Query - Forever Delayed

SHR · #1 20-02-2016, 15:06

Does anybody know if the band have spoken about the Israel/Palestine situation in the past? I'm referring to the article below where Roger Waters mentions them as one of the bands who have. I've tried searching for some evidence of this but bar a comment made in the early 90s by Richey I can't find anything. Does anybody else have any further sources?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/pe...-a6884971.html

Routine Builder · #2 20-02-2016, 15:10

As far as I know, no. The band seem keep their comments on politics limited to domestic affairs.

SHR · #3 20-02-2016, 15:29

I wonder what Roger Waters is referring to then? Is it a nudge for them as a self proclaimed 'political band' to start speaking out then? Anyone else perhaps have any sources?

Dac X Lee · #4 21-02-2016, 00:34

Maybe, but maaaaaaaaaaybe Crucifix Kiss got something to do with it?

UEF · #5 21-02-2016, 17:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Routine Builder

As far as I know, no. The band seem keep their comments on politics limited to domestic affairs.

And on really safe topics.

They 'talk' politics a lot more than they 'walk' it.

Routine Builder · #6 21-02-2016, 17:52

Does talking about politics degrees count?

SHR · #7 21-02-2016, 19:38

I wonder why Roger Waters thinks this... Am still looking for references but perhaps there's an obscure audio interview I'm missing?

Routine Builder · #8 21-02-2016, 20:50

Here's the article which randomly came on my news feed:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/pe...ampaign=buffer

SHR · #9 21-02-2016, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Routine Builder

Here's the article which randomly came on my news feed:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/pe...ampaign=buffer

I added this in the original post, but thanks anyway.

Manicben · #10 21-02-2016, 23:37

Yeah, I wondered this but couldn't place the song.

It'd be nice if they did weigh in with some political songs on the next record. Given that a voice certainly needs to be heard right now.

Or even if they told Sony to fuck off, what with their current policies on rape.

Donkey · #11 22-02-2016, 09:58

OMG, hopefully not and hopefully they have grown up and wouldn't support this Waters' stupidity.

sculptureofabloke · #12 22-02-2016, 11:34

I don't buy that from Roger, about musicians fear for having their careers destroyed if they do speak out. That's a bit paranoid.. I think the reasons so many artists don't speak out are more to do with indifference and the feeling of inappropriateness and that, as politicians and the media continue to present, the idea that they've just got no place talking about political issues. They're only pop stars, this is the exclusive preserve of politicians.

I do think the accusations Roger gets about being an anti-semite are out of order too. He's not an anti-semite, he's anti-war. But no, I don't remember much being said or even alluded to by Manics on the Israel vs Palestine conflict and I don't think that's anything at all to do with fear of it being a career ruiner. They're just writing about other things.

Routine Builder · #13 22-02-2016, 15:54

I get the impression that after Cuba, the band made a decision never to pronounce statements about international politics ever again. When you have a history including putting Chairman Mao in your idols list, it leaves you with little credibility in defending human rights of others. Plus I think the band respect their fans enough to leave them inform themselves and make up your own mind. I remember James expressing as much in Glasgow 18 months ago after the independence referendum. They don't have the history of activism that allows other bands like SOAD and RATM to comment on these things with any authority. To be honest, I'm OK with that. Thinking carefully about an issue and saying nothing does less damage than polemics spouting endless dogma without any evidence behind their claims.

roi · #14 22-02-2016, 17:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Routine Builder

I get the impression that after Cuba, the band made a decision never to pronounce statements about international politics ever again. When you have a history including putting Chairman Mao in your idols list, it leaves you with little credibility in defending human rights of others. Plus I think the band respect their fans enough to leave them inform themselves and make up your own mind. I remember James expressing as much in Glasgow 18 months ago after the independence referendum. They don't have the history of activism that allows other bands like SOAD and RATM to comment on these things with any authority. To be honest, I'm OK with that. Thinking carefully about an issue and saying nothing does less damage than polemics spouting endless dogma without any evidence behind their claims.

There are plenty of political songs on their recent albums (Golden Platitudes, Auto Intoxication, 30 Year War). Although it's true that they stick to UK politics generally. Ifwhiteamerica.. was an extremely complex lyric about US politics, but by their own admission The Love of Richard Nixon didn't really make its point very well.

As for activism, didn't they support the campaign against closure of libraries in Wales recently, alongside Unison? That's more than most bands manage to do.

Son of Stopped · #15 22-02-2016, 17:44

Well this is what the whole thing is being argued over. The partition plan sort of worked (I would have wanted it a bit more of equal length) but as you can see it's gone a bit mental ever since*.

Breaking News: Britain has been forced to recall their Middle East Minister Thingy after describing the war that has left hundreds of thousands dead as "It's gone a bit mental ever since".