Foo Fighters Rick Roll Westboro Baptist Church
August 23, 2015 8:39 AM Subscribe
Context?
posted by The Legit Republic of Blanketsburg at 8:48 AM on August 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by The Legit Republic of Blanketsburg at 8:48 AM on August 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
Every time I think I can't love Dave Grohl more he proves me wrong. God bless the Foos! (My love also to the multicoloured speedos)
posted by billiebee at 9:08 AM on August 23, 2015 [14 favorites]
posted by billiebee at 9:08 AM on August 23, 2015 [14 favorites]
I may not be a fan of Foo Fighters music, but Dave Grohl has always come off as a pretty decent dude. This just confirms it. Again.
posted by SansPoint at 9:13 AM on August 23, 2015 [16 favorites]
posted by SansPoint at 9:13 AM on August 23, 2015 [16 favorites]
This is not the first time the Foo Fighters have countered Westboro, who apparently picket the Foos concerts.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:22 AM on August 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by filthy light thief at 9:22 AM on August 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
And Grohl rocks on with his broken leg (previously).
posted by filthy light thief at 9:26 AM on August 23, 2015
posted by filthy light thief at 9:26 AM on August 23, 2015
Between the cat purr generator and this, it's a pretty uplifting day so far.
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:29 AM on August 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:29 AM on August 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
I love that we've hit a point where people seem to look and just shrug when Westboro shows up. It used to be outrageous and now when Westboro pickets it gives people a reason to get together and party. Maybe that was Fred Phelp's intention all along?
posted by photoslob at 9:30 AM on August 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by photoslob at 9:30 AM on August 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
Context?
Foo Fighters are an American alternative rock band.
Westboro Baptist Church is a vehemently anti-gay Christian church (arguably a cult) based in Kansas, who are notorious for picketing with inflammatory signs like this, often at events such as soldier's funerals and Lady Gaga concerts. They are hollow, horrible people full of spite and nastiness—but everyone's used to their predictable shock tactics by now, so people like to show up at their protests and screw with them. (I once helped to organize an absurdist counter-protest to one of their appearances myself. It was fun.)
Rickrolling is an Internet prank which involves tricking the victim into viewing the music video for Rick Astley's 1987 pop hit "Never Gonna Give You Up", which is often ridiculous and amusing to modern sensibilities.
So, this is the Foo Fighters rickrolling Westboro Baptist Church.
That help?
posted by escape from the potato planet at 9:36 AM on August 23, 2015 [21 favorites]
Foo Fighters are an American alternative rock band.
Westboro Baptist Church is a vehemently anti-gay Christian church (arguably a cult) based in Kansas, who are notorious for picketing with inflammatory signs like this, often at events such as soldier's funerals and Lady Gaga concerts. They are hollow, horrible people full of spite and nastiness—but everyone's used to their predictable shock tactics by now, so people like to show up at their protests and screw with them. (I once helped to organize an absurdist counter-protest to one of their appearances myself. It was fun.)
Rickrolling is an Internet prank which involves tricking the victim into viewing the music video for Rick Astley's 1987 pop hit "Never Gonna Give You Up", which is often ridiculous and amusing to modern sensibilities.
So, this is the Foo Fighters rickrolling Westboro Baptist Church.
That help?
posted by escape from the potato planet at 9:36 AM on August 23, 2015 [21 favorites]
I took my daughter to FF in Denver last week. I'd heard some tunes I thought were decent on radio. Sorta expected to be bored.
Holly fucking shit. Dave has an amazing stage persona (which may be his actual persona - seems so). great performances by the whole group. Left with tons of righteous feel good rock n roll energy.
And - apparently they are righteous dudes, too.
posted by j_curiouser at 9:41 AM on August 23, 2015 [8 favorites]
Holly fucking shit. Dave has an amazing stage persona (which may be his actual persona - seems so). great performances by the whole group. Left with tons of righteous feel good rock n roll energy.
And - apparently they are righteous dudes, too.
posted by j_curiouser at 9:41 AM on August 23, 2015 [8 favorites]
A little disappointed that Foo Fighters didn't cover it because that would have been awesome.
posted by three blind mice at 9:46 AM on August 23, 2015 [15 favorites]
posted by three blind mice at 9:46 AM on August 23, 2015 [15 favorites]
No, that doesn't help. Did the Foo Fighters trick them into protesting an event that didn't exist?
posted by Brocktoon at 9:51 AM on August 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Brocktoon at 9:51 AM on August 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
"tons of righteous feel good rock n roll energy"... that's how I'd sum up my impression of the FF. Good eggs, having fun.
posted by sutt at 9:52 AM on August 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by sutt at 9:52 AM on August 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
I bet WBC would even picket the second coming of Christ.
posted by Pendragon at 9:54 AM on August 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by Pendragon at 9:54 AM on August 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
The WBC apparently picket the Foo Fighters' concert venue and bother the fans whenever they play Kansas City. So this and the 2011 thing are the Foos' response to these assholes protesting their shows.
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:54 AM on August 23, 2015
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:54 AM on August 23, 2015
Did the Foo Fighters trick them into protesting an event that didn't exist?
No. The term "to rickroll" hasn't necessarily involved trickery, hyperlinks, or even the music video for years. Nowadays it merely means to surprise someone with an impromptu playback of 'Never Gonna Give You Up', in audio or video form, in any context, or to subject them to such playback against their will, with or without trickery.
WBC was protesting the Foo Fighter's own concert in Kansas City, which was a real event.
Westboro was doing the same well-worn shtick they've been doing for years. The Foo Fighters happened to be there, so they drove past in a truck blaring a ridiculous song. The end.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 10:03 AM on August 23, 2015 [4 favorites]
No. The term "to rickroll" hasn't necessarily involved trickery, hyperlinks, or even the music video for years. Nowadays it merely means to surprise someone with an impromptu playback of 'Never Gonna Give You Up', in audio or video form, in any context, or to subject them to such playback against their will, with or without trickery.
WBC was protesting the Foo Fighter's own concert in Kansas City, which was a real event.
Westboro was doing the same well-worn shtick they've been doing for years. The Foo Fighters happened to be there, so they drove past in a truck blaring a ridiculous song. The end.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 10:03 AM on August 23, 2015 [4 favorites]
More context: The reason the WBC protests the Foos in KC is that in 2011, the Foos made this goofy video as a tour promo. The WBC got wind of it and, as you can imagine, did not enjoy its content.
posted by FelliniBlank at 10:06 AM on August 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by FelliniBlank at 10:06 AM on August 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
Saw Foo Fighters last weekend. They aren't a band I particularly care about, although I enjoy their songs enough to have 4 or 5 of them in my iTunes.
But holy fucking wow! They really deliver with the live show. And Grohl proves that you can totally rock out while sitting the entire time. Had a wonderful time, and would see them again anytime.
posted by hippybear at 10:22 AM on August 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
But holy fucking wow! They really deliver with the live show. And Grohl proves that you can totally rock out while sitting the entire time. Had a wonderful time, and would see them again anytime.
posted by hippybear at 10:22 AM on August 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
People in pickup truck beds don't rock the particolored speedo and sausage-tight t-shirt look nearly enough. I'd do it but I lack the thick, inviting love handles. And the pickup.
posted by George_Spiggott at 10:24 AM on August 23, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by George_Spiggott at 10:24 AM on August 23, 2015 [4 favorites]
I guess I'm the mean-spirited asshole who can't stand Dave Grohl and thinks he tries too damn hard to make people like him. I'll just be over here in the corner giving off negative energy, don't mind me!
posted by naju at 10:27 AM on August 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by naju at 10:27 AM on August 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
I'd always assumed Foo Fighters were one of those Christian acts since they're always singing about lookin' for this guy to save them.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 10:39 AM on August 23, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 10:39 AM on August 23, 2015 [5 favorites]
Mod note: One comment deleted. Objections over whether this is properly called a rickroll or not are duly noted; let's skip having a fight over it.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 10:46 AM on August 23, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 10:46 AM on August 23, 2015 [5 favorites]
Mild Correction:
The music video for Rick Astley's 1987 pop hit "Never Gonna Give You Up", was ridiculous to people with modern sensibilities even in 1987.
posted by raysmj at 10:49 AM on August 23, 2015 [11 favorites]
The music video for Rick Astley's 1987 pop hit "Never Gonna Give You Up", was ridiculous to people with modern sensibilities even in 1987.
posted by raysmj at 10:49 AM on August 23, 2015 [11 favorites]
Pat Smear makes everything better. Also hell yes to this particular stunt.
posted by mintcake! at 11:47 AM on August 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by mintcake! at 11:47 AM on August 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
I guess I'm the mean-spirited asshole who can't stand Dave Grohl and thinks he tries too damn hard to make people like him
I'd try and recalibrate your grump-ometer so you reserve that sort of annoyance level for, say, Russell Brand, or Andrew W.K, who both achieved a much higher GPA from The School Of Intense Long Haired Men Who Wish To Be Liked.
posted by Jon Mitchell at 11:59 AM on August 23, 2015 [13 favorites]
I'd try and recalibrate your grump-ometer so you reserve that sort of annoyance level for, say, Russell Brand, or Andrew W.K, who both achieved a much higher GPA from The School Of Intense Long Haired Men Who Wish To Be Liked.
posted by Jon Mitchell at 11:59 AM on August 23, 2015 [13 favorites]
I bet WBC would even picket the second coming of Christ.
If he comes back as a brown-skinned Jewish man born to an unmarried teenager who hands out free healthcare, feeds everyone, and wants us to be kind to each other, I'd say that the odds are 100%.
posted by bile and syntax at 1:04 PM on August 23, 2015 [49 favorites]
If he comes back as a brown-skinned Jewish man born to an unmarried teenager who hands out free healthcare, feeds everyone, and wants us to be kind to each other, I'd say that the odds are 100%.
posted by bile and syntax at 1:04 PM on August 23, 2015 [49 favorites]
And if he should say: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself I think the WBC's head would explode.
posted by chavenet at 2:58 PM on August 23, 2015
posted by chavenet at 2:58 PM on August 23, 2015
I bet WBC would even picket the second coming of Christ.
obviously, since he is not THEIR imaginary god.
posted by oneswellfoop at 3:24 PM on August 23, 2015
obviously, since he is not THEIR imaginary god.
posted by oneswellfoop at 3:24 PM on August 23, 2015
I'm not qualified to comment on the efficacy of rock star social justice awareness raising.
But on a style level, I'll take the Foos over Bono.
posted by raider at 3:36 PM on August 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
But on a style level, I'll take the Foos over Bono.
posted by raider at 3:36 PM on August 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
I'm surprised nobody has linked to this recent thread about 1000 Italian Foo Fighters fans gathering for a mass performance of Learn to Fly. If you don't already like Dave Grohl, watch that video and then watch the clip of Grohl's response delivered in faltering Italian. It's lovely stuff.
posted by Ursula Hitler at 3:46 PM on August 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Ursula Hitler at 3:46 PM on August 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
Darn it - I actually like that music video. It's so 80s - I want my MTV!
posted by AGameOfMoans at 3:59 PM on August 23, 2015
posted by AGameOfMoans at 3:59 PM on August 23, 2015
I guess I'm the mean-spirited asshole who can't stand Dave Grohl
Well, normally I'd be all chaq'un à son grar and everything but in context, if you're looking at Dave Grohl vs the WBC and you still all hatin' on Grohl, well, you can make your stand there if you want to I guess.
posted by George_Spiggott at 6:04 PM on August 23, 2015 [5 favorites]
Well, normally I'd be all chaq'un à son grar and everything but in context, if you're looking at Dave Grohl vs the WBC and you still all hatin' on Grohl, well, you can make your stand there if you want to I guess.
posted by George_Spiggott at 6:04 PM on August 23, 2015 [5 favorites]
Well, I mean, trolling the WBC is kinda the most populist thing you can do at this point. And doing it with a rickroll is something that would've been funny in 2006. But I realize this is a grouch opinion to have ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
posted by naju at 6:15 PM on August 23, 2015
posted by naju at 6:15 PM on August 23, 2015
Yeah, "being opposed to Westboro Baptist Church" is a pretty low bar in terms of human decency. They kinda go out of their way to be opposed by everyone—a distaste for WBC is one of the few things that queercore punk kids, flag-waving veteran bikers, starry-eyed hippies, libertarians, and large numbers of devout Christians can all agree on.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 6:24 PM on August 23, 2015
posted by escape from the potato planet at 6:24 PM on August 23, 2015
And doing it with a rickroll is something that would've been funny in 2006.
The fact that Rickrolling is kind of played out has become part of the joke. Rickrolling is supposed to be an annoying but harmless little prank, like a whoopee cushion on your chair. Now it's been around long enough for people to consider its continued existence annoying too, which only makes it more delightful to those who deploy it. If they get you with a Rickroll and you say, God damn it, this shit stopped being funny like 10 years ago!, that's funny to them.
Darn it - I actually like that music video. It's so 80s - I want my MTV!
I don't think you have to hate the song to be amused by the phenomenon. I think people find the sheer randomness of it funny. It's just a bit of goofy weirdness that everybody gets caught by surprise with these videos of some old Rick Astley song. It could have been a clip of a kitten falling asleep or an episode of Sanford and Son or almost anything. The point is that you are expecting one thing, you get this random clip instead, and you feel like a dummy for having been "gotten" yet again.
posted by Ursula Hitler at 6:53 PM on August 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
The fact that Rickrolling is kind of played out has become part of the joke. Rickrolling is supposed to be an annoying but harmless little prank, like a whoopee cushion on your chair. Now it's been around long enough for people to consider its continued existence annoying too, which only makes it more delightful to those who deploy it. If they get you with a Rickroll and you say, God damn it, this shit stopped being funny like 10 years ago!, that's funny to them.
Darn it - I actually like that music video. It's so 80s - I want my MTV!
I don't think you have to hate the song to be amused by the phenomenon. I think people find the sheer randomness of it funny. It's just a bit of goofy weirdness that everybody gets caught by surprise with these videos of some old Rick Astley song. It could have been a clip of a kitten falling asleep or an episode of Sanford and Son or almost anything. The point is that you are expecting one thing, you get this random clip instead, and you feel like a dummy for having been "gotten" yet again.
posted by Ursula Hitler at 6:53 PM on August 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
I guess I'm the mean-spirited asshole who can't stand Dave Grohl and thinks he tries too damn hard to make people like him.
I dunno, he exists on the periphery of Stuff I Like, and I haven't seen any holes that would hint at any sort of act he's trying to pull off, so I just chalk him up to "likeable." Leaving alone the absurdity of "making people like something."
posted by rhizome at 7:17 PM on August 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
I dunno, he exists on the periphery of Stuff I Like, and I haven't seen any holes that would hint at any sort of act he's trying to pull off, so I just chalk him up to "likeable." Leaving alone the absurdity of "making people like something."
posted by rhizome at 7:17 PM on August 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
Ursula, I agree with all your points.
The point of this post is the clip was of a WBC protest outside a FF concert -- that's the arena in the background. Can you see Kanye or Taylor Swift reacting this way? Instead of ignoring it they decided to have some fun. Of course they know Rickrolling is dated. Have you seen their videos? For a relatively mainstream band, they have mastered going against the grain.
posted by raider at 7:17 PM on August 23, 2015
The point of this post is the clip was of a WBC protest outside a FF concert -- that's the arena in the background. Can you see Kanye or Taylor Swift reacting this way? Instead of ignoring it they decided to have some fun. Of course they know Rickrolling is dated. Have you seen their videos? For a relatively mainstream band, they have mastered going against the grain.
posted by raider at 7:17 PM on August 23, 2015
I was saying it could have been almost anything, but it's probably significant that it's such an upbeat video. Like a Virgin or Born in the USA wouldn't be funny like this. But the Astley video just blasts you with cheerfulness and white people dancing and this scrawny little guy with a big Darth Vader voice. It's like the American Trololo.
I wish Astley seemed like he enjoyed the phenomenon more though. From what I've seen, he doesn't seem to appreciate becoming a meme like this. It must be really weird and confusing to have a legit hit song and then years later it comes around again as this thing people use to annoy each other.
posted by Ursula Hitler at 8:53 PM on August 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
I wish Astley seemed like he enjoyed the phenomenon more though. From what I've seen, he doesn't seem to appreciate becoming a meme like this. It must be really weird and confusing to have a legit hit song and then years later it comes around again as this thing people use to annoy each other.
posted by Ursula Hitler at 8:53 PM on August 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
The last time I heard anything from Astley about the Rickroll, his main trouble was that he doesn't even like the song much (said "it's a bit naff"), but hey. it brings in some money and as long as his daughter isn't embarrassed, where's the harm.
And yeah. for those of us who were of age when it was around the first time, it was more of an "o god why did MTV eat all that acid" kind of thing.
posted by mephron at 10:55 PM on August 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
And yeah. for those of us who were of age when it was around the first time, it was more of an "o god why did MTV eat all that acid" kind of thing.
posted by mephron at 10:55 PM on August 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm sure that he's doing fine with residuals, what with all of his hits in regular rotation on receptionist radio and a Lion King writing credit.
posted by rhizome at 2:11 AM on August 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by rhizome at 2:11 AM on August 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
Astley did get in on the fun by Rickrolling America at the Macy's Parade, so I'd speculate he's at least okay with his memedom.
posted by Twain Device at 4:10 AM on August 24, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by Twain Device at 4:10 AM on August 24, 2015 [3 favorites]
Just to bring everything full circle…
One of these days, I will perform this version at karaoke.
posted by nicepersonality at 6:56 PM on August 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
One of these days, I will perform this version at karaoke.
posted by nicepersonality at 6:56 PM on August 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
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