Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament says he doesn't at all mind negative comments and hate his band gets for its outspoken politics.
Since its debut in the early-'90s, Pearl Jam has never been shy about taking on conservative elements of society; Ament tells Kerrang! in a new interview that he doesn't think much of the hate and occasional threats.
"I come from a punk rock background, so I love that stuff," Ament said. "I love people getting mad and getting upset and reacting. That's the best of art — that you can get a reaction out of somebody, whether it's a reaction of pure joy or pure hate. I think both are good."
In March, Pearl Jam released its only bit of new music of the year, a song called "Can't Deny Me," which references the U.S.'s immigration policies under the Trump Administration.
In 2002, the band provoked the Right with the song "Bu$hleaguer," from its 2002 album Riot Act. The lyrics to the song ripped President George W. Bush for growing up in privilege and fear-mongering to steer the U.S. towards war against the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Ament also characterized Kanye West's sudden alignment with Trump as a "publicity stunt" during an interview in which he condemned the fellow rapper for not thinking through his comments on slavery.
Pearl Jam recently wrapped up a European tour.
The band is about to embark on a run of dates at North American baseball stadiums. During the tour, Pearl Jam has pledged to raise $10 million this year for the fight against homelessness, including $1 million from a pair of shows in their hometown of Seattle, WA.
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