We never took All That Remains for an especially political band, so we were a little surprised when singer Phil Labonte submitted a guest blog about staying free in an increasingly oppressive environment. Surely, ATR aren’t about to turn into Rage Against the Machine or anything, Labonte’s just finding it hard to stay silent amidst the freedom-eroding turmoil. And he wants you to hear his cries and join his struggle — or at least speak your mind and adhere to your convictions. Anyway, here’s Phil:
There’s really only a handful of things I care much about: my band, Halo, Marlboros, Jim Beam, Red Bull, and Liberty.
Lets talk about freedom. What is freedom and what does being free imply? Freedom isn’t given. It doesn’t come from being American, British, Canadian, or being from any other “free” country. It is the natural state that all creatures are born into. The only time freedom is taken away is when it benefits someone or something else to take it. Yet every day, people all over the world give up their freedom in small doses.
To arbitrarily give up your freedom, even in small amounts, invites despotism and tyranny. And it doesn’t take long. Hitler took power in less than a generation, and were it not for the people from many other nations who took a stand, he may have taken over all of Europe. Thomas Jefferson said, “All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.” Few statements have been truer.
Your government (any government) is the first establishment that will try to take your freedoms. Every piece of legislation that is passed takes a little bit of your freedom away. Thomas Paine, author of “Common Sense” said, “Society in any state is a blessing. Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.” Freedom needs to be protected by all who have it and by any means necessary.
Attacks on freedom come from everywhere and are usually in the guise of what’s best for society, but what’s best for society is freedom — the freedom to do what you want with your life and not have to ask the government if its okay; the freedom to say what you believe without someone saying you can’t think that way. We see it every day on TV. People with unpopular opinions or politically incorrect views are shunned. That’s not freedom. Again I’ll quote Thomas Paine: “He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from opposition; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach himself.” Liberty is not only for the popular opinion, but for all opinions.”
Protect your freedom, speak your mind, let no one take liberty from you.
Heed, those wise words and watch the band’s new video for “Not Alone”:
October 24th, 2007 at 11:32 am
~%*@?? a . i’ve always known phil to have his head on right . and if u dig deep it’s there in the lyrics. if change is not in the near future we are all comdemned to repeat the past . WAKE UP EVEYONE AND FIGHT WE ARE NOT ALONE
October 24th, 2007 at 11:32 am
It’s very refreshing to hear someone voice their opinions in a way that’s effective, and not full of pompous ranting. Nicely done, Phil.
October 24th, 2007 at 11:33 am
All that Reamins is by far the sickest band out there right now, I cant wait for the show in philly. You best belive ill be there and in the pit, but anyway the video owns guys!!!
October 24th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
i think phil is speaking in generalizations. if he had anything specific to talk about here i might be inclined to take him seriously. but to say that were loosing our freedom everyday is just ignorant. we need laws to protect the people who cant protect themselves.
wake up phil
oh yeah, and the video is kinda lame, they should be doing themes instead of just jam out videos
October 24th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
awesome video
October 24th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
I was introduced to the band not too long ago. I agree with phil though, despite his “generaliztions” his points are quite accurate. theres a difference between laws and abuse of power. but thats a natural thing. Phil, you’ve got an awesome voice, screaming or otherwise. keep it up man, and your point will get across. oh and ATR rocks!!!!!!
October 24th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
bad ass interview. no popular ~$$$%?#~, just straight to the point with REAL conviction. glad to see ATR getting the nod they deserve for being a phenominal band too. see you in chicago.
“13″
October 24th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
nice that someone is finally saying something aside from “I don’t like the president or my own country because it’s the popular thing to do(while countless lives have been lost for their right to say %#$? like that)” or some other useless rant in which the writer has no real facts.
October 24th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
The point isn’t a political viewpoint. It’s about people not voting, thinking small legislation doesn’t effect them, not paying attention to the small factors that effect todays urgent and pressing issues. My opinion isn’t the important thing. The important thing is to not give you’re opinion away by making un informed decisions. Or giving up your freedom without even knowing you gave it away.
October 24th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
[...] The Headgangers Blog also now features a guest blog from All That Remains singer Phil Labonte at this location. [...]
October 24th, 2007 at 5:41 pm
Hell yea Phil!
I agree with you Phil, the following is a example and although this is a small example it proves the point your trying to make. Just recently i saw a couple of fellow teens trying to promote their views about the college and although it was bad, it was their right, but the Dean ( example of the Government), decides that people who are protesting their views are not correct and then decides to suspend them from my college for a week for a peaceful protest. I think this goes on in different forms around the US and its starting to become a norm in society and i am becoming very displeased with the way our country is becoming.
Thanks
October 24th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
Damn Phil im suprised on what I read. Gets me more into the singers head and what he really thinks. When I listen to ATR all I see is you guys getting better and on the same page from the past to the present and cant wait to get ahold of the new dvd. I will write a personal review. And remember Jim Beam. You cant let him win all the time
October 24th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
Phil is a truly intelligent man and knows what he is talking about. He is correct about the legislation passed by government but i think he went a bit overkill and is being a bit naive.
He is right at heart and a good man. Keep rocking Phil.
October 24th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
I agree with clayton, Phil has done his research instead of just slagging off the president e.t.c
Its great to hear what band members think, either way,
All That Remains rule!!!
October 24th, 2007 at 5:47 pm
Gotta agree with the guys earlier that Phil knows what he’s talking about. I think one of the great things about how he writes this is that he doesn’t force anyone to pick sides, he just says fight for your freedom and don’t let anyone/anything take it away. The only thing I find contradictory is that he says we have to accept the extreme people, the people who think differently, but earlier (and I do understand it was Hitler, but substitute someone else) he talks about how people, like those with the majority belief took down that extremist. I guess the translation to the music world would be like Marilyn Manson. So many people try to bring him down, with the exception that he’s still able to make a living from it.
October 24th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
it’s cool to hear what Phil thinks and he obviously knows what hes talking about.
All That Remains rules, come to England!!!
October 24th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
I must admit, I am new to some of this blogging and stuff, but i do gotta give props to all those bands that keep striving for acknowledgment. Phil truely knows how to speak his mind, and yet through in political and true to life messages, without going too overboard and ruining the real point of being in a band. THE MUSIC.
I found ATR by accident one day on the computer, and since then have been obsessed. I even used “This Darkend Heart” as my graduation song, because it is true to life’s turmoils.
October 24th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
i’ve never see someone talk about freedom like that. and what i think about it he is right when he says our freedom is taken away from us in small doses. common sense by thomas paine was one of the most intelligent pieces of literature i have ever read and learned about. phil is a smart man.
October 24th, 2007 at 6:13 pm
phil is right when he says our freedom is taken away from us small doses at a time. and it shows just how intelligent he really is when he can actually quote thomas paine. common sense is the most intelligent piece of literature i have ever read and learned about.
October 24th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
I agree,
because our freedom is important to us, and if we don’t protect it anyone can take that away from us.
October 24th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
Plain and simple be yourself. Have your own opinion, not those based on what other people believe, or what they think is right. This doesn’t only apply to informing yourself on your government, but religion, media, relationships, etc. Be true to yourself, and you will succeed as being free.
Kudos to those of you who disagree, because it is YOUR opinion.
October 24th, 2007 at 6:35 pm
Kudos to Phil on this brilliant expression of thoughts. It does seem like everyday there is a new bill passing through the government that restricts the citizens and allows the government more and more power. All individuals need to rise up and take an active role in every aspect of society. Sooner or later, individuals will not be able to properly express themselves, society will be a complete group of robots that just follow every order that we are given. So rise up, and stand for all that remains of our freedom!!
October 24th, 2007 at 6:39 pm
I agree totally with you, Phil. As our government gains more and more power, and more and more say in our every day lives, our power as a people dwindles more and more. Granted I think it’s great that we have one of the most stable governments in all of the world, it is still a flawed system. In war and other times of strife, who gets the final say on what the outcome will be? Is it the people? Of course not. Everyone should have a voice because the actions of the government will affect the lives of the people in one form or another.
October 24th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
In all forms the meia purports the role of a tyrant to its fullest. What you see is what you want but what you need is concealed and masked in a cloak of silence. In many ways we take away our own freedoms by ignorance.
October 24th, 2007 at 7:13 pm
[...] for freedom in an ever increasingly opressive environment. Fans can check out the blog entry here (http://headbangersblog.mtv.com/2007/10/23/guest-blog-all-that-remains-singer-cries-out-for-freedom/), as well as view the band’s latest video. The video for the track “Not Alone” is [...]
October 24th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
Phil, I love how outspoken you are about what you care about. You amaze me. Not everyone is this way. And I love that you love Halo. Me too!
I can’t wait to see ATR in December! It’ll be my third time seeing ya’ll.
October 24th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
I’m glad that Phil is making a statement. I don’t like heavily political bands, but I don’t like apathetic ones either. Of course we should all agree with him, as most of us live in free nations.
Also, Halo is awesome. I’m half-assed wondering if I’ve ever fought against Phil online…
October 24th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Very well put. I definitely agree. Yes, Halo is awesome! =D
October 24th, 2007 at 10:45 pm
I completely agree… I think I’d like to sit down and talk politics with Phil.
October 24th, 2007 at 11:22 pm
I couldn’t agree more! Phil you prove that rock stars have important things to say and aren’t just a bunch of partying idiots. Very wise words. I vote Phil Labonte for president, who’s with me? Keep rocking man.
October 24th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
I absolutely agree with you. The United States may be called a free country but honestly you have to think of how “freedom” truly is defined. And at what cost a person’s freedom comes at.
October 24th, 2007 at 11:50 pm
Being free, to myself and to countless others, means staying true to yourself, who you are and what you believe. Myself, music is a major part of who i am, and i stand 100% behind artists who remain true to themselves, and do not buy in or “sell out”, in order to turn a buck just to give it to a materialistic government and corporate heads. Those who are just out doing their thing, and delivering a message with a purpose and one that holds true to them as well as the crowd, thats what its all about, And this same outlook holds true to anyone, not only musicians. Thats how i view life. If someone’s simply themselves, that in itself anymore is miraculous, and being able to remain yourself in today’s society is really what being free is all about.
October 25th, 2007 at 12:24 am
Honestly, I can agree with you on some terms and then I can disagree. I think it is true that any government particularly the United States, because thats where I reside, does make laws for you to abide by but thats common civilization. When we look at freedom we’re not thinking about being able to do what you want when you want because that would be total chaos.. the average human without guidance in my opinion wouldn’t make it on their own. When we think of freedom, it is being able to make your own decisions but they will have consequences. I mean, to have a stable society you have to have democracy. The government can be shitty though. =]. But you have to keep in mind its people like you and me that make these decisions.
October 25th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
nicely put!
October 25th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
hey man, i completely agree. if you have something to say, say it.
and if you dont have the balls to say it in front of other people, then you dont deserve that opinion.
\m/
October 25th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
i completely agree
if you have an opinion, it is your god given right to express that opinion, no matter the situation…. and more people need to realize this.
to many popel are afraid of political correctness, and they lose what makes us human.
\m/
October 25th, 2007 at 2:05 pm
listen im a huge fan of All That Remains cuz they kid mad ass…..i honestly respect the thoughts and words of what Phil has to say about government and freedom…..i am a junior in highschool but at my age i can see wat phil is talking about….i dont like how the goverment tries to take away our freedom for example gun control….i can understand why the government wants to regulate the guns but to completely take away our rights to carry a weapon is rediculous……i think that freedom was given to us for a reason so that we can be free…..thats the point of FREEDOM!!!!!!!
but i do respect everyones opinion about government and everything else
October 25th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
..Could it be said any better than that? Why does the Government try to slowly but surely take away all of our liberties and freedoms? Well put.
October 25th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
While my first impulse is to quote Braveheart, I’ll hold back out of respect for Phil quoting “Common Sense”. Mad props, Phil.
In any case, I’d still like to add that Phil is totally right, and that it’s fitting he should write a blog about it. Blogs, and the internet in general, are amazing tools for expressing your opinions and retching out to the world in a much larger scope than ever before. I mean, look at the situation in Burma: the only reason average people in America ever heard about it in the evening news was because bloggers in Myanmar secretly shot video of what was happening, and uploaded it on to the web.
Those are people who are trying to take back their freedom using the most effective means at hand, and I hope they succeed for everyone’s sake.
October 25th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
I totally agree with Phil, be yourself and don’t be afraid to express yourself
October 26th, 2007 at 3:59 am
Wow.
Phil is just right. It’s great to see that such a professional artist at the same time is able to go into deep thoughts and write some of the most truest words down for his fans.
See you
October 26th, 2007 at 7:09 am
[...] http://headbangersblog.mtv.com/2007/10/23/guest-blog-all-that-remains-singer-cries-out-for-freedom/ Tags: interview, All+That+Remain, Phil+Labonte Share This [...]
October 26th, 2007 at 11:24 am
thats totally true man freedom is taken every day and its messed up man
October 26th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
I AGREE ! WITH PHIL !!! WE NEED TO FIGHT !! AND STAND UP FOR OUR RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS !!!!! THIS IS WHY PHIL LABONTE IS MY HERO !
October 26th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
*?$% I Think Phil Should run for president !!!! All In Faver Say I !!! IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
October 26th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
I totally agree with everything…and ATR rox ass…
October 26th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
Busting out the Thomas Paine quotes huh? Right on man. I know exactly what your talking about, being a Sociology major myself. We all know how hard it is to get people to join forces and fight for a change. Everybody is too wrapped up in petty $%?%%?~@ like simple material possessions and other private properties. Thats Capitalism though huh? $*** it, at least we can jam ALL THAT REMAINS as the world turns to $%#?!!!
October 26th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
I totally agree man.
phil for PRESIDENT!1
October 26th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
Has anyone seen the “Zeitgeist” film? I’m not saying that any of it is absolutely true, and it could be a whole lot of “connecting the dots”…but it is worth seeing…there are alot of clips on youtube (not sure if the whole thing is there)…and it goes to show that decisions get made without our knowledge…it’s worth paying attention to what is going on in our governments, and making ourselves aware…because this is a case where “what you don’t know, won’t hurt you” is definetly not true.
October 26th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Hi Guys,
Great blog Phil and awesome video can’t wait to see you all live and in the flesh!