[EphelDuath666]

like I asked in the poll question...how important are a band's or artist's ideals to you? And does it matter to you what an artist has done, no matter how gruesome, when it comes to his music? If it does matter to you, to which degree does it matter and where do you draw the line? Or maybe it does not matter at all to you...then why does it not matter to you?

I have been asking me such questions for a while now. There is music that I really like but some of the artists have done things and/or believe in things that are just unacceptable. Is it still OK to buy the music or even just listen to it, knowing who you are supporting by doing so? I don't know...I guess such things just bug me. So what's your take on that issue?


Discuss...

I provide some leeway, but there's definitely a point where I will refuse to let any of my money to someone. I'm the same with most things. I have a gigantic bias against Paul Reed Smith guitars because Mr. Smith is a gigantic puddle of slime.

I try to consider the artists and the music separate entities that aren't really related to one another.

A good question. I like to see things as a whole, meaning that I sometimes have trouble listening to music which in itself is good, but transmits a kind of attitude and values that I find uncomfortable. The artists that I like the most are definitely the ones that I can relate to on both musical and emotional/psychological(?) level. Devin is one of the strongest. Tool, also, connects to one side of my mind very intuitively. I usually tend to be wary of any self-importance or egoism related to musical creativity. Phew.

(Just came home from the local pub, seeing old friends and a beginning of a promising band, building partly on the ashes of old musical friendships. Good. Well... you know.)

I usually tend to be wary of any self-importance or egoism related to musical creativity.

but you like Tool and Devin..? o.O

I like Dir En Grey and their behaviour on stage is quite questionable. Although i dont have any idea what its like to be japanese

I still like Michael Jacksons music but there is no way i can beleive that guys not a pedofile.

I used to be quite adamant about not listening to black metal bands whose musicians held extreme beliefs or did some nasty things. For some reason which I can't really explain, over time I've become really lax about that. Nowadays I don't at all mind listening to some of the Ukranian NSBM bands, or Burzum, or whatever, despite the fact I'm a mixed race guy living with a Jewish family. Even Gorgoroth, who I sure as hell wouldnt let my daughter near (well, if I had a daughter) I find rather fascinating.

Heh, as for Michael Jackson, everything up until and including Dangerous still rules. Who knows where he went wrong along the line, it's not like other child stars have't been able to deal with fame.

Well when it comes down to it, the music is definetly better when they're singing passionatly about something you believe in. But one way or the other, it's still music.

I always like to think that the two are pretty much seperate..largely, because I'm 90% certain that I would not like most of my favourite musicians as people.

Having said that, I've not really had any major issues to deal with in that department (as far as I'm aware, none of my favourite musicians have any majorly objectionable views) ...but having said that, I can imagine situations where I would prefer not to fund certain views/actions.

It's always a tough one, and I think it's really a personal choice.

Why can I listen Behemoth but not any christian band? Maybe because I can't hear what the lyrics are. OR maybe because every christian band I've come across have just sucked. Who knows?

This is a tough one!
i mean, i like GG Allin's music but i don't agree with his extremely violent lifestyle and stage preformance including rape, sexual assault, taking a crap onstage+eating it, beating up his fans etc.. But at te same time i do respect him for the fact that he was real and his life was no act.

i could never listen to a band with a racist message behind it of with racist bandmembers, so my vote still goes to : If the band or artist believes in or has done things that I cannot tolerate then I don't listen to the music

I try to keep the persons(') beliefs and their music separate, but in some cases it's very difficult. Mostly in the case of Nokturnal Mortum. Yes, To the Gates of Blasphemous Fire is an excellent album, but the people in the band are very extremist neo-nazis...

Very good question Lars. For now, I'm not sure. I always enjoyed bands who have a political statement like Napalm Death. They are anti-Neo-Nazi and that was important to me. On the other hand, there is a band called Equilibrium from Bavaria and they do know that Neo Nazis watching their Gigs. They think its somehow O.K., I don't.

I've heard an interview on local radio station and the band focussed on "weaseling" out on that certain question. Thats sad! Burzum for example made a few very good records but I can't get over that idiot Varg!

So, Yes, I try to avoid such bands even though the music sounds good. I know what you mean Lars, every now and then I find myself struggeling with that issue.

I usually tend to be wary of any self-importance or egoism related to musical creativity.

but you like Tool and Devin..? o.O

Yes. Think about that.

Let's put it this way:

I prefer the music and lyrics of Dr. Greg Graffin and Brett Gurewitz of Bad Religion fame over those by Billy Milano. But I still enjoy S.O.D. and the first couple of M.O.D. albums.