Pribek

Remember this?

Abbie Hoffman’s counter culture, textbook that was chock full helpful hints for use in sticking it to the man. Maybe, it really wasn’t “counter culture” because an awful lot of people subscribed to the premise. Hoffman once said…

“It’s embarrassing when you try to overthrow the government and you wind up on the Best Seller’s List.”

The book ended up on the best seller list even though a lot of bookstores wouldn’t carry it because, well…a lot of people stole the book.

If you think about it, it’s not unlike the Radiohead business plan that our friend Gene Simmons was so upset with.

“That’s not a business model that works. I open a store and say ‘Come on in and pay whatever you want.’ Are you on fucking crack? Do you really believe that’s a business model that works?”

I don’t know why I get such a hoot out of cantankerous Gene-”Are you on fucking crack?” For some reason that makes me belly laugh.

Anyway, Kid Rock is now on the soapbox. Kid released a video of a faux public service announcement. Kid Rock says…

“The whole debate on downloading music has gone too far,” he said. “There are record companies suing kids. You can illegally download my music, steal it if you will. Because I’m fucking rich. How can I bitch about you downloading a song or two?”

“What I would encourage you to do? Let’s level the playing field. Steal everything. If you want a new MP3 player or a computer… Do you know how much money Apple and Microsoft have? Go in there, get a new laptop and run. You need a new car? Go steal a Toyota.”

Hey Kid, are you on fucking crack?

Kid Rock says go steal a Toyota. Nice.

What is Kid Rock trying to do here? I don’t think he’s trying to “overthrow the government” like Abbie Hoffman. And, aside from the fact that he lacks Simmons’ eloquence, he isn’t directing his wrath at anybody in the industry like, Gene was.

I think Kid Rock is attempting a little satirical wit in an effort to scold consumers. There is irony only in that, the people that Kid Rock is upset with, are a manifestation of the “counter culture” aesthetic that Abbie Hoffman was promoting back in the early ’70s.

Here’s the video of Kid’s rant.

As always, with the YouTube, just click pause on the music player to your left.