Comments for Rock and Theology

Comment on From “Mission” to “Dialogue” in Theological Appreciation of Music by Dave Nantais

Dave Nantais — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 13:42:19 +0000

Tommy,
Very thought-provoking post. I believe my views on how I relate music and theology/spirituality/faith have made significant changes over the past 15 years. One major shift is from analyzing secular rock songs in order to “prove” their religious/spiritual worth toward allowing the music to speak for itself without need of my imprimatur. In my 20′s I took for granted that “popular” music contained spiritual meanings and religious themes, and I wanted to prove this to others by unveiling those meanings/themes, as if the music required this in order to be validated as “spiritual”. I would say that my understanding of how music and theology/religion/spirituality are related is still evolving and I am much more receptive of meanings and interpretations outside of a particular tradition.

Comment on Death (the Detroit punk band) finds new life by Dave Nantais

Dave Nantais — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 12:44:00 +0000

Here’s a cool article about Death performing at Metallica’s Orion Festival in Detroit this year:
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130607/ENT04/306070055/

Comment on Mark Frickey, RIP by Janet Sassi

Janet Sassi — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 17:16:54 +0000

Recently Fordham’s faculty publication featured a short profile of Mark, which you can see here:

http://www.fordham.edu/campus_resources/enewsroom/inside_fordham/may_18_2013/faces_in_the_class_o/helping_parishioners_92010.asp

Comment on Death (the Detroit punk band) finds new life by Dave Nantais

Dave Nantais — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 12:54:36 +0000

Thank you, Chris–great post! I’ve been following this band for a few years since they have received some press here in Detroit. I am fascinated by how the context of the times influenced their music–the Detroit riots, the police brutality against African Americans, and perhaps even some angry reactions against Motown music, with its polished production and choreographed style.

Comment on Death (the Detroit punk band) finds new life by T Beaudoin

T Beaudoin — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 04:31:38 +0000

Chris, thanks for alerting us to this band and documentary. That sounds like a remarkable part of rock and roll history. I wonder if/how their understanding of death was a factor in their songwriting. Where did that musical form come from for them? I will be interested to learn; perhaps the documentary can shed some light.

For R&T readers in the New York City area interested in the state of African-American punk and more in 2013, the Afropunk festival this year is 24-25 August. See http://www.afropunk.com.

Comment on Robert Plant in Kiev: “My Religion?” by Tim Spencer

Tim Spencer — Thu, 30 May 2013 21:27:58 +0000

Robert Plant has always said about religion – “Personal Choice.” As far as rock music always having the thread of pantheism; that is just a fancy name for paganism. But what people truly believes always comes out in their life, in their actions.

Comment on R.I.P. Ray Manzarek by Brandt Hardin

Brandt Hardin — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:59:25 +0000

Ray’s keyboards were a staple of The Doors. He’ll certainly be missed after such a long and fruitful career helping to create such haunting music. The Doors’ songs opened my mind to other realms of possibilities and cleansed my perception. I paid tribute to Ray when I heard of his passing by creating a new portrait of him and some melting doors which you can see on my artist’s blog at http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/2013/05/in-memoriam-ray-manzarek.html Drop by and let me know how The Doors influenced you too.

Comment on R.I.P. Ray Manzarek by Joe

Joe — Wed, 22 May 2013 03:47:00 +0000

Good stuff, David. Sadly, that video link does not work, due to copyright infringement. Kind of appropos, since Ray was a bitch about artist royalties and copyright issues. In the 21st century though, I think, sharing is the better approach. It’s not about money, it’s about art. Give it away and enrich lives. Ray and the Doors did that for millions of people, but in an archaic older time, when record labels ruled the roost. These days, the artist rules the roost. No greed required.

Comment on Geddy Lee, Jewish Atheist by cnjd

cnjd — Sun, 19 May 2013 04:04:13 +0000

If you exist and I exist and plants and other animals exist, why can’t other life forms exist somewhere else in some other way? What makes earthlings so special? I believe in God and all aliens as I believe in me. Why are you so egocentric and closed minded? What is it that you fear so greatly? Jump!

Comment on Churches Leading the Way to Punk? by Ian Fowles

Ian Fowles — Wed, 08 May 2013 18:15:50 +0000

Great post Michael! MacKaye’s sainthood in punk is without question, and i find it interesting how he helped found not only two huge musical movements (hardcore w/Minor Threat and arguably Emo w/Fugazi), but also an ideological one as well (straight edge). Both seem to have spiraled far beyond what his teenage self could have envisioned. In some interviews (in the film American Hardcore i believe) he seems to show almost regret for the way some of his ideas and lyrics were embraced (ie: militant & violent straight edgers or misinterpretations of the song “Guilty of Being White” by neo-nazis). I wonder if founders of spiritual communities accordingly ever feel similar amazement (and perhaps disdain) for what followers have done with their original message?