CW: This story deals with the topic of sexual assault
Guns N’ Roses’ guitarist Slash has spoken about the #MeToo movement, noting that it’s “way overdue” but “pretty sad” that false accusations can ruin the lives of innocent people.
Ever since the #MeToo movement went viral in October, countless women around the world have found the support and encouragement to name and shame those who have abused them in the past. While this movement has led to a number of high profile individuals being accused of misconduct, others have spoken out against the movement, criticising its success and methods.
While Marilyn Manson explained in December that the #MeToo movement will “ruin a lot of people’s lives”, Garbage’s Shirley Manson criticised actor Liam Neeson for summing it up as “bit of a witch hunt”, and notorious comedic glam metal group Steel Panther stated that the movement was making it hard for them to perform.
Most recently, it was The Who’s Roger Daltrey that chimed in on the matter as part of an interview back in May, calling the ‘whole thing’ “so obnoxious”.
“Why would any rock star need to push themselves on women?” Daltrey asked. “Usually, it’s the other way around. I’d like to have £1 for every woman that screws my ass. Mick Jagger would be a billionaire out of it.”
“If it was going to be in the rock business, it would’ve been out by now. It would’ve been out a long time ago. I find this whole thing so obnoxious. It’s always allegations and it’s just salacious crap. Like the allegations against Pete [Townshend] when he got arrested.”
Now, Guns N’ Roses’ Slash has shared his thoughts on the matter, discussing the prospect of false accusations within the movement.
Speaking to Classic Rock (via Blabbermouth) in an interview that took place the day after Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan was accused of sexual assault, the guitarist was asked if he thought the movement had affected the music business.
“It’s a good question,” Slash explained. “I think the #MeToo movement is definitely justified – it’s actually way overdue.” However, he noted that it was ‘complicated’ “in the context of being in a fucking rock and roll band.”
“Fortunately, I’m taken, so I’m not dealing with all that, but I have to admit there were times I looked into my past and [as if he’s talking to himself]: ‘Well that was consensual.’”
“I never had a working relationship with anybody that I was, you know, trying to pressure into having sex or anything.” he continued. “The problem is that you could be falsely accused of something, but it almost doesn’t matter – it’s out there.”
“Even if you were to get your name cleared, the damage is already done. And that’s pretty sad.”
Check out Slash’s ‘Doctor Alibi’:
