Good golly Flogging Molly: Controversy blares over music festival

Flogging Molly, Social Distortion, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, The Dropkick Murphy's, and The Street Dogs are all popular punk rock bands.

Later this year, two of those bands could be making their way to the ARC campus.

The situation now rests in the hands of the Student Association, as Stevens is asking for funds to pay for the festival.

Certain members of the SA are reportedly concerned about the bands mentioned, due to their primarily Christian student voting base.

SA member Chuck Stevens has been hard at work for the past year planning the festival, which is scheduled for Oct. 10.

The festival's purpose is to raise money for a textbook rental program and do larger fund-raising events for the school. Stevens calls the event a "solid business plan."

He has calculated all costs for it and claims the school will earn over $100,000 if the festival happens.

There is a possibility that the SA will not approve the festival, as some of their religious views seem to be preventing them from supporting it.

Stevens claims that certain members "can't support any band that's not Christian."

Student Representative Yuriy Popko said, "I think [the festival] is a great idea." He believes that Stevens should, "Ask the students what kind of band they'd like to see."

Popko added that Stevens claims to serve the students, and seems to be sincere in that respect. However, he also feels that the festival has become Stevens' "pet project," saying that Stevens takes too personal of an interest in the band.

One of the members, whom Stevens prefers to not mention by name, has a direct issue with Flogging Molly, an Irish-American punk band known for its lyrics about drinking, partying, and politics.

Alcohol is not being served at the event however, so Stevens doesn't think this should be of any concern. He has even met Flogging Molly before and says they "believe in serving others."

Popko said, "I know personally that his kind of music is not my type." His concern is primarily for his constituents, however as he feels that, "some of [the bands] are offensive to them."

Stevens has been in contact with the booking agents of all the bands and thinks any one of them will draw a big crowd.

All of these bands have played shows on college campuses in the past. Flogging Molly recently sold out a show at Chico State.

Stevens has also contacted local businesses about catering the event. He has spoken with local radio stations KWOD 106.5 and 98 Rock to further publicize the event.

The festival will be distributed through TicketWeb and tickets will be $20 for students and $25 for the general public.

If the SA turns down the festival, Stevens wants it to be for business reasons, not religious views.

"Sometimes you need to put religious views behind $100,000," he adds. "To not make an event huge because of personal tastes is ridiculous."

The SA is expected to make its decision in the near future.