SLIPKNOT, MASTODON Guitarists Dismiss Suggestions Metal Played Part In Arizona Shootings

January 21, 2011

SLIPKNOT guitarist Mick Thomson and MASTODON axeman Bill Kelliher spoke to AOL's Noisecreep about recent media suggestions that heavy metal music may have been a contributing factor as far as what inspired alleged gunman Jared Lee Loughner to commit the horrific acts during his Tucson, Arizona shooting spree.

"The music he listened to, in my opinion, had absolutely nothing to do about it," Thomson said. "It's the things that happen to you early in your life that affect you later; how successful or unsuccessful you are. It's all the things you experience that ultimately make you what you are. Not just some piece of music. Different people deal with things in different ways, but attacking heavy metal music seems ridiculous."

Kelliher agreed, saying, "Even though it has nothing to do with our music, it's a cop out to blame any music. When I was a teenager, I listened to SLAYER, the MISFITS, METALLICA — music doesn't make you worship Satan or commit crimes. It's bad parenting, mental problems. If you're going to try and blame it on music, you're fucking ignorant."

Texas heavy rockers DROWNING POOL recently released a follow-up statement in response to news reports that Loughner had listed as a "favorite" on his YouTube channel a video featuring the band's song "Bodies" as its relentless soundtrack.

Loughner fatally shot six people and injured 14 others, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., who was holding a public event in Tucson for constituents.

Loughner had an unofficial video featuring "Bodies" playing in the background while a masked man burns the American flag listed as a favorite on his YouTube channel, leading some media commentators to speculate that the killer was influenced by the song.

"We find it inappropriate to imply that our song or rock music in general is to blame for this tragic event," DROWNING POOL said. "It is premature to make this assumption without having all the facts in the case. It is just as likely that this horrible act was caused by the irresponsible and violent rhetoric used by mainstream media outlets."

Mug shot of alleged Arizona shooter Jared Loughner:

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