Kele’s been thinking little thoughts about the irresponsible rockstardom of Jack White. He told NME:

I was amazing [sic] when Jack White said it wasn’t his job to be critical about foreign policy because he was being paid to be an entertainer. I thought that was treacherous because it’s complicit with the capitalist society.

“Selling more records is the only thing that’s important to him not provoking debate.

Treacherous complicity! Damn Jack, commie Kele smacked you with an SAT-styled tongue lashing right there. Surprised he didn’t just start quoting “My Doorbell” for some compare-and-contrast effect.

 

Comments (80)
  1. I agree with Jack. Stay out of it…just rock dammit.

    Too many stars think their opinions are more important than “regular” people.

  2. it would be a little more irresponsible to prostelatize on something he might not know too much about.

  3. Kele complains to damn much. He needs to lighten up a bit. Do some ecstacy patronise some prostitutes slap a blind man…he needs some light in his life.

  4. he shouldn’t talk shit about jack, jack has been known to kick people’s asses when they do that, hehe.

  5. he shouldn’t talk shit about jack, jack has been known to kick people’s asses when they do that, hehe.

  6. Yeah, Jack’s going to mangle Kele’s face now.

  7. Why not criticize a much easier aspect of Jack White’s career, the Raconteurs? Blecch.

  8. polarized  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    So you’re saying that if you believed the world was being significantly threatened by global warming and nuclear war, and you had the money privilege and fame with which to try and impact the situation in a positive way, you wouldn’t do it? I think that’s chickenshit- celebrities haven’t signed some contract that says they can’t try and give voice to their opinions. Kele’s right; Jack’s being a little wimp on this one. The question isn’t “do you agree with the position”; it’s “if you agreed would you feel the need to try and enact positive change.”

    Jack may choose to think of it as his being paid and privileged enough to do whatever he likes, having a platform from which to speak if he so chooses, means he should just keep quiet about pressing political issues. I’d claim that it actually gives him a responsibility to speak.

  9. rgr_moore  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    wow polarized this is ridiculous

    do you know how many people in the world are as rich and famous as jack white? why would it be his job to give his opinion about things that don’t concern him? there’s already green day and stuff like that that do it already

  10. The worlds needs its Rolling Stones just as much as its Bob Dylan’s
    Who knows if Jack doesnt quietly donate money to good causes..political or otherwise….I think he just means that he’s no more informed or pretends to be than anyone else….its not like just because he doesnt use the press or the stage to comment on politics, he’s then for the other side & akin to Alan Jackson or something…

  11. perhaps this is why jack constantly writes good songs and kele’s latest cd is well… *yawn*

  12. mattshu  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    what if Jack were ***GASP!!!*** slighthly conservative. Would kele still feel that jack should use his microphone to promote such an agenda, or is it just assumed that every rock star lives in the Moby echo chamber that allows them to love the smell of their own farts.

  13. really?  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    when is the last time kele sang about something important? “i love you in the morning, when you’re still hungover” “i’m on fire when you cum” are you serious? fuck. good band but call a spade a spade. that is the only reason what kele is saying is crap, otherwise, fuck yes musicians should vocalize what’s wrong with the world, but don’t be a total hypocrite kele.

  14. Finchmeister  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    I vote Bloc Party over the Raconteurs.

  15. Steve  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    I feel sad for our planet when I see how easily today’s young music fans (who in olden days were the social watch dogs) allow themselves to become corporate sheep. We have no one to blame but ourselves.

  16. Steve  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    I feel sad for our planet when I see how easily today’s young music fans (who in olden days were the social watch dogs) allow themselves to become corporate sheep. We have no one to blame but ourselves.

  17. Part of Bloc Party’s appeal is the blatant political message in their songs.

    Part of The White Stripes’ appeal is their blatant ability to rock out.

    Stick with what you know.

  18. idioten  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    Who the hell is Jack to speak about political issues? How does being a rock legend give him the authority to speak about anything? He rocks. That’s what he does. Leave him alone and let him work out his magical music in peace. If he wants to express his opinion about political issues; let him! But why should we listen to him more than my neighbour? Just because we like his music? Is it impossible to enjoy Michael Jackson’s music just because there might be a chance that he touched a kid? Why would Jack White’s opinion about political issues matter?

  19. i love everything the white stripes has done. but not for the minimum of $2,000,000. c’mon jack, i thought you were going to stay to your indie roots? i thought wrong.

    i needed a good laugh this morning…thanks jack and kele! for a another chuckle, i think i’ll pickup the bible and watch some MTV.

  20. i love everything the white stripes has done. but not for the minimum of $2,000,000. c’mon jack, i thought you were going to stay to your indie roots? i thought wrong.

    i needed a good laugh this morning…thanks jack and kele! for a another chuckle, i think i’ll pickup the bible and watch some MTV.

  21. Sure…there’s an argument to both sides. Kele is just saying that he feels someone in Jack’s position should be a little more critical of foreign policy or the state of the world, etc. But he is dead wrong to say it his job or responsibility. Jack can have his own thoughts and opinions about whatever but they DO NOT need to be the platform for his art/music/social standing.

    That said, Kele can complain all he wants about other rock and rollers not being as forthright with their stances but in the end, c’mon, it ain’t gonna change shit.

    Not to sound overly complacent here…but the folks with REAL wealth? Like, not simply “Rock and Roll” wealth? Those are the people that make the real statements and decisions that affect the how things are the world over…and I think we all know which camp 99% of those people reside. It’s gonna take a hell of a lot more than a couple of 3 1/2 minute pop songs with a “message” (and a portion of the proceeds going to blah, blah, blah) to change those peoples’ opinions.

    Now…pardon me while I mangle a P.J. O’Rourke quote on Rock and Roll that I can’t find anywhere on the internet:

    “…it’s vaudeville. A magician with a parakeet in hand can’t be expected to change the world. Why should a man with a guitar be any different?”.

  22. polarized  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    do you know how many people in the world are as rich and famous as jack white? why would it be his job to give his opinion about things that don’t concern him? there’s already green day and stuff like that that do it already

    Yeah, there are many. It’s not his “job” to do it; it’s his ethical responsibility. There are a lot of people who would like to change things about the world but don’t have the proper means, and I think it’s a travesty when people justify their own inaction when they have such enormous privilege. I’m not saying that every celebrity should speak up, but they shouldn’t pipe down because they are “paid to be entertainers.”

    I hope Jack White is willing to cut down on his in-concert feedback and noise too, because he needs to be everyone’s little dancing monkey.

  23. really?  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    when is the last time kele sang about something important? “i love you in the morning, when you’re still hungover” “i’m on fire when you cum” are you serious? fuck. good band but call a spade a spade.

    that is the only reason what kele is saying is crap, otherwise, fuck yes musicians should vocalize what’s wrong with the world, it is part of the responsibility i believe comes with having a voice that many will listen to. that is a large part of the problem with today’s pop icons, none of them use their power for good, to galvanize people and wake them up. its easy to say, “why does this person’s opinion matter more than anyone elses” but that is simplifying the issue. its not their opinion which is more valuable but rathre its the venue and means they have to promote that opinion that not everyone has. too often these opinons about truth or fundamental ideas of freedom or morality seem obvious to us, especially the type of us who read blogs and live in new york but its not obvious to everyone in this country.

    that being said it’s ok if talking isn’t your vibe, but don’t be a total hypocrite kele. but telling an interviewer and the public who already knew that you are gay does not a social martyr make.

  24. JC Auto  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    Irony here – well, one of ‘em, maybe – is that if Jack put out an album of war protest songs people’s initial response would probably be “shut the fuck up, Jack.”

    Still, a worthwhile debate. You don’t have to be a Communist (or a Republican, for that matter) to acknowledge that money+fame=standing, and that standing brings power, implied or otherwise. The issue is responsibility, as in, is a person like Jack or Kele, who has the ability to get people’s attention almost at will, obligated to speak his or her mind, or to take a particular stand. People used to (or still do, maybe) make this complaint about Michael Jordan, who has consistently refused to be brought into the political arena. Is there a difference between being dumb and playing dumb? Maybe. But we should all be past the point of pretending that money does not equal power.

    That said, kudos to Kele for speaking his mind. Regardless of what his current batch of songs might be about, or what his actualy politics might be, he seems to be a sharp guy who’s not afraid to call out some bullshit when he sees it.

  25. come on  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    when is the last time kele sang about something important? “i love you in the morning, when you’re still hungover” “i’m on fire when you cum” are you serious? fuck. good band but call a spade a spade.

    that is the only reason what kele is saying is crap, otherwise, fuck yes musicians should vocalize what’s wrong with the world, it is part of the responsibility i believe comes with having a voice that many will listen to. that is a large part of the problem with today’s pop icons, none of them use their power for good, to galvanize people and wake them up. its easy to say, “why does this person’s opinion matter more than anyone elses” but that is simplifying the issue. its not their opinion which is more valuable but rather its the venue and means they have to promote that opinion that not everyone has. too often these opinons about truth or fundamental ideas of freedom or morality seem obvious to us, especially the type of us who read blogs and live in new york but its not obvious to everyone in this country.

    that being said it’s ok if talking isn’t your vibe, but don’t be a total hypocrite kele. but telling an interviewer and the public who already knew that you are gay does not a social martyr make.

  26. matt  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    The new Bloc Party album is a total pile and completely turns its back on the band’s strengths. It will deservedly get massacred by the critics. Jack White is one of the best musicians and entertainers in rock music of the past 10 years. Kele should shut is mouth before Jack beats the living shit out of him….something that I would not only like to see, but something that he probably needs and would improve his songwriting and world view.

  27. Some artists are politically minded and others aren’t. Who gives a fuck if Jack doesn’t want to talk about Foreign Policy. If Jack was super conservative we would all be glad he wasn’t saying anything. If he was promoting the Bush Administration we would all be bitching and saying that he needs to shut up.

  28. jdohn  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    Why doesn’t he target someone like Chris Martin, who’s activly undermining what he preaches by driving SUVs and jetting all over the place?

  29. MAYBE BIGGIE WILL PUT A CAP IN TUPAC’S ASS?

    OH, MY BAD…

    WRONG THREAD.

  30. I agree with Matt; I initially thought Silent Alarm was decent, if not immensely overrated, but Christ, their new album is a huge slap in the face. News flash guys, the whole post-punk trend ended with, well, YOU GUYS.

    I don’t mind when artists talk shit to other artists, but when an artists gets all Bono on another one and perceives himself to be on a pedestal because of that, then that artist gets jack shit from me. This only exacerbates my absolute abhorrance of Kele and his “music”.

  31. Jimmy James  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    Who the hell is Kele?

  32. In regards to the 2nd comment from the top –
    “it would be a little more irresponsible to prostelatize on something he might not know too much about”.

    ummm… Kind of like using made up words?

    That’s all. No social commentary here.

    As you were.

  33. richard  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    What I dislike most about Kele’s comment is this assumption that Jack’s feelings are in line with his own, regarding foreign policy. I’d like to read the actual quote from Jack, not Kele’s remembered version, to see what it said.

    As a few others have mentioned, if Jack White came out and said “I think it is America’s responsibility to police the world and, in particular, invade countries in the Middle East” then, I am sure, everyone would want him to shut his mouth.

    It’s so hypocritical. Please use your voice and your power but only if you are liberal in your ideology.

    My feeling is that you should be true to yourself. If you are politically charged and love to scream it from the mountain tops, then go ahead. If you don’t want to bring politics into your music/art, then don’t.

    Ew…who let Ted Nugent in here?

  34. Antonio  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    I’m surprised Kele got out all that with so many cocks in his mouth.

  35. Porkins  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    Ok, I’ve got a question… Why does it have to be someones job to have an opinion on something??

    I’m surprised Kele got that out with all the cocks in his mouth too, but hes probably right here..

  36. Barry  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    Everyone knows that the worse the world gets the better music gets… so it is Jack White’s responsibility NOT to speak out.

    BTW, that’s assuming that Jack feels that way you do. Maybe he doesn’t mind our foreign policy. He did after all preemptively strike that dude from Von Bondies.

  37. polarized  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    “Who the hell is Kele?
    Posted by: Jimmy James at January 31, 2007 2:29 PM ”

    You father. bastard.

  38. who’s to say jack white isn’t making the world a better place simply by doing what he loves and connecting with people in the process?

    pop music (or rock, or whatever) is a wonderful thing, and i’d hate to see the world without it. the world would be a better place if everyone read Nick Horby’s +Songbook+.

  39. Elliot  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    Kele is entitled to express his uninformed opinions just like everyone else. And if rock stars want to voice their opinion via talk shows, interviews or hell even metaphoric song lyrics they are welcome to do so.
    But when i pay 20+ bucks for a concert ticket, it is not because i want to be preached at for an hour. It is so i can see someone on stage who knows how to goddamn rock. I mean honestly. Their JOB is to rock and roll. They get PAID to rock and roll. You don’t hire employees based on their views of the War in Iraq.
    Anyway that’s the only place i have a problem with rock stars and their opinions. What they do or say in their spare time, is their own business.

  40. maybe jack really doesn’t give a fuck about politics, i love both peoples music, but this is stupid….

  41. Capt Rock  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    shut up and play rock n roll. if you wanna ride the politcal rock train, hang out with bono and the ‘we are the world’ super band. nuff said

  42. Scott  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    If you’re from Detroit, “The Big Three Killed My Baby” is pretty political. But nooooo! the little English dweeb is too busy to track down the early singles.

  43. cait  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    i’m so glad someone brought up ‘the big three killed my baby’. also, jack comments a lot about problems he has with certain aspects of pop culture, like reality tv, etc. however, it’s ridiculous to cite the ‘ethical responsibility’ of rock stars when that comment is made with the assumption that if you like their music, you will agree with anything political they have to say. i respect jack for not getting into a public forum that he doesn’t feel he belongs in. and seriously, couldn’t kele have picked an artist who contributes to the dumbing down of music/pop culture in general instead of one of the most innovative talents of recent years? and one who couldn’t beat the hell out of him?

  44. Eddie O'Keefe  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    The second Kele and Bloc Party write a song as fucking beautiful as “I’m Lonely (But I Ain’t That Lonely Yet),” or “We’re Going To be Friends” is the day he will understand why it isn’t Jack White’s responsibility to state his opinion on politics. Carlos D form Interpol subscribes to the same belief as Jack too, in fact even Elvis Presley was silent about his political views- but the second he belted out “If I Can Dream” you pretty much knew where he was coming from, how he saw the world. Jack White speaks through his art, like all good artists, not through some 200 word NME article. And perhaps Jack’s lyrics aren’t as politically orientated as Bob Dylan, but I’m pretty sure Kele would have to be an imbecile not to listen to “Little Acorns” or “Apple Blossom” and not innately understand what the writer of that song would say about foreign policy or the war or life in general.

  45. Eddie O'Keefe  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    The second Kele and Bloc Party write a song as fucking beautiful as “I’m Lonely (But I Ain’t That Lonely Yet),” or “We’re Going To be Friends” is the day he will understand why it isn’t Jack White’s responsibility to state his opinion on politics. Carlos D form Interpol subscribes to the same belief as Jack too, in fact even Elvis Presley was silent about his political views- but the second he belted out “If I Can Dream” you pretty much knew where he was coming from, how he saw the world. Jack White speaks through his art, like all good artists, not through some 200 word NME article. And perhaps Jack’s lyrics aren’t as politically orientated as Bob Dylan, but I’m pretty sure Kele would have to be an imbecile not to listen to “Little Acorns” or “Apple Blossom” and not innately understand what the writer of that song would say about foreign policy or the war or life in general.

  46. Eddie O'Keefe  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    The second Kele and Bloc Party write a song as fucking beautiful as “I’m Lonely (But I Ain’t That Lonely Yet),” or “We’re Going To be Friends” is the day he will understand why it isn’t Jack White’s responsibility to state his opinion on politics. Carlos D form Interpol subscribes to the same belief as Jack too, in fact even Elvis Presley was silent about his political views- but the second he belted out “If I Can Dream” you pretty much knew where he was coming from, how he saw the world. Jack White speaks through his art, like all good artists, not through some 200 word NME article. And perhaps Jack’s lyrics aren’t as politically orientated as Bob Dylan, but I’m pretty sure Kele would have to be an imbecile not to listen to “Little Acorns” or “Apple Blossom” and not innately understand what the writer of that song would say about foreign policy or the war or life in general.

  47. Eddie O'Keefe  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    The second Kele and Bloc Party write a song as fucking beautiful as “I’m Lonely (But I Ain’t That Lonely Yet),” or “We’re Going To be Friends” is the day he will understand why it isn’t Jack White’s responsibility to state his opinion on politics. Carlos D form Interpol subscribes to the same belief as Jack too, in fact even Elvis Presley was silent about his political views- but the second he belted out “If I Can Dream” you pretty much knew where he was coming from, how he saw the world. Jack White speaks through his art, like all good artists, not through some 200 word NME article. And perhaps Jack’s lyrics aren’t as politically orientated as Bob Dylan, but I’m pretty sure Kele would have to be an imbecile not to listen to “Little Acorns” or “Apple Blossom” and not innately understand what the writer of that song would say about foreign policy or the war or life in general.

  48. Eddie O'Keefe  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    The second Kele and Bloc Party write a song as fucking beautiful as “I’m Lonely (But I Ain’t That Lonely Yet),” or “We’re Going To be Friends” is the day he will understand why it isn’t Jack White’s responsibility to state his opinion on politics. Carlos D form Interpol subscribes to the same belief as Jack too, in fact even Elvis Presley was silent about his political views- but the second he belted out “If I Can Dream” you pretty much knew where he was coming from, how he saw the world. Jack White speaks through his art, like all good artists, not through some 200 word NME article. And perhaps Jack’s lyrics aren’t as politically orientated as Bob Dylan, but I’m pretty sure Kele would have to be an imbecile not to listen to “Little Acorns” or “Apple Blossom” and not innately understand what the writer of that song would say about foreign policy or the war or life in general.

  49. whistle  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    “If you believe in peace, act peacefully; if you believe in love, acting lovingly; if you believe every which way, then act every which way, that’s perfectly valid? but don’t go out trying to sell your beliefs to the system. You end up contradicting what you profess to believe in, and you set a bum example. If you want to change the world, change yourself.” – Tom Robbins’ Still Life With Woodpecker

  50. Sean  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    The biggest mistake Bloc Party made with this album was losing Paul Epworth. He could have turned it into something SO much more interesting. That being said, it’s not bad. Just a little ho hum.

    Also, love Kele (so kind in person) but eek…I can forgive this kind of dismissive arrogance from Damon Albarn because at least I can turn to his ridiculously consistent musical output to wash away the bad taste. Kele is doing well but I’d rather he focus on making good music rather than picking on Jack White for basically no reason.

  51. The way I see it, Jack typifies much of what is wrong with politics in the US now, and perhaps what is troubling Culture,Politics and Art around the world at the moment. The people who should be most angry, most energized to seek change of any sort, the people usually at the head of political, cultural and societal change simply don’t give a damn really. The White Stripes will end up a footnote in rock history simply because Jack doesn’t have anything to say! His music is a reflection of nothing more than his own vacant thoughts and as such doesn’t drive a listeners soul to seek anything more than that moment’s listen. Seriously folks, the reason most of the “new” usic we hear now sounds like something from 20 or years ago is because those people were engaged in their times and made music that reflected it! More of us seem to be acting like Jack White and not Kele. At least he is willing to stand for something, be something, recognize that success brings a certain level of responsibility.

  52. The way I see it, Jack typifies much of what is wrong with politics in the US now, and perhaps what is troubling Culture,Politics and Art around the world at the moment. The people who should be most angry, most energized to seek change of any sort, the people usually at the head of political, cultural and societal change simply don’t give a damn really. The White Stripes will end up a footnote in rock history simply because Jack doesn’t have anything to say! His music is a reflection of nothing more than his own vacant thoughts and as such doesn’t drive a listeners soul to seek anything more than that moment’s listen. Seriously folks, the reason most of the “new” music we hear now sounds like something from 20 or years ago is because those people were engaged in their times and made music that reflected it! More of us seem to be acting like Jack White and not Kele. At least he is willing to stand for something, be something, recognize that success brings a certain level of responsibility.

  53. hunk solo  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    kele spoke out against jack once a while ago in gq, saying he wouldn’t mind if the whitestripes never made another album. nicky wire of the manics said the same thing about jack. one thing these two, kele and nicky, have in common is that they both credit guy debord and the situationists as influence. jack makes minimalist music within the umbrella of the spectacle. he simply contradicts what the situationists stand for, recuperation.

  54. pablo  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    Re: Barry and the pre-emptive strike line: awesome!

  55. I can’t believe how ridiculous this argument is! Oh I see so because Jack White is famous he must sing about hating Dubya right? That makes a lot of sense…wow this little “crybaby” remark from Kele just lost him a lot of respect in my books (and that’s a shame since their new album is pretty good).

    Also listen to “The Big Three” off the Stripes debut, they are political Kele but in a stupid obnoxious way

  56. whoops meant to say “they are political Kele but NOT in a stupid obnoxious way”

  57. nick  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    EDDIE O’KEEFE… FOR THE WIN!

  58. Nicole  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    Eddie O’ Keefe’s post was absolutely beautiful. Bravo sir!!

  59. Telex  |   Posted on Jan 31st, 2007

    One poster got it EXACTLY right, what if Jack was not a committed liberal? Would they be calling out for him to wax political on his records? Pearl Jam, Radiohead, Bright Eyes…please follow Jack’s lead and stay out of the political arena!!!

  60. Stephen B  |   Posted on Feb 1st, 2007

    I think Kele should listen to “Capitalism” by Oingo Boingo for what Jack’s response would probably be:

    Theres nothing wrong with capitalism
    Theres nothing wrong with free enterprise
    Dont try to make me feel guilty
    Im so tired of hearing you cry

    Theres nothing wrong with making some profit
    If you ask me I’ll say its just fine
    Theres nothing wrong with wanting to live nice
    I’m so tired of hearing you whine
    About the revolution
    Bringin down the rich
    When was the last time you dug a ditch, baby!

    If it aint one thing
    Then its the other
    Any cause that crosses your path
    Your heart bleeds for anyones brother
    Ive got to tell you you’re a pain in the ass

    You criticize with plenty of vigor
    You rationalize everything that you do
    With catchy phrases and heavy quotations
    And everybody is crazy but you

    You’re just a middle class, socialist brat
    From a suburban family and you never really had to work
    And you tell me that weve got to get back
    To the struggling masses (whoever they are)
    You talk, talk, talk about suffering and pain
    Your mouth is bigger than your entire brain
    What the hell do you know about suffering and pain?

  61. idioten  |   Posted on Feb 1st, 2007

    Jack White quote: “My name is Jack. This is my sister Meg. We’re from America. And we’re sorry for that.”

    That’s more than enough political insight for a rock legend.

  62. i love kele, but he needs to pick his battles and recognise that different artistes have different approaches.

  63. whatlofi  |   Posted on Feb 1st, 2007

    Rock star in “More interested in booze, drugs and shagging than global politics” shocker.

  64. whatlofi  |   Posted on Feb 1st, 2007

    Rock star in “More interested in booze, drugs and shagging than global politics” shocker.

  65. whatlofi  |   Posted on Feb 1st, 2007

    Rock star in “More interested in booze, drugs and shagging than global politics” shocker.

  66. just in case you forgot  |   Posted on Feb 1st, 2007

    Click the POST button only once! Your comment will be published, even if it appears the page has stalled. Click here to return to the main page. (We will have the site speed issue resolved very soon.)

  67. Zedd  |   Posted on Feb 1st, 2007

    Artists have historically served as social critics. I’m really tired of people suggesting that musicians or actors have no place in the public debate. There’s a ridiculously long legacy in this tradition, and in my opinion it’s only taboo now because of widespread false consciousness. Yeah, I said it.

    Even social/political theorist Max Weber suggests that artists are in a better position to create and suggest new ways of living and new directions for society than social scientists, or just about anyone.

  68. Stephen B  |   Posted on Feb 1st, 2007

    Okay, Zedd, but just because they are in a good position, doesn’t mean they have to exploit it. This is why people like Bono become extremely annoying.

  69. Mohaski  |   Posted on Feb 1st, 2007

    I wonder what Meg thinks about the recent frictions between Russia and Belarus regarding the new oil export duties that Russia has begun imposing on Belarus.

  70. I wonder what Meg White thinks of the recent frictions between Russia and Belarus regarding the oil export taxes Russia has begun imposing on Belarus.

  71. mattshu  |   Posted on Feb 1st, 2007

    Oingo Boingo premptively wrote a song about Chris Martin?

  72. RebelOfTheWeek  |   Posted on Feb 4th, 2007

    Kele knows less about Jack White then he does about writing decent music. As someone already mentioned, listen to White Stripe tunes such as “The Big Three Killed My Baby”… Anyone who thinks The Stripes have nothing to say politically need to listen to more than 7 Nation Army. And it isn’t in an “fuck Bush” way its a subtle, artistic world view that works a million times more for me. I’m still waiting for Bloc Party to write something that would even stand up to Dylan. Not that it would make much difference. Look at the backing the Democrats and Kerry got last election from bands like Green Day (who really don’t seem to have the intelect to criticize other American Idiots, their first album was named after a kids word for shit and had subpar, clumsy songs about wanking). Who won? Bush did. Shows you America doesn’t care how rock stars like Springsteen and REM vote. What is great about the White Stripes is that their songs let you know how they feel about the state of world, but they’re never preachy or condescending. Kele is Morrissey without the genius factor or sense of humour. In other words, Kele is a waste of everybody’s time. Go on, smile Kele! You only live once!!!

  73. tjxm  |   Posted on Feb 5th, 2007

    Wow. I’m really surprised that there were that many Jack White “fanboi’z” that hang out at the Gum. I thought everybody agreed that White is a worthless piece of overrated garbage.

  74. marty mcfly  |   Posted on Feb 6th, 2007

    Wow, Kele feels important now that he’s famous. Kele, I hope your new album flops like anything has ever flopped before. YOUR job is to play music, leave the other shit for Bono and his successor (?) Chris Martin.

    Please, leave alone a true musician. He’s not supossed to care about what you care! He might choose to have a privacy. He might not evencare about politics!! As long as he creates wonderful stuff like he’s always done. You’re friggn jealous you can’t write like him. He’s gained legend status. You won’t. Your opinion ain’t worth anymore than John or Jack. YOU DISGUST ME COMMIE! GTFO OFF MY INTERNETS!!

    btw, thank you for your craptastic album, sir.

  75. Wow, Jack just got fucked in the ass without lube.

  76. Eugene Gurvich  |   Posted on Mar 27th, 2007

    While he may have come off as snarky in defending it, Jack has every right not to stick his nose in politics. In the end, it’s every entertainer’s choice whether or not they want to get involved in something more than their craft.

    There are the Bonos and Dixie Chicks of the world, and then there are the Jack Whites and Charlie Chaplins. All of the above are equal in my eyes. Except maybe the Dixie Chicks, who didn’t deserve a Grammy.

    It is only when artists try to appeal to naive audiences by plying their music with propaganda (see: Green Day) that they lose my respect.

  77. Laura  |   Posted on May 16th, 2007

    Jack is 100% correct. To much bull shit is going on in the world. The worst part of all is if he gave his opinion, he would have been criticized for it, or his words would end up being twisted around. He didn’t become famous so the world can hear his political point of views. He became famous because he’s a kick ass guitarist, and has amazing talent.
    so anyways, Jack did the right thing,besides it’s no one’s business what his opinion is anyways.

  78. Rich (is this a lib-hole?)  |   Posted on Jun 22nd, 2007

    When I heard that communist propaganda in the lyrics of Icky Thump I deleted all White Stripes on my computer, their music was only a 6.5/10 for me anyways so forget them. Eugene Gurvich is better than i am at putting my distaste into words
    “It is only when artists try to appeal to naive audiences by plying their music with propaganda (see: Green Day) that they lose my respect.”
    but for myself Green Day did it in such a naive way that it way pathetic, so i kept their music… for a while
    ~peace! (after the hippies DIE!)

  79. dbot  |   Posted on Jun 25th, 2007

    lib hole? if anyone’s hiding in holes, it’s supporters of mr. 26%.

  80. bad joo joo  |   Posted on Oct 19th, 2007

    As opposed to supporters of the mr.’s and mrs.’s 11% in Congress?

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