[skinslapper]

Howdy Y'all,

Cannibal Corpse (oh, you know where this is going) have just booked a tour of Australia and the first I heard about it was the "morality" groups trying to bann them.

Just curious as to your thoughts on the subject of should acts be alound to be banned.

I am not a Cannibal Corpse fan. I do however know that their songwriting is done largely in jest and they don't take their art particularily seriously.

The main stir here in Perth is due to an eight year old girl being recently raped and murdered in a shopping center nearby. An act I cannot oppose stongly enough. The band supposedly have a song called "Necropeadophile" which depicts the killing and raping of a young girl and so the debate begins.

I feel very strongly about freedom of speech. I also don't blame a communtiy for perhaps needing more time to grieve (though the show is not until November). Recent studies over here have shown that children are more affected by images on the news than depicted in songs or video games as they distinguish between reality and the artificial very early.

I could ramble on about this all day but I'm interested what a cross section of the arts community thinks on the subject.

[DrummerMom]

I don't think so. I just think that you should no ahead of time (like before a concert) that there may be some offensive stuff. If you don't like it don't go.

	Ahead Drumsticks Shop for Ahead Drumsticks at Musician's Friend

[michaelpops]

I respect the groups for trying to ban the band.They beleive that bad things may come to pass if they come. A bad influence maybe? I've listened to Cannible Corpse songs, and yes they are quite gory and violent, but that's what they chose to write and I respect them too for trying to have a dfferent career.
I beleive that they should be allowed to tour in Australia if they want to. If they aren't allowed to tour there that's like saying, you're black you can't come in this restaurant. It's absolute nonsense. Cannible Corpse doesn't murder, deal drugs or do anything illegal, they sing and play instruments. Is that against the law? If you oppose to their music/actions, like DrummerMom said: "If you dont like it don't go."

[gyutae]

I agree with the previous posts. I also believe strongly in freedom of speech and although it's very unfortunate that some of the rape and murder events occured, they can't be connected with the music people play. You can't blame musicians for some of the evil things that occur. Of course, some of the music kids listen do can influence them in certain ways but I think that they listen to these types of music or certain types of music appeal to them in the first place because there is something twisted or disturbed going on in their heads. It's up to parents to control these things and I don't think it's necessary or even fair to ban bands because of some the crimes that happen.

I think Linkin Park was under the same sort of debate because the kids that shot up Columbine High School were fans.

[Davenhurst]

I can't answer the poll because if you accept that a band is offensive then that could be for so many different reasons. I know what you mean, but there's a whole world of debate wrapped up in this one.

The music I find most offensive is bad music. But what I call bad music is someone else's "our song" or treasured discovery.

I've got so many points I want to make that my head's really swimming. I'm just going to freestyle, I hope it all hangs together......

Cannibal Corpse have a song that depicts the rape and murder of a young girl. This clearly struck a chord given recent tragic events in Perth. I'm not familiar with the song, but to what extent is the rape and murder "depicted"? If a band was to write a song with the lyrics "we truly believe that rape and murder are good things and we actively encourage you to try it out as soon as you leave the show" then there's a clear case for not being too chuffed if they turn up in your home town, or if they put out any records at all. But even then you can play the "freedom of speech" card. It's tricky.

There's a song by David Pajo called "Last Caress" (it's actually a cover of a Misfits track) which is beautiful. It's a beautiful song but contains lyrics covering (in loose terms) the same material. David Pajo has played in Australia and all over the world many times with, as far as I know, no trouble from any "morality" groups. I'm sure there are many many artists covering the same ground. Cannibal Corpse are well known, and their name is designed to portray an image. It seems to me that when such an image is portrayed it's easy to point the finger because you can back it up with the "and besides, just look at them!" argument. I'm sure Marilyn Manson would agree. This shows prejudice and opens up its own debate.

I think there's a question of scale here, the larger band dealing with a touchy issue will attract more attention because their profile is higher. Reaching thousands of people in whatever way (fans, critics, parents, "morality" groups) will also reach a divide in opinion, and that divide will be huge. I dread to think of the amount of people opposing this band's tour who haven't even heard the offending song! Any frenzy like this attracts people like a bunch of animals feeding attracts other animals. Many will take sides without consideration, they'll hear "song about the murder of a child" and be instantly against it. Shame. I also think a lot of people will hear "being censored for song about the murder of a child" and be on the band's side. Well, that may still be a shame, depending on the motivation behind the loyalty.

A smaller band will reach less people. Think of a local band just starting out. Their fans will most likely be friends and friends of friends. As that band takes on more fans they'll grow, obviously, and chances are that they'll still be reaching friends of friend of friends, or in other words: relatively like-minded people. Do you think that's a fair comment? So if that band suddenly writes a song about rape and murder, chances are their fanbase will understand or at least appreciate the band's approach. There will be discussion, I'm sure, but among friends discussion is often civilised and two-sided. So zip forward and the band has become huge, their songs are reaching people around the world and the track depicting rape and murder is in their live set. At this stage, you're not dealing with just a fanbase any more. You're dealing with parents of fans, concerned citizens and reactionaries. This is where you have to deal with people who won't listen to common sense, even if that just means having a shred of debate about an issue. What bothers me is the instant dismissal of something and the assumption of higher moral ground without debate. I'm sure we all know people like it.

Man, there's more to come but my head hurts. I'd better read all that to make sure it makes sense, and that I actually agree with it.

I think, in summary: no.

[ninikins]

I really don't think it should be banned. It's ridiculous! Banning such things wouldn't make them "go away" and, if a person can be that affected by seeing a band's show then they're more than likely mentally unstable to begin with.

[Davenhurst]

It's so easy to blame the high profile bands. I wonder how many murderers or rapists have read a Greek play? Lots of those are stuffed with murder, rape, incest........

[gyutae]

I agree. I think that the culture influences the music and the lyrics rather than the other way around.

[Davenhurst]

I think it works both ways. Example: The Sex Pistols were a reaction to culture. Culture reacted to The Sex Pistols. Discuss.

[Drummer1919]

I agree that bands should have freedom of speech, but I also agree with people that don't want certain bands to perform in their city, I mean say if you lived in a really bad neighborhood and a famous rapper, that wasn't clean, came to perform. You know that there would be a bunch of fights that would go on, and maybe the police wouldn't be able to handle it and then people that don't want to get involved get hurt and maybe small riots start. I mean thats a lot of maybes, and any concert can be like that. A lot of fights start at hard rock shows too, but around here all the violence is at the rap concerts and it can get pretty crazy.