[Music] Kneecap

[Herr Tubthumper]

I had planned to see these guys in Berlin but their entire German tour has been cancelled. UK dates are now being pulled and their US tour is under threat as their visas are now invalid. The latter is due to their promoter (and visa 'sponosr') dropping them, and not Homeland Security getting involved....yet. UK festivals are now under pressure to drop them, I think the big talking point will be what happens with Glastonbury as there are calls to drop them.

I'm still trying to get my head around all of the different arguments and discussions: what's the issue with supporting Palestine, free speech, hate speech, cancel culture, when is sorry not enough, should some illadvised words when young define a lifetime, are there double-standards at play etc.

I do not think they're inherently bad people and, in one sense, I feel they're quite smart and they certainly raise some good points and causes; I do feel they could have chosen some of their words better though....note the use of past tense here as I am of the view they will not repeat them and are genuinely sorry.

I'm interested to know what the great and the good of NSC think.

 

[JetsetJimbo]

I'm waiting for all those people who've spent the last 10+ years attacking "cancel culture" to take a stand against this, but they're all very quiet for some reason

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I'm waiting for all those people who've spent the last 10+ years attacking "cancel culture" to take a stand against this, but they're all very quiet for some reason

This is an interesting point. Digging around on their Facebook page, and looking up some of the people posting comments for them to be dropped, is an interesting read. Andrew Tate seemingly okay, Kneecap not.

 

[jcdenton08]

Their apology, for what it was worth, was very weak and they are only back-pedalling on their extreme views now that their livelihoods are under threat. That, to me, is not demonstrating an understanding of how dangerous their comments were and why some people are understandably rather upset.

Incidentally, the separate comments which have caused offence are those supporting Hamas, not a Free Palestine, and - who as we know - are a designated terrorist group and have committed numerous atrocities of their own. Showing public support for Hamas as an entity is wrong regardless of one’s views on the terrible situation in Gaza. And a criminal offence.

Secondly, in their “apology” they say;

"an extract of footage, deliberately taken out of all context, is now being exploited and weaponised, as if it were a call to action".

The extract of footage in question shows them saying:

"The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP."

Which is incitement to murder. They have offered absolutely no justification or further elaboration on what they meant by this which could have been “taken out of context”.

On the one hand they are apologising, while simultaneously claiming a smear campaign against them and offering no justification of their comments.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

If you’re interesting in their music here’s I’m Flush recorded in Brighton

 

[Hamilton]

I’ve only heard the comments on radio and not seen the footage and nor do I know which member said it. One of them is certainly old enough to know better.

I’m not surprised by the comments and taken out of context they are appalling, but who knows what else was said that night to make clear what they are and are not serious about.

Yes, calling for the deaths of politicians is wrong, but the statement has been politicized by Badenoch to get her some attention. And by Christ she needs all the help she can get.

I would have thought a public apology and clarification would be enough. Something along the lines of “we apologise unreservedly. We do not support any violence against democratically elected politicians. We do not want British politicians in NI but on this occasion we let the heat of the moment rule our mouths and we will learn from that.”

Or they could just say f*ck you all, in which case I’d also think them idiots.

I enjoy kneecap. I know they are not anti-British citizens, but I’ve always held their politics at arms length. I’m hardly surprised this has surfaced, but hope we can retain their bite and still see a bit of humility emerge in their response.

 

[n1 gull]

I think they are bell ends but I certainly do not think they should be cancelled

If Glastonbury etc... drop them it would set a dangerous president as politicians should not decide who plays a music festival

I hope people who think Knee Cap shouldn't be imprisoned for their words would say the same for Lucy Letby and others who have had their freedom taken away

 

[Lenny Rider]

The Moors Murderers - Punk 77

The Moors Murderers were an infamous seventies punk band featuring Steve Strange & Chrissie Hynde and the song 'Free Hindley.'

punk77.co.uk

Haven't we been here before?

And three years later the young lady in question was top of the hit parade! ( The first number one of the 1980’s no less)

Rolf, Sir Jimmy and Mr Gadd aside, isn’t there no such thing as bad publicity?

 

[Peacehaven Wild Kids]

NOOOOO!!!!!

I’m on my way to work so only skimming through this, but me and the boy especially are so looking forward to their support of FDC at Finsbury. He’ll be gutted.

 

[Westdene Seagull]

I had planned to see these guys in Berlin but their entire German tour has been cancelled. UK dates are now being pulled and their US tour is under threat as their visas are now invalid. The latter is due to their promoter (and visa 'sponosr') dropping them, and not Homeland Security getting involved....yet. UK festivals are now under pressure to drop them, I think the big talking point will be what happens with Glastonbury as there are calls to drop them.

I'm still trying to get my head around all of the different arguments and discussions: what's the issue with supporting Palestine, free speech, hate speech, cancel culture, when is sorry not enough, should some illadvised words when young define a lifetime, are there double-standards at play etc.

I do not think they're inherently bad people and, in one sense, I feel they're quite smart and they certainly raise some good points and causes; I do feel they could have chosen some of their words better though....note the use of past tense here as I am of the view they will not repeat them and are genuinely sorry.

I'm interested to know what the great and the good of NSC think.

There is no issue supporting Palestine - I suspect calling on people to kill their MP might be the issue - such an idiotic statement - deserve every cancellation they get.

 

[el punal]

I think they are bell ends but I certainly do not think they should be cancelled

If Glastonbury etc... drop them it would set a dangerous president as politicians should not decide who plays a music festival

I hope people who think Knee Cap shouldn't be imprisoned for their words would say the same for Lucy Letby and others who have had their freedom taken away

Trump is a dangerous president.

 

[Westdene Seagull]

I think they are bell ends but I certainly do not think they should be cancelled

If Glastonbury etc... drop them it would set a dangerous president as politicians should not decide who plays a music festival

I hope people who think Knee Cap shouldn't be imprisoned for their words would say the same for Lucy Letby and others who have had their freedom taken away

That seems a strange comparison. Letby has been convicted of multiple murders (I know there's some degree of doubt around her guilt now) but never called publically for the killing of anyone. Kneecap (which is a suspicous name any way) haven't committed murder as far as I know?

 

[TWOCHOICEStom]

I mean. If you wanna play the game you've gotta play the game. You can't say "kill your local MP" and not expect any consequences.

 

[Comrade Sam]

Why would a group of Catholic lads from Northern Ireland hate Tory MPs?
I think they're marvellous.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

The Moors Murderers - Punk 77

The Moors Murderers were an infamous seventies punk band featuring Steve Strange & Chrissie Hynde and the song 'Free Hindley.'

punk77.co.uk

Haven't we been here before?

And three years later the young lady in question was top of the hit parade! ( The first number one of the 1980’s no less)

Rolf, Sir Jimmy and Mr Gadd aside, isn’t there no such thing as bad publicity?

I can promise you, as someone balls-deep into punk rock in 1977, that 'the moors murderers' did not feature on anyone's radar.
There were a few prats who thought that shouting '****' was radical.
I remember a band called 'Raped'.
Stupid name. Shit band.
Changed their name to 'Cuddly toys' and did a (shit) Peel session.

When I was young we could tell the difference between originals and wannabees.
It seems this skill has been lost.

 

[Hugo Rune]

Yes, calling for the deaths of politicians is wrong, but the statement has been politicized by Badenoch to get her some attention. And by Christ she needs all the help she can get.

This is just brilliant for Labour.

Badenoch is going full culture war, it's really all she's got. But, with the sort of negative charm and personality that would give Liz Truss a run for a money, the type of voter she is targeting will surely find the Gammon King, Farage, a much more attractive proposition.

It looks like reform will absolutely batter them in the local elections. Hopefully, Badenoch is able to the survive to the next election so she can tank the Tories.

 

[BN9 BHA]

Kneecap apologises to families of Sir David Amess and Jo Cox

The rap group says it does not support Hamas or Hezbollah and would not seek to incite violence against anyone.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Weststander]

This is just brilliant for Labour.

Badenoch is going full culture war, it's really all she's got. But, with the sort of negative charm and personality that would give Liz Truss a run for a money, the type of voter she is targeting will surely find the Gammon King, Farage, a much more attractive proposition.

It looks like reform will absolutely batter them in the local elections. Hopefully, Badenoch is able to the survive to the next election so she can tank the Tories.

She’ll be ousted within 18 months. Unluckily fulfilling the Haigh, Moyes, IDS, Wilf McGuinness, Swinson, O’Farrell role.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Kneecap apologises to families of Sir David Amess and Jo Cox

The rap group says it does not support Hamas or Hezbollah and would not seek to incite violence against anyone.

www.bbc.co.uk

I am pleased to say I have never heard of Kneecap and though this thread might have some good advice for me,
as I had knee replacement surgery last week.

Musical acts apologizing for inadvertently causing offense is the worst possible look (for a musical act).
If you have a good point to make then you have to accept it may upset some people. You don't apologize.
The suffragettes upset lots of people (for outrageous 'unladylike' behaviour). Boo hoo.
On the other hand, if you have no useful point to make.....being offensive just adds to your worthlessness.

 

[AK74]

Giving Kneecap the elbow is a bold move by the organisers.