Responsibility To Audience ? Options

[Ben Higgins]

Hi GMCers

I was thinking about how bands have different approaches towards the effect their musical output has on their fans/audience/society. I personally believe that we cannot put a creation out into the world and then deny any responsibility for the effect of that creation. After all, we have a choice to use our gift of free expression however we see fit. We can put out inspiring, positive things or we can put out negative, angry things. Don't get me wrong, I don't think bands should be blamed when people do stupid things and then people notice that they were a fan of that band.. but we should surely acknowledge and take responsibility for the effect that we have on other people, whether we know them or not ?

What do you guys think about it ?

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[Marek Rojewski]

Artists can be "the cause", but shouldn't take any responsibility for it. Everyone has free will and should take whole responsibility for his deeds. This may sound "harsh" but I believe in taking all responsibility. In Zen it is the same, first thing to acknowledge is 100% responsibility for Your own actions. In my opinion this rule should be applied to every single sphere of human existence.

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[Cosmin Lupu]

We each perceive everything around us in a different way - so to some people, metal music is a world within a world within a world - you get what I'm saying and to others, just a bunch of 'frustrated dudes making noise'

Starting from this little comparison, we can deduce that the human psyche is a complex system but, as Marek said, each one of us is fully responsible for their own actions, thus, even if you hear a lot of people saying 'The music made me do it!' they only did it themselves.

Only human nature is to blame, not music.

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[Ben Higgins]

Ah, I think I've already been misunderstood.. sorry, guys, I'll try to be clearer

I don't mean that artists should be blamed if people do stupid things in the 'name' of their music.. that responsibility lies with the individual.

I'm talking about the responsibility with the message of our art. We can't make somebody do or feel anything.. but we can acknowledge our contribution to the world, whether positive or negative.

I could make a career out of writing about murder, rape etc.. now although I'm not actually doing it or making anybody else do it.. I'm still making a career based on it. There has to be a point where an individual thinks 'hmmm, I've profited out of second hand evil and negativity.. when am I actually going to use my gifted position to actually put something good out there ?' Or am I wrong, and we should all be able to do, say what we want and never be accountable for what we do in the name of our art ?

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This post has been edited by Ben Higgins: Jun 17 2011, 09:29 AM

[Marek Rojewski]

Hmmm... I think that generally people "transmit" feelings/thoughts they feel associated with and believe in. And again one will think that making a song about bombing Israel is something wrong, but it definitely could be a great disco song in Oman Some songs are really angry but what can "an angry artist" do but to show whats inside him? Writing a positive songs is out of his reach most probably...

I value "wise" stuff the most, and for most part it is sad, or at least not happy. Both extreme anger and "full face happiness" lacks common thought 99% of time.

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[Ben Higgins]

Some songs are really angry but what can "an angry artist" do but to show whats inside him? Writing a positive songs is out of his reach most probably...

True.. I believe you should write about what you believe in and be honest.. but do so with a responsible heart. I don't understand bands who shrug away their influence and say things 'Hey, it's just social commentary, man..' It's still a choice what comes out of our mouths, it doesn't have to be postive.. it could be about something bad but either way, we should still say 'This is exactly what I said, what I meant and I stand by it' not just disown the influence of their art like they were talking about the weather.

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[Marek Rojewski]

With that I fully agree Ben.
Still there are topics that will always be suspicious, like this song:


Most will say: no doubt the song is heavily inspired by the Nazis. Yet writing something militaristic and "prideful" about our continent without connection to any of the imperialistic ideologies is almost impossible. Also the band members confirm what are their inspirations, but they say they don't support these, just use them as a background of showing certain emotions. I believe them, but if they want to sell CD's without legal problems than most probably they would have to say this no matter what is the truth...

I really like this song for example, even though definitely I am not a Nazi. The feeling of power is appealing:P

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[Ben Higgins]

Yet writing something militaristic and "prideful" about our continent without connection to any of the imperialistic ideologies is almost impossible. Also the band members confirm what are their inspirations, but they say they don't support these, just use them as a background of showing certain emotions. I believe them, but if they want to sell CD's without legal problems than most probably they would have to say this no matter what is the truth...

I know what you mean.. it is a shame because history should always be told. You've made an interesting point there about the bands singing about something, yet not believing in the subject matter. That it completely normal with art, I think. You can display or use a subject matter in an inspirational or factual way, without glorifying it. It's when people glorify things for deliberate controversy to get attention that you know when they're being irresponsible in the name of art.

But even a subject like war and warriors can be inspiring when presented in a way that showcases people's resilience, self belief and honour.. that's something you can stand behind

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[Ivan Milenkovic]

I also support the stand that human nature is to blame, and humans are weak and deceptible.

On the other hand, band that is promoting violence and other destructive behavior will take responsibility for their actions.

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[Sinisa Cekic]

Finally, rock'n'roll has become a huge business long time a go, and beliefs are unrelated with it . Pick up $$$$ and move on ...

" You will a war theme? love? satanic? No problem, we are here to satisfy all your needs "

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[Kristofer Dahl]

There are good and bad parents (any anything in between) - if you care what happens with your children you should also care what happens with your fans.

I don't necessarily think that it is done by making sure lyrics are positive and happy - on the contrary I think that angry and even depressive music can make angry and depressive people feel better.

However I must say that I have very low thoughts about bands that use drugs etc. I think it's a pretty well know fact that if a mega popular band takes a specific drug and don't even deny it a lot of the fans will see that drug as hip...

Their musician license should be removed!!

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[Cosmin Lupu]

I don't like drugs either - the bad thing is that a lot of bands pick up these bad habits on the way, because of stress, because they may perceive it as fun or i don't know. Honestly, I've never been on the road THAT long, in order to start thinking of different methods of making the time pass easier.

Of course, there are those people who think that the creative process needs stimulus from various substances totally untrue - a creative person doesn't need artificial stimulus in order to come up with brilliant things - maybe I'm wrong, but this is how I see it. And foremost, creative people usually take care not to promote bad things through their music even if some of them have done mistakes in their youth.

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[Marek Rojewski]

I disagree Kris, fans have/should have their own brains. Rock and roll is closely associated with sex, yet I never heard that fans of certain bands are more willing to have "illegal lovers". If someone is stupid enough not to use his own brain, than I cherish that Darwin Laws are still, at least sometimes working.

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[Kristofer Dahl]

I disagree Kris, fans have/should have their own brains. Rock and roll is closely associated with sex, yet I never heard that fans of certain bands are more willing to have "illegal lovers". If someone is stupid enough not to use his own brain, than I cherish that Darwin Laws are still, at least sometimes working.

Yes that's what I tell my daughter when she plays with a knife...NOT! (Borat warning)

The older I grow the more I realize we're all just kids trying to give the impression of some maturity. If an influential band can affect their fans positively and choose not to, they won't get my vote!

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[Ben Higgins]

If an influential band can affect their fans positively and choose not to, they won't get my vote!

Yeah I think that's the issue.. I think we're all agreed that bands aren't responsible for fans doing stupid things.. I think we all disagree with that 80's PMRC campaign against rock bands etc.. it goes without saying. But just be mindful of what you are putting out there, don't do it with an ignorant and irresponsible heart.

You guys are absolutely going to hate me for saying this but, out of all the rock bands that we have and that have been around for ages.. it took Lady Gaga to say the words that I was trying to describe.. ironic eh ?

'If you're in a position of responsibilty then you have a moral obligation to try and make the world a better place.'

This is not a debate about Lady Gaga either so let's not even go there But she pretty much summed up what I believe.. I don't mean we all have to sing about flowers and rabbits etc, but if you have a platform in this world to air your art then don't waste it. A lot of people out there would give anything to be in that position, so the least you can do is use it to try and improve people's lives by inspiring them and being an example to believe in.

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