My favorite band released a new video last week. That’s right, the mighty Killing Joke — a name I’ve invoked here practically more times than I’ve had hot dinners — unleashed a taster from their forthcoming album Pylon, “I Am the Virus.” Replete with the pummeling rhythms of drummer Big Paul Ferguson, the chiming chug of Geordie Walker’s golden, hollow-bodied Gibson and the forbidding exhortations of vocalist Jaz Coleman, it’s a signature slice of the band’s brand of hellfire-scorched rock fury. Nothing wrong with that.
I had a few friends on Facebook, however, note how I was uncahracteristically silent on the subject on the day of the release of “I Am the Virus.” Well, not to sound melodramatic (or, at least, more melodramatic than usual), but the video was released on September 11th.
Now, I fully realize that it’s been 14 years since the events of September 11th, 2001 (as I noted here), but it’s still a very delicate day. It’s also a very unsurprisingly somber day for New Yorkers like myself. While many folks across the world watched the horrific events unfold on their televisions, countless New Yorkers saw it happen in horrific real time. Still others knew people who were personally affected in the conflagration. Some of us know people who died horribly as a result.
With this in mind, it’s not something one should really be disrespectful or flippant about, as far as I’m concerned.
In any case, “I Am the Virus” makes a passing allusion to conspiracy theories about September 11th, specifically the couplet…"No One Believes in 9/11…Steel-Frame Buildings Don’t Fall in Seconds.” It’s only that single line (although the video comes with other fleeting visual signifiers) — but it invokes the rallying point for the "Truther” community.
I don’t necessarily begrudge anyone’s opinions about the particular circumstances of that day. While I don’t feel that the general public knows — or will ever know — the genuine whole story, I don’t really subscribe to the conspiracy theories either. I’m not a “truther." I’m not condemning “truthers." I just don’t share their world view(s). More to the point, though, I just don’t think the actual day — a day when people are mourning losses from the very event — is an appropriate opportunity to air, allude to or applaud those conspiracy theories. Personally speaking, I think it’s in questionable taste. As such, I thought I would be remiss in crowing about that video on the very day. Like I said, I’m friends with people for whom the wounds of September 11th will never heal, and I will defer to them first.
Killing Joke, it should be noted, have always embraced and prescribed a policy of refusing and resisting the party line. It is absolutely no surprise at all that they’re not buying the official explanation. I have nothing but the greatest affection and respect for the members of Killing Joke, and I know that their convictions are deeply held. But, there’s a time and place for everything. At the end of the day, I just didn't think it was very appropriate or respectful of those affected by the event to air that grievance on that day. It’s also, frankly, a bit gimmicky.
But, in light of this next item, Killing Joke’s arguable infraction is small potatoes.
A member of another favorite band of mine — that being Jerry Casale, founder and bassist of DEVO (that's him up top circa 1981, from the "Beautiful World" video) — took things a step too far and actually had a September 11-themed wedding ceremony.
Yep, you read that right.
Now, even as a lifelong DEVO fan, I’m at a comptete loss over that one. As it turns out, it was one of Jerry’s friends who supposedly thought up the whole gag. That’s fine, but as folks are keen to point out, he still posed for pics. He apologized, of course, but then went onto say how this whole kerfuffle “ruined his wedding.” Umm…. shut up, Jerry.
Read the whole sorry story here.
There have been occasions after which I was unable to enjoy the music of certain artists because of stupid shit they said. As much as I love “Peace Sells But Who’s Buying?”, “Wake Up Dead” and “Symphony of Destruction” by Megadeth, Dave Mustane’s propensity for wingnut blather made his band harder and harder to defend. When he announced from a stage somewhere in Europe that he believed the Obama administration covertly orchestrated a few of the mass shootings in 2012, I washed my hands of him. Likewise, I’ve come perilously close to renouncing my love for storied Los Angeleno punk legends X, after Exene Cervenka started spouting off about her own conspiracy theories.
Everyone has lapses in judgement. Everyone makes mistakes. We all say stupid crap at one point or another. Unconventional sensibilities, satire and black humor are great, and vital in the endeavor to maintain the broadest possible perspective on things, but it’s good to remember context and consideration, especially in a world where information is instantaneously disseminated.
In short, speak your mind, vent your spleen and affect the conversation … just try to keep it classy.
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