Drowning Pool Responds To Arizona Tragedy

Loughner, 22, is accused of opening fire on a crowd gathered outside a grocery store in Tucson, Ariz., during a meeting between Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and voters.
Six people were killed including a federal judge, a nine-year-old girl, and one of Gifford’s aides. Giffords was shot through the head and remains in critical condition. Five other patients are still hospitalized, according to NPR.org.

On Monday the Washington Post reported that a video listed on Loughner’s YouTube channel as a “favorite” features an individual setting fire to an American flag while the song “Bodies” plays in the background.

The single hails from Drowning Pool’s 2001 debut album Sinner. The song’s chorus features the line “Let the bodies hit the floor.”

The Washington Post points out that the tune earned attention in 2003 after it was discovered that then-19-year Joshua Cooke had played “Bodies” on his headphones while killing his parents with a 12-gauge shotgun.

Drowning Pool defended the song in a statement posted to the alternative metal band’s website Monday.

“We were devastated this weekend to learn of the tragic events that occurred in Arizona and that our music has been misinterpreted, again. ‘Bodies’ was written about the brotherhood of the mosh pit and the respect people have for each other in the pit. If you push others down, you have to pick them back up. It was never about violence. It’s about a certain amount of respect and a code.

“We’ve performed for the troops overseas several times in places like Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. Through our song ‘Soldiers,’ we were able to create a petition that helped pass the Lane Evans Mental Health Care Reform Bill, which we presented to then-Senator Barack Obama. … For someone to put out a video misinterpreting a song about a mosh pit as fuel for a violent act shows just how sick they really are. We support those who do what they can to keep America safe.

“Our hearts go out to the victims and their families of this terrible tragedy.”

On Tuesday the band issued a second statement criticizing the Washington Post story.

“We’d like to thank our fans for all of their support yesterday, and once again offer our thoughts to the victims and their families. Jared Lee Loughner is clearly a very disturbed individual.

“The Washington Post ran an article on “Bodies” and the Tucson shootings today.  But instead of telling the whole story, the writer decided to edit what we had to say in order to make it seem like we were somehow responsible for what happened last weekend.

“He left out some really important facts.  Where did the part about us performing for the troops go?  Where was the mention of us helping to pass a bill in support of our soldiers?  If you want to let readers form their own opinions of who we are and what we support, include all of the info!

“We find it inappropriate to imply that our song or rock music in general is to blame for this tragic event. 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 such as the Washington Post.

“Listening to Drowning Pool music does not make you a bad person.  Misleading people does.”

Click here to read the Washington Post article.

Click here for Drowning Pool’s website.