Pearl Jam Cancels 4/20 Raleigh, NC Concert in Opposition to HB2; Official Band Statement

lolobugg

rchallen said:

So I'm still proud to be a longtime resident of Charlotte, NC... Ironically a very progressive city, as apparently our decision to provide protection for the TG community provided the impetus for Gov. Patsy McCrory and his POS cronies to pass the horrible, awful HB2 law. Which specifically states that local governments and cities can NOT pass protections of their own.

But I'm deeply ashamed and embarrassed that the Republican legislature--which only came to power thanks to gerrymandering and the rural districts--has decided to launch their hateful campaign against ALL minorities. Not just the LBGT community, but also women, minorities, and even religion... There are NO protected classes under HB2 anymore. (McCrory has since "amended" the law to allow for some protected groups, which is a bit like Dick Cheney shooting you in the face and then offering you a Band-Aid two weeks later.)

On a social and moral level, I completely support Pearl Jam... and Springsteen as well. (Another show I planned to attend that got cancelled two days beforehand.) I agree that the timing could've been better, but I also suspect the time frame was chosen, as with Springsteen's decision, for maximum political impact. It's not just taking dollars out of the state... It's also drawing media attention to the POS idiots controlling our State house and adding political pressure in the hopes that they (eventually) do the right thing.

But here's my frustration in the interim: HB2 does NOT reflect the mindset of the state as a whole. It was a sneaky piece of legislation, rammed through in less than a day with no debate whatsoever, solely to punish the "progressive" cities (Charlotte, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Asheville, and others) and mobilize the far right wing to come to the polls in November. (Because nothing gets bigoted right-wingers more excited than denying basic rights to gays.) If the state wasn't gerrymandered to the point of insanity, these assholes wouldn't even BE in office... Much less passing divisive legislation with the confidence of men who know that their districts are SO red, their re-elections are all but assured. Meanwhile, anyone in the state who is liberal, progressive, or even moderate (which covers about 95% of most NC PJ fans) is punished by the actions of the bigots we did NOT vote for and do NOT support.

I hope the band gets a chance to read this post, as it comes from someone who's fought against (and voted against) these assholes for years and years. I deeply respect the hard decision they made, while also feeling the monumental (selfish) loss that comes from knowing that some of my favorite artists, and bands, will no longer visit my state while these idiots remain in power.

I love Charlotte, and I love North Carolina, and I hate the fact that a tiny hate-filled group has co-opted our government and currently holds the state hostage. They don't speak for us, and we will do everything in our power to vote them out come November. But if we don't... I might be asking for suggestions on where to move.

God bless Pearl Jam, and I hope you guys throw every ounce of your anger and energy into the Columbia show the following night. Because I will be there with all MY anger at the f**kers who keep trying to take my state away from me... and I could probably use some Release.

Post of the year!!!
you said what most of us in NC are thinking.
thank you for saving me the time to spell it out again!!!

jeffwalsh

farfromglorified said:

Ummm...this is kind of a pointless argument, but you do have 14 meal options in the situation you describe.

Exactly how you're all reading the PJ boycott incorrectly. Your options are not what they consider to be theirs...

jeffwalsh

The upside of the Raleigh boycott now behind us (and thanks again to the band for doing the right thing) and my only other show on the tour being last night... I can now retreat to my non-forum-posting ways until the next tour. Have fun! It's been... interesting.

JF657419

Nothing to see here... move along... nothing but positive thoughts... all over... move along...

Interesting lack of objectivity regarding critique of a band that is famous for questioning the status quo.

I'm curious, other than one person on this thread who volunteered a Wrigley ticket for a Raleigh ticket (so nice to do so), has anyone here traded their show's tickets for someone's Raleigh tickets? It shouldn't have been too hard - it's just money.

farfromglorified

jeffwalsh said:

farfromglorified said:

Ummm...this is kind of a pointless argument, but you do have 14 meal options in the situation you describe.

Exactly how you're all reading the PJ boycott incorrectly. Your options are not what they consider to be theirs...

I'm not sure how anyone is reading the boycott incorrectly relative to your analogy. Was the boycott their choice and, in their opinions, the best choice? Seems that way, yes. What is the only possible choice? Of course not. Their options were the same as every band's options. Their predispositions are simply different and even if you're arguing that their predispositions could only lead to one choice, the boycott, you're proven wrong by the band's statements that they struggled with the decision.

Merkin Baller

jfayiii said:

Nothing to see here... move along... nothing but positive thoughts... all over... move along...

Interesting lack of objectivity regarding critique of a band that is famous for questioning the status quo.

I'm curious, other than one person on this thread who volunteered a Wrigley ticket for a Raleigh ticket (so nice to do so), has anyone here traded their show's tickets for someone's Raleigh tickets? It shouldn't have been too hard - it's just money.

Hear hear!

RR306084

Does anyone know whom to contact about refunds? I was told my credit card would be refunded the amount for my tickets sometime this week, but as of 3pm today (close of bank's deposit day), no refund. I don't mind PJ sticking up for someone's rights, but not on my dime without my consent. I paid for a show, so I expect a show or my money back (promptly). I've supported the band for over 20 years, and hold similar values, but this last minute cancellation has me more than peeved for various personal and financial reasons. So yes, I'm going to be an -sshole over getting my money back sooner rather than later in response.

PJ_Soul

Sometimes processing times vary. I have things happen to my credit card account at all hours. Bank hours are irrelevant. Are you worried that you won't get the money back?

KV4053

Why do we have 50 threads on this topic and the Springsteen forum only has one?

lolobugg

KV4053 said:

Why do we have 50 threads on this topic and the Springsteen forum only has one?

cause we are the 10club goddamn it.

Jason P

Those geezers don't know how to use the internet! FLAME ON!

riley540

The government can't force people to get along. It has to start in the neighborhoods everyone is born into different situations and are brought up in different ways. Some people happen to be racist. That's ok, we can't force them to be different. Some people like the band creed.. But hey, there's nothing we can do. I'm just nice to everyone and give everyone a fair chance and friendship.

I am like this not because the government and bills and laws. I'm like this because it's my nature as an individual

sheri zona

,

lolobugg said:

KV4053 said:

Why do we have 50 threads on this topic and the Springsteen forum only has one?

cause we are the 10club goddamn it.

This.

KV4053

Larry Sanders, Season 2, Episode 14.
Larry is PJ.
Artie is Bruce.
Some of us are Roseanne and Tom.
Leno is Cyndi Lauper.
Tim is the Bathroom Bill.
I'm not sure who Hank is.

PJ_Soul

riley540 said:

The government can't force people to get along. It has to start in the neighborhoods everyone is born into different situations and are brought up in different ways. Some people happen to be racist. That's ok, we can't force them to be different. Some people like the band creed.. But hey, there's nothing we can do. I'm just nice to everyone and give everyone a fair chance and friendship.

I am like this not because the government and bills and laws. I'm like this because it's my nature as an individual

It's not okay that some people "happen" to be racist. You say it as though they were born with it or like it's a simple matter of taste. And yes, of course there is something we can do. Good grief, apathy is strong in you.... or was this meant as a joke??

jeffwalsh

PJ_Soul said:

It's not okay that some people "happen" to be racist. You say it as though they were born with it or like it's a simple matter of taste. And yes, of course there is something we can do. Good grief, apathy is stong in you.... or was this meant as a joke??

https://youtu.be/tbud8rLejLM

ComeToTX

Yeah, I'd like my money back too. By the time it processes it'll be over a week since the show was canceled and I wasn't given what I paid for months ago.

PJ_Soul

jeffwalsh said:

PJ_Soul said:

It's not okay that some people "happen" to be racist. You say it as though they were born with it or like it's a simple matter of taste. And yes, of course there is something we can do. Good grief, apathy is stong in you.... or was this meant as a joke??

https://youtu.be/tbud8rLejLM

Yeah well being overly sensitive is no good either. No one should ever cry racist unjustifiably.

BF25394

scornlander said:

Yes, the problem for me is that all the best bands are liberal

It's an age-old tension. Most artists, including rock musicians, are liberals. Most rock fans are white males, who are disproportionately conservative.

It reminds me of Kurt Cobain's observation that the same guys who used to bully him in high school started showing up in the front rows at Nirvana shows after they became big.

brianlux

It makes perfectly good sense to me that artists in general are more often liberal. For example, who has time for war when you're creating something artistic? Creative people tend to want to bring people together whereas conservatives tend more toward keeping people separate (yes, there are exceptions to this, but I'm speaking in generalities- look at border and immigration issues.) And this: there are few other fields in which a person will practically starve to death before they give up what they do for a living. Creativity is more important than finances and people who are heavily focused on money tend to be more conservative.

In making these statements, I am not passing any judgements, I'm just stating what generally is the case with regard to the subject.