In Goldberry's excellent diary, entitled My daughter may save a life today, he says "I thought she was just a happy-go-lucky, snarky (where did she get that?), spoiled, self-involved suburban kid. She liked punk and the Juliana Theory and Boyssetsfire and all kinds of music that set my teeth on edge."
EDIT: Goldberry made it clear to me afterwards that he's aware of some of the good things they're about. So perhaps that was a bad example.
First of all, it's BoySetsFire. (Sorry, they're one of my favorite bands, let's get the name right.)
Second of all, I think some of the older folks out there would do well to take a minute to listen to the words their kids are singing along to, whether or not they agree with the style of music. They may be disaffected, they may seem like they don't care, but you'd be surprised how aware many of them are to the problems we face. And this particular band is a perfect example.
As I stated in a comment on his diary, I think you should all take a moment to read some of BoySetsFire's lyrics:
how many times have i noticed that our eyes hardely ever meet
from your judgment seat i can feel the anger for my very being
fill me in on when you became such a big part of my life
that i should bother with all your lies designed to bring me down
wrong again don't depend on any reaction again
i remember the icy walls that shot up from no where
and i can see every lie that you ever told yourself
you bleed me dry and i don't ask why but i'm left with the dust
judas kiss i dismiss thank you all for this i am unjudged i am
wait again i'm not through with the screaming
i contend that you've got nothing better to do than
trade my life for a barrel of gold find someone else before i get too old
if i live my life for aesthetic gain will you repay me with all your shame
i can see every light inside your brain
go on every time that i walk by for noise and whispers
your comfort in my suffering is no longer disturbing
i'm lost beyond your petty stopwatch in life's real time lifes real
wait again im not through with the screaming
and i contend that you've got nothing better to do
trade my life for a barrel of gold find someone else before i get to old
if i live my life for aesthetic gain will you repay me with all your shame
don't get up i was slowly leaving the room when the door of your judgment swings back around again
maybe i'll stop to watch your act and i'll go on my way
i've seen quite enough of too many childish games
i'm ashamed of every moment that i ever gave them the time of day
all the worst of enemies are somehow always friends that used to be
A video, incase anyone's interested:
I think sometimes about the disaffected who I grew up with. They are starving for change. But they don't have the faith that we do that the political process can bring the change that we need. They've often given up, resigned to sing protest songs that, contrary to the generation before them, they don't actually expect to change anything through. They are just angered, frustrated, and feel they can't do very much but yell about it.
But they are the future. And it is our job to ensure that they take up our cause, and that they believe, because we're not going to be here forever.
So next time you're child puts on some of that "crazy music", realize that perhaps they share your frustration and are less sure than you that their voice can actually change anything.
Tell them it can. Because if you don't, who will?