Politics As Usual? (by Jay Hale)

Not this year. With the presidential race heating up just before the summer conventions, three punk rockers - and one former World Wrestling Federation champion - weigh in with their thoughts on Election 2004

Chris “#2” Barker (Anti-Flag) -- Have you ever noticed how when it comes to political causes, musicians can talk the talk but seldom walk the walk? Even when the fruit of their labor is something easily discernable it rarely addresses a topic that affects their audience in their own backyard on a daily basis. That may be slowly becoming the rule but don’t dare accuse Anti-Flag of heeding it in lock step. You may not like their name, you may not like their politics and you may not like the emblems they use to convey their message but you cannot deny the fact that when this Pittsburgh-based four piece views an injustice, they are the first to rally the troops in opposition. They battled alongside free speech pundits for the right to burn the American flag; they stood in support of imprisoned radical radio host Mumia Abdul-Jamal and perhaps even before he knew who’d be traveling along with him, Anti-Flag guitarist Chris Barker, aka #2, headed off to Iowa for the first election year caucus as part of the Punk Voter delegation.

Mike Gurley (Darkbuster) -- Since its first chord was struck back in the mid-1970s, punk rock has always been synonymous with protest music. From the Sex Pistols lashing out against the monarchy and The Clash pleading for racial harmony all the way to the disillusioned youth of southern California living in fear during Reagan’s Cold War America, punk has always been a voice of dissent, usually one from a more liberal point of view. But what happens when one of its own raises his voice in opposition to punk rock’s political majority? More often than not he becomes a pariah; scorned for going against the grain of a community that claims to be doing just that. Welcome to the world of Mike Gurley, bassist for Darkbuster and the McGunks, as well as a punk rock conservative.

While many right-leaning members of the scene choose to keep their views tight to the vest, Gurley relishes in his outspokenness. “I love being the asshole,” he says over beers shortly after playing with the Dropkick Murphys as part of their St. Patrick’s Day celebration. “I’ll debate anyone, anytime, anywhere.”

Thomas Barnett (Strike Anywhere) -- There’s an old axiom you probably glanced over in your civics books years ago that still rings true today - “All politics are local.” That phrase can solicit many different interpretations, a popular one being that even if a bill passed by Congress doesn’t directly affect you, it more than likely affects your neighbor down the block, thus affecting the community at large. Over the years the slogan has been adopted as a rallying cry by hundreds of grassroots activist organizations from sea to shining sea all looking to make a difference in their little corner of the nation. Judging by the number of causes championed by Strike Anywhere lead vocalist Thomas Barnett, it’s safe to say he’s uttered those four words on several different occasions.

Ultimate Warrior (former WWF Champion) -- The Ultimate Warrior and politics in the same sentence? During the late 1980s you would have most definitely thought it impossible. Bursting onto World Wrestling Federation scene with his Greek god-like physique and unbridled energy, most people saw all brawn and no brain when the Warrior entered the ring, shaking the ropes like a man possessed. Perhaps they still do. There were rumors that the man who’s birth name was Jim Hellwig, before he had it legally changed to Warrior, had died of a drug overdose or numerous other causes over the years but, in fact, he’s been more active than ever. His days in the wrestling limelight may be behind him so Warrior has devised a new plan of attack - expressing his conservative philosophy on both his website, ultimatewarrior.com, as well as during motivational speaking engagements that bring him to college campuses nationwide. Students attending his events looking for a recap of his under-a-minute pounding of the Honky Tonk Man at SummerSlam 88 may be disappointed - this is no trip down memory lane. Warrior brings his political views to the forefront and, like them or dislike them, he always seems to make himself heard.

Warrior is unabashed in his conservative philosophy and uses it as a moral compass in stark contrast to many who share his party line. He talks a good fight and backs it up while many of his peers in the entertainment business stare at their shoes. At the end of the day Warrior questions the determination of these so called closet-conservatives.

“Fear about having others know what you are, what you stand for is not an element to the brand of conservatism I practice,” he states. “Conservatism, as I define it, isn’t about duplicity, accepting falsehoods, hypocrisy or being something other than one truly is, or putting place and circumstance above principle.”

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