So the Scientology Affirmation thread got me thinking... the chain of thoughts was something along the lines of "Travolta believes that crap, thus Travolta is not really the guy I thought he was (never been a huge fan, but you know), thus I cannot view Travolta's work anymore without constantly thinking about how he believes that crap..." He's tainted. Him and Cruise. And then I suddenly realize that this all seems awfully familiar. I have let personal info about "artists" influence my view of their works before.

Example: I saw an interview once in the 90's with the Gallagher (sp?) bros, in which they were asked about Beatles comparison's, and one of them rolls his eyes and procedes to scoff at the Beatles, going so far as to say that Oasis was far superior, and thus the comparison was deserving of his massive, ego-soaked eye roll. And every so often after that, I'd notice them in the news for something like fighting in public or public intoxication, or bragging again about how amazing they thought they were.

The point is this... I consider them cocky assholes, and I never listened to their music with any kind of an open ear. I know, I know, it's just Oasis, it's not that great anyway, but it's better than I gave it credit for being, and that's not really fair of me, I think. So:

Should personality factor in, if one has a choice in the matter? Or, put another way, if Ashlee Simpson *somehow* put out the most amazing, original album of breathtaking vision in all of 2005, would any of us admit it? Forget that it's impossible, and just ponder the principle, if you will.

Ashlee simpson is just a dumb kid, though, i don't really hold her accountable for anything.

edit - but that said, i see your point. i hate a lot of bands for a lot of reasons that don't have anything to do with the music, be it their politics, images or even because some dipshit talked my ear off about them once.

Fair enough, bad example. It'd be funny, though, if she somehow just came up with really good material, all on her own, and released it. NObody would believe it.

i feel like that kind of happened with the Steve Burns album. Guy from Blue's Clues ended up making one of favorite records.

Personality is a factor, but it's way down the list, especially if the personality isn't inherent in the art. Ditto politics. My political/philosophical views are inconsistent with those of most of my favorite artists. I can look past this, however, because the music is rarely defined by the artists' views. I don't take to being scolded/lectured by my music, and the artists I consider my faves generally keep their private views private.

Its is tough to seperate the two...

but in the end, you could probably find something you hate about everyone of your favorite artists....then you'll be left no listening to anyone....

Upon further reflection, while not "personality" per se, there are extra-musical elements that can turn me off of an artist. You won't here me playing any Gary Glitter tunes any time soon.

In the case of oasis, there just came a day when one of their songs was on in the background somewhere and it slipped past the goalie, and I caught myself liking it. Made me question the goalie's worth. Again, they're not the best songs ever, but they're good enough rock/pop songs. I have the same objections to the Cure because back in the day his makeup scared me... I have a clown thing.

i think the two are inseperable in music much of the time.
Oasis made big bold and brash music about being cool and worrying about being awesome. that's who they were.

but not as much for an actor, because they are acting.

I think personality almost always factors in, somehow.

If I miss something because I don't dig their personality, big deal. There is no way I'll ever hear everything that I would have liked, so I'm content to like what I've already found, and feel lucky when I find something new I like as well. I'm not concerned with discovering every nook and cranny ever pressed.

And even if Ashlee Simpson did produce some sort of amazing original album, it will never be determined by a consensus no matter how good it is. That's just the nature of opinions.

Heh heh heh. Robert Smith = clown.

Can't even talk to old ladies who wear gobs of makeup. It's pretty bad.

This is sorta what you are talking about.

I have always been a rampant fan of the Clash. They could do no wrong with me. Years ago a bootleg tape came my way which had an appearance by the Clash on a Boston radio station. It contained everything that went out on the air AND the banter during the commercials.

I was so disapointed to hear my heroes make really cheap and disgusting "jokes" about homosexuals. It was really crude stuff. I suppose I naively wanted them to be above all that. The Clash were supposed to be better than that and corny as it may sound always the good guys.

Stupid of me? Probably. But at the time it hurt. I didn't toss my Clash records or anything and I still love 'em but it was just a little bit lessened.

Steve

I have a buddy in the UK, who has recorded in the same studio as the Radiohead boys....

He would tell me stories that he overheard or got to witness, painting a somewhat negative light about Thom, and I made him stop telling me, cause I knew it would affect how I viewed him and stuff.

People are so disappointing. I steer as clear as possible of artist biographies, b/c it's very hard for me to separate what I know about the artist from their stuff. Miles Davis was a serial batterer and I can no longer appreciate his work without thinking of it. Glitter is a pedophile. Etc.

It's a little better if they're dead, so I don't feel like my royalties are going to people whose beliefs or actions actively disgust me.

Wacko Jacko disgusts the fuck out of me, but I'd cut the first person trying to nick my Off The Wall & Thriller records.

but can you listen to his NEW music without thinking about it?

Yeah - then it goes to their estate...so it'd be the heirs to a pedophile/batterer's fortune that reaps the awards...

True dat. Back when he recorded those (good) albums, molesting little boys was nothing more than a distant twinkle to him. Puts the newer works in a different light.

I initially thought you were referring to the watermelon-smashing comic Gallagher and his brother who took over after he died. I wondered who was making Beatles comparisons. Even when they said Oasis was far superior, all I could think was, "wow, that watermelon guy must really like Oasis."

Hey, if they had to live with the asshole maybe they're buying some kick-ass therapy or something

I once saw Gallager in "concert," back when I ushered at the Fox in Atl... worst comic performance I have ever witnessed. He, too, is no better than the Beatles.

i used to really care about personality/ethics when it came to music and if someone is very extreme in one direction, i can't help but let that influence my feelings. but, and i don't know if this is because i'm growing up or because of the stuff i've experienced being in a band/playing with other bands/booking agent stuff, personality is absolutely one of the things i least care about in making my mind up about a band these days.

and after meeting countless ben gibbard clones (basically, kinda dull and shy, but nice all the same) i do value the change of pace the Gallaghers brought to the table, esp. when juxtaposed with the self-righteous/seriousness of an Albarn.

yep, opinions.

KPH

Kyle, emrace the inner "aaaaah" and you will love this shit. That is to say, drunks, drug addicts and miscreants of most types are my favorite artists, be it actors, musicians, or writers...even politicians. I respect dudes like Charlie Wilson way more than self righteous pricks.

But, if you are a fucking child molester like G.Glitter or Jacko, you are cut off.

if you are just plain sorry, like a lot of folks, you are not even payed attention to.

It cuts two ways as well, because while I revere Keef and Ronnie for being open boohoo drug freaks, I don't like dudes like James Osterberg because I they are declasse.

Basically, I don't think it is possible to seperate personal perceptions from what you like.

Oh, that Aaron.....what a cute kid!!!