all of you.
It is much too easy when the there is public dissonance to start pointing fingers if someone is not truly committed.
If you aren't all positive about taking this step, don't.
4) Realize that most people do not take entertainers' opinions seriously.
In a recent AOL Hot Seat Poll, Politico's Jeffrey Kessner asked whether celebrity endorsements affected the way people voted.
As of this writing, 96% had responded with a resounding, "No.
" Your band may not be at "celebrity" status yet, but it's worth noting how ineffective endorsements often are.
And while your political battle cry may rally the troops, it probably won't change the opinions of any that weren't already in agreement with you.
But what if your band decides to take a political stand, despite these considerations? What should you do to actually initiate action beyond the stage? To take it a step further and actively support a particular candidate, party or cause, consider what would be the most effective use of your band's time.
The following are several suggestions: 1) Play a fund-raiser with the proceeds going to the party or candidate of your group's choosing 2) Donate a percentage of proceeds from your CD and merchandise sales 3) Volunteer to perform at an organizing meeting to rally supporters 4) Feature a link to the candidate, party or cause on your web pages 5) Write and dedicate a theme song to your politician of choice 6) Contact the local organizing committee in your area and offer to pass out literature, yard signs, bumper stickers and other informative items at your shows (make sure you clear this with the venue first) Bands will always have the opportunity to be some of the most outspoken voices for things they believe in.
For those that want to publicly express their version of the country's future, regardless of the D's and R's and I's that populate our ballots, your group's own political truth is relative to your own opinions and is shaped by your own experiences.
So whichever option you choose, or don't choose, make sure the political is truly personal.
© 2008 Refugee Entertainment, LLC.
All Rights Reserved.
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