Kneecap

[JamesWales]

Re: Kneecap

All very valid points Bob, but I'm not sure what it has to do with kneecaps comments on MPs and support for proscribed groups and whether they should have gigs cancelled and the like?

[Dorcus]

Re: Kneecap

They should be replaced by Elbow.

By the way, did you know that the words 'patella' (knee cap) and 'paella' are cognate. Clue: it's about being dish-shaped, the latter being prepared in a pan of that shape.

It would be more humane to "elbow" them out rather than "kneecap" them.

[jon1959]

Re: Kneecap

https://www.stereogum.com/2306326/massive-attack-pulp-primal-scream-dozens-of-other-uk-acts-share-statement-of-support-for-kneecap/news/

[JamesWales]

Re: Kneecap

https://www.stereogum.com/2306326/ma...-kneecap/news/

Rock 4 Hatred ✊

[Wash DC Blue]

Re: Kneecap

When the establishment tries to silence a band, there is only one winner.

Their notoriety has hit the stratosphere!

Free Speech for all even if you don’t like it.

[JamesWales]

Re: Kneecap

When the establishment tries to silence a band, there is only one winner.

Their notoriety has hit the stratosphere!

Free Speech for all even if you don’t like it.

Sympathetic to that view and I do think the balance hasn't been struck in the right place in recent years, but the line is always (and should always be) drawn at incitement to violence / hatred. That surely has to be the line in the sand, no?

The question is whether kneecap crossed that line

[+ the native hipster]

Re: Kneecap

charged with a terrorist offence , just a silly mistake or a call to kill jews?

[jon1959]

Re: Kneecap

charged with a terrorist offence , just a silly mistake or a call to kill jews?

A ‘call to kill jews’?

They made a stupid comment about ‘killing’ MPs - which was a poor ‘joke’ (not funny, even in the moment) and they apologised. Not even David Amess’s daughter thought they meant it literally.

Where does your take come from?

[JamesWales]

Re: Kneecap

I think he's in big trouble. And their daft statement to the charges today won't help one bit.

You can see the video that's prompted it here:

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9ie5qs

Let's be honest, when someone uses words like "rape" or "kill", context matters a lot. Some CCFC fans chanting "gas a jack" doesn't mean they mean it. Talking about killing someone online is more often than not closer in context to a teenager telling his parents to "f**k off and die" than it is a credible death threat.

The problem for kneecap is that they are dripping in nationalist and terrorist iconography, and not of some distant groups, but groups that are out there and killing people pretty much as we type.

The name itself refers to IRA punishments, one fellas name is a play on the word Provo (Provisional IRA). Wearing a balaclava is of course not a crime but I don't think he's doing it cos he's cold.

Then you have the band member in question who holds up a Hezbollah flag (a proscribed terrorist group) and shouts "Up Hamas" (a proscribed terrorist group) and "Up Hezbollah" to a cheering audience who are clearly lapping it up.

The fact he's guilty of being a naive idiot is probably not in doubt, but really it's pretty cut and dried in terms of showing outward support for banned groups and why would some people not take it literally? If they wouldn't take that literally, then no audience will take anything literally and it's open season for anyone to say what they like and wave any flag they like and promote what they like.

I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't serve time (which will probably help with record sales) and if he doesn't the claims of a two tier justice system will be given rocket fuel and understandably so.

[delmbox]

Re: Kneecap

Where does your take come from?

Special Brew

[+ the native hipster]

Re: Kneecap

A ‘call to kill jews’?

They made a stupid comment about ‘killing’ MPs - which was a poor ‘joke’ (not funny, even in the moment) and they apologised. Not even David Amess’s daughter thought they meant it literally.

Where does your take come from?

he is charged with supporting a terrorist organisation hezbolla , an organisation dedicated to the removal of jews , so i spoze thats where my take comes from

[jon1959]

Re: Kneecap

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/may/24/kneecap-review-wide-awake-festival-brockwell-park-london

They donated their fee to Médecins Sans Frontières.

[Rjk]

Re: Kneecap

I've not heard any of their music, and I'm not familiar with their political stance.

presumably these guys are all to young to remember the troubles themselves? are they just fetishizing something they no nothing about or do they have some interesting points?

[Dorcus]

Re: Kneecap

he is charged with supporting a terrorist organisation hezbolla , an organisation dedicated to the removal of jews , so i spoze thats where my take comes from

I imagine you'd be ecstatic if they suddenly usurped Wales? Come on, time to grow up!

[+ the native hipster]

Re: Kneecap

I imagine you'd be ecstatic if they suddenly usurped Wales? Come on, time to grow up!

?