The Black CrowesChris Robinson, the vocalist of US rockers The Black Crowes, has addressed the recent controversy that was stirred up following some of his onstage comments.
Over the weekend, the Georgia rock outfit were performing at Tampa’s MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre on Sunday, June 1st as part of their Southern Hospitality tour, when the conclusion of their track Soul Singing gave way to chants of “U-S-A!” from the audience.
“Thanks for the geography lesson,” Robinson was reported as saying, adding, “I don’t know what you’re so proud of right now.”
“Some of us have real faith,” Robinson continued to the crowd as many audience members reportedly walked out. “For those of you fucking booing us, some of us are not afraid. And we most assuredly are not fucking ignorant.”
More fans continued to leave the venue as the band began to play She Talks To Angels, with comments on platforms such as Setlist.fm stating that apparently “over half the audience left,” though this has not been verified.
@lifeofbrett68 The Black Crowes frontman, Chris Robinson, got into a shouting match with Florida fans after they began chanting “USA, USA, USA” during a stop in Tampa on Sunday. #theblackcrowes #fyp #foryoupage #fypシ
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Speaking to Ultimate Classic Rock this week, Robinson took the opportunity to address his recent comments, clarifying there wasn’t anything inherently political in what he said. "One of the [things] this country [was] founded on is being able to say whatever you want," he explained, "and that's both sides of whatever you pick."
"I think the whole thing was, of course, blown out of context so people can get clicks and people can stir up the animosity and philosophies or how you feel about life," he continues.
"But be most assured, you know, whatever. It doesn't matter. In a week, something else will come up that [will stir up] the hornets' nest.”
Notably, some of the controversy surrounding Robinson’s comments was centred around the fact that he shut down a patriotic chant which occurred when their Black Crowe mascot appeared on the screen behind the band, dressed in Uncle Sam garb.
As a result, he’s become the target of some criticism for allegedly disrespecting US veterans – especially given the performance took place days after Memorial Day, which honours those lost in the line of duty.
"No matter what I ever would say or do or feel about things, there's no way I would disrespect our veterans,” Robinson added. “I'm a person that I wish we had moved along as a species not to have violence be the way that we resolve conflicts.
"But for the people who've put their lives on the line and made that sacrifice and dedication, I wouldn't do that," he continued. "I can see that for exactly what it is. Other than that, you know, I have to speak my mind. But I don't have an agenda or anything, you know what I mean?
“I'm just trying to make a soulful connection with people and we'll continue to endeavor to persevere, as they say in the The Outlaw Josey Wales."
This, of course, tracks with previous comments made by Robinson, who specifically stated in March that he is “not interested in politics.”
“I’m more interested in poetry and art and people and experience,” he told Mojo. “But a song doesn’t have to be like an overt political statement. I know what’s right and wrong – and this shit going on right now is wrong.”
