Bloc Party Singer Vs. Jack White

Bloc Party’s Kele Okereke has launched a stinging attack on Jack White’s apathetic political stance.

According to the NME, the Bloc Party frontman believes White should take an invested interest in foreign policy and not just ignore it because he’s an entertainer.

Okereke says that The Raconteurs, and The White Stripes singer, is only interested in, "Selling more records.”

The well-timed accusation comes on the day Bloc Party’s three night residency at the London Astoria gets underway (Jan 31st) and on the eve of the release of their second album, "A Weekend In The City," which hits shops on February 5th.

Thanks for the report to GIGWise.

Comments

[fronkpies]

Selling more records.

Yep, he's a musician. I hate this whole thing that if your in a band people expect you to get all political, it's a joke. Ask Kele Okereke to give you 3 reasons why he hates George bush and he will only be able to give you one, the war in Iraq, the reason for this is because he has jumped on the band wagon with all the other 14 year olds who know absolutely nothing about politics but say it anyway because they think it makes them sound intelligent. We already have enough idiot musicians who think the are big players in the politics world (bono) we don't need anymore.

Maybe he should concentrate more on his music than worrying about other peoples political stance.

[rokket2005]

fronkpies wrote:

Selling more records.

Yep, he's a musician. I hate this whole thing that if your in a band people expect you to get all political, it's a joke. Ask Kele Okereke to give you 3 reasons why he hates George bush and he will only be able to give you one, the war in Iraq, the reason for this is because he has jumped on the band wagon with all the other 14 year olds who know absolutely nothing about politics but say it anyway because they think it makes them sound intelligent. We already have enough idiot musicians who think the are big players in the politics world (bono) we don't need anymore.

Maybe he should concentrate more on his music than worrying about other peoples political stance.

i agree, pies,,,,but sadly, I don't think that focusing on their music would help Bloc Party to be any better of a "band."

i like the music but he should probrably shut up

[kooky_kaymo]

i agree with fronkpies and leaping badger. jack white is a much more respected and talented artist than this guy. plus, i dont care about his political stance...i care about the awesome music he makes. the music business is the MUSIC business, not politics.

[samerika]

He´s ok, and PS bush fan, e was part of the communist party before he started the band so.....

[Xeus]

awwwww bless him lil Kele. I love both bands long time

[Aidy Damage]

That's extremely stupid. These indie frontmen are all so stuck up their own arses. Who cares if Jack White isn't a politics guy? Some people don't like cheese, and you don't see indie halfwits slagging off more accomplished musicians because they don't like cheese.

[Crunchy Blues]

Well yes they are both musicians. There is no way that Kele can say that he doesnt enjoy bringing in money or else he wouldnt have signed with a big label to produce big bucks. I mean come on Bloc Party has been extremely successful over the years and they know it. Perhaps Jack White is bringing in more money now that he has two even more successful bands. In my opinion, which means absolutely nothing on this website, Jack White is a truly unique artist of our day and age and deserves the money he is recieving. There is hardly anyone out there now that could pull off a band of two people and sell as many records as the white stripes have sold.

Phew that feels better now *wipes forehead*

[imthehitcher]

all you fools above, theres more to being political than talking about george wubya or iraq, and thats what he means .

aswell as the fact hes gay and has put up with alot of racist and homophobic shit

also for every one, white stripes arent good! they are bland listen to bloc parties new songs they are ****in tunage

[fronkpies]

all you fools above, theres more to being political than talking about george wubya or iraq, and thats what he means

Oh please, he was talking about George bush, foreign policies? what do you think that means?

Tunage? haha

[dyingtolive8]

I'm getting pretty sick of all the Bush bashing and musicians trying to flood us with their stupid immature agendas. Jack White is a very good guitar player and singer so why would he need to talk about anything else.

Screw Abortion.

So the guy doesn't like politics?

So what?

Neither do I, so what?

[Admiral Petty]

White Stripes>Bloc Party. I kinda like both, but Bloc Party's softer songs are kinda boring, like what you would listen to when shopping for scarves and pretty hats. I personally, don't care what a musician's political stance is, I just want good music. And it's not any of his business anyhow.

[garden of grey]

fronkpies wrote:

Selling more records.




Yep, he's a musician. I hate this whole thing that if your in a band people expect you to get all political, it's a joke. Ask Kele Okereke to give you 3 reasons why he hates George bush and he will only be able to give you one, the war in Iraq, the reason for this is because he has jumped on the band wagon with all the other 14 year olds who know absolutely nothing about politics but say it anyway because they think it makes them sound intelligent. We already have enough idiot musicians who think the are big players in the politics world (bono) we don't need anymore.

Maybe he should concentrate more on his music than worrying about other peoples political stance.

+1
Like Bloc Party has any knowledge of politics, anyways.

[MaxN]

there is no reason why kele is not entitled to an opinion, and who are you to say that his is an uneducated one? if he is comfortable speaking out about his politics, you can be sure that he has at least some semblence of what he is talking about. Don't get all defensive because a musician who holds more clout than you do decides he feels like speaking up. And all he has to do is look on the front page once or twice a week to compile a multitude of reasons why he dislikes any major political figure. Welcome to america.

[Dakin]

aswell as the fact hes gay and has put up with alot of racist and homophobic shit

kele's gay? thats the first iv heard of it lol

[PopNFresh07]

Wait.

He just slagged someone off for ... not jumping on the antibush bandwagon?

WAIT.

...Music that isn't about politics is a BAD thing now?

This Kele guy and his shitty band can stop breathing my air now.

[TeenBite]

Fronkpies wins. You can't randomly pick a band to insult for not being political!

Bands that are political end up sounding stupid, as they recycle different ways to say "George Bush sucks because, y'know, war and all that" (eg. Anti-Flag).

[Crookedjon]

What a load of balls. There are loads of people who don't use their music as a soapbox for politics. Why single out Jack White?

if this is about jack white being fiercely involved with politics but keeping it secret in order to appeal to a bigger audience then there's a point here. if not, then i dont think comments like these are going to stir him into action anyway. music and politics often mix very well but not everyone does it.

[iggy pop]

who cares if jack white dosen't give a rats ass about politics, it is ratsher important but he stil makes kick ass songs about telephones and canaries and stuff

p.s i didn't know kele was gay

[7thhell]

Go home, Bloc Party.

[zepplinmike]

People don't become musicians because they are authorities on politics. They do because they have talent, although that doesn't explain the Bloc Party guy.

Ok, cheap shot, but seriously, criticizing someone for keeping their views to themselves is just ridiculous. Someone being a professional musician in no way makes their opinions more valid or educated than mine, and yet they enjoy the ability to reach far more people than I do. Maybe Jack White realizes this and sees that when people buy his records they are showing that they like his music and not electing him as a political spokesperson.

I'm fine with artists expressing their views through song if they want to, but if it's on a regular basis it gets kind of annoying. I mean, political views on right, left, and center all have reasoning and evidence behind them which chants, slogans and songs ignore. The simplisitic messages conveyed through songs with a political edge do not produce healthy debate (through which change could occur). They only end up either preaching to the choir or alienating half their audience (or simply being ignored altogether).

Yes, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but no one has to take their opinion seriously. Would you take a raving homeless person's opinion that "the end is near" and "you must repent now" under consideration? I'm willing to bet that many people who have posted here defending Kele merely agree with him and that if he had the opposite opinion, you would in no way want to hear it. Uh-oh, now I've revealed which side of the political aisle I lean towards, so you reading this have decided whether my opinion deserves to be heard or not. Should have kept it to myself, and I guess I shouldn't be a musician (/sarcasm).

[Drizzoul]

There's a possibility Jack does not want to share his political opinions or influence his listeners politically. Jack (probably) likes simple, catchy music, rather than provocative, political. It's a matter of taste.

[properBo]

zepplinmike wrote:

I'm willing to bet that many people who have posted here defending Kele merely agree with him and that if he had the opposite opinion, you would in no way want to hear it.

I agree with you on the rest of your post but isn't that the whole point? Theyre defending him because they have the same opinion.

[mattyp90]

I love Bloc Party so its obvious why I'm defending him, but I really like Kele and what he has to say most of the time. This article is worded in a way that makes him seem aggressive and that isn't really in character from what I know, he's not the dickhead some people are making out.

PS. If you haven't really or don't listen to Bloc Party, Racontuers or White Stripes then anything negative you have to say about them is utterly meaningless so F*** off. You're most likely "anti-indie/alternative rock" anyway, because you don't like the fans of that style.

[Pumpkins4Life]

Jack White is a musician and a damn good one, one of the best these days. He's not a politician, if he wanted to talk politics he would have gone into politics. Excuse him for not jumping on the bandwagon

[zepplinmike]

Let me clarify, I meant same political opinion, as in liberal, conservative, far-left, far-right, whatever. Meaning they would defend his opinion if he was a conservative, for example.

[zepplinmike]

Meant to say "wouldn't defend". Sorry for double-post.

[punkrockjoe]

Well maybe this is taken out of context but it's still funny. Isnt nearly every artist interested in selling more records? This is odd how he says this on the eve of their new release as so many other artists have done in the past but hye bloc party are still a good band.

[jaxtheaxe]

But why has he singled out Jack White? He could say in general i think people should take more of a stance on political views.

Instead he has said "Jack White is only concerned with selling more records".

He isnt the one bitching about a much more respected and high profiled musician in an attempt to get more exposure for he's band.

Bloc Party are rubish i for one would prefer it if the singer decided to take up a career in politics and dropped the band.

[Draken]

I'd say apathy is bad. But so is being that self righteous i like both bands a lot but this is just plain being bitchy for the sake of self promotion so that teens will listen to them thicking they're deep and all political and shit. Heck it worked for Green Day.

[acshadow25]

Go kele! bloc party are twice as good as anything jack white could come up with

[ConManWithGun]

Dakin wrote:

aswell as the fact hes gay and has put up with alot of racist and homophobic shit


kele's gay? thats the first iv heard of it lol

technically he came out as a bisexual, but didnt he say stuff about green day being political, now hes saying stuff about someone whose not political?, w/e Bloc Party are cool

[samerika]

garden of grey wrote:

fronkpies wrote:

Selling more records.




Yep, he's a musician. I hate this whole thing that if your in a band people expect you to get all political, it's a joke. Ask Kele Okereke to give you 3 reasons why he hates George bush and he will only be able to give you one, the war in Iraq, the reason for this is because he has jumped on the band wagon with all the other 14 year olds who know absolutely nothing about politics but say it anyway because they think it makes them sound intelligent. We already have enough idiot musicians who think the are big players in the politics world (bono) we don't need anymore.

Maybe he should concentrate more on his music than worrying about other peoples political stance.

+1
Like Bloc Party has any knowledge of politics, anyways.

Actually do you know why it is called block party ? cuz it is some sorta of communist club they were in.....and if you say that communists dont know anytthng about politics then **** you.

[Snakexe]

Bloc Party haven't achieved half of what Jack has achieved in his career. So the guy should shut the hell up. The only bands who take an interest in politics are punk bands, and wannabe punk bands (in general). Either you care about politics or you don't, you can't go around telling people they have to care for no apparent reason.

[Belsius]

so all communist now about politics WOW

Anyway i think this srticle needs a lot more of information, cause i bet what kele said its about something Jack White has said before. Just arguing about anything really

[tim311mahoney]

Agreed, communism is one of the best political methods known IN THEORY. There are always going to be slackers and money hungry people so communism will NEVER WORK. Politics in music is absolutley absurd. But hey, its what is selling right now. And why can't crappy bands just keep to themselves nowadays? I mean, bloc party, the raconteurs, and the white stripes? they're all minimalistic sounding bands, with very little talent and have no progression in their future. Lets just all agree that they're both pretty horrific and leave it at that.

[muzz666]

"Well-timed accusation" lmao

[Panny180]

An anti-communist?
Saying that communists know nothing about politics is a bit narrowminded and ignorant. It's a political view, but it doesn't really mean they're ignorant about politics.
Although, he is being a little bitch.

[stone_gossard]

Bloc Party gets owned by White Stripes

[Belsius]

saying that every comunist know about politics its ignorant. Theres stupid people everywhere, i comunist, fascist, yellow , blue whatever. Even thought i dont consider myself a comunist its what its closer to my way of thinking

[Cypher Bane]

Here are some Kele Quotes:

he has "no faith" in interviews since every interview of him that he has read has "distorted and manipulated" what he says. NME September 15 2005

"public feuding between bands is completely pointless." NME September 15 2005

"'Helicopter' isn't about Bush; it's a song about waking up and realising certain things. I hope what people got from that song wasn't a critique of American life. I got really worried when I started reading our message boards; there was an American who had read the lyrics of 'Helicopter' and had come to the conclusion that we were advocating that the European way is the ideal. But that wasn't it at all. Europeans have their own set of problems. I've personally been quite retarded by growing up in Europe; I have issues with things being messy and saying what I really feel." NME September 15 2005

[Dakin]

if kele read this page, he would be mortifyed

[Meths]

This is silly, someone in a band doesn't need to be political. If Jack White doesn't want to get involved in politics, that is all. There's no point in criticising him for it.

[i_am_metalhead]

fronkpies wrote:

Selling more records.

Yep, he's a musician. I hate this whole thing that if your in a band people expect you to get all political, it's a joke. Ask Kele Okereke to give you 3 reasons why he hates George bush and he will only be able to give you one, the war in Iraq, the reason for this is because he has jumped on the band wagon with all the other 14 year olds who know absolutely nothing about politics but say it anyway because they think it makes them sound intelligent. We already have enough idiot musicians who think the are big players in the politics world (bono) we don't need anymore.

Maybe he should concentrate more on his music than worrying about other peoples political stance.

Hell yea dude! God forbid a musician focus on selling albums - its not like making music is their job or anything!??

And the whole political aspect of music is completely ridiculous now. I mean more and more bands are becoming political just because its "the thing to do" - half of them dont know a thing about politics.

And Jack White is just a ****ing awesome person, so let him do what he wants!

[i_am_metalhead]

Oh and FYI. Communism is actually an economic term. It is a state of economy that is formed by a totalitarian government.

[sadSTATUE]

Music > Politics

'nuff said.

Kele Ochecke

[sadistic_monkey]

Ooh. Black vs White, who will win?

[AsylumJailBreak]

lol bloc party

im pretty sure like no one takes them serious, there only fans are like 13 year old girls

[HappyGilmore899]

Don't see how he can say this seeing as Jack's Last White Stripes release "Get Behind Me Satan" was (Arguably) his most "Abstract" work with Meg yet. "De Stijl", "White Blood Cells" and "Elephant" were actually generally pretty conventional Bluesy/Garage.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of both Bands but I don't see where Kele thinks Jack White has molded his White Stripes Releases into more commercially friendly/less abstract work. Listen to "Red Rain", "White Moon", "Instinct Blues" and show me where you think they are Commercially Friendly? If Jack truly wanted to ONLY (Notice I said ONLY, Music is his JOB so of course he needs sell records) sell Records, He would put 12 Radio-Friendly Tracks like Seven Nation Army, My Doorbell, Fell In Love With A Girl on their albums like so many other artists do.

[properBo]

samerika wrote:

Actually do you know why it is called block party ? cuz it is some sorta of communist club they were in.....and if you say that communists dont know anytthng about politics then **** you.

Ahem...
The band has said that the name was not intended to be an allusion to the Soviet Bloc or the Canadian political party Bloc Québécois; the absence of a 'k' is purely for aesthetics.

However, the band's bassist, Gordon Moakes, said on the group's official internet forum that it was more a merging of the eastern "blocs" and the western "parties", in the political sense. Moakes notes that the name was not driven by politics, but rather it "looked, sounded, seemed fine so we [the band] went with it."

[m1dnight]

Xeus wrote:

I love both bands long time

racontoures arent exactly old.....

[Chickenfrmheck]

...
lets establish a few things*
1)i have never heard of bloc party
2)It is missing the k at the end, which supports my theory that it is gay for busting on someone i like whilst i have never even heard of these people
3)ummm, i like the white stripes, which i suppose makes me slightly biased, but my point here is that if he only wanted to sell records, no one would probably like him TOO much, and my band, in its short history, has played one white stripes song and one raconteurs song, on its very short list of songs we can play, so h emust be well-known
4)i seem a bit popularity based in this case, and i suppose i am, because, well(read 5)
5)I do not want someone that I have never heard of busting on someone i like.

FINE PRINT
*i am not liable for any fraudulent charges or otherwise, and i have not heard bloc party, so my opinions have no factual basis and would not matter even if they did

[cpasixstring87]

I'm pretty sure whatever comment was made by bloc party was not as malicious as everyone is making it out to be. But its true, if you don't want politics in music, don't... no one has the right to tell you otherwise. For me, I'd rather keep politics out of music. But hey, Whatevs.

[TeenBite]

m1dnight wrote:

Xeus wrote:

I love both bands long time


racontoures arent exactly old.....

Err... I think there's a band called the White Stripes that also includes Jack White... You are possibly the dumbest person I have yet met on Ultimate Guitar. Well done.

[Oasisy Bob]

I reckon this has been taken completely out of context and exaggerated, there's only one small quote from Kele, and it's not too outrageous...

It's hardly a "Stinging attack" as the writer says.

[silense]

rokket2005 wrote:

fronkpies wrote:

help Bloc Party to be any better of a "band."

Of all the words to highlight in inverted commas, why the word 'band'? Whether they're good or not, they're still by deffinition a band. But I digress.

[No Seatbelt]

This is f*cking stupid. Jack doesn't need to get political. Whatshisface doesn't need to get sh*tty. If only people would mind their own.

[adslam3]

i can totally understand that a lot of people are interested in politics and some people are really serious about it, like the bloc party singer. i don't really think it's a good idea to talk crap about someone that doesn't care about politics...politics aren't for everyone. bloc party does like to be political and all and white stripes/raconteurs don't. i think everyone is entitled to their opinions, ideas, and standpoints but you definitely shouldn't call anyone out on it. i like both band's music still though.

[lancelot121]

Leave the politics to Hewson and geldof

[RHCPfan01]

fronkpies wrote:

Selling more records.

Yep, he's a musician. I hate this whole thing that if your in a band people expect you to get all political, it's a joke. Ask Kele Okereke to give you 3 reasons why he hates George bush and he will only be able to give you one, the war in Iraq, the reason for this is because he has jumped on the band wagon with all the other 14 year olds who know absolutely nothing about politics but say it anyway because they think it makes them sound intelligent. We already have enough idiot musicians who think the are big players in the politics world (bono) we don't need anymore.
i can give you about 15 reasons off of the top of my head as to why bush sucks, but either way, accusing an artist on an indie label (im not sure if the raconteurs are but knowing jack white, they probably are)of trying to sell more records is ridiculous
them mofos is just jealous of jack white

Maybe he should concentrate more on his music than worrying about other peoples political stance.

[Caustic]

Kele Kareoke can probably shut up. Why? Because nobody is in a position to tell anyone how and in what way they shoukld exercise their political ideals.

Annoying, because I like both Bloc Party and the Stripes. But this Kele guy is sure making an ass of himself. Sounds like he's just stinging from having to cancel that entire tour.

["Tele" Steve]

I respect political rockers but those who decide to stay away from it shouldn't be looked down on either.

[darth awsome]

if some one wants to talk about politics dont be a musician. be a politician that way you can acctually make a difference.

[NaivexLi]

"Tele" Steve wrote:

I respect political rockers but those who decide to stay away from it shouldn't be looked down on either.

Thank you, damnit you took the words right from my mouth though.

Fine, if you're a political band and really care, then that's awesome and I admire that you care so much.

...if you're just an entertainer and nothing more then I congratulate you for just doing what you do best.

[sk8er0722]

bloc party sucks

[m1dnight]

TeenBite wrote:

m1dnight wrote:

Xeus wrote:

I love both bands long time


racontoures arent exactly old.....


Err... I think there's a band called the White Stripes that also includes Jack White... You are possibly the dumbest person I have yet met on Ultimate Guitar. Well done.

im not a dick, i know but the topic specified the racountours so i was saying that they are a new band.

[wingedgopher]

Politics are inportant but I wouldn't bash the guy. There's probably more to the story.

[Sairy Fairy]

He was probably caught out by a sneaky reporter at a drunken party or something, that's what it sounds like to me.

There's my two pennies

And he's not gay he's Bisexual, according to the Wik'

[jahyarain]

all you cheneylickers (if you think dumbya is in control of anything, you're too dumb to read this anyway) must REALLY hate ratm, rhcp, tool, pearl jam, soundgarden, metallica, megadeth, jimi hendrix, the doors, lamb of god, suicidal tendencies, and, of course, black sabbath. politics have been a part of music since its conception. deal with it. that being said, bitching at someone else for NOT writing political songs or making a politcal stance is pretty ****ing stupid.

[jahyarain]

inception may work better for some, but either could be used in this instance.

[sum41freak8733]

I know I may sound like an ass and stupid but I really dont give a **** about politics in music I like music because its music I mean does IT REALLY MATTER that much to where you have to bitch at other bands, there not in jack whites lyrics so what , he makes kick ass music anyway I mean come on The Raconteurs and The white stripes vs. bloc party its a joke bloc party should be working on there songs they need work

[gwitersnamps]

Personally, I think that politics and music are inseperable. But Jack White doesn't, and that's his artistic opinion. NOBODY should question somebody else on something like that. If this Okereke guy is into politics, I salute him, but he should stay out of other people's creativity.

And for the record, the headline says a lot.

Bloc Party Singer Vs. Jack White

Guess who's more well known?

[Hanzi_G]

I don't give 2 shits about what Kele says, all I know is that he's an amazing musician.

[ollerom_mot]

I think the article is to blame for a lot of the slamming that Okereke is getting from users on here. Look how vague it is! Foreign policy could mean anything! And furthermore, it makes it sound like he just made this comment just for the pure reason of attacking Jack White. I imagined this was said in passing in an interview. If the whole interview was on here, no one would make a big deal out of what he said because it appears he didn't have much to say on it really. I don't agree with him, but try and look at it from a more open-minded, intelligent perspective. Ultimate Guitar has made a big deal out of a minor statement, if you ask me.

[KenBOH]

bloc party are, without doubt, the worst band of all time.

[ollerom_mot]

KenBOH :
bloc party are, without doubt, the worst band of all time.
POSTED: 01/31/2007 - 06:49 pm

Did you see the NHL All-Star game?
I think The Wreckers are the worst band of all time, man those girls are BAD.

[musicmydrug16]

imthehitcher wrote:

all you fools above, theres more to being political than talking about george wubya or iraq, and thats what he means .

aswell as the fact hes gay and has put up with alot of racist and homophobic shit

also for every one, white stripes arent good! they are bland listen to bloc parties new songs they are ****in tunage

george wubya lol

[woodfromnorway]

i agree with ollerom_mot.
hey UG, i greatly appreciate the awesome tablature service and this music news too, but don't be like Access Hollywood or Extra! and try to make this innocent story juicy.

[woodfromnorway]

about UG making this a headline story.
i'll just take your word about the wreckers. lol.

[xmrchainsawx]

imthehitcher wrote:
aswell as the fact hes gay and has put up with alot of racist and homophobic shit

also for every one, white stripes arent good! they are bland listen to bloc parties new songs they are ****in tunage

We arent fans of Tuna here at UG, we like Rock, and Jack brings the rock.

checked

[sufjan_godly]

tunage?

weird


anyways, so much respect lost for bloc party.

what in god's name would make him say "hmmmmm, you know what. I don't think there are enough political musicians out there" thank god jack white isn't overly political. it's hard to find bands without some huge anti bush statement.

pretty ballsy, though. indie band with barely two cd's taking on the multi grammy award winning guitarist.

oh and to whoever said it, getting crap because he's gay sucks. doesn't mean he gets to walk around talking shit though

[ratmblink123]

TeenBite wrote:

m1dnight wrote:

Xeus wrote:

I love both bands long time


racontoures arent exactly old.....

Err... I think there's a band called the White Stripes that also includes Jack White... You are possibly the dumbest person I have yet met on Ultimate Guitar. Well done.

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Calm down dude.

[WhereArtEsteban]

I love me some Bloc Pary, but really who the fresh hell is he to say this?!

[Yertle]

I personally view it as an aspect of maturity that a person takes an active interest in the affairs of their world. While this seemed a little random (perhaps out of context) and uncalled for, there is absolutely no reason to trash a band for being political.

Oh, they don't like bush! Must be posers!

Shut up. You know nothing about this guy's thoughts about politics.

Bloc Party is 50% of a great band. Jack White is a good musician, but I think being apathetic about political issues is somewhat irresponsible and self centered. I wouldn't call him out for it though.

Anyway, in general, people should shut up about the whole "political bands suck they are on bandwagons" thing. Nobody is trashing any older groups with political opinions here - whats the difference?

You're all on a bandwagon.

[F-ing Hostile]

fronkpies wrote:

Selling more records.


Yep, he's a musician. I hate this whole thing that if your in a band people expect you to get all political, it's a joke. Ask Kele Okereke to give you 3 reasons why he hates George bush and he will only be able to give you one, the war in Iraq, the reason for this is because he has jumped on the band wagon with all the other 14 year olds who know absolutely nothing about politics but say it anyway because they think it makes them sound intelligent. We already have enough idiot musicians who think the are big players in the politics world (bono) we don't need anymore.

Maybe he should concentrate more on his music than worrying about other peoples political stance.

Word UP

[payton318]

i love both these bands and people alot. why cant everyone just get along

[InSaynePig]

Aidy Damage wrote:

That's extremely stupid. These indie frontmen are all so stuck up their own arses. Who cares if Jack White isn't a politics guy? Some people don't like cheese, and you don't see indie halfwits slagging off more accomplished musicians because they don't like cheese.

yeah, that's my job.

[jimicrakcrn]

Ok this is what really pisses me off about these articles. Not the comments of the actual articles themselves... but the ignorance in the comments that follow.

Who are you to bash the music of someones band? These people have more integrity then you will ever have. This is their life... this is their passion... this is their dream. What gives you the right to come on here acting like if the band doesnt please you... then the band sucks. No, the band does NOT suck.. you do NOT like the band. There is a difference.

As for the article. If Jack White doesnt want to put politics in his music... then Jack White does not have to. Bloc Party will "probably" fade away completely after this. There are things you just dont do... you dont publically call out someone because they dont express their political oppinions in the music they make. Nobody can say that it is bad that Jack White likes to sell records... he makes music... he's not allowed to like selling records? You're being ignorant... if I was in a band with the recognition that The White Stripes has... I'd want to sell records. I'd want my parents to never have to worry about money... my kids to be set for college... my wife to be able to buy the things she wants. I wouldnt put politics in my music... because politics is not for everyone... if you want to escape into your headphones... and just relax... do you really want someones political oppinion resounding in your ears? I wouldnt.. but thats just me. I dont like politics in my music... but that doesnt mean the music sucks. I like RATM... I dont agree with them sometimes... but I like them. You dont have to agree or enjoy the music a band puts out... but that doesnt give you the right to say it sucks... thats just childish.

[supersonic23]

Politics & Music
Its A Vicious Circle

[MX4Life]

This Kele guy must be a dick, insulting Jack White, of the White Stripes. That's like calling Anothony Kiedis a dick because not all his songs are about Vermont.

[eltonjohn69]

its selling records is not the point of being an entertainer what is?

[eltonjohn69]

if*

[tomisamonkeyman]

Jack White is one of the only real rockers that you see these days everything else is crap.

[misirlou]

it's true that you shouldn't shy away from important issues just because you're an entertainer. however, you also shouldn't feel obligated to incorporate them into your art if you don't want to. your art is your art.

[blinnk16]

PopNFresh07 wrote:

Wait.

He just slagged someone off for ... not jumping on the antibush bandwagon?

WAIT.

...Music that isn't about politics is a BAD thing now?

This Kele guy and his shitty band can stop breathing my air now.

Check and mate!

[hyootah]

who even cares?

just enjoy the artists music
thats what its there for

[blinnk16]

Plus, it even mentions "this well-timed statement" is really close to their next album release. *cough* Hypocrit.

[blinnk16]

I like RATM and Rise Against, I don't mind their political views. Even if they said "**** politics" tomorrow and rise against put out another punk album singing about other things rather than Politics... I'd still buy the album. Politics is not about music, Music is not about politics. If you like to write about politics, so be it... but if you don't, then that's fine. So basically I think Kele is a dick.

[HarmlessMarvin]

Listen to "The Nurse" on Get Behind Me Satan. If you can't pick up on any social/political commentary in that song give up. Also you might notice how radio friendly it isn't.

Listen to The Flaming Lips cover of Seven Nation Army, which they've played with The White Stripes, it doesn't get much more political than that. I doubt they'd play with them and allow them to release the song if the didn't agree with the very political stance the song takes.

Even if the comments are taken out of context, which given the timing and inflammatory nature I doubt they are, it's just dead wrong on all counts.

[n0selfesteem]

He's got a point, I mean, I can't even think of any successful artists that DON'T try to infect unsuspecting listeners with their own politics.

[Velvet Zeppelin]

fronkpies wrote:
he has jumped on the band wagon with all the other 14 year olds who know absolutely nothing about politics but say it anyway because they think it makes them sound intelligent.

Bono's not too bad though, neither is Thom Yorke. I don't mind that entertainers get politically active. And HarmlessMarvin, I definitely didn't pick up any very political stance on Seven Nation Army. I know that that's what Jack White used to call the Salvation Army when he was younger.

Kele Okereke is just a condescending jerk. No celebrity has any right to demand that other celebrities be political. That's stupid.

[prsrobster]

eltonjohn69 wrote:

its selling records is not the point of being an entertainer what is?

For alot of people it is for example Nickleback. I read in an interview thats what they do their thing for. Now for me personally and a few other (Example: Dimebag, Randy Rhoads~He actually wanted to leave ozzy to study classical music) its about the expression, and the feeling of pure euphoria it brings you, and the sales are just a reward for how well you can do it. Set your sets high, and apply yourself, and you will be remembered!

[billy talent#1]

did the big 3 killed my baby have political lyrics in it?

[Feel bad inc.]

I lol'd at the fact they decide to try get into the news just before there album release it seems to be becoming a trend for bands nowdays... But seriously just because someone doesnt sing political doesnt mean shit. Maybe he just doesnt feel the need to voice his opinions (especialy if they are anti bush or american theres enough bands doing that now.) Its funny how he said whites just trying to sell more records... Isnt that what most artists goal is, and by him doing this a week before their next album isnt that just what his doin?

[drummerdude92]

The well-timed accusation comes on the day Bloc Party’s three night residency at the London Astoria gets underway (Jan 31st) and on the eve of the release of their second album, "A Weekend In The City," which hits shops on February 5th.

That just gives the fact its a publicity stunt

[istegal]

yeah i think kele was put in the shit. i bet anyone 50 bucks that quote was taken out of context

[GLP_Arclite]

drummerdude92 wrote:

The well-timed accusation comes on the day Bloc Party’s three night residency at the London Astoria gets underway (Jan 31st) and on the eve of the release of their second album, "A Weekend In The City," which hits shops on February 5th.

That just gives the fact its a publicity stunt

ha, whos trying to sell more records now lol

[/\/ / ( /<]

fronkpies wrote:

Selling more records.


Yep, he's a musician. I hate this whole thing that if your in a band people expect you to get all political, it's a joke. Ask Kele Okereke to give you 3 reasons why he hates George bush and he will only be able to give you one, the war in Iraq, the reason for this is because he has jumped on the band wagon with all the other 14 year olds who know absolutely nothing about politics but say it anyway because they think it makes them sound intelligent. We already have enough idiot musicians who think the are big players in the politics world (bono) we don't need anymore.

Maybe he should concentrate more on his music than worrying about other peoples political stance.

i know exactly what u mean about political bandwagon 14 yr olds but theres nothing wrong with artists playing charity gigs or spreading awareness lyk in hindsight its exploiting ur music for its fame and **** how annoying did bono get with the whole make poverty history but i think if ur either doing somthing good i.e. some charity gig or educating rather then just saying o be against this cos we are its alright lyk seriously who the **** knows whats happening anymore the news is one sided politicians twist words or either dont say anything still regardless though bush is a dickhead on so many other levels other then the war its not lyk we needed musicians to tell us that

[Hops44]

If the music is good, why should it matter whether there is a political message or not?

[timelessrock21]

"well-timed accusation"

hahaha. nice marketing ploy, Kele.

misirlou wrote:

it's true that you shouldn't shy away from important issues just because you're an entertainer. however, you also shouldn't feel obligated to incorporate them into your art if you don't want to. your art is your art.

one of the most intelligent things anyone has written on here.

[Wolfhound]

No one complains that polititians don't write release albums, so why should we care if musicians don't talk about politics?

[sweet_leaf_777]

I wonder how much Kele really cares about Jack White's political stance? You'd think with the anticipation for the release of Bloc Party's new album he'd have more pressing issues on his mind, like, I dunno, publicizing it's release...

I can’t help but think that he could have thought up a more interesting way to get publicity, my guess is this was supposed to sound controversial and put across the image of him as being quite the political activist. In practice however it is more of a half-arsed attempt at slating a bigger artist so you will get more news coverage than you deserve.

At least they didn’t spend thousands and thousands of pounds on their new video, that may have compromised their socialist beliefs…

Okay enough sarcasm, but I just can’t forgive him for saying he was ‘glad to be back in the UK’ at Oxegen 05.

[ShaDoW0lf]

So if you wanna be a good musician
You gotta be a politician
'cause otherwise you need permission?

This isn't gang warfare. We don't need to say what side we're on to everyone we talk to, or shout it out to the public. In fact, I firmly believe that unless the musician has something new and interesting to say about politics (Rise Against) they should stay out of it. And maybe people should stop spending their lives away listening to other people's opinions and get on with their lives. Some random rich musician's opinion on Iraq has nothing to do with you. Do your own research, and get your own opinion.

As pop'nfresh said, that retard can stop breathing my air. I'll give you your own air tank.. filled with mustard gas.

[Nerdo-sez-bo]

Haha

[SuperBlob]

I read an article on him in the Observer Music Monthly magazine, and he really didn't seem like this sort of bloke. This really does seem like a remark that was taken out of context. Also, I'd just like to ask why people are twisting his "statement" (notice the general lack of quotations in the article) to mean "YOU DON'T SAY THAT YOU HATE BUSH! DO IT NOW", America isn't the centre of the world you know. Perhaps that's what he meant, that Jack White doesn't pay attention to many other countries? Meh, I dunno, but I'm pretty damn sure that the NME twisted what he said or something.

[Guitar_Dude777]

nooo not my 2 fav. frontmen!

[TheEndHasNoEnd]

This quote in taken from the Wikipedia article on Kele(Bloc Party lead singer):

In it(an interview)he implied that the media placed deliberate emphasis on conflicts between bands and did not want to be drawn into such publicity, saying that "public feuding between bands is completely pointless."


Someone's a hypocrite lol. This does seem out of character for him, it's totally uncalled for. I've lost a lot of respect for him although I still love their music.

[emo_punk_guitar]

i think that kele should be able to voice his opinions, and i agree with him not about his exact statement against jack white i do believe that there are very many ignorant people and out there that just dont know the facts.

[LoveIsHell]

I love The White Stripes but hate his new band...C'mon Jack dump ur band of useless musicians and team up with Meg!

[Paul Lambeth]

Crunchy Blues wrote:

Well yes they are both musicians. There is no way that Kele can say that he doesnt enjoy bringing in money or else he wouldnt have signed with a big label to produce big bucks. I mean come on Bloc Party has been extremely successful over the years and they know it. Perhaps Jack White is bringing in more money now that he has two even more successful bands. In my opinion, which means absolutely nothing on this website, Jack White is a truly unique artist of our day and age and deserves the money he is recieving. There is hardly anyone out there now that could pull off a band of two people and sell as many records as the white stripes have sold.

Phew that feels better now *wipes forehead*

You can tell by the choice of clothing on videos, by the home videos that they make, that money hasn't gone to their heads. The sole reason for making music for Bloc Party is the musical aspect, and the political lyrics are a huge part of Kele's lyrical writing. If I see a guy who says "who the hell cares about gays" or something, I'd have a rant about that. Who wouldn't? Except homophobes.

Jack white seems more interested in making music for money, is what he means by that.

[Paul Lambeth]

TheEndHasNoEnd wrote:

This quote in taken from the Wikipedia article on Kele(Bloc Party lead singer):

In it(an interview)he implied that the media placed deliberate emphasis on conflicts between bands and did not want to be drawn into such publicity, saying that "public feuding between bands is completely pointless."


Someone's a hypocrite lol. This does seem out of character for him, it's totally uncalled for. I've lost a lot of respect for him although I still love their music.

What do you mean out of character? He didn't ever want to be a gay black indie icon, but because his passion's also in politics and he likes to speak out about THAT the extra stuff's come rolling in.

[cbrockel]

I love Bloc Party, but this is a joke...if someone's political views (or lack thereof) differ from yours, leave it be. Kele has no right to attack Jack White for his indifferent stance on issues. He's just trying to grab press now.