Metal Anarchy

During an appearance on “The Magnificent Others With Billy Corgan,” David Draiman (Disturbed) condemned Roger Waters (ex-Pink Floyd) for his anti-Israel stance, saying “it was such a massive betrayal, not just to [him], but [to] Jews everywhere when he went in the direction that he did.” His words have since caught the attention of Waters himself, who blasted Draiman as “a psychotic racist Nazi pig.”

Corgan and Draiman had the following exchange:

Corgan: “So, let’s talk about Roger Waters for a second. I’ve worked a little bit with Roger, so I know him personally…”

Draiman: “I’m sorry.”

Corgan: “I want to come at it from a slightly different angle because I’m curious if you have any reflection on my observation. My observation is — I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that the defining moment in Roger’s life is his father is killed in World War II. It’s in ‘The Wall‘; he’s made more than one record about it. He might balk at the word ‘trauma,’ but it seems like that would be very traumatic if it happened to anybody.”

And a few years back, Roger was very critical of Radiohead for playing a gig in Israel. Since then, Roger’s made some very strong statements against Israel, including to the point where he’s now estranged from at least one of his bandmates because they don’t agree with his position.

But what I’m asking I guess is sort of a slightly different question and maybe a nicer way to end this, which is, it’s not a stretch for me to understand why someone who went through what Roger‘s been through, for him to look on in horror at the Gaza and civilian population issues. I’ve seen these crazy numbers. Is there an officially recognized number by the state of Israel?”

Draiman: “It’s still being discerned. But let’s go ahead and play the devil’s advocate. Let’s say the number [of Palestinians killed in the Israel-Gaza war] is the 70,000 or 75,000 that the Gaza Health Ministry claims. How many of those were combatants? How many of those died from rockets that were launched by Hamas that ended up hitting their own population.”

Corgan: “I’m not assigning guilt, let’s just say one is too many.”

Draiman: “No doubt.”

Corgan: “It makes sense to me that a man who grew up in the shadow of World War II, lost his daddy in a war, has really suffered the consequence of that pain…”

Draiman: “That he would be hypersensitive to a scenario like that? I agree. But then why isn’t he hypersensitive to what’s going on in Iran. Why did he defend the Iranian Regime?… Here’s the thing, Billy: I grew up on Pink Floyd. I loved Pink Floyd. It was such a massive betrayal, not just to me, but Jews everywhere when he went in the direction that he did. And it wasn’t just two years ago; he’s been doing this for a long time. Roger has a penchant for dictators — the worst [motherf*ckers] on planet earth, Roger just cozies right up to them. He has no problem whatsoever.”

Corgan: “My attemped at peacekmaking failed.”

Draiman: “Not with that one, dude. He’s just such a hypocrite. He’s a hypocrite. He’s not for human rights. He’s for this weird dictator-driven socialist — I don’t even understand what he’s trying to stand for.”

They continued after Corgan asked if he would be open to opposing opinions backed by facts:

Draiman: “Absolutely. You close off and that’s the end of anything.”

Corgan: “So, if Roger Waters called you tomorrow and said, ‘Let’s sit down and talk,’ you’d talk to him?”

Draiman: “I’d have to punch him first, but yeah. [laughs]”

Corgan: “I thought you were a man of peace… I’m not trying to call you out as much as say that, from my perspective, the price of peace is very high.”

Draiman: “Listen, I’d be willing to sit down and have a conversation with just about anybody — except someone that can no longer be reached. And I’m very, very convinced that Roger Waters can no longer be reached.”

For his part, Waters responded with an open letter:

“An open letter to William Patrick Corgan:

Dear Billy

How are you? It’s been too long. David Draiman. Someone forwarded me this chap’s appearance on your podcast. I’d never heard of him. Anyway, it turns out he has heard of me. It seems he has a problem with me standing up for human rights, particularly the human rights of my brothers and sisters in Gaza who are being slaughtered in a genocide by the armed forces of the Nazi racist, pariah state of Israel. You, being the lovely fella you are gave this little piece of sh*t a chance to clarify or even modify his position.

He did. He is a psychotic racist Nazi pig. I’m told, Billy, he writes messages on bombs before the IDF drops them on civilians in Gaza. Enough said. I will continue to work with all my brothers and sisters all over the world in the movement to demand equal human rights for all human beings, irrespective of their religion or ethnicity or nationality. If you, my friend are wondering if I want a conversation with this obnoxious little prick? The answer is non merci Billy, life’s too short, he can inhabit his tiny corner of hell without the benefit of my love and truth.

Love
R.

PS. Disturbed? Er? Yeah! Just a bit!”

Draiman fired back as well:

“And here I was open to dialogue, even with someone I so deeply disagree with.

Honestly @rogerwaters, this is the reaction I unfortunately expected.

It’s disappointing, but predictable.

Be brave Roger.

Blessed are the peacemakers, right?

I’m always willing to try. We must all continue to try.

Even with you.”

[via The PRP]