"Nirvana was a political band"
Published November 20, 2003
Nirvana alumni: suicide victim, leader of a successful post-grunge band, lieutenant governor?
- Grunge-rock pioneer Krist Novoselic says he may run for lieutenant governor in what would be the next step of a transition from rock star to politician.
Novoselic, a founder and bass player of the seminal band Nirvana and more recently an activist Democrat, is enough of a politician already to be wary about facing off against fellow Democrat Lt. Gov. Brad Owen, a two-term incumbent. But he's thinking seriously about the intra-party challenge, is talking to party leaders and says he does not want to go through 2004 as a spectator.
"I've been really contemplating how I want to get involved next year and make a contribution," Novoselic said this week. "It's going to be a big year and I'm trying to find a way to fit into it."
The office has few required duties. In the past, celebrities have been successful at winning the post.
"I don't go around encouraging primaries against incumbents," said state Democratic Party Chairman Paul Berendt. "But we've had a big-band leader and a University of Washington coach in that job. What's to say that a member of Nirvana wouldn't fit right in?"
....While Novoselic says he is done with the music business, there are ties between his music and his politics.
"Nirvana was a political band," he said. "And we were the prophets of the disenfranchised. We spoke to the disenfranchised because we ourselves felt that way."
He promoted Super Districts in a speech earlier this month at Portland State University.
"Once democracy becomes predictable and a formula to sustain the establishment, people become cynical, stop voting and tune out," he said in the speech. "The time has come for the new wave in American politics. The time has come for a 'Full Representation' democracy."
Given his interest in elections, Novoselic said some people have suggested he consider running for secretary of state instead. The office is currently held by a Republican, Sam Reed.
But Novoselic is attracted by what he sees as the bully pulpit opportunities of lieutenant governor, a job whose biggest public role is presiding over the state Senate during the legislative session.
- "Nirvana was a political band"
- Published: November 20, 2003
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- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: News
- Writer: Eric Olsen
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I much more admire when entertainment figures actually get involved with politics and put their time and effort where their mouths are, so to speak, rather than just run their mouths off because they can.
But that's what much of politics is... running your mouth. What do our sentators do all day in the US Senate but rant at each other?
It's still a level of involvement that Johnny Depp, Janeane Garofolo, Tim Robbins, etc, don't bother to achieve. They have the right to say whatever they want just like you or I do, but instead of getting things done, they use their fame to be heard in order to feed their enormous egos. Being in a position of power like celebrity makes a lot of these people self-important, but attempting to actually join the scrum like Novoselic might, is more honorable than running your mouth because you are famous and people will listen.
And as Arnold and Ventura have done, whether you like the result or not.
That was always the obvious answer to the lefties who sneered "Why is it ok for Arnold to get into politics but not Barbra Striesand?" or whichever Hollywood lefty you choose to fill in the blank. Serving in office puts you on the hook to obtain results.
I'm sure I don't agree with much of Novoselic's politics, but my hat will be off to him if he bucks this trend and actually puts his money (and more importantly, his effort) where his mouth his.
exactly Alex, thanks
Why should I wait until Christmas to shove sweets down my pants...oh, wait, this isn't the holiday poll...um, nevermind.
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Interesting. I have always admired Krist for speaking his mind and taking action to promote an open flow of ideas for artists and musicians. I'd like to see him step up and take a shot at Lt. Gov. He always seemed like the talkative political-type. He was also a musical inspiration for me, so it's good to know he's still out there doing good.