Skip to main contentThat the rant comes from Alice Cooper is what makes it so interesting. The venerable rocker claims that bands playing political shows--like the musicians on the national "Rock Against Bush" tour, which kicks off at the Roseland on Saturday--are committing treason. "I call it treason against rock 'n' roll because rock is the antithesis of politics," the 56-year-old musician was quoted as charging in an article published last month in the Edmonton Sun. "Rock should never be in bed with politics."
Never mind that Cooper was playing a hypocritical tune in the interview by talking about his own conservative views, or that he might be a little out of touch with what rock 'n' roll is--after all, his TV spots for Staples' Back to School sale are definitely not. You can also set aside the entire "what is rock 'n' roll?" conversation, which is so overcooked it should be rolled into an open grave. What's interesting about Cooper's stand is his stark declaration of a separation between the church of rock and the state of politics.
After all, the idea of taking on the status quo has electrified rock music ever since musicians first plugged in. And over the next two months, the volume of political noise will be cranked up in swing states like Oregon, with more and more concerts that are becoming more and more partisan. So far, the Democrats rely on bigger-selling acts, like Bruce Springsteen, R.E.M. and the Dixie Chicks, who are all stumping against President George W. Bush on the "Vote for Change Tour," while Republicans have been defended by Ted Nugent, Toby Keith and Johnny Ramone. None of these high-profile acts is stopping in Portland before the election (Vote for Change has multiple dates in Pennsylvania, Michigan and that house of games, Florida), but we will see other spirited political shows.
On Wednesday, local favorites the Gossip will kick off a series of weekly Rock the Vote concerts at Dante's. For more down-and-dirty partisans, there's the national "Rock Against Bush Tour," which launches its 20-city swing with Saturday's show at the Roseland Theater. The most angry of the touring political shows, Rock Against Bush's lineup features Anti-Flag, Strike Anywhere, the Epoxies, Midtown and Mike Park.
Tour headliners Anti-Flag have been singing overtly political punk for more than 10 years. For this Pittsburgh band--like many of its tourmates--there would be no rock 'n' roll without politics.
"As a band, the goal of Anti-Flag has always been to talk about issues that aren't available in mainstream media," drummer Pat Thetic told WW in a phone interview. "Our idea was that these are these issues that no one is talking about and we need people to talk about these issues. When we started, we were angry and young and pissed off and knew that something wasn't going right."
Thetic and his bandmates believe that musicians can change the world. Alice Cooper thinks they're fools, and maybe he's got a point. After all, what makes musicians any more politically informed than the neighborhood gossip, a preacher or even another pretty face from Hollywood?
One loud difference is that when musicians take the stage, their words are amplified and unchallenged, and they're singing to a sea of followers who love their music and just might absorb the politics as they sing along.
Thetic, who grew up in Pittsburgh, remembers hearing lengthy political discussions around his family's dinner table. He talks about conscientious objection, the draft, and failure in the school system with confidence and humor, like a man who has been trying to understand the issues in order to explain them to a young, skeptical audience.
Maybe aging rockers like Cooper don't remember why they were rebelling in their angry youths. But, really, he's not that different from the kids who will line up to see Anti-Flag and the other bands on the bill. Like Cooper, they're frustrated with politics, but they're tuning in by buying tickets.
But does the mix of politics and music work? Are Anti-Flag, Bruce Springsteen and Michael Stipe turning the tide in a tight election, or are fans hearing the songs and not listening to the words?
"That has been the question since day one," Thetic says. "But my answer is that there have always been people speaking out, so it's hard to know if it is working. But without it things could be a lot worse. It is successful because people seek it out."
The Rock Against Bush Tour plays Saturday, Sept. 18, at the Roseland Theater, 8 NW 6th Ave., 224-2038. 8:30 pm. $13. All ages.
Rock Against Bush and Punkvoter.com host a press conference with U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.), members of Anti-Flag and Oregon Bus Project founder Jeff Smith at the Clinton Street Theater, 2522 SE Clinton St., 238-8899. 3 pm Friday, Sept. 17. All ages.
Dante's Rock the Vote series starts Wednesday, Sept. 15, with the Gossip, the Punk Group and Recall-Seven. 1 SW 3rd Ave., 226-6630. 10 pm. Cover. 21+.
WWeek 2015