Krist Novoselic was once part of a bona fide musical revolution—as the bassist for Nirvana, he helped turn the rock 'n roll world on its head in the early 90s, and blazed a path through popular culture whose legacy and impact is still felt around the globe.

Today, nearly a decade after the all too early and tragic demise of one of the most influential bands in history, Novoselic is quietly helping start another sort of revolution—one fought at the grassroots and local political level.

Novoselic was one of four panelists participating in a summit held on Feb. 25 at Hastings College of Law in San Francisco that discussed the relationship between music and politics, and was designed in part to bring exposure to some of the individuals and organizations involved in that particular spectrum of the American political culture.

Novoselic spoke about his involvement with Joint Artists and Music Promotions Political Action Committee (JAMPAC), his new organization Fix Our United States, and how he became involved in the political world.

“I started to get politically active around 1992. Our music community in Washington State in 1992 was soaring through the heights of international acclaim, yet, in our own state, we weren’t getting any respect,” Novoselic said. “We were suffering under the draconian Teen Dance Ordinance in Seattle. The state legislature passed the Erotic Music Law that basically mandated an adult section in a record store, if not an adult record store. The state liquor control board was basically in the business of regulating entertainment.”

“The reality was not only could minors not go to most small scale live music events, where alcohol was served--adults between the ages of 18 and 20 couldn’t go either. We thought that was wrong, so we advocated a message that our music community was not a liability, we are an asset, our music community brings cultural and economic vitality to our region--we took that to law makers, state agencies, the media, and anybody willing to listen.”

The results of the music and arts communities banding together helped bring change to some of these issues that had affected their ways of life and freedom of expression. An economic study was funded to prove that the Seattle music community contributes in more ways than one to the well-being of the city, and ads were taken out on local late night television supporting other freedom issues.

“We turned from a reactive community into a proactive community. We supported pro music candidates for the city of Seattle and the Washington State legislature, we supported campaigns, and we got involved in the political culture, to the point where now all ages shows in Seattle are a common affair," he said.

"Censorship legislation, like 'harmful to minors' isn’t even on the radar anymore, so it’s basically a struggle to get acknowledgement of the contribution we make to our state," he added.

Novoselic also pointed out that change does not always come quickly or easily, especially in American politics. He also argued that simply voting in a general election is not enough to really make a difference.

“Look what happened in 1992, that was the last election year with considerable youth voter turnout--young people turned out for Democrats, and Democrats won big. But there wasn’t any legislative agenda. There was the Motor Voter Bill, but that was it. They were like, ‘Thank you, good job, youngsters.’ And look what happened in 1994, it (the election) was a disaster for Democrats--that’s the meaningful work I’m talking about. It’s going to take more than just voting,” Novoselic said.

Among the other participants on the panel were: Fat Mike, singer for punk band NOFX, owner of independent record label Fat Wreck Chords, and founder of Punk Voter, a coalition of over 200 punk bands, labels, and individuals aiming to depose President Bush in the upcoming November election; Jenny Toomey, executive director of the Future of Music Coalition, a non-profit collaboration that seeks to educate people about music and technology issues, moderated the event; and Joshua Koenig from Music for America, a group hoping to mobilize progressive voters, rounded out the panelists.

In addition to his continuing work with JAMPAC, Novoselic is now working with Fix Our United States, a group, he said, that is all “about exploring meaningful electoral reform, and working towards an inclusive democracy within our United States.”

The organization’s Web site has links to articles and resources that hope to inform, and well as inspire, people of all ages to get involved, and make their voices heard.

Novoselic also recently considered a run for Lt. Governor of Washington, but ultimately decided against it—for now.

“The future is all about possibilities, as far as I’m concerned," he said.

www.fixour.us
www.punkvoter.com
www.musicforamerica.org
www.futureofmusic.org