ChasingBlueSky 0 #1 January 11, 2004 Everyone went nuts about the Dixie Chicks practicing their right to Freedom of Speech, why hasn't anyone said a peep about the new Incubus song?? Maybe all those conservative types are just sexist? (hmm..that should get me flamed ) Original story at: http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1483949/20031230/incubus.jhtml?headlines=true Web page where you can watch the video:http://www.enjoyincubus.com Full Lyrics posted at end of this post. Story from VH1: Using powerful images from the past, Incubus leave little doubt about their position on present-day politics in the video for "Megalomaniac." The title of the first single from the band's fifth album, A Crow Left of the Murder, refers to a person with delusional fantasies of power, and the video applies that definition to the United States and President Bush. Shot in late November by Floria Sigismondi, the director responsible for such visually stunning clips as Christina Aguilera's "Fighter" and Marilyn Manson's "The Beautiful People," the five-minute video is a hyper-stimulating barrage of images, most of which flash by only momentarily to underline the subconscious level of programming some propaganda campaigns have employed. The clip opens with guitarist Mike Einziger in front of a radio switchboard, appearing to give a speech. The sign on the wall before him reads "No Grace Period," while the one to his left reads "Operation Freedom Control," presumably a play on "Operation Iraqi Freedom" that ironically suggests that the U.S. controls the Iraqis' independence. A six-volt battery on a shelf bears the label "super power." The scene morphs into a shot of the giant-sized bandmembers performing on top of buildings. A zoom into one of the buildings' windows reveals a TV showing the film "The United States Air Force Presents ... Brain Washing" before a series of war scenes culminates with Adolf Hitler, with airplane bomber wings on his back, flying overhead. It's then that singer Brandon Boyd offers the song's opening lines: "I hear you on the radio/ You permeate my screen/ If I met you in a scissor fight, I'd cut off both your wings ... on principle alone." Later, a politician looking like Bush addresses a crowd of protesters who hold signs reading antiwar slogans such as "Not in Our Name" and "Drop Love Not Bombs." As the podium from which he speaks morphs into a gas pump that inflates skyward, the protesters clash with police. Boyd, meanwhile, repeats the line "Step down, step down." Amidst the pandemonium, the politician's head peels back and the head of a bald eagle grows in its place. The birdman then proceeds to devour the audience members, whose own heads have become those of fish. But there is an eventual silver lining to Incubus' dark cloud of a message. After showing a 1940s wartime family feeding its baby a bottle full of oil, a symbol of America's thirst for Iraq's greatest export, and a crowd of people fleeing from falling bombs, the fish-headed masses begin to revolt against their bird-brained leader. Piranha heads are sported by those who topple the birdman's tower and proceed to ravage him. This is met by a shot of the crowd applauding. While "Megalomaniac" has just started to get radio play, the video is expected to surface at TV outlets in January. It's currently being streamed on Incubus' Web site. A Crow Left of the Murder, the follow-up to 2001's Morning View, is due February 3. This report is provided by MTV News Lyrics for Megalomanic: I hear you on the radio You permeate my screen Its' unkind, but if I met you in a scissor fight I'd cut off both your wings on principle alone On principle alone Hey megalomaniac You're no Jesus Yeah, you're no fucking Elvis Wash Your hands clean (or Yourself) Maniac Step down Step down If I were your appendages I'd hold open your eyes So you would see That all of us are heaven sent There was never meant to be only one To be only one Hey megalomaniac You're no Jesus Yeah, you're no fucking Elvis Wash Your hands clean (or Yourself) Maniac Step down Step down Yeah You're no Jesus You're not Elvis ... You're no answer Hey megalomaniac You're no Jesus Yeah, you're no fucking Elvis Wash Your hands clean (or Yourself) Maniac Step down Step down_________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gravitymaster 0 #2 January 11, 2004 Why those Dirty rotten Unamerican SOBs. Happy Now?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paige 0 #3 January 11, 2004 Because unlike the Dixie Chicks, Incubus has talent and that excuses a lot in our country. If you have athletic talent, you can murder people and get away with it. If you are a musician, that's a free pass to live like a rock star and destroy hotel rooms/hate the government. It is however, hypocritical to protest the people/administration that give Brandon the freedom to say what he does. Biting the hand that feeds you isn't always smart. In no other country can rock stars live like they do here in the US. This country affords great opportunity to most but those with exceptional talent get a red carpet everywhere they go or, at most, a slap on the writs if they misbehave. Great talent excuses many things; money is the great equalizer...ask an old rich guy!Tunnel Pink Mafia Delegate www.TunnelPinkMafia.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sdgregory 0 #4 January 11, 2004 Why does it matter that conservatives said nothing about a band that few people even know exist? Maybenothing was said because conservatives could give a rip about Incubus? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sundevil777 102 #5 January 11, 2004 Quotethe five-minute video is a hyper-stimulating barrage of images, most of which flash by only momentarily to underline the subconscious level of programming some propaganda campaigns have employed. What music video is not like this? A matter of expectations... Perhaps it is expected (or just simply a fact) that country music (and their fans) to be less liberal. To be consistent, I think those who condemn the war in Iraq should also criticize Kofi Anon and all of the UN for demanding he comply with the terms that ended the first gulf war. Is anyone willing to say which part of that agreement they think was too harsh on Iraq. Neville Chamberlain and other European leaders were quite willing to let the Austrian guy ignore the terms limiting the German military.People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChasingBlueSky 0 #6 January 11, 2004 QuoteBecause unlike the Dixie Chicks, Incubus has talent and that excuses a lot in our country. I'm not a Dixie fan, but have long been a fan of Incubus - but that is a very subjective statement. Quote It is however, hypocritical to protest the people/administration that give Brandon the freedom to say what he does. Honestly, this administration hasn't given anyone these freedoms, they have just carried on the traditions of this country. If anything, the current administration has done as much as possible to take many of those freedoms away. Quote This country affords great opportunity to most but those with exceptional talent get a red carpet everywhere they go or, at most, a slap on the writs if they misbehave. Great talent excuses many things; money is the great equalizer...ask an old rich guy! I guess I've never understood this double standard_________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #7 January 11, 2004 QuoteEveryone went nuts about the Dixie Chicks practicing their right to Freedom of Speech, why hasn't anyone said a peep about the new Incubus song?? Adding to what was already stated, the DC's were at a news conference, and spoke their mind, rather than write a song, produce a video, and air their perspective that way. There is a long history of song writers expressing their political views, Dylan comes to mind immediately, and that is a very different thing in perception of the public (either conservative or liberal) then the DC's statement to the press. Adding to that, The Eagles have released a wonderful song ("Hole in the World", IIRC)...and Henley is notoriously liberal. I love the Eagles' talent, and really love the new song - although one could say it's a liberal bent. One could even argue that in the songwriting, they reach a larger audience than if they "spoke out" ala the DC's. Lastly, I would venture to say that "Incubus" is likely not widely listened to by conservative Republicans. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sundevil777 102 #8 January 11, 2004 Quotethe DC's were at a news conference, and spoke their mind, rather than write a song, produce a video, and air their perspective that way. Good point. Their opinion will be received differently at a news conference.People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newsstand 0 #9 January 11, 2004 Quote... the DC's were at a news conference, and spoke their mind, ... Just picking a nit but actually it was during a concert in England. Love those girls! "Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch; nay, you may kick it about all day like a football, and it will be round and full at evening." -- Oliver Wendell Holmes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #10 January 11, 2004 I stand corrected...but I had thought it was a news conference, or publicity event, or something. I knew they were in England...but thought it was something other than during a concert as a comment between songs. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FallRate 0 #11 January 11, 2004 QuoteJust picking a nit but actually it was during a concert in England. That's not simply nit-picking. The fact that the lead singer of the Dixie Chicks was pandering to a foreign audience in such a way is what pissed most people off. FallRate Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyIvan 0 #12 January 11, 2004 Well...if you read the lyrics, you won't find any reference to be 'ashamed' for being 'texan' . Let poor "W" be please. __________________________________________ Blue Skies and May the Force be with you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
taln1rigr 0 #13 January 11, 2004 QuoteEveryone went nuts about the Dixie Chicks practicing their right to Freedom of Speech, why hasn't anyone said a peep about the new Incubus song?? Maybe all those conservative types are just sexist? Maybe because no one's heard the song or seen the video ... I, for one, had no idea a song like this existed. QuoteWhile "Megalomaniac" has just started to get radio play, the video is expected to surface at TV outlets in January. It's currently being streamed on Incubus' We would not have attacked the lead singer of The Dixie Chicks the way we did had she protested Bush or the war. But the fact is, she didn't protest, she flat went to another country & made a derogatory remark about The President. She went behind all our backs to air her dirty laundry & "pander to a foreign audience" at which point she became no better than a traitor. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harksaw 0 #14 January 11, 2004 QuoteQuote But the fact is, she didn't protest, she flat went to another country & made a derogatory remark about The President. She went behind all our backs to air her dirty laundry & "pander to a foreign audience" at which point she became no better than a traitor. Making derogatory remarks about the Preident is now treason/traitorous? What country do we live in? Why does it matter if she made these comments in England instead of the US?__________________________________________________ I started skydiving for the money and the chicks. Oh, wait. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ChasingBlueSky 0 #15 January 11, 2004 Quote We would not have attacked the lead singer of The Dixie Chicks the way we did had she protested Bush or the war. But the fact is, she didn't protest, she flat went to another country & made a derogatory remark about The President. She went behind all our backs to air her dirty laundry & "pander to a foreign audience" at which point she became no better than a traitor. This forum is an international community, would you consider anti-GWB the same on here? The way news travels these days, and the fact she expressed herself in front of thousands of people - how could that be considerd "going behind our backs." I'm sure there was at least one American at that concert. Also, this is a war that was/is still one of the top stories on any global news station - she was just addressing the current events, and letting a foreign audience know that not all Americans support or believe in their President (even the popular vote in the election showed that)._________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Luv2Fall 0 #16 January 11, 2004 Have neither heard the song nor of the artist. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites JoeyRamone 0 #17 January 11, 2004 It is a waste of time and energy. No time to get wrapped up over what a band sings....Life is way to short for that junk. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites freeflir29 0 #18 January 11, 2004 Only thing I found disturbing about that video was Hitler in a tutu. Artists as a whole are usually very far to the left. Not all are as bad as Jane Fonda but there are many that aren't far behind. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites newsstand 0 #19 January 12, 2004 QuoteQuoteJust picking a nit but actually it was during a concert in England. That's not simply nit-picking. The fact that the lead singer of the Dixie Chicks was pandering to a foreign audience in such a way is what pissed most people off. FallRate The nit I was picking was the venue, concert not news conference. Natalie was not pandering, just speaking her mind. Also "most" people were not pissed off. Very few concert tickets were turned back in. The problem was with country music fans and radio being, in general, conservative and therefore supporters of GWB. The reason the song and group mentioned here hasn't generated a lot of press is that rock and roll fans, in general, don't give a shit about politics, young ones in particular. "Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch; nay, you may kick it about all day like a football, and it will be round and full at evening." -- Oliver Wendell Holmes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites freeflybella 0 #20 January 12, 2004 The Dixie Chicks are a country band, they said they were ashamed to come from the same state (Texas) as GW. Texans (country listeners) were offended. I have no idea who the majority of Incubus fans are, but I'd hazard a guess that they didn't outright offend their fan base. Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites StevePhelps 0 #21 January 12, 2004 My GUESS is TIMING ... When the chicks said it we were either on the verge of starting the war on just had (I'm old -- my memory fails me) -- Now, even though we are technically still at war -- the American people have moved on with their concerns (right or worng) Just my $0.02 worth. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites taln1rigr 0 #22 January 12, 2004 Obviously she knew she did something wrong because she apologized QuoteMaines later apologized, saying her remark was "disrespectful." And I'm not the only one who thinks she's a traitor ... did you see the cover of Entertainment Weekly? The blonde in the bottom right hand corner bears the mark. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites taln1rigr 0 #23 January 12, 2004 QuoteI'm sure there was at least one American at that concert. I'd venture to say there was at least three at the concert ... Natalie Maines & her other 2 band mates. QuoteThe way news travels these days, and the fact she expressed herself in front of thousands of people - how could that be considerd "going behind our backs." I was using "Going behind our backs" figuratively. Anyone in a high profile situation has a hard time doing anything that escapes the American public ... the media takes care of that. Actually she made this comment before the actual war began & even still she knew what she said was wrong. QuoteJust days before the bombing began in Iraq, singer Natalie Maines spoke out against the president. "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas," she told fans in London. Maines later apologized, saying her remark was "disrespectful." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Muenkel 0 #24 January 12, 2004 Honestly, because I really couldn't give a shit. Chris _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Gravitymaster 0 #25 January 12, 2004 QuoteHonestly, because I really couldn't give a shit. Chris I agree. Most of the firestorm regarding the Chicks comments came from their fans. The press ginned up the rhetoric but in truth were only reporting the fans reactions. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 3 Next Page 1 of 3 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. 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ChasingBlueSky 0 #15 January 11, 2004 Quote We would not have attacked the lead singer of The Dixie Chicks the way we did had she protested Bush or the war. But the fact is, she didn't protest, she flat went to another country & made a derogatory remark about The President. She went behind all our backs to air her dirty laundry & "pander to a foreign audience" at which point she became no better than a traitor. This forum is an international community, would you consider anti-GWB the same on here? The way news travels these days, and the fact she expressed herself in front of thousands of people - how could that be considerd "going behind our backs." I'm sure there was at least one American at that concert. Also, this is a war that was/is still one of the top stories on any global news station - she was just addressing the current events, and letting a foreign audience know that not all Americans support or believe in their President (even the popular vote in the election showed that)._________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luv2Fall 0 #16 January 11, 2004 Have neither heard the song nor of the artist. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeyRamone 0 #17 January 11, 2004 It is a waste of time and energy. No time to get wrapped up over what a band sings....Life is way to short for that junk. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #18 January 11, 2004 Only thing I found disturbing about that video was Hitler in a tutu. Artists as a whole are usually very far to the left. Not all are as bad as Jane Fonda but there are many that aren't far behind. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newsstand 0 #19 January 12, 2004 QuoteQuoteJust picking a nit but actually it was during a concert in England. That's not simply nit-picking. The fact that the lead singer of the Dixie Chicks was pandering to a foreign audience in such a way is what pissed most people off. FallRate The nit I was picking was the venue, concert not news conference. Natalie was not pandering, just speaking her mind. Also "most" people were not pissed off. Very few concert tickets were turned back in. The problem was with country music fans and radio being, in general, conservative and therefore supporters of GWB. The reason the song and group mentioned here hasn't generated a lot of press is that rock and roll fans, in general, don't give a shit about politics, young ones in particular. "Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch; nay, you may kick it about all day like a football, and it will be round and full at evening." -- Oliver Wendell Holmes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflybella 0 #20 January 12, 2004 The Dixie Chicks are a country band, they said they were ashamed to come from the same state (Texas) as GW. Texans (country listeners) were offended. I have no idea who the majority of Incubus fans are, but I'd hazard a guess that they didn't outright offend their fan base. Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StevePhelps 0 #21 January 12, 2004 My GUESS is TIMING ... When the chicks said it we were either on the verge of starting the war on just had (I'm old -- my memory fails me) -- Now, even though we are technically still at war -- the American people have moved on with their concerns (right or worng) Just my $0.02 worth. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
taln1rigr 0 #22 January 12, 2004 Obviously she knew she did something wrong because she apologized QuoteMaines later apologized, saying her remark was "disrespectful." And I'm not the only one who thinks she's a traitor ... did you see the cover of Entertainment Weekly? The blonde in the bottom right hand corner bears the mark. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
taln1rigr 0 #23 January 12, 2004 QuoteI'm sure there was at least one American at that concert. I'd venture to say there was at least three at the concert ... Natalie Maines & her other 2 band mates. QuoteThe way news travels these days, and the fact she expressed herself in front of thousands of people - how could that be considerd "going behind our backs." I was using "Going behind our backs" figuratively. Anyone in a high profile situation has a hard time doing anything that escapes the American public ... the media takes care of that. Actually she made this comment before the actual war began & even still she knew what she said was wrong. QuoteJust days before the bombing began in Iraq, singer Natalie Maines spoke out against the president. "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas," she told fans in London. Maines later apologized, saying her remark was "disrespectful." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #24 January 12, 2004 Honestly, because I really couldn't give a shit. Chris _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gravitymaster 0 #25 January 12, 2004 QuoteHonestly, because I really couldn't give a shit. Chris I agree. Most of the firestorm regarding the Chicks comments came from their fans. The press ginned up the rhetoric but in truth were only reporting the fans reactions. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
