So yesterday, I got a press release from Korn – the band, not the yellow vegetable – claiming they were going to boycott BP fuel during their summer tour. They said they were “motivated” by the disaster, and wouldn’t be fueling any of its tour vehicles with evil BP gas.
This ruffled my undies. As Penn Jillette notes about this kind of posturing – it stinks of self-importance.
I mean, after a massive tragedy that cost human lives – and now animals – the last people anyone wants to hear from are bigtime rock stars. Or, um, Korn. I mean, I guess you can use the whole, “raising awareness” angle, but seriously – we already know BP is an oil company, and oil is leaking, and leaking oil is bad. Declaring a boycott is sillier than corn rows on a whiny, middle-aged white guy.
Anyway, I asked Korn’s people if they thought boycotting BP would make the company feel any worse than they do now. I also asked if Korn might be using this catastrophe as a PR angle to advertise their tour.
They answered me promptly: As for pimping their tour, they said they aren’t worried about ticket sales, they’re fine. But if that’s the case – why would you mention in the “boycott” press release that “Korn will spend their summer as a headliner on the third annual Rock Star Energy Drink Mayhem Festival playing in 14,000 to 30,000 seat amphitheaters.” Maybe it was to let the postman know, so he’ll hold their mail.
Anyway, they also said that they “just want it to cost these corporations more…. That way… future lives are saved.”
Well, at least Korn is doing something that’s purely capitalistic – they’re taking their business elsewhere. And getting press for it to boot.
I’m sure those folks at Citgo and Lukoil will appreciate the business.
And if you disagree with me, you’re a racist homophobe who still listens to nu-metal.
Here’s a nice article.
ALSO: did you see this? Someone’s making money off my catch phrase!
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