Soundgarden & Pixies to play Israel

Hugh Freaking Dillon

credit: alternativenation.net

Soundgarden and the Pixies will be headlining a two-day festival on June 17th and 18th at Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv, Israel. These shows will showcase Soundgarden’s 2014 touring-drummer as Matt Cameron will not be touring with them next year. The Pixies will also be showcasing their newest bassist, Paz Lenchantin, during the festival.

Thoughts?

LarsK13

Soundgarden without Matt! Mmh

Jason P

Is Dave Krusen the touring drummer?

Hugh Freaking Dillon

Jason P wrote:

Is Dave Krusen the touring drummer?

nobody knows yet.

Idris

Back in 2010 the Pixies were going to play in Israel, then pulled out at a later point, not sure if it really was due to a Boycott' or they were just concerned about personal safety.

Cornell has played in Israel (solo, twice?)
-

I know Rage Against The Machine played in Israel. (just mentioning them)

Jason P

I don't see what the big deal is. It's not like Netanyahu is going to be hugging the rail and giving them the horns.

DriftingByTheStorm

omg.
i'm so hopelessly out of it,
just read that Kim quit.
wtf.
? drugs \ temptations ?
or Francis is a controlling dick, or what?

This sucks.
Sucks Gigantic is what it sucks.

Hugh Freaking Dillon

DriftingByTheStorm wrote:

omg.
i'm so hopelessly out of it,
just read that Kim quit.
wtf.
? drugs \ temptations ?
or Francis is a controlling dick, or what?

This sucks.
Sucks Gigantic is what it sucks.

Kim deal, or her replacement? Kim deal quit some time ago, then her replacement Kim got fired. Paz lenchantin is the new bassist.

Hugh Freaking Dillon

Jason P wrote:

I don't see what the big deal is. It's not like Netanyahu is going to be hugging the rail and giving them the horns.

I gotta be honest....I'm not sure either. I mean , if anyone should boycott playing anywhere because of violence towards certain groups of people, both canada and the US should be on that list. Not just Israel.

VivaPalestina

The big deal is...that Palestinian fans living in the West Bank and Gaza won't be able to attend. Are not allowed to attend, never mind a rock concert, what about just going to the place where your parents or grandparents are from, not allowed to pass the wall, because they have the wrong papers (edit: "wrong papers" meaning, that they are citizens of West Bank or Gaza, and not allowed into israel, for no other reason that they are Palestinian). The heritage and history of many Palestinians are on that land, and we can't go back, we are not allowed back, but Soundgarden and the Pixies will be singing and getting to enjoy a place that many of us can only see in pictures or hear about in stories.

Shame on you pixies and soundgarden. Would they have played South Africa during Apartheid?

brianlux

Hugh Freaking Dillon wrote:

Jason P wrote:

I don't see what the big deal is. It's not like Netanyahu is going to be hugging the rail and giving them the horns.

I gotta be honest....I'm not sure either. I mean , if anyone should boycott playing anywhere because of violence towards certain groups of people, both canada and the US should be on that list. Not just Israel.

Wow- that thought hit me like a ton of bricks. So obvious and yet the thought never occurred to me. I get it.

VivaPalestina

brianlux wrote:

Hugh Freaking Dillon wrote:

Jason P wrote:

I don't see what the big deal is. It's not like Netanyahu is going to be hugging the rail and giving them the horns.

I gotta be honest....I'm not sure either. I mean , if anyone should boycott playing anywhere because of violence towards certain groups of people, both canada and the US should be on that list. Not just Israel.

Wow- that thought hit me like a ton of bricks. So obvious and yet the thought never occurred to me. I get it.

The US and Canada don't deny anyone citizenship based on race. Also, the pixies and soundgarden are American, it's entirely different. If bands from other countries decided not to play the US and Canada, would you understand their position. Also, if any native on a US reservation were unable to go to a concert in a US city, would the pixies or soundgarden play that city...For example, aren't there reservations in Washington state, would soundgarden play seattle knowing full well for that kids on the nearby reservation would not be allowed to go.

Drowned Out

Idris wrote:

Back in 2010 the Pixies were going to play in Israel, then pulled out at a later point, not sure if it really was due to a Boycott' or they were just concerned about personal safety.

Cornell has played in Israel (solo, twice?)
-

I know Rage Against The Machine played in Israel. (just mentioning them)

From what I've read, the Pixies pulled out in 2010 after the attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, during which the Israeli navy killed nine peace activists aboard the Mavi Marmara. But ya, I don't know if that means they were worried about the potential for more violence, or if they were protesting.

As for Rage....I know they've spoken out against the occupation. They dedicated Township Rebellion to the Palestinians when they played their free show in the UK a few years back. A lot has happened since they played in Israel....the attack on Lebanon in 2006, the wholesale slaughter of trapped civilians and the murder of over 300 kids in Gaza in 2008.....the BDS movement has gained a lot of steam...and of course, another decade or so of land theft via the wall and settlement expansion....I would hope that RATM would not play there again.

Drowned Out

I think the BDS movement is an important tool for both raising awareness, and pressuring the target of the movement to change. There are different aspects of the movement, each with their own benefits and drawbacks.
Individuals choosing to boycott and divest from Israel will likely make little difference without a majority of people getting onboard, and even if we speak about our choice to support the movement to everyone we meet, I have to admit that I'm cynical about a grass-roots approach to awareness.
I think the academic boycott, while not very effective at pressuring the Israeli regime, has the potential benefit of influencing the way the conflict is discussed by students and academics. This could have a direct influence on the way history views the occupation. I would think that a drawback would be creating a more insular atmosphere in Israeli schools.
The participation of businesses, and large, private organizations is a big deal because it generates publicity (not in the mainstream press, mind you), and sparks debate amongst people of influence in board rooms and shareholder meetings around the world....plus, by hurting Israel financially, it likely begins to sway their business community toward change.
Obviously, the most effective way to pressure Israel would be Boycotts/Divestment/Sanctions on a state level (as in nation-state).
The cultural boycott is the only aspect I have any hesitation whatsoever in supporting (it's a small hesitation, I still support it). There is without doubt something to be said for the healing and unifying power of art. And from an awareness standpoint, artists potentially have the biggest soapbox from which to share their views. But I have never heard of any artist performing in Israel and publicly denouncing the apartheid system while doing so.

The problem, as VP pointed out, is that the checkpoints and travel restrictions make it virtually impossible for any Palestinians to attend. I also agree that the comparison to the US and Canada is flawed in the sense that, while we have horribly mistreated our indigenous populations, we have, for the most part, made them equal citizens in the eyes of the law and from a human rights perspective. In Israel, jews enjoy full rights and a somewhat fair legal system, while others live under a military legal system with their basic freedoms and rights severely restricted.

For Soundgarden and the Pixies to play there lends legitimacy to the Israeli regime as it makes it ok for other acts to book there in the future....the more acts that play there, the more 'normalcy' is achieved for the Israelis, the more the plight of the Palestinians is swept under the rug.
I hope both bands reconsider and cancel. If not, I hope they follow Roger Waters' 2006 example and move the concert to a site that is symbolic of peace, then take the time in the area to learn about the situation there as Waters did. There isn't much hope of that if Cornell has already been there twice, solo. I'd be curious to hear his views on the occupation. I can't help but think that most of these artists are either Zionists or intellectually too lazy to acknowledge what is happening with the Occupation.

regarding the 2006 concert Roger Waters performed in Israel: this is what he had to say about the notion of spreading peace and good will through art as a bridge in the conflict:

"The performance in Israel was great, I enjoyed it and the crowds were amazing. At the end of my performance, I said: "You are the generation that needs to lead toward peace with your neighbors" and suddenly, at that moment, the entire crowd became quiet."

Idris

Drowned Out wrote:

I think the BDS movement is an important tool for both raising awareness, and pressuring the target of the movement to change. There are different aspects of the movement, each with their own benefits and drawbacks.
Individuals choosing to boycott and divest from Israel will likely make little difference without a majority of people getting onboard, and even if we speak about our choice to support the movement to everyone we meet, I have to admit that I'm cynical about a grass-roots approach to awareness.
I think the academic boycott, while not very effective at pressuring the Israeli regime, has the potential benefit of influencing the way the conflict is discussed by students and academics. This could have a direct influence on the way history views the occupation. I would think that a drawback would be creating a more insular atmosphere in Israeli schools.
The participation of businesses, and large, private organizations is a big deal because it generates publicity (not in the mainstream press, mind you), and sparks debate amongst people of influence in board rooms and shareholder meetings around the world....plus, by hurting Israel financially, it likely begins to sway their business community toward change.
Obviously, the most effective way to pressure Israel would be Boycotts/Divestment/Sanctions on a state level (as in nation-state).
The cultural boycott is the only aspect I have any hesitation whatsoever in supporting (it's a small hesitation, I still support it). There is without doubt something to be said for the healing and unifying power of art. And from an awareness standpoint, artists potentially have the biggest soapbox from which to share their views. But I have never heard of any artist performing in Israel and publicly denouncing the apartheid system while doing so.

The problem, as VP pointed out, is that the checkpoints and travel restrictions make it virtually impossible for any Palestinians to attend. I also agree that the comparison to the US and Canada is flawed in the sense that, while we have horribly mistreated our indigenous populations, we have, for the most part, made them equal citizens in the eyes of the law and from a human rights perspective. In Israel, jews enjoy full rights and a somewhat fair legal system, while others live under a military legal system with their basic freedoms and rights severely restricted.

For Soundgarden and the Pixies to play there lends legitimacy to the Israeli regime as it makes it ok for other acts to book there in the future....the more acts that play there, the more 'normalcy' is achieved for the Israelis, the more the plight of the Palestinians is swept under the rug.
I hope both bands reconsider and cancel. If not, I hope they follow Roger Waters' 2006 example and move the concert to a site that is symbolic of peace, then take the time in the area to learn about the situation there as Waters did. There isn't much hope of that if Cornell has already been there twice, solo. I'd be curious to hear his views on the occupation. I can't help but think that most of these artists are either Zionists or intellectually too lazy to acknowledge what is happening with the Occupation.

regarding the 2006 concert Roger Waters performed in Israel: this is what he had to say about the notion of spreading peace and good will through art as a bridge in the conflict:

"The performance in Israel was great, I enjoyed it and the crowds were amazing. At the end of my performance, I said: "You are the generation that needs to lead toward peace with your neighbors" and suddenly, at that moment, the entire crowd became quiet."

What an excellent post! Totally agree.

even flow - question mark

As has been said before and will be stated again: "they drove a dump truck full of money up to my front door".

Idris

Since a 'pj play in Israel' thread is hovering around the Porch, thought I'd give this a BuMp...

brianlux

Idris said:

Since a 'pj play in Israel' thread is hovering around the Porch, thought I'd give this a BuMp...

If PJ were to play Israel my guess is the only subjects that would garner more attention (and quickest to be locked) here on AMT would be world-wide nuclear war breaking out, a Free Gun-give-away Day at all McDonald restaurants or the entire Broncos line up deciding to have sex-change operations as a ploy to confuse their rivals. Actually, that last one would be rather interesting!

Bentleyspop

You better add The Rolling Stones to that list of bands to play Israel
June 10 Tel Aviv

Drowned Out

Bentleyspop said:

You better add The Rolling Stones to that list of bands to play Israel
June 10 Tel Aviv

even flow - question mark said:

As has been said before and will be stated again: "they drove a dump truck full of money up to my front door".

$5 mil for the stones if the show happens. I'm sure we'll hear some tripe about how it's for the fans

PhillyCrownOfThorns

You may not like Israel. You may not like Soundgarden. I simply do not understand how anyone would wish or want an artist not to show their art to the people of any country. Shame on you guys… the fans of PJ. They can and should play wherever the #$%@ they want. If Eddie wanted to go to North Korea with his boy Dennis, awesome. Go for it!

I don't get it! Just my opinion.

cydonia

VivaPalestina said:

The big deal is...that Palestinian fans living in the West Bank and Gaza won't be able to attend. Are not allowed to attend, never mind a rock concert, what about just going to the place where your parents or grandparents are from, not allowed to pass the wall, because they have the wrong papers (edit: "wrong papers" meaning, that they are citizens of West Bank or Gaza, and not allowed into israel, for no other reason that they are Palestinian). The heritage and history of many Palestinians are on that land, and we can't go back, we are not allowed back, but Soundgarden and the Pixies will be singing and getting to enjoy a place that many of us can only see in pictures or hear about in stories.



Shame on you pixies and soundgarden. Would they have played South Africa during Apartheid?

Everyone's entitled to a good time, but if I was an artist I wouldn't play a concert in, Israel . Just watch the independent film ' the wall' and see how the Palestinians are treated its occupation. When the last Israel bombing of Israel was across the 'news' it angered me, women and children were in constant fear. If you play there without the indignity served to the Palestinians in the past the concert would have never been held. I'm disappointed in Soundgarden , read your history (chomskys good place to start) before playing in a war zone , where human rights are ignored .

Drowned Out

Soundgarden and the Pixies rolled thru tel aviv just a couple weeks before operation protective edge began....(fancy way of saying 'the latest slaughter in gaza'....or....the latest mowing of the lawn, as some Israelis like to say). I wonder how they feel about that? I would suspect that Chris Cornell would stick to his guns...... Music as a bridge, right? Put a fork in that idea.

gimmesometruth27

Drowned Out said:

Soundgarden and the Pixies rolled thru tel aviv just a couple weeks before operation protective edge began....(fancy way of saying 'the latest slaughter in gaza'....or....the latest mowing of the lawn, as some Israelis like to say). I wonder how they feel about that? I would suspect that Chris Cornell would stick to his guns...... Music as a bridge, right? Put a fork in that idea.

i don't think they thought twice about it. if they had considered what is happening in the region, they would have canceled the show.

it sucks for me because i want to like cornell, but this is very hard for me to overlook and impossible to forgive.

rr165892

Cornell,is half jewish.Im sure Israel is not an issue for him.

benjs

rr165892 said:

Cornell,is half jewish.Im sure Israel is not an issue for him.

I'm fully Jewish and Israel is an issue for me don't mistake Jewish for Zionist - many of us can be one without the other.

rr165892

benjs said:

rr165892 said:

Cornell,is half jewish.Im sure Israel is not an issue for him.

I'm fully Jewish and Israel is an issue for me don't mistake Jewish for Zionist - many of us can be one without the other.

Well aware of the difference Ben.But I'm speaking more to the thinking of Israel as a homeland,not the political part of it.Regardless of the politics most Jews think fondly of Israel as a Nation.You included I imagine.

muskydan

It's only Rock n Roll…AND I LIKE IT. Luv to go to that show

benjs

rr165892 said:

benjs said:

rr165892 said:

Cornell,is half jewish.Im sure Israel is not an issue for him.

I'm fully Jewish and Israel is an issue for me don't mistake Jewish for Zionist - many of us can be one without the other.

Well aware of the difference Ben.But I'm speaking more to the thinking of Israel as a homeland,not the political part of it.Regardless of the politics most Jews think fondly of Israel as a Nation.You included I imagine.

I don't think of Israel as a homeland any more or less than I do about Canada, to be honest. I think the idea of a homeland for any demographic is far more of a divisive danger than a secure comfort, even as a Jew talking about Israel. Having been twice in my lifetime with family prior to getting involved in the politics of Israel (most recently four years ago), both times I felt a tremendous discomfort about the experience, and the lack of being able to separate religion from its existence. Today, I wouldn't go back unless I had secured an opportunity to visit at least one of the occupied Palestinian territories. I truly believe that Jews around the world have never had more reservations about the value of Israel than they do today.

gimmesometruth27

benjs said:

rr165892 said:

benjs said:

rr165892 said:

Cornell,is half jewish.Im sure Israel is not an issue for him.

I'm fully Jewish and Israel is an issue for me don't mistake Jewish for Zionist - many of us can be one without the other.

Well aware of the difference Ben.But I'm speaking more to the thinking of Israel as a homeland,not the political part of it.Regardless of the politics most Jews think fondly of Israel as a Nation.You included I imagine.

I don't think of Israel as a homeland any more or less than I do about Canada, to be honest. I think the idea of a homeland for any demographic is far more of a divisive danger than a secure comfort, even as a Jew talking about Israel. Having been twice in my lifetime with family prior to getting involved in the politics of Israel (most recently four years ago), both times I felt a tremendous discomfort about the experience, and the lack of being able to separate religion from its existence. Today, I wouldn't go back unless I had secured an opportunity to visit at least one of the occupied Palestinian territories. I truly believe that Jews around the world have never had more reservations about the value of Israel than they do today.

that is because it is impossible to separate the state of israel from jewish identity. this is the root of the entire conflict. how can you have a jewish state when there are muslims who are native to that state living right in the middle of it? how can you have peace when one group is using religious claims to expand settlements onto land that is not theirs?

jews around the world SHOULD have reservations about the value of israel at this time. the likud party has done more harm to israel than just about anybody else. looking at is from the atheist side, the state of israel has less and less high ground to stand on as the likud government continues to rule.

rr165892

To your top point,that is also exactly what ISIS is doing.

To your second part,I don't condon the actions of the Israeli Govt in many issues.Yes how they treat Palestinians is one of them.But make no mistake.Israels importance in the region is paramount to keeping balance in the Middle East.It must remain that way or the whole balance of the region will crumble.

The Jews were also on that land since the beginning of time.It has never been an all Muslim enclave.Way I see it no one can say it's there's alone.It should be shared.But that is another discussion all together.