Home > Blogs > Battle of the Band > Archives > 2008 > October > 13 > Entry
Does Breeders endorsement help or hurt Obama?
On Thursday, October 16th, the Breeders will be playing a free concert at Fountain Square in Cincinnati in support of Barack Obama’s campaign for President.
The event is called ‘Vote Early, Rock Late’ and will also feature a performance by New York- based indie-rockers the National.
The Breeders, who earlier this year released a new record titled Mountain Battles, will attempt to help sure up votes for the Democratic Presidential candidate in Ohio.
The question is does the support of this Dayton-born alt-rock band really help Obama?
Those of us old enough to really remember the glory days of the Breeders have seen many elections come and go.
We remember John Norris on MTV doing ‘Rock the Vote’ in the 90’s.
That was about the time the Breeders were playing Lollapalooza and Kelley Deal was getting arrested for possession of heroin.
We, in our thirties, most likely have already decided whether or not to exercise our right to vote. We do not need to be convinced.
And, I doubt many 18-year-old kids even know who the Breeders are.
Then again, I concede.
If just one Breeder-head takes the time to vote that otherwise would not have, then the Breeders involvement is justified.
However, the current political climate is dominated by the assumption that all are guilty by association.
Thus, Obama’s affiliation with ex-junkie and alcoholic rock stars might not be in his best interest.
I can see the McCain ads now. ‘Who is Barack Obama? Consider that he used to party with Kim and Kelley Deal in the 90’s.’
I write this as a fan of the Breeders. I own most of their albums (not Kelley 3000, obviously) and I believe the Deal sisters are extremely talented and relevent to modern rock music. I even think that their role and influence in alt and indie rock music is under-rated.
I guess, I just really hate it when rock stars get political.
Please click comments and tell me what you think.
Visit www.vote-ohio.net for more info about the show.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: Dayton Local Music
Comments
By Real Rock
October 30, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
Joe Perry for Aerosmith is supporting John McCain.By J.R. Locke
October 19, 2008 4:24 AM | Link to this
All music is political. Never heard a song that wasn’t.By bruce wayne
October 18, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
Who the hell cares who they endorse? And by the way who the hell are the Breeders? Why should anyone care what some insignificant band thinks, do people actually vote based on what stoned out bandie thinks?By Roxanne
October 18, 2008 4:29 AM | Link to this
Celebrity endorsements do not bother me nearly as much as celeb fragrances, clothing lines or record labels. Who insert famous name here is supporting does not influence my vote. Celebs after all are human beings too and are entitled to speak their minds as much as I, or anyone else is.By Toad
October 16, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
Its a good thing its free….. lol just kidding. I guess this is a good thing. But instead of that… go to J Alan’s on October 31st…There gonna be all kinds of fun, a rally for a good time if you will. www.myspace.com/blaxeedBy swohio75
October 13, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this
I LOVE The Breeders. But they should stick to what they do best—playing music—and stay out of politics. As much as I love them and have seen them in concert, I would not go to this one.