Brand New - Science Fiction (August 17, 2017) [ARCHIVED] Album • Page 1646

Nope, man. I'm sorry, but something just hit me and I think I've realized something that it's important, and something I feel @Jason Tate should be on it too. Anyone with a voice to actual reach people.

I will do my best to organize my thoughts. First, what I'm going to say is going to hurt: We don't get to own not even the meanings of the songs anymore. Why? There's just one vaccine against this kind of "bargain" stage we're seeing it happening as we chat here. People won't move on. We are not seeing a case like lostprophets here. It's bigger, with lots of build up narrative from the fan themselves, so the only "cure" I can see to wake people up is yes, publications like here stopping covering the band and what was discussed before, but there's only one responsible thing to do, in my opinion:

It will hurt people. It will hurt me, it will hurt the person tasked to do that, but what it needs to be done is complete and total exposure. The rest of band coming out simply wouldn't be enough. What needs to be done is an in depth and through analysis about what the songs actually mean in the light of this, through Lacey's lens, and how incredibly and awfully problematic these songs are and how you can't separate the actions from the man who wrote it from the art. How to articulate this without completely crushing someone I don't know, but sugarcoating it wouldn't be the answer either. That way, the last stand of the narrative that is what these songs were supposed to mean to people will be confronted with what they actually meant.

Basically my point is, to make people understand the gravity of the situation, you need to go beyond what was revealed by the survivors of Lacey's abuse or even his own confession. You need to carefully and throughly go by the lyrics and explain that those lyrics, regardless how much good memories you might have attached to it, they were written by a sexual predator that preyed upon teenagers, with a pattern that you can see in the imagery of lyrics going all the way to the freaking cover art. WE GET THIS. Most people don't. Most people here that are well informed enough and realize the gravity of what is going of this whole situation, we can't presume people understand how much is obvious now that Lacey used Brand New to channel literally a career preying upon underage girls, with a pattern, guilty confession on lyrics and literally everything else related to the band, including how he made people think that he was a reclusive shy guy, when it's patently clear that his lyrics weren't introspective and metaphorical, but actual and literal based on his experiences.

I know that I didn't articulate this well enough, but basically, we can see now, regardless the enjoyment we once had with these songs what they mean or meant to us, how much hurtful Brand New's music hurted them. Not just Lacey, but the literal music itself. We need to make people that should know better understand that too. Not because people deserve to understand, but because these people need to be able to put themselves in the place of the victims and how fucked up these lyrics are in the first place so they can finally acknowledge what I think most of us here already have. It is not about hurting people that hold this music dear, but uncovering the truth and owning up for the victims.

Sorry the rambling, someone else could probably articulate this better than I did. But it just hit me that if we want people to understand the gravity of the situation, if we want people to stop calling the victim liars, we need show to them that beyond Lacey's confession post, the confession is literally his work. He got inspiration from this, profited from this, and if people want to love this with their own personal meanings, fine. But first, you need to understand what now has become clear what his songs are about, simply put them and ourselves in the victims shoes. NOT listening to his albums, mind you. Simply googling that shit and exposing what Lacey made this band about.

 

Did anyone expect the rest of the band to put their names on that? I didn’t. But the longer they’re silent the more it seems they knew and are playing a role in victim harassment.

 

I don't think the band members saying anything will stop anything. Shitty people are shitty people. The band releasing a statement isn't going to stop the harassment (sadly)

 

Seriously. They need to call off the garbage people.

 

That statement? No. It was very personal. Just pointing out just because it was posted on the "Brand New facebook" it doesn't mean they can now ignore any further dialogue and influence on this still very volatile situation.

Couldn't hurt?

 

Lol she's told me to unfollow her and that she's "showing all sides"

 

That’s not a real friend

 

It needs to happen, though, because right now they’re not trying to stop victims from being attacked.

 

I guess not. It sucks, I love her but she's being ridiculous and toxic

 

They have influence. While not all would follow, it would impact some people. Silence is unacceptable.

I’m just some dumb fuck fan who posted about them a lot and I made “statement” on my Facebook. I literally introduced the band to a coworker last month. I have influenced people to check them out. I felt the need to say something. If they can’t say anything, fuck them.

 

Urgh went and looked at the Facebook page again. The funny thing with these assholes is they probably wouldn't be saying this ignorant shit if it was an artist they didn't like. They're just too self absorbed to sacrifice music they enjoy so they'll say anything to vindicate themselves for still being a listener.

 

True, but who knows what's going on inside their camp. I don't think we can assume they know what's happening in comment sections. They may be holed up screaming at each other / at Jesse / disconnecting from everyone and sorting out what to do from now on / working on a statement.

I don't think I've read all the reports out there but from what I have read I didn't see any other members ever being present for any meet ups or whatever so this may very well have been news to them just like it was to us. They may have known he was doing something and acting suspicious but not to the extent of 15 year olds so they may be focusing on their lives / families and not dealing with the social media aspect yet (just a thought, not trying to sound like I'm defending them or know what is happening)

 

They know. They are not ignorant of what their fan base is doing.

 

Oh and someone was mentioning Wolf Alice earlier. This has definitely been one of my most played songs of the year. Great band.

 

More than likely yes, I agree. But I think I'm many ways it would have the same effect that Jesse's post had - just lead to more anger and hostility and people saying it's not enough.

I feel they do have to say something but I don't know what they could say that wouldn't just extend the narrative. *Shrugs*

 

We didn’t know and the band is done. Believe and support survivors. Lock down Facebook account. That’s it.

 

I told myself that I'd possibly be able to listen to the music in the distant future but now I don't think I can with how the fan base is reacting

 

“Hey guys, Brian/Vin/Garret here. We know this is a complicated and stressful time. While we appreciate some of you still want to show us support, you need to stop attacking victims/women. It’s literally the worst thing you can be doing. We want nothing to do with that. So, stop being shit stains.”

 

I have fond memories of Deja but I keep coming back to this thread and people pull up more lyrics and paints it in the light of the situation and I feel worse and worse about that album. It's nice to hear people's discoveries but if I never visited that album again, I think I'd still think of it to be a solid album in my mind but now it's getting tainted :( I guess I shouldn't be having fond memories of the album to begin with, but oh well. I'd rather discussion flow than selfishly hold onto lyrics that may or may not refer to the horrible things Jesse was doing at the time.

Also, I don't think the album covers are 'telling' of Jesse's behavior. Two of them were previously captured photos. They were most likely chosen for their provoking, emotional tension. Especially TDAGs (previously known as Untitled #44) and Daisy's.

 

I decided on Saturday I wanted nothing to do with the band after seeing the fan base react then.

 

Someone can tell me if I’m off on this, but didn’t the band skip over playing shows in Texas for a little while? I thought that was a Dupree thing but thinking about the pitchfork piece, maybe it stemmed from what happened with Driskill? Perhaps I should check the records first

Just wondering because of how absurdly shitty it would be to go to that length because a woman stood up for herself

 

I’d never listened to wolf Alice before aside from a couple songs here or there but that one is great! Love the name too haha

 

So much respect for this post, Jason. I still can’t seem to wrap my head around all of this or find the right words to communicate how I’m feeling. I love their music, but this may be a terrible enough action to prevent me from continuing to listen.

 

Their newest record is currently standing as #3 on my AOTY list, behind Black Mile and After The Party. They're really good. The title track/closer is absolutely insane.

 

i see, thank you for telling me this.