Don’t give the Foo Fighters a pass for doing corporate gigs for these assholes either. They knew exactly what they were doing.
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Easily the least rock and roll thing a rock star can do is take a big check to play a private show for a wealthy corporation lmao.
🤘
The difference between an artist and an entertainer
What would be extremely rock and roll-- punk rock, even – is donating all of the proceeds from that show to pro-union efforts.
#DonateItDave, or something
Blood money put to good use is still a karmic negative. Amazon dehumanizes people. Israel dehumanizes people. At some point the excuses aren’t enough anymore.
Maybe look at it this way: Foo Fighters effectively get Amazon to fund union activity by playing on stage for a couple of hours.
You nailed it.
Right? Dave has always been a very sneaky raging narcissist. I’m glad he’s finally showing his true self.
Has he?
Yes, he absolutly has. He’s treated a couple friends of mine that work at a local amphitheater like shit. I’ve heard a lot about him otherwise, here and there. He just has a really good PR team.
It’s so disappointing.
They were the best, the best, the best bootlickers.
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I’m disappointed in Dave grohl
Tbf it’s not like grohl needs the cash is it
It is a musician’s business to know who they are performing for and why - and the more famous they are, the more it starts to matter. Grohl knows this.
The people on here who is excusing this with “capitalism bad except when people I like is doing it” arguments is just demonstrating how empty “liberal values” get when push comes to shove.
That’s actually their manager’s business. Literally what they hire them for. And honestly, if you’re going to fault them for performing a private venue for an Amazon event, you should also fault every artist that’s ever performed in like, Vegas. Casinos have been bleeding people to death long before Amazon hit the scene.
I’m not going to fault a performer for literally doing their job and taking a fat payday. I’d probably do the same in their shoes, anybody who insists otherwise isn’t being honest with themselves.
It’s not like the rider said “play show at Amazon, these guys just laid a lot of people off and are screaming about budget cuts so they want you to play for the rest. Here’s 4 million dollars.”
It probably said “corporate event for 6-10k people. Here’s a check for 4 million dollars”
So you’re arguing that selling out any supposed values you might have is fine as long as the check is big enough.
Foo Fighters are a huge band. They aren’t at the whims of some all powerful manager. And Amazon’s crimes are not new, they’re not obscure information. They’re incredibly well known, frequently discussed, and go hand in hand with the mention of Amazon. They knew what they were doing, who they were doing it for.
Now, if you want to discuss the power that record labels and their business relationships hold and their contracts with the bands they produce, that’s a possible explanation for this. But we’re talking about aging millionaire white guys. Chances are, they had veto power, knew what they were doing and probably could’ve accepted a monetary fine from the record company for defying a contract obligation if that’s why they were being forced to do it. And, honestly, probably would’ve leaked that information, gotten a ton of great press, maybe gotten into a public dispute with the record label if they chose to speak out about it, and then cashed in on that.
But, like you said, they did it for a fat paycheck. They didn’t stick up for the well-documented abused workers of Amazon while cashing in on it — “virtue signaling,” as people say. They decided to do this. For money. From Amazon executives.
And that’s…not better.
The fact that this comes at the end of typical corporate purse string tightening at the expense of workers is really just the steaming shit nugget on top of this diarrhea sundae.
I’m arguing that you’re villainising the wrong people.
And that was me telling you your assumption of who’s at fault was way off the mark.
They’re rockstars. They knew what they were doing and made the choice themselves.
So we’re just skipping the part about the execs treating themselves to a concert after many years of union busting, horrid working conditions, innumerable other abuses, and excluding the workers. But we’re going to shit on the people they hired for a gig.
Coolcoolcoolcoolcool.
So we’re just skipping the part about the execs
No… we actually talk about Amazon’s shitfuckery a lot. Where have you been?
I’m talking about the point of the article and you know it. Which is why I have you noted as “Bad Faith”
and you know it.
This is where you are wrong. You aren’t commenting on the article… You aren’t even commenting on the post about the article. Your responding to a comment left on the post about the article.
It’s you that’s arguing in bad faith here, or at least not recognising the context of what you’re saying, presumably because you’re too busy trying to get across your own point.
I don’t think your initial point about the criticism that should be levelled at Amazon is wrong (I think you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone on here that supports what Amazon have done), but that isn’t to say that the Foo Fighters shouldn’t be being criticised here.
Both things can be true.
But by responding to a comment that points out the band’s faults with whatabouttery you’re kind of coming across like you’re defending the band whilst also ignoring all the other people saying the same thing you are. Then on top of that having a go at the OP when he points out other people are talking about the Amazon issue by saying you’re clearly taking about the article… If you’re commenting on the article why are you replying to some other post?!
Which is why I have you noted as “Bad Faith”
As all the liberals festering around here does. I’ll just throw this badge on the heap with the others, okay?
Sure but the biggest pushback I’ve really seen tbh was by a dude who eventually revealed he’s just ranting about cancel culture. He doesn’t even like Grohl. So certainly not a liberal lol
At the end of the day they’re people too though. And this is music, not war. There’s a pretty big gray area for “participating in capitalism does not equal approval of capitalism.”
There’s a pretty big gray area for “participating in capitalism does not equal approval of capitalism.”
That only goes for the working class - the people who are forced to participate in capitalism. Not for filthy rich musicians.
And this is music, not war.
There is no aspect of our enforced existence under capitalism that is free from it’s insidious influence - and that includes music.
Not unlike all the excuses we’re seeing for genocide now that it’s Biden shipping the bombs over to Israel.
If those dirty fucking workers had just worked harder they could have a Foo Fighters concert too.
Best I can do is a YouTube video with ads for dick pills.
Yeah I heard some of them had the gall to use the actual restroom on work hours. Like, get yourself a bigger bottle, and some better bootstraps! Amirite?
Fucking-A, Dave. At least Kurt never sold out.
Die a hero or live long enough to become a villain. Kurt punched his card before it could happen to him too.
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Seriously. This is as shitty as the Right boycotting Budlight.
Go ahead & burn your FF tunes. Hell make a social media post about it. It’ll do good, we promise.
Why don’t you wait & see what Dave does with money? Anybody know what his charitable interests are?
Y’all just want to burn some one & you’ll burn your heroes as easily as your villains. Buncha fuckin’ assholes.
To be fair the right boycott things for being inclusive. I like to boycott things for being divisive or shitting on the little guy.
Does it matter? To the companies and people I boycott, probably not. But I know I’m not giving my money to people I don’t agree with.
I guess my point is, in what way is Foo Fighters playing for Amazon divisive?
Amazon was going to pay someone to perform at that show & that performer, regardless of whether it was FF, was not going to convince Amazon to give that money to employees that deserved it.
So what exactly did the Foo Fighters do to earn this level ire? You’d rather Amazon gave that money to another performer?
If everyone really feels that strongly about FF taking this gig, then start a campaign telling FF how you think the money should be spent.
I’d certainly consider that a better use of everyone’s anger.
Divisive. Just look at these comments.
The argument if it’s not them it’ll be someone else is pretty weak.
I may as well rob my neighbours house, if it isn’t me it might be someone else aye?
Yeah I’d rather they give it someone else if it goes against FF morals. I certainly would have turned it down if I were them.
Look, congratulations on being able to turn down a paycheck from Amazon. I myself would absolutely take that paycheck from Amazon.
But I digress… So, back to the topic at hand.
In what way is any of this FF’s fault? What have FF done to divide anyone? Perform?
Amazon wanted a concert. Amazon got a concert. Amazon was going to get a concert, regardless of who performed.
Your argument is that FF are fault because… because why? They should’ve turned it down?
Who should have performed for Amazon then?
If that argument is so weak, you go right on ahead and tell me who the ethical choice would be for an Amazon concert? Dua Lipa? Green Day? Chris Brown?
You know what? Your right. Every single established musical act should have displayed the mental fortitude & character to turn down Amazon’s money.
The key word there is SHOULD, but should isn’t always realistic.
Be mad at Amazon. I’m with you on that. But blaming a band because you don’t like person who signs their check is pretty self defeating in my opinion.
The Foo Fighters don’t owe any of us shit & our opinions on their income streams are irrelevant.
The right boycotted bud light because they were being transphobic. We are simply calling attention to the fact that Dave Grohl does not need the money and doing a show for Amazon execs is a decision he didn’t have to make. I’m not boycotting him, I don’t suddenly hate him and want him to die or something. So please do not compare me to the bigots who decided that a few beer cans showing someone who is trans was basically the end of the world.
Many of us are critiquing his decision and some of you are really upset by it for some reason. We have that right and it’s a valid thing to point out. Would you not judge him for playing a trump rally?
Right, but you have no clue how FF will use that money & you’re willfully ignoring that Amazon has already infected the music industry.
Your moral outrage at FF completely ignores that the band lost a drummer & cancelled a tour on the heels of a global pandemic. You have no idea what their debt to cash ratio is and whether they intend to use that cash to keep costs down for fans or maybe even help Taylor’s family with it.
This thread has seen half of a story, chosen their villain, and are now willing to jump on anyone who might show a modicum of patience and empathy.
So go ahead, call out the Foo Fighters for taking dirty Amazon money… but you still only have a story.
I have a feeling Foo Fighters/Dave Grohl must mean a lot to you and this must be a very difficult discussion for you to have. I’m not really sure I deserve the snipes you are taking at me so I’ll just leave it there. Hopefully you’ll understand the response to it isn’t as binary as your making it out to be, and that you don’t need to be so angry/hostile for people questioning the decision of a successful musician. It’s just a discussion about what we perceive as social responsibility.
I’m not a fan of the Foo Fighters I think they’ve already sold out & while I don’t dislike them, I’m not a fan.
What’s difficult about this conversation is that everyone else has made it black & white, over whether Amazon’s money is tainted.
That’s everyone’s only argument, Amazon money is bad & the Foo Fighters shouldn’t have taken it.
But… that argument ignores the nuance I’m trying to point out.
That money was going to be given to a band or musician for concert full of gross Amazon execs. Full stop. That is all it was ever going to be used for by Amazon & neither you or I can stop it.
So if the Foo Fighters shouldn’t have taken that money, than who should have received it? What band would you prefer to have played for Amazon?
That concert was going down with it without the Foo Fighters. So if not them, then who?
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Keep in mind the prevailing sentiments of any post are heavily influenced by who shows up first. In this case, a number of people showed up with opinions antagonistic to your beliefs. It’s not necessarily representative of the community, just the majority of the people in the comment section at that time. Those with beliefs that run contrary to the prevailing theme in the comment section may decide just not to comment instead of being involved in conflict, further reinforcing the bias.
Didn’t he and the band literally promote AIDs conspiracy theories at concerts?
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Yeah NBD at all! Lol
Imagine stanning for such a mid band
Well for starters, he played a private show for Amazon execs.
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I have no skin in this game dude, I don’t hate Dave Grohl suddenly. I just think this performance was incredibly tacky. You’re way too defensive about this.
He’s a performer. Who he performs for does matter to some degree. If he played Trump’s inauguration, for instance, people would rightfully judge the decision.
It’s not like he needs the money at this point. He can be a little more discerning.
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I dunno. Man’s getting paid to play music. If he takes that money and does something better with it. That’s still a positive. Don’t be a hipster lol
Imagine if they gave some or all of it to an Amazon union drive. A prank of historical proportions
Kurt wasn’t offered millions for a private show.
They should pour out a piss bottle for the warehouse employees who couldn’t attend.
To think this is a problem with just Amazon is silly. This is every American corporation. The executives of every major corporation in this country treat themselves very very well on company dimes while their workers all languish in starvation wages. The only way to fight this is to raise the minimum wage to something that is livable for the average worker. The government needs to force these companies to behave. They will never and I mean abso-fucking-lutely never choose to treat their workers with respect and dignity by paying them a decent living wage.
And the politicians that are in all of their pockets will never ever go against their corporate masters. The only way to make them listen is to get every single American to acknowledge that this is something that is needed and then push their politicians to do it or threaten their jobs by voting for someone else. This goes for both Democrats and Republicans, not quite equally but there’s definitely a few Democrats that need to be replaced.
Bentonville AR is being turned into a bicyclists haven. To the tune of Arkansas laws are making it that bicyclists don’t have to pay attention to traffic laws. That’s neat, wonder why… Ah. And while bicycling is one of the better things I guess billionaires can do, in the region buying bicycles are far beyond affordable anymore to a walmart wage because it’s gotten so over the top fancy, and the Waltons literally have a helicopter with a bike rack to fly out to the trails. My dad is irritated because of how often it shakes his house as it goes over.
Same city, Alice Walton had a really nice museum built in the area that was surely out of the good of her heart… Ah. Unless really local, one might not know of her nickname “Drunken Alice” where she has a history of dwi’s and wrecks, including one where someone was killed, yet somehow nothing seems to stick.
Yea… I’ve got a bit of an axe to grind with the Waltons having grown up in their personal playground, I agree with you to think this is a problem with just Amazon is ludicrous, and despite only living a state away it’s amazing to hear how people bitch about Amazon, it’s chokeholds, it’s problems, its wrecking of the country, and gives a full pass to Walmart. We live in an oligarchy.
Completely unrelated to my bitching about Walmart, but a perfect example of execs doing this nonsense and how I got in trouble because I can’t stop snarking: Worked for a medical testing facility, ran by a doctor. Said doctor buys himself a brand new shiny Lamborghini, then through the whole email has an announcement that for one day for 4 hours where any of the staff can get a picture with the Lambo and share on the company page. Now I met said doc once during training, but otherwise worked 3rd shift with two other people, he certainly never showed up when we had issues.
So when the day happened, it was one of those I commented it’s the first time I think I’m glad that 3rd shift gets ignored on any staff events. Think about it for a second, then ask the others “Who has the newest car?”, turns out was a Nissan Juke. So each of us go out and get a picture with the Juke, then sent the pictures in to where people were supposed to send in the pics with the Lambo. Turns out they got 4 pictures, the 3 with the Juke, and 1 with the Lambo. Got told by our manager said doc was pissed and to keep our heads down.
My last job, we removed two departments and fired them all, then forced to have a “virtual retreat” to save money. Three months later, they showed a PowerPoint how this was their best year ever.
By that point, I was already looking for a new job.
While you’re breaking your back, they’re getting paid millions to eat sushi off of a porn star’s back.
The only way to fight this is to raise the minimum wage to something that is livable for the average worker.
Then what do you do when only the Amazons and Walmarts of the world with the deepest pockets can afford that, and small business basically ceases to exist, as a result? People talk a lot about ‘if you can’t pay a livable wage you don’t deserve to be in business’, but the same people also complain about monopolies and lack of choice at the same time. How do you propose this be reconciled?
Also, no one’s ever going to be able to begin to enforce a “living wage”, even if they wanted to, until that wage is given a concrete definition–at the very least, a formula with variables to account for cost of living differences across the country. Until then, all this clamoring for a “living wage” is completely pointless.
You break your back for pennies while they get millions a second to eat sushi off of a porn star’s back.
Rookies. The real wealth gets to eat sushi off a porn star’s front!
I want this sushi dinner to be the tits, Charlie!
The funny thing is that people always forget about old money - people who don’t know what work is or what actual money is. And who see billionaires as just mere peasants.
There is a lot of old money where I grew up, and it was funny hearing about Blackrock trying to buy their properties. They would offer these people ten times the value, but old money was just “but, that’s just a little bit more money in the money bin. I have a massive house and estate to look at the peasants. Why would I bother?”
And now imagine old money in Europe. For example, the British aristocracy owns at least 30% of land in England (that’s the official number, but Land Registry doesn’t have information about who owns 15% of land at all and it is most likely owned by aristocracy as well). And England has a leasehold system. So if Blackrock would come to a king or some lord to buy some of their land, the land would be sold to them easily as a long term lease, for like 100+ years. And then Blackrock would also pay yearly rent on top of that. Because you ain’t buying shit here, dirty peasant.
Another thing to keep in mind is that old money here have their wealth for over a thousand years. They’re not simply entrenched, they’re a part of the fabric of the country itself. They have all kinds of exceptions in the laws and regulations and exist above everyone else not only in social status, but also in economic and political status as well.
People can hate the rich as much as they want, but there’s a layer in the society which doesn’t care about the existence of the rich and the poor. And they are all related to each other through centuries of strategic marriages, so basically one incredibly large family spread across the whole of Europe.
Just more for the guillotines. Still massively outnumber them.
ffs dave
I wonder when “selling out” or being called a “sell out” stopped being a thing. It happened during my lifetime for sure. Now basically everyone everywhere you look in the music business not only is one, but the public seems to not even consider it an option to not sell out, and I think most people dream of being able to be a sell out themselves so much they pardon others preemptively and almost instinctively.
But like in this case, Dave Grohl is already a multimillionaire, does he really have to further prostitute himself for Amazon cash?
It fell victim to the “gig economy”, now it’s less “Selling out” and more “Get that bag”
they might be under contractual obligation to do what the record label says
🤷 and maybe someone was holding his dog hostage until he performed, but that pic doesn’t look like someone who is having a terrible time fulfilling his label obligations
i was never a fan anyway, couldn’t care less
I’ve got another confession to maaake
I’m kind of bewildered by it, like there wasn’t any expectations but this is the sort of thing a creatively spent band would do, one of their best (imo) albums came out last year they absolutely could’ve passed on this. I’m hoping they at least put on a dogshit show, “Corporate magazines still suck” on Rolling Stone type move.
Dave is a businessman first and foremost. I wonder how Pat is dealing with this sort of shit.
The real question is, how many pee bottles did they force Dave Grohl to fill in order to make his song quota in time?
Corporate musicians still suck
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Yup, this is really maximize shareholder value. I can totally see this teambuilding event doubling dividends. Wait? You said the company never pays dividends and rarely buys back its stock? Wow, I am really seeing those profits!
WWRATMD
Probably not what they tell them
… With a pocket full of shells.
I can’t find much about this gig online, but the Setlist.fm page lists this as a ‘private event’ for Amazon Web Services.
AWS is not the part of Amazon where employees have to piss in bottles. It’s their cloud hosting subsidiary, and the most profitable part of the company. I also can’t find any mention that it’s just the executives of AWS either. It seems more likely to me that this would have been open to the employees of AWS in general as it is the most profitable part of Amazon and the crowd in the pictures seems quite big if it were only made up of ‘AWS executives who like the Foo Fighters’.
Its a yearly event that collects directors and above fork across the company to a week long “convention” that is supposed to be about building cohesive between leadership.
The author went in 2022, when they had bon jovi play, and said it was just a boozy networking event where leadership was dictated to by the execs with no actual exchange of ideas.
In 2022, Amazon made a record profits, but even then they were admonished to save money. Still, no layoffs.
This year? They also made record profits, but had record layoffs, yet the party goes on.
The authors overall point is that Amazon is successful by asking people to “lean in,” to go the extra mile. When you freeze wages and layoff 10,000s of people while threatening more and still throw your 10 million dollar party for yourself, you are telling good people to not only leave, but to lean right the fuck out before they do.
The article says what part of Amazon it was for. It’s for logistics, not AWS, which is a separate division.
