John Joseph's Take: Activist Bands' Silence on 'The System' During the Pandemic (2025)

In a recent Facebook post, hardcore punk legend John Joseph, known for his work with Cro-Mags and Bloodclot, ignited a fiery debate by calling out activist bands for their silence during the pandemic era. But is he right to criticize his peers, or is this a controversial take?

Joseph claims that despite many bands building their careers on anti-establishment messages, they remained eerily quiet when it came to challenging the COVID-19 measures and lockdowns. He argues that these bands either feared backlash from the online community or secretly supported the very system they once rallied against. A bold accusation, indeed!

The musician himself has been outspoken about his opposition to COVID-19 vaccination protocols and government-imposed safety measures, even referring to them as 'government overreach'. In his post, he proudly mentions sneaking into studios during lockdowns to create music that 'spoke truth to power'.

But here's where it gets controversial: Joseph's lyrics in the song 'Souls' seem to allude to a dark conspiracy theory, suggesting a hidden agenda behind the pandemic response. This has sparked heated discussions in the comments section, with Joseph engaging both fans and critics alike.

The question remains: Should bands have used their platforms to challenge the system during the pandemic, or is Joseph's criticism unfair? What do you think? Are his views justified, or is this a case of a musician pushing a controversial agenda? Share your thoughts below, and let's keep the conversation going!

John Joseph's Take: Activist Bands' Silence on 'The System' During the Pandemic (2025)
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