Matthew Good Is Not a Terrorist

Early into the pride of Coquitlam's set at the Center For Performing Arts on Monday, Matt launched into an impressive tirade against the treatment of homeless people in Vancouver, the Olympics, and particularly, the boneheaded comments of Harry Bloy, the Liberal MLA of Burnaby-Lougheed, who equated the recent anti-Olympic protests in Victoria to "terrorism", and said that protesters "don't understand how the world works." 

"If they can call this terrorism", Matt pontificated, during a 10-minute rant, "What's next?  Sure, throwing marbles in front of the runners is STUPID, but 'terrorism'?  Like I'm gonna drive a van full of C4 into a building because I don't support the Olympics?"

Considering that I was bombarded with Matthew Good songs from every possible outlet for most of his career, and that I would have been likely to fight him if I saw him on the street, I was actually thinking how interesting it would be to sit down with the guy and shoot the shit about politics, music, and what he was aiming for when talking about the absurdity of lounge music being played in a stadium.  Don't get me wrong: I have nothing against his politics, but a few years ago, you couldn't turn a corner without a Matthew Good song blasting out of a radio or TV music video channel.  "Hello Time Bomb".  "Symbolistic White Walls".  "Everything Is Automatic".  "Load Me Up".  All great songs in their own right, but not three times an hour on the same radio station.  Radio is surgical about killing a good thing.

Speaking of CanCon overload, Good took a moment out to drop a torrent of expletives about how some 'f*ckin shit is f*cked and sounds like shit and I sound like a f*ckin' idiot on the radio" (or something to that extent), after mentioning that this show was being recorded for a CBC broadcast. I guess he was making sure his tax dollars go to a good cause by providing some hapless CBC audio editor/censor with some overtime editing work.

"CBC SUCKS!", responded one yahoo, followed by an uncomfortable moment, I'm sure for the commentator who yelled that, as Matt persistently asked whoever said that to explain why.  Failing to get a response, he reminded us that CBC is important, and vital, because we pay for it, and they (the CBC) are accountable to us.  Unlike FOX News, who are "run by a bunch of jackasses".  It was about this point that I thought maybe I should check out Good's site when I get a chance.  Turns out he's quite a prolific blogger, and is never at a loss for words both onstage or online.  Give it a gander: http://www.matthewgood.org/

While I may be somewhat more supportive of the Olympics than Matthew Good is, I fully support his comments about recent legislation that makes posting anti-Olympic signage illegal.  Protesting?  Well, I don't really know what that's going to do, besides give some people an outlet to cause some shit that isn't going to resolve anything.  The games are coming.  The world is watching.  We've all paid for it, and are stuck with a ridiculously high price tag for it.  Matt suggested everybody contact the MLA who barfed out the notion that anti-Olympic protesters are terrorists, and "tell him you're a terrorist",  but didn't provide any contact info.  Allow me: http://www.harrybloy.com/

Here's a little backstory on that one: http://www.matthewgood.org/2009/11/good-news-im-a-terrorist/

Oh, and if you wondering how the concert was, all I can say is, I'm glad my ticket came with a seat.  Besides a surprisingly heavy version of "Weapon", along with "Born Losers", "Avalanche", "Blue Skies Over Badlands" and a very cool stripped-down version of "Apparitions", the set was dominated by ultra-mellow songs from his latest release, "Vancouver", which is seemingly a scathing review of our fair city.  I'm not sure what the yahoos in the upper level were hearing, but yelling "OWW!!", "YEEEEAH!!" "WHOOOO!", and "AAAWAWAWAWAAAWWW!!!!" during the "emotional" mellow parts was a highlight of absurdity for the night.  Matt's backing band provided a great backdrop, with some fantastic lap steel guitar work and delayed/echo layers, and solid bass/drum foundations, but Matt strangely decided they needed no introduction.  You guys rock, whoever you are.



I may not agree with all of Matt Good's views, but I certainly don't want to fight him anymore.  He actually seems to give a damn, and isn't afraid to speak his mind.  I just wish that someone of his stature would come out and write an album about how awesome Vancouver is. 

Are we beyond that now?  Mike Reno?  Anyone?  Hello?