Feature / One Question Interviews
Bison

Words: Loren • April 1, 2018

Bison
Bison

James Farwell (Bison)

SPB: Can you enjoy a musician’s work if you when you disagree with their politics? Are you able to make the separation?

James: I generally separate the art from the artist, unless the art itself contains some politically or socially offensive content - racist, homophobic, misogynist, xenophobic, etc. If the artist was someone I had respected and enjoyed prior to some new distasteful project or crime, I will generally enjoy the early work, as it stands alone in time as something I aligned myself with. 

There is a large part of me that would be disappointed, disgusted and heartbroken with someone I had respected being outed as a predatory sociopath with little respect for others, a fraud, or have some other unsavory alignment, yet there is some part of me that thinks that a person's wrongdoings may not define them, in some cases. 

However, some people are indeed pieces of shit and deserve to be banished from society, and their art should not be popularized, nor should they receive social status or financial or other benefits from it. 

 

Loren • April 1, 2018

Bison
Bison

Related features

General Chaos

One Question Interviews • June 3, 2026

Constantin (General Chaos) SPB: What is a lesson you learned from the making-of your first album that directly influenced how you approached album #2? Constantin: I think when we came into studio the second time, we already had an idea of what to expect since we knew the studio and … Read more

Bat Leather

One Question Interviews • June 1, 2026

Cory (Bat Leather) SPB: What is your favorite music-related film or documentary? Cory: It’s a tie between The Color of Noise and Some Kind of Monster. TCON is possibly the greatest snapshot of the ‘90s noise rock scene. Great interviews and amazing footage. SKOM….Love ‘em or hate ‘em, but watching … Read more

Demos You Want To Check #3

Music / New Kids On The Block • May 8, 2026

The musical landscape is ever changing. New genres are popping up, new hypes burst out of nowhere and die out and new bands present themselves to the world. How on earth are you expected to keep up, right? Well, it never hurts to help! So here we are, your humble … Read more

Jason Paul + the Know It Alls

Interviews • May 8, 2026

Here in Scene Point Blank Land, I sometimes get lost in the inbox of endless submissions and new music. I find things I like, but the great digital expanse still makes the records feel, well, a little too distant. Music is supposed to be personal, even if I'm not standing … Read more

Unseemlier

Interviews • April 24, 2026

It was about a year ago I discovered Unseemlier, shortly before the release of I Have A Screw Loose, Somewhere. It's a wordy title and a somewhat unwieldy band name -- and I’ll use that “a lot going on in a little space” metaphor even further to talk about the … Read more

Related reviews

Bison B.C.

Lovelessness
Metal Blade (2012)

Every band reaches their peak at some point. Some blow their wads right out of the gate and spend the rest of their careers desperately trying to recreate an inexplicable combination of luck, talent, and inspiration. Some clumsily struggle through multiple albums worth of missteps before finally finding their collective voice. Others allow you to tag along on their journey … Read more

More from this section

General Chaos

One Question Interviews • June 3, 2026

Constantin (General Chaos) SPB: What is a lesson you learned from the making-of your first album that directly influenced how you approached album #2? Constantin: I think when we came into studio the second time, we already had an idea of what to expect since we knew the studio and … Read more

Bat Leather

One Question Interviews • June 1, 2026

Cory (Bat Leather) SPB: What is your favorite music-related film or documentary? Cory: It’s a tie between The Color of Noise and Some Kind of Monster. TCON is possibly the greatest snapshot of the ‘90s noise rock scene. Great interviews and amazing footage. SKOM….Love ‘em or hate ‘em, but watching … Read more

Sacrosanta Decadencia Occidental

One Question Interviews • April 16, 2026

Maria (Sacrosanta Decadencia Occidental – vocals/artist) SPB: The artwork of your album took over a year to make. What was this long experience like for you? Maria: If I were to put it shortly, the first thing that comes to mind is a long and winding road: exhausting but exciting … Read more