The PC and Perpetually Offended Brigade

[astfgyl]

I would consider Chat Pile to be a pretty overtly and obviously political band, so I still think it's a bad example. Or rather an example that says more about your personal sensitivities than anything else.

"I see every day, this crazy disparity between wealth and class and status and that just seems unforgivable to me. I feel like with a song like [Why], I just wanted to get people to start talking, to start asking these questions. I want them to be mad," Busch in 2023. He didn't add, "But don't do it at our shows!"

Is that quote from another interview, or was it stage banter?

There's nothing in the artwork or anything either that's extremely political.

Because they've a couple of songs with a bit of a leaning?

An anti war song and one about wealth inequality is hardly Rage Against The Machine is it

They have a song called Grimace Smoking Weed, are they a stoner band now?

[Black Shepherd Carnage]

It's from a different interview. And here's yet another one in which no doubt is left:
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/09/chat-pile-who-loves-the-sun-album-interview-raygun-busch/

In terms of trying your best, every artist, top to bottom—especially bands at my level—should be talking about politics. Even if I don't agree with their politics, there should be some reflection of the world we live in now. People need to open their eyes and react and say things.

Dunno what to say to ya; I pegged them as a political band from the first time I listened to them. And judging by his interviews, if he heard that person shouting "Free Palestine!" he was more likely chuffed while you were exasperated they hadn't shouted "Both sides!" 

[Black Shepherd Carnage]

Ah, I've just given myself good memories of the lads up north, Sleeve, Poley and Gaz and all, with their "Up the general cause!"   

[John Kimble]

astfgyl, I'm completely behind your attempts not to let BSC have the last word on this but even I'd have to admit that Chat Pile pretty much wear their politics on their sleeve. I think I already alluded to this in the gig thread but it definitely wasn't a metal crowd at the gig and the general impression I got (going on the amount of wooly hats, flannel and barista-esque facial hair) there was that a "Free Palestine" chant wouldn't have gone down like a lead balloon.
In principle though, however clumsily stated, I don't have any real issue with what Hetfield said in a broader sense. I'm a big fan of Chat Pile but I don't necessarily agree with his (Busch) assertion that every artist should be "talking about politics". I think this is what Hetfield was getting at, maybe. I don't take any issue with a band like Chat Pile talking politics but if I were to have a particular view on whats going on in the Middle East, it wouldn't be informed by what Ed Sheeran, Macklemore etc have to say on the matter. It sort of brings to mind Stewart Lee's routine on the values of the Carphone Warehouse.
But yeah, I generally take gigs as a opportunity to switch off from work, the demands of family life, and so on...so I'm completely on board with politics not being brought up in that setting. I also don't like the implicit implication that, by not wanting to discuss such matters, it's viewed as some sort of endorsement to the contrary, or being complicit.

[Black Shepherd Carnage]

I should have clarified that I wasn't endorsing Busch's statement that "every artist...should be talking about politics." I don't hold that belief. Like I didn't walk out of Judas Priest last month fuming that Rob hadn't dedicated Breaking The Law to Palestine Action 

But Chat Pile are a political band, and they talk about it. Good for them. And good for Judas Priest for not. And good for Iron Maiden for trolling Trump. All good. What's pathetic about Hetfield is him talking about not being a political band, but doing so in a way which is openly critical of bands who do do it... which makes it a by-definition political statement, albeit vapid, and him therefore a mealy-mouthed moron. No change since the mid-90s then.

[Emphyrio]

I hate that politics is brought into the musical space and you are de facto pro-Israel if you say you don't want politics being part of the gig experience. It's all so....I dunno. Unless you're RAtM, I want music to be apolitical.