The Vandals

[Pogue]

Punk band, alot of controversy because they played for soldiers in Iraq, leading to people picketing and boycotting their shows.

Anyone here like them.did like them before the Iraq thing? I found one of their songs and its quite good but I dunno if I should listen to them if they're pro-Iraq war and I'm opposed to the war.

Should we listen to music of groups we disagree with on such issues?

[Pirate Utopian]

Yes, it's just music.

[Pogue]

Yes, it's just music.

Fair ennough. I think its good comrades boycotted them though. I actually think the No Doubt cover of Oi to the world is better.

[Pirate Utopian]

Why?, it's just a band not even some sort of nazi-band at that.
You wouldnt see them boycotting Merle Haggard or something would ya?

If it was some kind of organisation or whatever I can understand but this just a band.

[Pogue]

Why?, it's just a band not even some sort of nazi-band at that.
You wouldnt see them boycotting Merle Haggard or something would ya?

If it was some kind of organisation or whatever I can understand but this just a band.

Well the punk and more specifically anarchists felt betrayed by the band because they performed for the US military in Iraq. I'd probably boycott them too.

[mykittyhasaboner]

Good band. Musicians play where they are welcomed, I don't think it was a good idea for them to play for US soldiers, but whatever. They probably just needed money, it was just another show for them.

[Pirate Utopian]

Well the punk and more specifically anarchists felt betrayed by the band because they performed for the US military in Iraq. I'd probably boycott them too.
Why? It's not even a political band.

I'm sure some anarchists like me like Johnny Cash but I wouldnt have boycotted him for meeting the presidents he met, cause I dont care about his politics, he's just a musician.

[redSHARP]

Yes, it's just music.


"yeah, its just Screwdriver! they might be pro-nazi, but its just music."
that is the basic line every skinhead who listens to them says.

the point is if a band does questionable things, like advocate hating political punk (Casualties) or beat up crust punks (some skinhead bands), then they are fucking wrong, no matter how the music is. if the Vandals are pro-iraq war, then they should not be supported by leftists.

however, the Vandals are most likely NOT pro-war, and are a typical punk band that supports the troops but hates the war. just like most americans.

sorry to call you out like that. i only quoted you to prove a point, not to insult you or anything along those lines.

[Pirate Utopian]

The Vandals are not a political band nor are they a racist band with deep ties to Blood & Honour.

You gotta make a diffrence.
Skrewdriver is not the same thing as The Casualties.
Sure they both suck (although Skrewdriver's pre-nazi stuff was remarkably good) but one is just some dumb punk-charicature and the other is an outlet for a neo-nazi organisation.

[LOLseph Stalin]

Should we listen to music of groups we disagree with on such issues?

It's fine to listen to bands/artists you disagree with politically. It's the music that matters, not the politics. Like I listen to Rammstein and they seem quite Fascist. I ignore that because I like the music.

[Circle E Society]

They have an Amazing Christmas CD. But because of that all their normal songs sound like they are in a Christmasy Key to me.

[gorillafuck]

I got an idea for a movie,
and it goes like this
It's about a boy who gets his finger caught
In a bottle of Mr. Pibb
And they go on adventures,
I think it could be big
Is it too soon to whisper Oscar?

I listen to them once in a while. I didn't know about that Iraq thing, though.

[Kit Conway]

In 1998 The Vandals played the Funnel bar in Dublin. I ended up getting thrown out with a mate of mine for jumping up on stage. When the gig was over and people were streaming out my mate started pissing on the door handles of their van. The vandals came out then and caught him and started pushing him around. I jumped in to protect him and attacked the singer of the vandals giving him a split lip and a few clouts before his road crew hauled him off. At the time I didn't know about their troop supporting activities, when I heard afterwards about them I didn't feel so bad about giving him a slap.

As for their music I think all their early material from the early 80's is excelent. They were a different band back then with a different singer, guitarist, bassist.

Their later material from 1991's "Fear of A Punk Planet" onwards is shite.

[Riot11]

Punk band, alot of controversy because they played for soldiers in Iraq, leading to people picketing and boycotting their shows.

Anyone here like them.did like them before the Iraq thing? I found one of their songs and its quite good but I dunno if I should listen to them if they're pro-Iraq war and I'm opposed to the war.

Should we listen to music of groups we disagree with on such issues?
Playing for the soldiers is not the same as supporting the war. If they believe that playing for the soldiers in Iraq will help them get through the day then so be it. But that is not a good reason to boycott them. I have seen the Vandals twice actually and they are very funny and nice and in the entire time never once said any thing that could be taken as a pro-war comment. If you like them then listen to them, if you don't then fuck em'. thats how it should be at least.