See why MGK’s opinion on musician footwear is sparking a discussion
It looks like Machine Gun Kelly has sparked quite the debate about Warped Tour and “appropriate” punk rock stage attire.
This week, the Tickets To My Downfall performer opened up about why artists in the rock industry shouldn’t wear “comfortable shoes” onstage. Of course, many musicians have now shared their thoughts on the rapper’s opinions.
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Machine Gun Kelly was recently interviewed for Spotify‘s Rock This. During the interview, he detailed why “the state of rock and roll depends on rockstars.” As well, he revealed why musicians need to stop wearing comfortable footwear onstage. In particular, he talks about the shoes he noticed during his time on Warped Tour.
“The state of rock and roll depends on rockstars,” he says. “I gotta see some ‘fuck you,’ I have to. I want some attitude, dude. This is what I fucking hate. I did Warped Tour and these [people] would wear comfortable shoes onstage every day. Fuck your Nike fucking New Balances comfy shoes because it makes you feel comfortable. Put on some Dr. Martens, put on some fucking Chucks, put on some Vans. It’s not about you, it’s about the show. You don’t look cool, man. I hate your fucking feet, I hate your fucking shoes, I hate everything about your-rock and roll’s not comfortable, it’s uncomfortable. It’s a metaphor. Your shoes are a metaphor, fuck you.”
“The state of rock and roll depends on rock stars” – @machinegunkelly gets real on the latest episode of Rock This with @allihagendorf ? https://t.co/aUtfSXVgWS pic.twitter.com/V7LQxjCTW6
— Spotify (@Spotify) December 4, 2020
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Naturally, a lot of artists in the scene have a few things to say about Machine Gun Kelly’s comments. Candy Hearts‘ Mariel Loveland reshared the video clip on Twitter, stating why comfortable shoes are so popular on Warped Tour.
“Hey @machinegunkelly, when I was on Warped Tour I slept in a 100 degree van w/ 5 ppl for two months, walked a million miles in the sun & showered by someone standing on the trailer hitch dumping water over my head. F*** that if I wanted to wear comfy shoes.”
Machine Gun Kelly, however, had only a brief response for Loveland.
“hey. so did i. and i did it more years than you.”
hey. so did i. and i did it more years than you. ??
— Blonde Don (@machinegunkelly) December 15, 2020
Following his tweet, Loveland clarified that she wasn’t trying to attack MGK’s point of view. Instead, she wanted to further prove a point that the nature of Warped Tour has an impact on what artists wear.
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“Btw I’m not tryna trash you. We’ve worked with some of the same people, clearly done some of the same tours. Have made music just as long. Def a fan. just think it’s not fair to rip comfortable footwear. Being unfashionable has always been punk rock, but lawd was warped hard.”
Also my condolences for enduring warped van life. There should be some sort of support group for survivors.
— Best Ex ? (@CandyHeartsBand) December 15, 2020
Other artists including Issues‘ Skyler Acord, Stray From The Path‘s Craig Reynolds and Cane Hill‘s Elijah Watt have also weighed in on the debate.
“I would love to see him do 22 shows in a row wearing docs but otherwise *spot on*”
I would love to see him do 22 shows in a row wearing docs but otherwise *spot on* https://t.co/uvetIsBtNb
— Skyler Acord (@Skyduck64) December 15, 2020
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“after machine gun kelly telling everyone in rock music that they should be uncomfortable or they’re fake, i can’t wait to see him next tour pulling up to a $40 hotel at 5am in an 8-seater van with 10 people in it, backing the trailer up against a tree and checking himself in.”
after machine gun kelly telling everyone in rock music that they should be uncomfortable or they’re fake, i can’t wait to see him next tour pulling up to a $40 hotel at 5am in an 8-seater van with 10 people in it, backing the trailer up against a tree and checking himself in
— craig reynolds (@reynlord) December 15, 2020
“Comfortable/lazy/poser”
Comfortable/lazy/poser pic.twitter.com/sUr4SyFLSV
— JESUS CHRIST (@elijahwitt) December 15, 2020
Counterparts‘ Brendan Murphy has also shared a series of tweets directed at Machine Gun Kelly’s comments.
https://t.co/9noGSDDsVS pic.twitter.com/tLcDSS8cl5
— brendan murphy (@brendan905) December 15, 2020
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hey hey I wanna be a rockstar pic.twitter.com/MhmMAJemKl
— brendan murphy (@brendan905) December 16, 2020
when u see a band u like and they appear to be comfortable pic.twitter.com/448wE7fDaj
— brendan murphy (@brendan905) December 16, 2020
Trophy Eyes‘ John Floreani also had a few things to say on Twitter this week. After sharing various tweets, Floreani received quite the backlash from MGK fans, leading him to delete most of his posts. However, the Trophy Eyes frontman did have one final thought he decided to share.
“Aaaaanyway, wear whatever shoes you want.”
Aaaaanyway, wear whatever shoes you want.
— John. (@JohnFloreani) December 16, 2020
In the end, Machine Gun Kelly had only one thing to say about the backlash he has received.
“to the bands mad i said they wear ‘comfy shoes’ – i’m very sorry that i can get you this upset just by talking about your little pointy new balances. i wear pink so like…what do i know anyway”
to the bands mad i said they wear “comfy shoes” – i’m very sorry that i can get you this upset just by talking about your little pointy new balances.
i wear pink so like…what do i know anyway— Blonde Don (@machinegunkelly) December 15, 2020
not the OFFENSIVE SHOES ??
— Blonde Don (@machinegunkelly) December 15, 2020
What are your reactions to Machine Gun Kelly’s opinion on musician footwear? Let us know in the comments below.