ROCKTOBER 2004 : : VOTING ON THE MIND

ERIC MCFADDEN
George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Stockholm Syndrome, Eric McFadden Trio, Eric McFadden (Solo)

Why is it important to vote?

Essentially it is important because it is one of the few ways we the people can affect any change. Though I realize we seldom have favorable choices, and we've had one election stolen from us, it is still our responsibility to exercise that right. If every one who didn't vote were to vote, I believe the results would be rather profound.

Is this election any different than elections past?

For one, people have never been so divided or impassioned as this in my lifetime. There is a sense of urgency. For many, there is also the underlying, or perhaps not so underlying fear that the Bush administration may have another dirty trick up their sleeve. This is the most important election of the past few generations if not in America's history.

Do politics have a place in music?

Absolutely. Not that I believe in preaching to my audience, but there are ways to inform, educate and provoke thought without sounding like some self-righteous preacher. Look at Bob Dylan and The Clash for example. You don't necessarily have to have political lyrics in you music to be political.

Why or why not?

I believe in the idea of music and other art forms being unlimited in what they can express. There should be no such limitations as themes or subjects. It is a forum for all expression. The greatest gift to come from America is its music. Censorship is un-American and has no place in the arts.