Aaron and Politics=a change in fans?
I'm curious to find out why Aaron decided to start speaking up about politics starting around the 2008 election. Where were his political remarks when Bush was in office? I've been a Staind fan for a LOOOONG time and never heard him be so outspoken when it came to the government.
This goes beyond "Country Boy." This is what he chooses to bring up in interview and even in concert. He comes off as a typical ultra conservative and absolutely anti-Obama and anti-liberal which is pretty shocking to me since he's a stoner from "liberal" MASS, raised by hippie parents. I know he hate's California, but I'm sure he's loving that Humbolt, CA weed that he smokes ;)
I'm just surprised, that' all. I'd like to hear more Bob Dylan from him than Toby Keith and Kid Rock-esque themes.
Do you think his fan base has shifted a bit? Or that the concerts are now full of more of a "country" rather than a "rock" crowd? Input please!!!! Thanks ;)
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by jdanek630 on -
I have so much to say in regards to this, but I'd keep the following in mind: The Illusion of Progress was released in Aug '08, three months before the election of '08 even occurred. What does that have to do with anything? Rainy Day Parade was written during the midst of an all-encompassing downturn presided over by a Republican President and a Democratically-controlled House & Senate. The "Stimulate This!" tour and the bailout bashing occurred all while President George W. Bush was in office. Aaron's not a political partisan, he's an equal-opportunity Constitutionalist/Libertarian.
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Permalink Reply by Jennifer on
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I think too a lot has to do with where you are in life at any given point....10 years ago he didnt have kids in school, a mortgage, etc. and I am sure his outlook on social issues and his interest in government lobbying and such was very different and so he saw no reason to be vocal about it....so is it so screwed up all of sudden? No, its always been, it just depends on who you are at any given point...sometimes it works for your life and its the best President ever, sometimes it doesnt and its the worst President ever....I am sure a mother who had her son drafted for Vietnam and never saw him again didn't think our government was the best, its the ebb and flow of politics/life. The bottom line is we live in a country where you have the right to disagree and debate it and state your different opinions openly...thats a good thing, and be happy you, right now, seem to be on the side of "I like this President" cause you might just not feel the same way about the next.
PS. Just for the record, I think he inherited a mess that was never going to be solved BY ANYONE in a matter of months let alone years but our previous generations made it through the Great Depression and Civil War, etc.....we aren't any different, we will come out of this too. Sorry, that was kind of a long tear...havent talked politics (intelligently anyway) since I left New York, guess I missed it. Well sorry.
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Permalink Reply by Bryan Dishmon on -
You should really stop trying to classify his music. It is what it is. He has free reign to sing about whatever he chooses, whatever strikes him, or whatever is on his mind at a certain time. He is more of his own person now vs. what the record label wanted him to be for the first few albums. If you dont like the new stuff, then listen to the old. It's all timeless and never gets old.
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Permalink Reply by Bryan Dishmon on
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Also, I'd like to add that after someone has traveled the world and seen so many different types of government and such, they have right to feel a certain way about their own country. And jdanek630 is right, the "mess" didnt flare so bright until around the time of the elections.
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Permalink Reply by Angela ^v^ on -
Thanks, Jennifer and jdan! You gave me a lot to think about. I love that we're able to express differing opinions, but Bryan, I'm not trying to classify his music. I'm just saying that I'm surprised he has steered in THIS direction. Whether I dig the music or not, I'm just surprised. You don't have to tell me that I should just listen to the old stuff....Believe me, I know what I like so obviously I'll listen to that. I think this is all important to talk about and it's worth more than a "take it or leave it" attitude that we tend to hear so much.
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Permalink Reply by Faiza Jafer on -
i totally agree:)
Bryan Dishmon said:You should really stop trying to classify his music. It is what it is. He has free reign to sing about whatever he chooses, whatever strikes him, or whatever is on his mind at a certain time. He is more of his own person now vs. what the record label wanted him to be for the first few albums. If you dont like the new stuff, then listen to the old. It's all timeless and never gets old.
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Permalink Reply by Angela ^v^ on
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Thanks! Amy, I've talked with Aaron more times than I can count over the last 15yrs and I know that he doesn't give a shit what other people think so I'm not worried about him feeling like he has to shove his views down. But at the same time, he never fails to tell me that he appreciates people like me. (And just because we have differing opinions doesn't mean there should be an urge to be rude.)
What I'm wondering is....are people seeing more of a different crowd attending his solo concerts? And do you think they'd not be so inclinded to attend a STAIND show? I would hope Aaron and Staind are growing a fan group. However, as much as I LOVE/RESPECT Aaron and can agree to disagree with his views, I'm just getting tired of hearing the negative talk about the state of our country at the live solo shows. I go to concerts to escape the bullshit, not to feel like I'm at a TeaParty convention. I could turn on FOX news for that.
Which leads me to my next point....I hope to god that Aaron responds to this thread simply to gain more clarity.....he says that he's libertarian, but I feel like every time he makes points regarding politics, it's getting closer to a time where he might invite Sarah Palin to speak at a show. (GASP)
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Permalink Reply by Angela ^v^ on
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"Lame" question? Well that's good. I wouldn't want any lame gun toting Palin lovers there lol. Shit, I love how all these newbies get so angry on these boards. Man, what happened to the OLD page? LAAAAME.
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Permalink Reply by Angela ^v^ on
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Honestly, I hate labels myself and I'm sick to death of hearing "conservative" and "liberal" but I've noticed that those labels have been used when people view his video and thought- hmmm that'd be cool to see if one song alone would affect his following. I've seen it before with other bands. It's super interesting to me how people respond so I'm grateful for reading your opinions!
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Permalink Reply by Jake Schweitzer on -
It's amazing how people say that oh that band there aint country, or there more rock, or there to political. Come on people, look at the times. Nothing is what it seems and really county isn't country anymore. This new country is just plain boring. Everyone wants to be famous. But how many could handle it? And the whole political thing....well look I'm a republican and I will admit I don't agree with some of the things they do and say. I also don't agree with everything the dems do and say but I can agree on somethings. That's what matters. Nothing gets done by just screaming how right your party is or how the other party runs stuff. Look....both sides have done the same things. No one is clean. No one is perfect. The talking needs to stop and actions need to take place. Git er done! lol No matter what others say or do I still am who I am. I still will buy Staind albums and aarons lewis's new album cause I love there music.
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Permalink Reply by spidermonkey on -
"would it matter anyway?"
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Permalink Reply by Angela ^v^ on
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Definitely, Frances. It's just sad that those labels are so overused that I find myself turning to them to make my descriptions easier to understand!
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