Jack White clarifies heroin usage joke, calls out “trash music” sites
Jack White has issued a statement to clarify some comments he recently made joking about using heroin.
White’s band The Raconteurs just put out their first album in 11 years. White recently gave an interview with The Irish Times to talk about why it took so long and make the joke.
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“Well, when Brendan (Benson) gave up alcohol, I started doing heroin, so that delayed things,” White said. “It’s funny, I’m a big believer that things happen that are supposed to happen, not in any sort of religious or mystical way, but in a ‘human nature’ kind of way.”
Many news outlets reported White’s statement as fact instead of a joke. White has responded on Instagram, calling out outlets for using his statement as “clickbait.”
He was specifically calling out SPIN at the beginning but expanded to other outlets.
“I’ve never done heroin or any other illegal drug in my life and anyone close to me could confirm this,” White said. “If you’d actually read the article in full, you could see that I was joking. But, I suppose spin never lets the facts get in the way of good clickbait.”
“And while we’re here, dear pitchfork, stereogum, noisey and the rest of the trash ‘music’ couch ‘journalism’ sites: though I realize that you work in the business of sound-bites and clickbait, and that you’re pissed third man records didn’t send you a free copy of the new raconteurs album because of how nasty you regularly are, here’s a couple other notes,” it continued.
He then went into discussing reports that he doesn’t have a cell phone.
“I don’t hate people who own cell phones, or never allow one near me, or hate ALL technology etc.,” he continued. “Stop painting with such a wide brush. Just because I don’t own a cell phone in an attempt to lead a healthy life doesn’t mean I hate all technology.”
“Also, back in my day in the 1800s, artists weren’t punished for taking the road less traveled, or for answering questions with unpopular responses,” White added. “Hell, we were even expected to rebel against the status quo if you can believe that.”
“I encourage people to lead their own healthly lives and find ways to engage in things that inspire one another rather than bring them down. If you love music and the arts, I think your organizations should start to earn to do the same thing, or at least pretend you love music rather than looking to please your advertisers with clicks.”
You can read the entire note below.
Other Jack White news
In the most meta moment of all time, Jack White and Jack Black, arguably, two of the most famous Jacks, have finally crossed paths.
It isn’t the first time they met. They both were are the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards and once Black introduced The White Stripes during a show.
Despite those meetings, there’s never been a photo of the two together. Well, until now.
White is on tour with The Raconteurs and Black with Tenacious D, both in Europe. The two crossed paths at some point and documented the moment.
Tenacious D posted a photo saying “We hired a new merch guy” and it was pretty historic.
We would probably buy merch with this photo on it alone.
What do you think about Jack White making this statement on Instagram? Sound off in the comments down below!
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