Springsteen, Young, R.E.M., Pearl Jam & others to Join Voices Against Bush

[G_j]

**turn up the volume!

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-concert25jul25,1,4145315,print.story?coll=la-news-a_section
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0725-02.htm

Published on Sunday, July 25, 2004 by the Los Angeles Times

Rock Royalty to Join Voices Against Bush With Fall Concerts
Musicians will perform in swing states to try to affect election. Playing for a cause is a tradition, but injecting political views can be risky.

by Geoff Boucher

Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, R.E.M., Pearl Jam and a deep roster of other rock stars will unite for politically minded concerts this fall that will give voice to dissatisfaction with the Bush administration.

The all-star rock shows, which are expected to begin in October and target campaign swing states, are in the planning stage but were confirmed by half a dozen music industry sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Insiders disagree on the unifying rhythm of the celebrity coalition. Some say it is the promise of the John F. Kerry candidacy, but at least one emphasizes the fear of President Bush's reelection. "There is a range of feeling about Kerry," the source said, "but a uniform belief that Bush must go."

The tour turns up the volume of the rock scene's role in politics, but it is not the only example of an apparent surge of commentary among artists. Rockers seem virtually unanimous in their anti-Bush stance, just as country music has seen a wave of passionate patriotism and support for the president, exemplified by the songs of Toby Keith.
..more..

[G_j]

1. well lets see, Brittney, Toby and Wayne Newton

could counter for the Repugs

[Nevernose]

2. Don't forget Megadeth

See the lounge thread.

Hey, wait a sec: Brittney Spears, Toby Keith, Wayne Newton, and Megadeth, on stage for the first time. It has the makings of a wicked Mel Brooks comedy.

[G_j]

5. Kid Rock is also a Bush lover I've heard

hey, 'Megadeath' is a good description of Bush's policies.

[progressiveBadger]

23. Really?

Megadeth used to be so pro-environmental. Either they have their heads in their asses, or they don't care anymore.

[EastofEdon]

26. don't forget Charlie "Whistle-Ass" Daniels

what a line up

[gauguin57]

3. Anyone know the status of the Central Park concert/protest?

I heard that, since Bloomburg was being stingy with the protest permits for New York City during the Repug Convention, Springsteen was going to hold a free concert in Central Park (which would miraculously turn into a rockin' protest rally).

Anyone heard anything about this?

Keep on Rockin' in the Free World!

[DoYouEverWonder]

14. First, NYC decided not to give a permit

for the protesters to use Central Park. God forbid they mess up their precious law.

Instead, the protesters will be allowed to march past the Garden, to a designated area on the old West Side Hwy.

In regards to the Springstein concert, some folks had suggested has an alternative to the CP protest, that the Bruce do a concert over in the Meadowlands but I believe Bruce turned them down.

[WindRavenX]

4. BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCE!!!

I FAWKING LOVE MY BRUCE!!!
NJ's FAVORITE SON!! :D :D :D :D

[JerseygirlCT]

18. Me too!

[peace4all]

6. I think this is wonderful news!

It will generate a lot of energy and get loads of publicity.
:thumbsup:

[G_j]

19. yes as soon as it is officially announced n/t

[Warren DeMontague]

7. Notice anything about those names?

Intelligent performers with longevity, who have stayed relevant over many years despite shifting tastes and styles. Quality musicians. I'm a fan of all of 'em. Right on!

[G_j]

9. speaking of intelligent artists

I noticed your icon so I'll include this, which was sent to me a few months ago.

I was forwarded this:
----------
From a Berkeley resident:
>
> Here's a story you'll like. I was lucky enough to be invited to the
> Kerry fundraiser in SF last night. At $1,000 a head for admission
> (fortunately, I was a guest), the Grand Ballroom at the St Francis
> Hotel on Union Square was a friendly -- if high-powered -- sea of
> gray suits, bald spots, and diamonds. A music stage at the far end of
> the immense chamber was occupied for a while by an over-amped
> acappella group, who were fair, no great shakes, but too loud to
> stand anywhere near; so we stayed at the opposite end, where the
> excited small talk of 2,000 well-heeled Bush defoliators provided a
> pleasant sonic buffer. I was frankly getting a little bored, waiting
> too long for Kerry to come out and speak from a podium midway down
> the left-hand side of the room. After the acappella group ended, I
> thought, "Finally! We're going to hear the guy from Mass with JFK's
> hairline." But then, oh bummer, more activity onstage - another band,
> another 30 minutes of standing around, waiting, having to settle for
> more little pieces of pork tenderloin with lime glaze on tortilla
> chips, and bits of marinated chicken in miniature cracker cups - if
> you can stop a waiter - instead of the classy dinner I was expecting
> for a grand a head. (Typical freeloader, aren't I?) So the playing
> starts up and I'm tuning it out, immersed in funny conversations with
> my friends, not really hearing the music. Then this bass line catches
> my ear. It sounds awfully familiar, and penetrates the buzz in the
> room. Hey, I say to Pam without looking up, these guys are covering
> "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues," and they're ripping off the Dead's
> arrangement! But it sounds pretty good. So I look up and squint at
> the players, who are a good 75 yards away. What? Can it be?? Holy
> Shit! THAT'S PHIL! "When you're lost in the rain in Juarez, and it's
> Easter time, too!" And there's Mickey pounding some pads! And that
> guy with the gray beard on drum kit, it's Billy! And shit, there's
> Ray Manzarek on keyboards! And Boz Scaggs is playing guitar! And Roy
> Rogers on double-neck! And that's Norton Buffalo on harp! We work our
> way through the crowd toward the stage, which was only slightly
> easier than at the Coliseum on NYE, and all the gray suits, bald
> spots, and diamonds within 30 yards of the stage are rocking out! The
> band fires up Johnny B. Goode, and we all know who they're talking
> about. Then they blast into Iko Iko, with Mickey taking lead vocal,
> shouting the refrain that became, in my mind, the anthem of the
> night: "Gonna set your flag on fire!" It was inspiring and
> incendiary. Afterward, Kerry came out and told us, among other, more
> important things, about how he discovered the Fillmore West and the
> Dead when he came to SF after Viet Nam, and how the Dead have
> remained a big part of his life ever since. As soon as he said it, a
> woman just behind me screamed out, "Yeaaaah!!!!" I turn around
> expecting a hippy chick who got in, like me, on a miracle ticket. I
> see a 60 year old, perfectly coiffed woman in a $2,000 gown, looking
> every inch a CEO, with a huge grin on face, shaking her fists in the
> air. Every one around me is grinning, too. A couple of high-buck,
> gray-beard lawyers in front of me start up the chant: "Go Johnny! Be
> Good!" And you know, I started to believe he will be. What a night. I
> arrived with the intention of voting for the hairline - anything but
> a Bush. I left with an honest belief in the man.

[Warren DeMontague]

10. Damn! I missed it!!!

($1,000 a head is a little steep for this head.)

Not surprised, tho. Tipper and Al are Deadheads, too.

Great story. Thanks for that.

[G_j]

11. HeadCount, PunkVoter, Driving Votes

Bob Weir sits on the board of:
www.headcount.org

http://www.rawstory.com/exclusives/lewis/musicians_right_to_vote.htm

Musicians work to improve youth voter registration
By Lisa Lewis
RAW STORY COLUMNIST

<snip>
HeadCount, an organization that is targeting fans of "live, improvisational music,” states on its Web site that it is strictly nonpartisan. According to Jonathan L. Gelbard, HeadCount Outreach Director, the HeadCount message is simple. "Our message is simply, ‘Let our voice be heard!’ We are not telling anybody how to vote, but merely are encouraging music fans to participate in the political process." HeadCount’s goal is to register 100,000 voters before the 2004 election through different activities, including tables at concerts this summer.

Another strategy HeadCount is planning to use is to e-mail those who have registered to vote through HeadCount. Every voter who registers is asked to sign up for the HeadCount e-mail list. The e-mail will serve two purposes: first, to follow up on the registration and remind the person to vote; second, the e-mail will contain audio and video public announcements featuring prominent bands that HeadCount will be touring with. Those who receive the e-mail will be encouraged to forward it to others, an effort to inspire recipients to also register to vote.

HeadCount is co-chaired by Andy Bernstein and Marc Brownstein. Bernstein is the founder of the Pharmar’s Almanac, a Phish fan guide. Brownstein is the bassist for The Disco Biscuits. Bob Weir, guitarist for the Grateful Dead, also sits on the HeadCount board.

<snip>

[Viking12]

Headcount was very visible at this weekend's Dead shows

and Bobby gave a little rap to vote before the set break. Hopefully, it will get some people to the polls.

Oh, and the show was very nice too :)

[G_j]

21. thats good to hear

may get a chance to see em also, if i can afford it..

[Warren DeMontague]

24. We saw 'em at shoreline...

The day after F911 opened. Since the band had had the night off, I got the sense that my wife and I weren't the only ones who had gone to that movie the night before. The band seemed fired up and, for lack of a better word, righteously pissed off. Bob said something to the effect of "If we don't vote this november, we may not have the chance to ever again".

There's a blurb in this month's Grateful Dead almanac, and a quote from Bob about how "if every deadhead in florida had voted in 2000, we would be living in a diff. world".

Well, let's hope that between those guys, the punkvoter people, and the hip-hop stars that are actively anti-bush, more younger people and others who might not otherwise participate will be inspired to get involved. It's depressing as all get-out when I come across (way more than you might suspect) jamband fans who are total right-wing conservatives.. I don't know what the hell they're thinking. Hell, I used to spend a lot of time on murmurs.com, the REM website, but finally bailed after one too many fights with religious right, homophobic Bush supporters.. on an REM fan site! What the hell are they thinking? Guess they just tune out that part of the message.. Since most of the right-wing music acts are total crap, I don't ever face that kind of ethical dilemma.

[Viking12]

20. Dupe

:)

[Iris]

16. hmmm

a woman in a 2,000 gown looking like a CEO?

Silly writing, but good story

[G_j]

17. yea i know

but it was fun to read. :-)

[fujiyama]

8. Good to see Pearl Jam on board

I remember Eddie Veder being a big Nader supporter last time.

Looks like Nader's celeb following has left him. Susan Sarandon, Donaghue, none of them are supporting him this time.

[peace4all]

12. kick

[Zorra]

13. Kerry Rocks. Bu$h must go.

John Kerry is going to do amazing things as President. In a really great way.

Mark my words.

[Stone_Spirits]

15. wooo hoooo!

:toast:

[bloom]

22. I'm sending out the message

:D

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

25. neil young's film 'greendale' out on dvd tomorrw

a great movie with an environmental message.
check it out

[gater]

27. Hey, how about the Warped Tour???

NOFX, Anti-flag, Bad Religion, Descendants, and more,,, loud, pissed, and political!!!
In case you have not heard of these bands, you'd be amazed what some of these "New" Punk bands are doing. These are the protest writers of this era.
If you are interested try "Rock Against Bush Volume 1 (2 is due soon), or the Warped Tour Compilation (especially volume 4). The Bad Religion album "The Empire Strikes First" is a good one too, but for a more accessible sound, listen to their "New America" disc.

[true grit]

28. Lee Greenwood and Randy Travis

are among supporters of the RW. I don't hear the same complaints about them. If any Entertainers should shut up about politics is should be Rush and Hannitity.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

29. I assume the Beastie Boys will be involved.

Would be nice to have Neil Young, but as a Canadian, there'd be some flak. I guess it'd be restricted to US residents only, which unfortunately would nix Radiohead also.