Friday, October 03, 2003 Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NIGHT BEAT: Musicians have plenty to say on Schwarzenegger candidacy

Historically, musicians have made deep and stupid comments about politics, either in songs or just by blabbing to the press. But the big political splash of 2003 -- the candidacy for governor of one Arnold Schwarzenegger -- happened so quickly that there were no quick political songs in the public domain about it by election month.

Even so, musicians waxed about the governor's race, sometimes articulately, sometimes not. With Tuesday's election looming, here are some of the smart and silly things that several musical stars told me recently.

Johnny Rotten, 47, of the Sex Pistols: "You've got Arnold Schwarzenegger now running for some kind of government thing. Isn't this telling you something? If you're going to make a joke of your own system and put your lives in the hands of negligent assholes, you will get what you deserve. ... You're humiliating yourself."

Eddie Angel of Los Straitjackets: "It sounds kind of like California's in a real mess. I don't have a problem with Schwarzenegger running for office. I have a feeling in 100 years, all our politicians are going to be celebrities, and everyone's going to be 300 pounds. It's just the wave of the future."

Casey Spooner, 33, of electronic, synthesizer-pop outfit Fischerspooner: "There's gonna come a time where we're gonna have to pass legislation that's like the separation between church and state, but that's gonna be between state and entertainment. But if he does get elected, let's hope he gets a better writer than he did for 'T-3.' Let's see if he can produce a better political career than he can a movie."

Tad Kinchla of Blues Traveler: "To be totally honest, there's not much of a difference between him and Bush Jr., because he's a figurehead. It's the cabinet member who's making the calls. ... He's a shrewd businessman. He's proven he can make decisions, which is more than I can say for Bush. I also think that the forced recall is a little bit of a tough situation for the governor."

Mike Mills of R.E.M.: "It's horrible. I think it's a misuse of the California political system, and I think they're gonna end up with some really crappy, stupid governor they're gonna really regret in a year and a half. ... It's just disgusting. It's more Republican politics. The Republicans do not care. They will do whatever they have to do" to win.

Guitar hero and San Franciscan Joe Satriani: "California, in all of its forward-thinking, eventually shoots itself in its foot. ... Just when you think things are getting better, they get remarkably worse. ... From my (native) New Yorker's point of view, it's sort of clouded this California dream. So I think the voters should vote against the recall, and they should change that (recall) law, and then they should get all over the governor, because the one thing he will do is respond to peer pressure. That's his downfall, but we can use that for our advantage."

Matt Winter, 20, of California-based, pop-rock band Rooney: "I won't deny I thought, `Oh, that's awesome, the `Terminator' is running.' But the truth is, if this guy wins, it says something pretty terrible about not only California, but human nature and our ability to determine what's real and what's fake. ... When you see him on the news and he can't answer a single question, it's alarming. ... It's unbelievable how much we look up to arguably talentless people. This guy isn't even necessarily a credible actor. Why are we worshipping this guy and his lifestyle?"

Announcement

Spring Mountain State Park plays host again to a jazz gathering this weekend. Smooth jazz performers lay down their stuff at the Spring Mountain Jazz Fest.

Performing: guitarist Peter White and Acoustic Alchemy, sax men Jeff Kashiwa and Jimmy Sommers, and others.

Gates open at 1 p.m. Saturday. Music starts at 2 p.m. Prices are $42. Tickets are on sale at Mr. Bill's Pipe and Tobacco stores, and the Nellis Air Force Base ticket office. Or charge by phone at (800) 969-8342.

Hear and there

The independent-rock heroes of Interpol play the Huntridge Theatre on Saturday. Showtime is 9 p.m. Tickets cost $20 at the door, 1208 E. Charleston Blvd., at Balcony Lights and through Ticketmaster, or charge by phone at 474-4000. ...

Fuel plays the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay on Saturday. Showtime is 7:45 p.m. for openers Smile Empty Soul and DJ Swamp. Tickets cost $20 at the box office, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South, and through Ticketmaster. To charge by phone, call 632-7600. ...

Local, accomplished singer Shawn Eiferman leads a CD-release party for Ponder, his new pop-rock band during a free performance tonight at Club Madrid. Raygunriot opens at 10 p.m. with songs from a new CD. The club is in Sunset Station, 1301 W Sunset Road, Henderson. For more information, call 547-5300. ...

And later this week, on Wednesday, the Red Hot Chili Peppers play at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. for the opening band, the great Flaming Lips. Tickets cost $40 at the box office, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South, and through Ticketmaster. To charge by phone, call 632-7580.