Well, here's one band that can go collectively fuck themselves

[Albie]

I wonder why you guys have no problem with right wing stuff. Maybe it's because you tolerate that political direction itself?

It's not a case of being tolerant or even siding with it. For me it's about freedom of speech. Just because his views are extreme, I won't judge him on his artistic outlet.

As IronDuke once said a while back of some "white supremacy" poster here: "I don't agree with his point of view, but I will fight for his right to say it."

 

[Forostar]

The right to say something is still something else than enjoying it, not?

Maybe this discussion will be easier if we see if we talk about the same content:
Would you mention (an) example(s) of (a) band(s) with extreme views which you like?

What might be extreme for you, might not be for me, and vice versa?

 

[Albie]

The right to say something does not mean that everyone will like what you say, and does not mean that I enjoy it.

Well, extreme views are not always right wing (a lot of punk that I listen to have extreme left views). And not always political (I have occasionally listened to the odd Deicide track and was not deterred by their point of view). I have listened to Therion stuff before and enjoyed it and this will not sway me away from it. It's the music that counts.

I also share a similar view to portermoresby I'm neither right nor left and don't subscribe to extremities on either side. And I'm quite liberal to what anyone has to say. I won't always agree with them though.

 

[Forostar]

So if Blood Brothers would contain anti-semitical content, or if The Final Frontier would be against foreigners, it wouldn't make a difference, because only the music is important?

 

[Albie]

In a word, yes. They may not of ended up being my favourite band but I would still listen to it.

---

Actually, perhaps that does not sound right. Look, I like music and I do listen to lyrics. I do like the whole package. If the music is good and the lyrics are well written (despite the content) it should be judged on the artisitc quality rather than a point of view you may not agree with.

 

[Mosh]

So if Blood Brothers would contain anti-semitical content, or if The Final Frontier would be against foreigners, it wouldn't make a difference, because only the music is important?

If Blood Brothers was anti-semitical I think I might still like it. It takes a while (or a commentary read) for me to understand what the lyrics mean. The music comes first for me (it's music) I havn't really encountered anything that extreme so I'm not sure how I would take it. The only thing I could relate to is bands who write songs with anti-christian themes. I'm Christian but if I enjoy the music I'm not going to start hating the group because their beliefs are different. That being said, I wouldn't stop listening to iron maiden if they came on TV and said they were Nazis. I would lose a lot of respect for them but it wouldn't change my opinion that they make great music. (the best as far as I'm concerned)

 

[Dr. Eddies Wingman]

I would have to distinguish between just enjoying the music, and having respect for the musician. I would probably not enjoy a Maiden song if the lyrics were replaced with hate-filled lyrics, and if they ever wrote such lyrics my respect for them would take a nosedive. Still, I enjoy a lot of music from people I don't respect so much as persons. Take for example Dave Mustaine. I think he is an idiot, I still love Rust in Peace. I can enjoy some punk music even though I think anarchism (a very common view among punkers) is a completely moronic view - and I can enjoy music made by people who are nationalists. As long as the lyrics aren't preaching the view of the artist in such a way that it feels like they are trying to force their view on me, I have no problem with it.

 

[bearfan]

With some bands I try to separate the lyrics I do not like from the music I like (megadeth and really any we should disarm no matter what the Soviets do songs come to mind).  Same with actors, I think Charlie Sheen is a world class asshole for example, but I can still watch Major League and enjoy his performace.