Getting out the alienated vote Punk rockers' attempts to pitch elections to peers is no easy sell

The San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 2/24/04 | Joe Garofoli

[mylife]

The backlash is hitting San Francisco punk rocker Mike Burkett, better known in punk circles as Fat Mike. His perceived sin: launching a national effort to get punk rockers to vote.

In Fat Mike's world, you're a sellout if you've got a big record contract, let alone talk up mainstream politics. Which explains the reaction the 37- year-old head of the San Francisco punk label Fat Wreck Chords has received for starting Punkvoter.com last fall and spending $100,000 on the effort.

[mylife]

Oh No!! With these guys against us we're Doomed! Doomed I tells ya! /sarcasm

[BobS]

I'm a Pubbie and know how to drag this bunch in! Just play the Anti-Nowhere League - Live in Yugoslavia CD!

Let's Break the Law:

"I'm goin' out on the streets and I'm feelin' high
And that you wanna fight me and I don't know why

"Yeah I wanna get dirty on company time
And yet you turn on me and all I see is bloood!

"Well, let's break the law here tonight! FU-- TONIGHT!
TONIGHT! They wanna lock me up and through away my key"

"I'm out with my lads and I'm feeling mean
Well we ain't that good and we ain't that clean
We Don't really care if you're black or white
But we'll do it NOW until it's light

"Well let's break the law here tonight! FU-- TONIGHT!

This is the tune that destroyed Yugoslavia- really! I don't think these punks know what real punk is like. Just put the CD on and register them as Republicans:):) The Harley GOP folks will take them under their wing!

[rogue yam]

This yutz Burkett is also in another band called "Me First & the Gimme Gimmes." The night before the mayoral run-off last November in S.F. they headlined a benefit for Matt Gonzalez, the ultimately unsuccessful "Green" candidate. In the middle of their set the Gimmes paused and invited Gonzalez to the stage whereupon he proceeded to praise The Communist Manifesto to the enthusiastic approval of Burkett and many of those attending. It was one of those rare moments when San Franciscans actually exceed their reputation for idiocy.

Great show, though.

[Cogadh na Sith]

The new efforts are diving into clubs where the shows don't start until 11 p.m., and the fans are an independent lot that doesn't swallow what MTV or the "corporate media" tries to feed them.

Oh, wow! So they are conservatives?! Freepers even!?

An artist's word is among the strongest endorsements in the indie music world. Which is why in April, Punkvoter will release a "Rock Against Bush, Vol. I" punk compilation album and sponsor a tour of college campuses.

Huh!? Just like the corporate media and MTV feeds them?

Sellouts.

[madprof98]

"You try to find whatever appeals to (young voters) -- like music -- and use that to go after them," said Dan Glickman, director of Harvard University's Institute of Politics.

Drugs would work too. Or bread and circuses.

[jktulsaok]

Thanks for that link, as a veteran of th U.S punk scene I didn't think ANY of those people had a conservative streak in any of them

[xp38]

Despite punk music's origins as the voice of working-class England

Punk rock began in America not England. 70s English punk rockers took their cue from a number of seminal US bands.

[Republican Red]

Drudge...

RETAILER MARKETS 'VOTING NOT COOL' T-SHIRTS; URBAN OUTFITTERS AT CENTER OF GROWING CONTROVERSY OVER NEW APPAREL...



Good. Maybe some of these youthful idiots will go hangout at the local mall instead of voting for their liberal candidates.