Let me say that I think that politics and music are inexplicitly linked; that is not to say that all music is political in origin for it is not, but rather that music has been a conduit for political change for as long as we’ve had music. Thus, in that respect, I do not think that an artist should refrain from speaking their mind and if the public cannot take it, that is just their personal issue.

However, with that preface, I think that when the political times are polarizing such as they are currently, I think that being overly political can have a backlash. So for me, a typical Ann Arbor “pinko liberal communist” (*cough*) going to a Toby Kieth concert is out of the question. But where do I draw the line? If one of my favorite groups “came out” as a Bushie, I personally do not know what I’d do. I would like to say that I would judge the music on its own merits, but I am sure that it would impact my feelings toward the band.

I know what you mean about REM because I sat next to someone on the Monster tour who was a die in the wool Republican and was uncomfortable when Patti Smith (who was with them) spouted political statements not of his liking. Not sure if this turned him off of REM altogether, but I think that he would probably not attend another concert.

I had an amazing experience a month or so ago at the most bizarre concert I have ever been to. The roster was: Stray Cats, Pretenders and ZZ Top. Now for me, this was no problem as I like all three. But for many, this was incongruent. As ZZ Top was headlining, 80% of the audience was there for them. I do not mean this in a pejorative way, but they were mostly working class Detroiters looking to have a good time. They did not mind the earlier acts music but here’s the funny part: when the Pretenders played “Ohio” three people around me said “isn’t that the Rush Limbaugh song?” Then Chrissie went on an anti-meat rant and everyone booed her. She responded “if you don’t like it, go fuck yourself.” Right then I said “Rock n’Roll.” Isn’t that what it is all about? Giving the finger to the “establishment”? In her case, the establishment was the crowd. Even though I am not a vegetarian, I applauded her chutzpah. I also found it particularly ironic that Rush had to pay royalties to Hynde for using Ohio EVERY day and she, in turn, donates the money to PETA.

Sorry for going off on a tangent!