COMETBUS #54 Green Day In China?!

[Fuzz]

Pretty sure he didn't physically hurt or even harm that dog while he did it. It's not really acceptable, but still, it's not the same thing. But this? And the fish thing? Totally unacceptable. He's a fully grown man, it's about time he grew the hell up. It's things like this that make him seem unhinged and a bit scary.

Oh man, that makes me want to punch you in the face. We're the last people on earth who have any right to suggest how he should act.

[farley drexel hatcher]

Oh man, that makes me want to punch you in the face. We're the last people on earth who have any right to suggest how he should act.

... excuse me? Wow. Was that first bit needed at all? No, it wasn't, and i'm actually taken aback by it. That's real mature, Andres. I thought this was a forum where people could express what they thought. I think the man needs to grow up, and I expressed that. That comment was uncalled for. Fuck you.

[Fuzz]

... excuse me? Wow. Was that first bit needed at all? No, it wasn't, and i'm actually taken aback by it. That's real mature, Andres. I thought this was a forum where people could express what they thought. I think the man needs to grow up, and I expressed that. That comment was uncalled for. Fuck you.

Hah, you sure do know how to stay on the high road.

Was the comment necessary, nope. Just about as unnecessary as you feeling a little high-and-mighty because you disagree with something he did. I have no problem with people not approving of any behavior by the band, but it bothers me to no end when people start suggesting how they believe someone should act.

And, I never said this wasn't a forum, and that you couldn't express your feelings. I just did the same thing you did, and here we are.

[farley drexel hatcher]

Hah, you sure do know how to stay on the high road.

Was the comment necessary, nope. Just about as unnecessary as you feeling a little high-and-mighty because you disagree with something he did. I have no problem with people not approving of any behavior by the band, but it bothers me to no end when people start suggesting how they believe someone should act.

And, I never said this wasn't a forum, and that you couldn't express your feelings. I just did the same thing you did, and here we are.

In what way was I feeling high and mighty? Nothing in my post even remotely suggests that. A bit pissed off about it, sure, the same way I would be if I heard of anyone else doing such things. I don't see why it bothers you so much that someone thinks someone else is acting immaturely? I'm not telling him how to act, am I? I'm saying, I think, personally he needs to grow up. Simple as that.

And excuse me for being a bit taken aback and wanting to react. After however many years of being on this forum I thought there might be a bit of respect there, but I guess not. Your opinion doesn't bother me, but bullying words do.

[Tripe]

Oh dear. Late night animal cruelty discussion and face punching discussion? Dislike.

I personally think the zine did NOT paint a pretty picture of Tre. Unhinged and scary is not too far from what I was thinking! Of course, hopefully some of that octopus story is just a little exaggerated for the story? Maybe not.

[Fuzz]

In what way was I feeling high and mighty? Nothing in my post even remotely suggests that. A bit pissed off about it, sure, the same way I would be if I heard of anyone else doing such things. I don't see why it bothers you so much that someone thinks someone else is acting immaturely? I'm not telling him how to act, am I? I'm saying, I think, personally he needs to grow up. Simple as that.

And excuse me for being a bit taken aback and wanting to react. After however many years of being on this forum I thought there might be a bit of respect there, but I guess not. Your opinion doesn't bother me, but bullying words do.

That wasn't bullying. I wasn't actually threatening you, I'm not going to find out who you are and actually punch you in the face. That was my way of describing how annoyed I was with the comment. I absolutely respect you and most people here on the forum, but if you say something stupid, I'm going to call you out on it. I will admit it was immature, and just the same, I have no problem with you calling me out for it. but still...

"he should grow the hell up" is nothing except your projection that he doesn't know how to act like an adult. I think that's pretty much the same as telling someone how to act. Obviously I didn't expect you to say that to his face, but none-the-less, I think any of us suggesting how they should act is ludicrous. That's what i said in my initial comment, and that's still what I'm saying. Could I have worded it better, yup, but I was "taken aback" by your words.

So there. everyone's insulted, offended, and hurt.

[Hermione]

If anyone would expect anything less from the guy who milked a dog for his coffee, you've missed something along the way.

There's a difference between being wacky and basically torturing an animal for fun. That was disrespectful to the dog but ultimately he didn't harm it. I always got the impression that he's probably pretty inconsiderate in his pursuit of fun - that he'd be disrespectful, or annoying, or rude, or cause people inconvenience. But he's always seemed like a decent person in spite of that.........after the silliness he seems quite thoughtful and caring in interviews and at times he sounds almost hippy-like when he talks about his ideals.

This is something else, it's far beyond being inconsiderate or disrespectful. It's violent and sadistic. I think trying to pass it off as just being wacky is bullshit.

[Fuzz]

There's a difference between being wacky and basically torturing an animal for fun. That was disrespectful to the dog but ultimately he didn't harm it. I always got the impression that he's probably pretty inconsiderate in his pursuit of fun - that he'd be disrespectful, or annoying, or rude, or cause people inconvenience. But he's always seemed like a decent person in spite of that.........after the silliness he seems quite thoughtful and caring in interviews and at times he sounds almost hippy-like when he talks about his ideals.

This is something else, it's far beyond being inconsiderate or disrespectful. It's violent and sadistic. I think trying to pass it off as just being wacky is bullshit.

I wasn't trying to pass it off as anything. My only point was that I wouldn't put something like this passed him and I don't feel like it really sheds any new light on Tre for me. That "inconsiderate in pursuit of fun" is kind of how I've always imagined him to be. I don't think this incident, or whatever incident you're talking about with the fish, define him as a violent and sadistic person. For some people it might, for me it doesn't.

[farley drexel hatcher]

That wasn't bullying. I wasn't actually threatening you, I'm not going to find out who you are and actually punch you in the face. That was my way of describing how annoyed I was with the comment. I absolutely respect you and most people here on the forum, but if you say something stupid, I'm going to call you out on it. I will admit it was immature, and just the same, I have no problem with you calling me out for it. but still...

"he should grow the hell up" is nothing except your projection that he doesn't know how to act like an adult. I think that's pretty much the same as telling someone how to act. Obviously I didn't expect you to say that to his face, but none-the-less, I think any of us suggesting how they should act is ludicrous. That's what i said in my initial comment, and that's still what I'm saying. Could I have worded it better, yup, but I was "taken aback" by your words.

So there. everyone's insulted, offended, and hurt.

But it WAS threatening. You weren't on the receiving end of it, I was, and I found it to be threatening.

"he should grow the hell up" is me thinking that I can say I feel he needs to grow up - something I think he needs to do, if this kind of stuff is still going on - without the phrase being twisted to mean something else, or mean more than I intend it to. Should I explain every last little thing I say so as not to piss you off, or something? I wasn't offending you personally, so you had no right to use threatening terms against me, personally.

There's a difference between being wacky and basically torturing an animal for fun. That was disrespectful to the dog but ultimately he didn't harm it. I always got the impression that he's probably pretty inconsiderate in his pursuit of fun - that he'd be disrespectful, or annoying, or rude, or cause people inconvenience. But he's always seemed like a decent person in spite of that.........after the silliness he seems quite thoughtful and caring in interviews and at times he sounds almost hippy-like when he talks about his ideals.

This is something else, it's far beyond being inconsiderate or disrespectful. It's violent and sadistic. I think trying to pass it off as just being wacky is bullshit.

This. I don't get the whole "that's just Tre, he's just weird" argument. It spoils him, because like you say, sometimes he comes off a decent, caring guy. And then this stuff happens.

[Fuzz]

But it WAS threatening. You weren't on the receiving end of it, I was, and I found it to be threatening.

"he should grow the hell up" is me thinking that I can say I feel he needs to grow up - something I think he needs to do, if this kind of stuff is still going on - without the phrase being twisted to mean something else, or mean more than I intend it to. Should I explain every last little thing I say so as not to piss you off, or something? I wasn't offending you personally, so you had no right to use threatening terms against me, personally.

Do you not see the irony or even hypocrisy in what you're typing? You say I can't define your statements, yet you're defining what I said as an actual threat? You know, twisting what I meant as something else, or mean more than I intended it to.

My god, you're right, I guess I don't respect you.

[Hermione]

I wasn't trying to pass it off as anything. My only point was that I wouldn't put something like this passed him and I don't feel like it really sheds any new light on Tre for me. That "inconsiderate in pursuit of fun" is kind of how I've always imagined him to be. I don't think this incident, or whatever incident you're talking about with the fish, define him as a violent and sadistic person. For some people it might, for me it doesn't.

Well it was a violent and sadistic act, I'd say it defines him as a person who lacks empathy and compassion. I suppose how surprising it is is gonna depend on your impression of him before, it was shocking to me but yeah that's gonna vary from person to person.

But the thing is if I heard about anyone doing this I'd be disgusted with them, it's not just because I admired him. I know people fuss and stick their noses in about how the band should act when it's none of their business but I think this is different. If I hear that someone's abused an animal I have no problem saying they shouldn't act that way. People can and should say that.

[farley drexel hatcher]

Do you not see the irony or even hypocrisy in what you're typing? You say I can't define your statements, yet you're defining what I said as an actual threat? You know, twisting what I meant as something else, or mean more than I intended it to.

My god, you're right, I guess I don't respect you.

What I said wasn't even about you! It wasn't anything to do with you. I meant what I said about Tre, I think he needs to grow up. You chose to take offence to that and then to say something that came off to me as threatening. Doesn't mean you intended it to be threatening, but you can't control how others will take something like that at face value. Your comment was aimed at me, not at some band member who isn't going to see it. So simply put, yeah, I found it rude. Sure, you didn't mean it, but that's beside the point.

But whatever, do what you want, say what you want, I don't care anymore.

[Fuzz]

Well it was a violent and sadistic act, I'd say it defines him as a person who lacks empathy and compassion. I suppose how surprising it is is gonna depend on your impression of him before, it was shocking to me but yeah that's gonna vary from person to person.

But the thing is if I heard about anyone doing this I'd be disgusted with them, it's not just because I admired him. I know people fuss and stick their noses in about how the band should act when it's none of their business but I think this is different. If I hear that someone's abused an animal I have no problem saying they shouldn't act that way. People can and should say that.

I haven't read the piece, I don't know how bad it was. As i've said more than once now, i don't have a problem with people who have problems if the guys do something they don't agree with it. I couldn't care less if that means someone has less respect for any of them. If that's how you feel, that's fine with me. I do think however, that letting a couple of incidents define an entire person is pretty pathetic. If Tre was out torturing animals on a daily basis because he got off on it, I'd understand. I don't think that's the case. I could be wrong, but I don't know, and since I don't, it doesn't really change how I feel about him.

[Bohemian+Scandal]

Well it was a violent and sadistic act, I'd say it defines him as a person who lacks empathy and compassion. I suppose how surprising it is is gonna depend on your impression of him before, it was shocking to me but yeah that's gonna vary from person to person.

But the thing is if I heard about anyone doing this I'd be disgusted with them, it's not just because I admired him. I know people fuss and stick their noses in about how the band should act when it's none of their business but I think this is different. If I hear that someone's abused an animal I have no problem saying they shouldn't act that way. People can and should say that.

I'm not as upset by it but I don't blame you or anyone else for being upset. Tre's always come off as mentally disturbed. Like he never quite fully recovered from his drug use. Cometbus describes him as annoying and attention seeking and he also confirmed

that Tre sleeps around everywhere they go.

It doesn't really bother me though. I don't know him and am not personally affected by him in any way beyond his drumming which is irrelevant to his behavior in my mind. Still I do admit that I find this side of them interesting. I actually was hoping Aaron would psychoanalyze them more (particularly Tre), but he didn't beyond a few observations. I think at some point he said he couldn't psychoanalyze them or didn't want to.

[Fuzz]

Here's what I think, and this not directed at one specific person. Just my thoughts overall. I think the thing that bothers me most is that people have this opinion of the guys, much of which is made up based off interviews they've done for press. And suddenly there comes a point where people feel that as big fans, they need to know as much about them as individuals as possible - and they start seeing these flaws and suddenly let those things take over their perception of what they see of them as human beings. Unless you're friends with them, I don't think you really have a right to call them out on certain things, because you don't know them. You don't know their intention, or the view-point, and of course they have flaws. If you have problems with them, then either ignore them and just appreciate the parts of them you want (their music, for example) or you can give up on them completely. But don't try to "fix" anyone. It's not our place to make those calls.

[Hermione]

I haven't read the piece, I don't know how bad it was. As i've said more than once now, i don't have a problem with people who have problems if the guys do something they don't agree with it. I couldn't care less if that means someone has less respect for any of them. If that's how you feel, that's fine with me. I do think however, that letting a couple of incidents define an entire person is pretty pathetic. If Tre was out torturing animals on a daily basis because he got off on it, I'd understand. I don't think that's the case. I could be wrong, but I don't know, and since I don't, it doesn't really change how I feel about him.

I don't think it defines an entire person but I do think it defines something about them. Not trying to exaggerate what he's done - I think having the desire to and being capable of doing it even once shows something. If someone gets amusement out of the idea of doing that AND thoughts of the animal's suffering don't stop them from going through with it.........what can I say. I judge a person who can do that to be lacking in empathy and compassion. And I think those are an important part of a person's character.

[GDM]

Lol, Cometbus brings out the best and crazy in us! Damn you Aaron (cause I'm pretty sure you're reading this... or at least Larry is...)

I think if you read about two incidents with one person in regards to animals (the fish, the octopus), and neither of them are very flattering in regards to the treatment of an animal, one might assume that a person has an animal... or at least an aquatic animal... issue. But, he also seems to love dogs (milking them or no), so, I'm not sure, without other proof, whether it's possible to say that he's cruel to all animals or just to some or just in these two occasions. I dunno.

And I still say that #54 made me think that Tre is really out there, but that we already knew...

The part that made me feel a little differently about him was that he DIDN'T fuck/screw/sleep/whatever, the Japanese lady from the nightclub when they went for a day in woods... I think that even shocked Cometbus a little, too.

[Bohemian+Scandal]

The part that made me feel a little differently about him was that he DIDN'T fuck/screw/sleep/whatever, the Japanese lady from the nightclub when they went for a day in woods... I think that even shocked Cometbus a little, too.

I assumed he was shocked because the alternate is a pretty regular thing. But you're right, it definitely made me raise an eyebrow.

[GDM]

I assumed he was shocked because the alternate is a pretty regular thing. But you're right, it definitely made me raise an eyebrow.

Oh, I assume that was the reason he was shocked, too!

[Hermione]

Here's what I think, and this not directed at one specific person. Just my thoughts overall. I think the thing that bothers me most is that people have this opinion of the guys, much of which is made up based off interviews they've done for press. And suddenly there comes a point where people feel that as big fans, they need to know as much about them as individuals as possible - and they start seeing these flaws and suddenly let those things take over their perception of what they see of them as human beings. Unless you're friends with them, I don't think you really have a right to call them out on certain things, because you don't know them. You don't know their intention, or the view-point, and of course they have flaws. If you have problems with them, then either ignore them and just appreciate the parts of them you want (their music, for example) or you can give up on them completely. But don't try to "fix" anyone. It's not our place to make those calls.

This isn't a perception based on crap like rumours or stuff they've said in interviews. It's a perception based on a fact. He tortured an animal purely for fun - there's simply no excuse for anyone to do that. Whatever the intention and whatever the viewpoint, it's wrong and there's no circumstances that could make it right. You don't need to know someone to say "that person shouldn't have abused an animal for a laugh". It's our (and everyone's) place to say that about anyone.

[IscoredWaddlesgoals]

I have to say, I totally agree with what achin' to be & Hermione (sorry, I don't know 'real' names) have said. Things like this make him look like a total psycho (and not in a 'fun' or 'wacky' way) and he's really gone down in my estimation.

[November's Storms]

I used to admire Tre as a person as well as a drummer but this and the fish thing have destroyed my opinion of him. Sad.

Suddenly I'm not looking forward to reading this so much. I will of course, but with tentativeness.

There's a difference between being wacky and basically torturing an animal for fun. That was disrespectful to the dog but ultimately he didn't harm it. I always got the impression that he's probably pretty inconsiderate in his pursuit of fun - that he'd be disrespectful, or annoying, or rude, or cause people inconvenience. But he's always seemed like a decent person in spite of that.........after the silliness he seems quite thoughtful and caring in interviews and at times he sounds almost hippy-like when he talks about his ideals.

This is something else, it's far beyond being inconsiderate or disrespectful. It's violent and sadistic. I think trying to pass it off as just being wacky is bullshit.

I've always known Tré to be the wacky one of course, and that he's more than happy to make a person feel awkward or bad if its for his own amusement. I've always thought that was kinda cool. Bit this is completely different. This thread really is the most interesting place to be on GDC.

[Tripe]

Here we go, for those of you who will not be able to read this. The octopus part is conveniently in the same part of the story as the part about Prima Donna. Andres, if you feel even parts of this should not be shared here, feel free to delete the post.

When the lights came on, I was surprised to find the opening band standing nearby. I reassessed my low opinion of them. Any band that was also fans was alright by me.

Later it became clear that they hadn't been mingling without a purpose: the dressing room was filled with women with whom they'd presented with special backstage laminates. The shirtless singer pointed out the one he liked best, sending the roadie over to play fetch. The singer ws just a kid, and the woman didn't seem all that into him, but she accepted her cliched role half in jest. Soon they were making out.

I sat in a corner with Billie, Bill Schneider, and the Big Three, literally turning our backs on the whole thing. Then I felt something cold and slimy slip down my shirt. I turned and let out an involuntary scream: it was Tre, with a live octopus, one of whose tentacles was reaching into my pants!

It was truly a nightmare. Tre cackled evilly as he pulled the octopus off me. Then he opened his mouth wide and began to devour it alive. He had mentioned a desire to try some of the more unusual local delicacies, but I hadn't taken the part about live animals literally.

Tre had taken one bite before the octopus wrapped one of its tentacles round his neck and started to squeeze - first tentatively, then with more force. The octopus got another tentacle down his throat, and Tre started to choke, All the while, the limeys were in a frenzy of flashbulbs, egging him on.

Billie and I turned away, too revolted and unsettled to watch - only to see the opening band's singer sucking the girl's face and slipping his hand underneath her skirt. It was all too much!

The bodyguards did not step in to save Tre from the octopus, but once he'd freed himself from its grip, one went with Tre to the bathroom to help him puke. The other two hacked away at the still writhing animal with knives.

Get the singer for the opening band too!

[Fuzz]

Actually, thanks for posting that. It's pretty much what I expected it to be. People eat live octopus in other parts of the world - and clearly Tre wanted to try it out (without much success). Terrible as that might seem to other people, and very odd for those in our culture, it's not as if he goes out on the road to torture animals or something.

This is not something I'd ever do, and I might have had the same reaction as Aaron - but I still don't think this suddenly makes me feel differently.

[Tripe]

Yeah, it pretty much grossed me out more than anything.

Some of the rest of the stories have left me with a less than charitable view of the guy, though. But that's ok. He's a kickass drummer, I guess that's all I really expect out of him.