Eels have extended an invitation to President George W.Bush for their upcoming performance on March 29th in Washington DC. The band explained the invitation in an open letter:
My name is Mark Oliver Everett. I am the singer in an American rock band called EELS You may recall using our album "Daisies of the Galaxy" as an example during your campaign for the presidency in 2000 The album was supposed to be a bad example for the kids of America.I know that you're a Christian, and Christ taught forgiveness. So in the spirit of forgiveness and fence–mending, I'd like to let bygones be bygones and invite you and the First Lady to attend our Washington, DC concert, March 29th lt's right down the road from you at the Sixth & | Historic Synagogue.
Way back in 2000, Bush explicitly condemned Eels saying (through a spokesman):
America's parents can't count on Al Gore to protect their kids from Hollywood's inappropriate marketing practices, If the Democrats didn't stop Dreamworks from handing out a CD with explicit lyrics at a convention under their control, why will they stop Hollywood from marketing the same material to children at other venues?
My name is Mark Oliver Everett. I am the singer in an American rock band called EELS You may recall using our album "Daisies of the Galaxy" as an example during your campaign for the presidency in 2000 The album was supposed to be a bad example for the kids of America. Something about inappropriate language and messages. You even had my lyrics on your website. lt was quite an ordeal I even wrote about it in my new book, Things The Grandchildren Should Know (coming out this fall in the U.S. - it's already a bestseller in England, where it just came out!)
Mr. President, I know that you're a Christian, and Christ taught forgiveness. So in the spirit of forgiveness and fence-mending, I'd like to let bygones be bygones and invite you and the First Lady to attend our Washington, DC concert, March 29th lt's right down the road from you at the Sixth & | Historic Synagogue. lt's a really cool place for concerts. lf you're more comfortable ata different house of worship, we're also doing concerts at churches in Philadelphia and New Haven the nights before and after the DC show. In the name of tolerance, we are trying to represent many faiths on this tour.
lf you come to the show, I would be happy to give you complimentary copies of our brand new best of and rarities CDs, "Meet The EELS" and "Useless Trinkets" (which feature some of the very tracks your campaign used as bad examples for our country's youth) that i will even be happy to autograph for you. These tracks can be loaded onto your Presidential iPod as well. lf you're busy, I understand, but I wanted to put it out there: Let's forgive and forget. lt's the only way to change the world.
Thank you for your time, Mr. President.
Sincerely,
E