stein@druny.UUCP (SteinDW) (04/05/85)
Cliff Matthews says... > Hmmm... the Dead are also one of the few bands that started in the 60's that > were decidedly (as a band at least) non-political. Perhaps that is one of > the reasons they lasted so long. I don't think the deadhead subculture is > much of a defense against the fascists. The drug underground much more > extensive and tenacious; what would happen in a fascist overthrow after Jerry > and and friends have been killed? There would be a few holdouts, but in > general the dead scene (because it is a live scene) would wither. As for the > dead encouraging non-conformity, I think Boy George is doing a better job; > he is more popular and less-conforming. I wonder about the non-politicalness or apoliticalness of the Dead, even in their early days. Songs like "Morning Dew", "Cumberland Blues", and "Throwing Stones" come immediatelly to mind. Also, my memory seems to recall the Dead being heavily involved in the "Tune In, Turn On, and Drop Out" philosophy of the late sixties. This seems to me to be an active, if uneffective, way of protesting the values and actions of society. Ofcourse, I always was an unsatisfied (and ineffective) rebel. :-) Don Stein druny!stein "A peaceful place, or so it looks from space, A closer look reveals the human race."
mms1646@acf4.UUCP (Michael M. Sykora) (04/08/85)
>/* stein@druny.UUCP / 12:34 pm Apr 5, 1985 */ > >I wonder about the non-politicalness or apoliticalness of the Dead, even >in their early days. Songs like "Morning Dew", "Cumberland Blues", and >"Throwing Stones" come immediatelly to mind. Also, my memory seems to Don't forget about "US Blues."
nm34@sdcc12.UUCP (nm34) (04/10/85)
As an avid Dead fan for going on 15 years now, and as a sometimes
political activist, I have always been disappointed with the apolitical
nature of the Dead and their songs. I have felt that the Deads lyrics
and activities were an attempt to promote positive asspects of American
culture but these attempts fell short becouse of their distannce from
the political arena. It has onlybeen lately that I have learned that
they have been active in a moderate way. I have found out that they
have been doing benefit concerts for what I consider worthy causes for
going back to the begining. Forgetting the concerts for the Hells
Angels ( a group that I do not consider a positive political force) they
have done concerts for Angela Davis and the Black Panthers (both with
poor P.R. but positive and potent forces in their time) for Tom Hayden
and anti-nuclear groups.
Now we are finding political messages in their song. I should have
said blatent political messages, I believe that their lyrics have always
been political in a positive sence all along, but on a alegorical level.
One of their latest songs, "Throwing Stones" is and obvious anti-nuclear
war song.
I am happy to see it.
- Andy Bindman
P.S. Only three days to two glorious nights at Irvine.
"Singing ashes, ashes all fall down..."pitzonka@daemen.UUCP (Bill Pitzonka) (04/27/85)
A: No.
close@daemen.UUCP (William Close) (05/02/85)
A: Both.