A few weeks back, Slayer frontman Tom Araya caused a bit of a stir when he posted a photoshopped photo of Slayer's classic lineup with Donald Trump. Another member of the band or their management initially deleted the photo, only for Tom to repost it with the caption "But I never would have guessed that there where so many snowflakes commenting their distaste for the new president. Like him or not, he is the president."
Slayer eventually distanced themselves from the comments, with a statement that read We all have our personal opinions, some of which we have voiced in the past, but Slayer has never endorsed any political party or any candidate, and the band intends to keep it that way." Well, if this new interview with Noisey is any indication, the band isn't exactly keeping it that way.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49YDsf8hswk[/youtube]
It should be noted the interview was conducted this past summer, during the San Diego Comic Con, so way before Trump was even elected president. Still, it's very interesting to hear the band's viewpoint. Drummer Paul Bostaph kicked it off by giving his feelings on the soon-to-be new President of the United States:
“Donald Trump‘s the biggest joke I’ve ever seen in my life. Everybody clapping for some of the stuff he says, I’m like this is some of the scariest shit I’ve ever seen in my life as an American.”
Tom Araya's reaction here is worth the viewing of the video alone. Here's a GIF:
Then there is a cut, and Tom Araya begins talking about the constitution:
“We were talking about the constitution and they literally wrote in there that, ‘hey listen, if things aren’t going the way you think they should, trash this, get rid of your whole government and write a new one, because it’s time for a change.'”
The topic shifts to gun control, as Araya is asked if revolution can happen in America. Araya responds "if they keep trying to disarm America, it will never happen." Bostaph adds:
“It’s up to people to govern yourselves. You have to use common sense. And no government, nobody else can tell you that, you have to figure it out for yourself.”
The interview cuts back to Kerry King, who offers his own opinion on guns, and an enlighteningly woke opinion on police brutality:
“I don’t know, probably depends on what day of the week it is and what kind of propaganda I’m paying attention to. At the end of the day, if you take guns away from everybody only criminals will have guns. Is that better? I don’t know.
You know what I know is a problem, police departments trying to be militant states. You can’t have all these policemen shooting all these poor African American people and nobody doing time or doing anything for it. They’re gonna retaliate, I would. I want to clear the air and say I’ve got nothing against the police force—I think they’re heroes, but Jesus Christ, something’s gotta change.”
King's statements will no doubt offend some people, but it seems like anytime Slayer or anybody make any sort of political statement, it is misinterpreted or bashed, sometimes by this very website. No bashing here today though. You can make up your own mind.
[via ThePRP]
