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{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2015}}
'''Rock Against Bush''' is a project mobilizing [[punk rock]] [[musician]]s against the [[2004]] [[President of the United States|U.S. Presidential]] campaign of [[George W. Bush]]. It was inspired by the idea of creating a vibe of anti-war and pro-peace sentiment, similar to the [[Woodstock Festival]] of [[1969]].
{{More citations needed|date=October 2008}}
'''Rock Against Bush''' was a project mobilizing [[punk rock|punk]] and alternative musicians against the [[2004 U.S. presidential election|2004 U.S. Presidential]] [[George W. Bush presidential campaign, 2004|re-election campaign]] of [[George W. Bush]]. At its core was the idea of using music to create an [[anti-war]], [[pacifism|pro-peace]] sentiment, similar to counterculture music movements of the 1960s and 1970s, such as [[Woodstock]].{{cn|date=May 2022}} The effort inspired Australian punk bands to start [[Rock Against Howard]].


The effort was initiated by [[Fat Mike]] (Michael Burkett) of the band [[NOFX]]. It has included live concerts, a series of compilation [[album]]s, and a "punkvoter" [[website]]. Its goal was to encourage people, especially punk fans, to register to vote and to oppose Bush. The album proceeds were used to support a 2004 concert tour and an associated voter registration drive, emphasizing the [[swing state]]s.
The effort was initiated by [[Fat Mike]] (Michael Burkett) of the band [[NOFX]] and punk music label [[Fat Wreck Chords]], inspired by the Rock Against Reagan campaign of the early 1980s. It included [[live concert]]s, a series of compilation albums, and is associated with the Punkvoter website. Its goal was to encourage people, especially punk fans, to register to vote and to oppose Bush. The album proceeds were used to support a 2004 concert tour and an associated [[voter registration drive]], emphasizing the [[swing state]]s. The effort did not achieve its goal, as [[George W. Bush]] went on to win the election. The albums have been issued by the [[Fat Wreck Chords]] label, which focuses on [[skate punk]] and [[pop punk]] artists, so most of the songs are by similar themed bands. Both a CD and a DVD were included, the latter containing documentaries critical of Bush, music videos, and comedy.


==Performers==
The project was not successful, as [[President of the United States|President]] George W. Bush went on to win re-election.
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[NOFX]]
* [[No Use for a Name]]
* [[Bad Religion]]
* [[Social Distortion]]
* [[Authority Zero]]
* [[Lagwagon]]
* [[Alkaline Trio]]
* [[Yellowcard]]
* [[Rancid (band)|Rancid]]
* [[The A.K.A.s]]
* [[Descendents (band)|Descendents]]
* [[Dropkick Murphys]]
* [[Flogging Molly]]
* [[Mad Caddies]]
* [[The Epoxies]]
* [[Rx Bandits]]
* [[Operation Ivy (band)|Operation Ivy]]
* [[The Offspring]]
* [[Jawbreaker (band)|Jawbreaker]]
* [[Rise Against]]
* [[Strike Anywhere]]
* [[Pennywise (band)|Pennywise]]
* [[The Get Up Kids]]
* [[Anti-Flag]]
* [[Jello Biafra]]
* [[The Lawrence Arms]]
* [[D.O.A. (band)|D.O.A.]]
* [[Foo Fighters]]
* [[Dillinger Four]]
* [[The Ataris]]
* [[The Frisk]]
* [[Thought Riot]]
* [[Sleater-Kinney]]
* [[Against Me!]]
* [[The Soviettes]]
* [[Sick of It All]]
* [[Donots]]
* [[Denali (band)|Denali]]
* [[Dwarves (band)|Dwarves]]
* [[Ministry (band)|Ministry]]
* [[Green Day]]
* [[Sum 41]]
* [[Less Than Jake]]
* [[The Bouncing Souls]]
* [[The Unseen (band)|The Unseen]]
* [[The Matches]]
* [[The World/Inferno Friendship Society]]
* [[Strung Out]]
* [[The (International) Noise Conspiracy]]
* [[Autopilot Off]]
* [[No Doubt]]
* [[Useless ID]]
* [[Propagandhi]] (did not participate)
* [[New Found Glory]]
* [[Only Crime]]
* [[Sugarcult]]
* [[Hot Water Music]]
{{div col end}}


==Reception and criticisms==
==Albums==
[[Green Day]] drummer [[Tré Cool]] has said Rock Against Bush is a "a pretty damn good CD" and that there are "some older bands on there that are still going strong and some younger bands that are real fresh and exciting too.".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jadedinchicago.com/2010/12/green-day-interview-2004|title=Green Day Interview, 2004 {{!}} Jaded In Chicago - Music News, Interviews, Features, and more|date=December 29, 2010 |access-date=December 9, 2020|via=[[YouTube]]|quote=I think the Rock Against Bush compilation is a pretty damn good CD. There are some older bands on there that are still going strong and some younger bands that are real fresh and exciting too.}}</ref>


⚫
Rock Against Bush and Punkvoter were subject to criticism on multiple fronts. A similar (but more obscure) project was started by conservative punks called "Crush Kerry". In addition, more radical punks (especially anarchists) criticized the emphasis on [[electoral politics]], as well as the tacit endorsement of [[John Kerry]], who they believed was not much better than George W. Bush. The band [[Propagandhi]] decided not to participate when [[Fat Mike]] requested that they change the lyrics of a song critical of [[George Soros]] that they wished to contribute.<ref>{{in lang|en}} [http://www.punknews.org/article/8664/fat-mike--propagandhi-clarify-situation-updated Fat Mike / Propagandhi clarify situation &#91;UPDATED&#93;]</ref>
The albums have been issued by the [[Fat Wreck Chords]] label, which focuses on punk artists, so most of the songs are by punk bands. In addition to NOFX, performers include [[Rise Against]], [[Pennywise]], and [[Anti-Flag]].


T-shirts were also printed, depicting Fat Mike with the text "Not My Political Advisor", as a parody of the "Not My President" shirts that depicted Bush, issued by Fat Mike. Fat Mike himself stated he found this to be "pretty funny".{{cn|date=May 2022}}
===Discography===
*''[[Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1|Vol. 1]]'' ([[April 20]], 2004)
*''[[Rock Against Bush, Vol. 2|Vol. 2]]'' ([[August 10]], 2004)
*''[[Rock Against Bush, Vol. 3|Vol. 3]]'' (scheduled for release sometime in [[2005]])


==Criticism==
==Discography==
{| class="wikitable"
Rock Against Bush and Punkvoter received criticism from diverse groups and individuals. As expected, conservatives and supporters of [[George W. Bush]] criticised the movement. A similar (but more obscure) project was started by conservative punks, called ''Crush Kerry''.
|-
! Title !! Date
|-
|''[[Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1]]'' || April 20, 2004<ref>fatwreck.com: [http://www.fatwreck.com/record/detail/675 ''Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1'']</ref>
|-
|''[[Rock Against Bush, Vol. 2]]'' || August 10, 2004<ref>fatwreck.com: [http://www.fatwreck.com/record/detail/677 ''Rock Against Bush, Vol. 2'']</ref>
|-
|}


==References==
⚫
In addition to criticism from conservatives, some more radical punks (and [[anarchists]] especially) criticized the emphasis on [[electoral politics]], as well as the virtual endorsement of [[John Kerry]], who some believed was almost (if not) as bad as [[George W. Bush]]. The band [[Propagandhi]] decided not to participate when [[Fat Mike]] requested they change the lyrics of the song they wished to contribute.
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://www.punkvoter.com/ The punk voter website]


[[Category:2004 in American music]]
{{band-stub}}
[[Category:Anti–Iraq War groups]]
{{poli-stub}}
[[Category:Fat Wreck Chords]]
[[Category:Musical advocacy groups]]
[[Category:People associated with the 2004 United States presidential election]]
[[Category:George W. Bush]]

Latest revision as of 20:11, 1 September 2024

Rock Against Bush was a project mobilizing punk and alternative musicians against the 2004 U.S. Presidential re-election campaign of George W. Bush. At its core was the idea of using music to create an anti-war, pro-peace sentiment, similar to counterculture music movements of the 1960s and 1970s, such as Woodstock.[citation needed] The effort inspired Australian punk bands to start Rock Against Howard.

The effort was initiated by Fat Mike (Michael Burkett) of the band NOFX and punk music label Fat Wreck Chords, inspired by the Rock Against Reagan campaign of the early 1980s. It included live concerts, a series of compilation albums, and is associated with the Punkvoter website. Its goal was to encourage people, especially punk fans, to register to vote and to oppose Bush. The album proceeds were used to support a 2004 concert tour and an associated voter registration drive, emphasizing the swing states. The effort did not achieve its goal, as George W. Bush went on to win the election. The albums have been issued by the Fat Wreck Chords label, which focuses on skate punk and pop punk artists, so most of the songs are by similar themed bands. Both a CD and a DVD were included, the latter containing documentaries critical of Bush, music videos, and comedy.

Performers

[edit]

Reception and criticisms

[edit]

Green Day drummer Tré Cool has said Rock Against Bush is a "a pretty damn good CD" and that there are "some older bands on there that are still going strong and some younger bands that are real fresh and exciting too.".[1]

Rock Against Bush and Punkvoter were subject to criticism on multiple fronts. A similar (but more obscure) project was started by conservative punks called "Crush Kerry". In addition, more radical punks (especially anarchists) criticized the emphasis on electoral politics, as well as the tacit endorsement of John Kerry, who they believed was not much better than George W. Bush. The band Propagandhi decided not to participate when Fat Mike requested that they change the lyrics of a song critical of George Soros that they wished to contribute.[2]

T-shirts were also printed, depicting Fat Mike with the text "Not My Political Advisor", as a parody of the "Not My President" shirts that depicted Bush, issued by Fat Mike. Fat Mike himself stated he found this to be "pretty funny".[citation needed]

Discography

[edit]
Title Date
Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1 April 20, 2004[3]
Rock Against Bush, Vol. 2 August 10, 2004[4]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Green Day Interview, 2004 | Jaded In Chicago - Music News, Interviews, Features, and more". December 29, 2010. Retrieved December 9, 2020 – via YouTube. I think the Rock Against Bush compilation is a pretty damn good CD. There are some older bands on there that are still going strong and some younger bands that are real fresh and exciting too.
  2. ^ (in English) Fat Mike / Propagandhi clarify situation [UPDATED]
  3. ^ fatwreck.com: Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1
  4. ^ fatwreck.com: Rock Against Bush, Vol. 2
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