Third Eye Blind frontman Stephen Jenkins used a charity event hosted during the Republican National Convention in Cleveland to attack conservative Republican voters and their views on same-sex marriage.
In footage shot and shared on social media by several of the event’s attendees, Jenkins talks about his gay cousins and why Third Eye Blind rejects what he calls the Republican Party’s anti-LGBT political platform.
“To love this song is to take into your heart the message, and to actually—actually—have a feeling to arrive and move forward, and not live your life in fear, and imposing that fear on other people,” Jenkins said, of the band’s song “Jumper.”
Third Eye Blind tonite at #RNCinCLE event: We believe in tolerance, acceptance 🙌🙌 (Followed by boos) pic.twitter.com/WPRIEMZmEp
— Tina (@tinpant) July 20, 2016
The charity event was sponsored by the Recording Industry Association of America, and was to benefit, according to the organization’s press release, “Musicians On Call (MOC), a nonprofit that brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities.”
But Third Eye Blind intentionally put on a lackluster performance, reportedly playing none of their biggest hits.
The band’s official Twitter account added insult to injury, after many of the concert’s attendees took to Twitter to complain about the poor performance.
“I have never been more disappointed,” wrote Twitter user Liza White.
@ThirdEyeBlind I have never been more disappointed
— Elizabeth White (@elizharriwhite) July 20, 2016
“Good,” the band replied.
good
— Third Eye Blind (@ThirdEyeBlind) July 20, 2016
When asked if they were “at all concerned about hurting the charity,” Third Eye Blind said no.
Great question. We were not, as musicians on call were well aware of who we are and our take on things (like science and rights!)
— Third Eye Blind (@ThirdEyeBlind) July 20, 2016
When the crowd began to boo, Jenkins responded by saying, “You can boo all you want, but I’m the motherfuc*ing artist up here.”
.@ThirdEyeBlind trolls #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/zXIKWdO5Hj
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) July 20, 2016
Nevertheless, one Twitter user blasted Third Eye Blind for using a Musicians on Call charity event to “troll” the Republican party.
https://twitter.com/FinneganPat/status/755655769744371713
Third Eye Blind had a string of hits in the 90s with songs like “Semi-Charmed Life,” “Jumper” and “How’s It Going to Be.”
Follow Jerome Hudson on Twitter: @jeromeehudson
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.