This previous Saturday (June 14) – and per The New York Times – quite a few “No Kings” demonstrations and marches erupted throughout the USA to protest Donald Trump’s navy/birthday parade. Many individuals took to social media to voice their objections, too, together with legendary rock/steel band Soundgarden (who shared a press release associated to the “No Kings” motion alongside their very own “Non-State Actor” flag).
What Soundgarden Stated
Yesterday, Soundgarden posted a collection of 4 photos to Instagram. So as, they’re: the American flag; a custom-made “Non-State Actor” B&W variation of the flag; the “No Kings” emblem; and the “King Animal” brand from their 2012 studio LP of the same name.
Their corresponding assertion reads:
Hey associates, followers, household and freaks! Right now is Flag Day; right here’s our flag! Try this badder-asser visualizer/video for “Non-State Actor” by Soundgarden’s artwork director, Josh Graham. It’s in our bio!
“Non-State Actor” seems on Soundgarden’s seventh studio album, King Animal. It’s a Ben [Shepherd] crafted musical piece. Kim [Thayil] wrote the lyrics with Chris [Cornell] modifying them phrases for his singing.
On our U.S.A. flag the celebs symbolize our 50 states. On our Non-State Actor flag the celebs have been changed with the King Animal icon/skate brand. … get it?… Non-Skate Actor!
Let your freak flag fly throughout right this moment’s valuable birthday parade! Higher but, let’s rejoice the women and men who serve below the flag to assist and defend the structure, not the heavy equipment, not the {hardware}, not a birthday boy and never a king. U.S.A.!
XOSG!
You’ll be able to see their submit under:
READ MORE: 5 Grunge Albums Every Vinyl Collector Should Own (And How to Buy Them)
Fan Reactions
Soundgarden’s Instagram submit has acquired dozens of responses over the past day, and predictably, they’re fairly blended.
Naturally, many individuals share Soundgarden’s emotions. For example, one particular person replied, “Love Soundgarden! No kings, we’re a democracy,” simply as one other expressed: “Thanks on your music and your voice throughout this pivotal second in historical past. Soundgarden has all the time been for the free thinkers and rock n roll rebels on the appropriate aspect of historical past!”
In distinction, a number of commenters have chastised the band for his or her particular views or for getting political generally. Particularly, somebody answered, “God bless the USA🇺🇸 and President Trump ,completely happy birthday Military, and completely happy Flag day 🇺🇸.” Later, two different customers wrote (respectively): “Chris Cornell wouldn’t approve of this looting riots” and “Simply play music nobody cares about your political views. Hate when bands do that shit.”
There’s even a Reddit thread about Soundgarden’s submit (with a majority of optimistic responses). “In fact Soundgarden is on the appropriate aspect of historical past,” “Gawd I fucking love these guys!” and “Chris Cornell has all the time been fairly clear about his assist for stealing bread from the mouths of decadence” are simply a few of encouraging replies.
One particular person even conceded: “Okay, so the general message is nice and in keeping with the band’s values however holy hell they should put money into a greater social media supervisor. Such a bizarre tone and dangerous grammar.”
Extra About “No Kings” Motion + Protests
The official No Kings website explains the motivations and targets behind the motion as follows:
As ICE raids escalate and Trump doubles down on authoritarian ways—together with politicizing the navy—we’re assembly the second with motion. The street forward isn’t nearly one protest or sooner or later. It’s about constructing a motion highly effective sufficient to win towards authoritarian forces useless set on destroying our democracy.
We’re impressed by the three.5% precept: it solely takes 3.5% of the inhabitants partaking in sustained, strategic protest towards authoritarianism to realize important political change. All the pieces we do from right here on out is grounded in three core commitments: staying within the combat, taking concrete motion right this moment, and investing within the long-term.
The web site/motion can also be steered by the next sentiment: “They’ve defied our courts, deported Individuals, disappeared individuals off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our providers. The corruption has gone too. far. No thrones. No crowns. No kings.”
As for why June 14, 2025 was chosen for the rallies, it’s each Donald Trump’s 79th birthday and the 250th anniversary of the USA Military. As such, and by way of BBC News, the protests have been in defiance of “a uncommon navy parade hosted by Trump in Washington DC, and got here after days of protests in Los Angeles and elsewhere over his immigration insurance policies.”
As reported by The New York Times, the nationwide protests noticed individuals “fill[ing] plazas, streets and parks throughout the nation . . . mounting a mass mobilization that known as for shielding American democracy from a president whom many opponents accused of overreaching the powers of his workplace.”
The publication continues:
The demonstrations set off in waves because the day progressed, in small cities and main cities, together with New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles, the center of a surging protest motion towards President Trump. Some 2,000 occasions, organized below the slogan No Kings, have been deliberate throughout all 50 states, animated by the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, federal spending cuts and Mr. Trump’s navy parade in Washington. . . . Many occasions nationwide drew massive crowds with demonstrators putting patriotic themes, waving American flags or reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
You’ll be able to learn extra about what transpired by way of Newsweek and NBC News (amongst different shops), and you may see images from yesterday’s occasions by way of The Atlantic and the Associated Press.
Extra About Soundgarden
Final week, Loudwire included Soundgarden’s monumental third studio record – 1991’s Badmotorfinger – in our listing of 5 Grunge Albums Every Vinyl Collector Should Own (And How to Buy Them). “Put this one on whenever you’re in search of one thing a bit of harder, however nonetheless moody,” we wrote.
Again in Could, the Reside Semi-Finals of NBC’s The Voice noticed standout contestant (and divisive performer) Lucia Flores-Wisemen do a stripped-down and orchestral rendition of what is arguably Soundgarden’s signature music: “Black Hole Sun.”
“I feel no matter you need to do along with your voice, the alternatives are infinite,” country-pop artist and The Voice coach Kelsea Ballerini mentioned after the efficiency. “I’m a fan. You are a star. You do not want me to let you know that. I am excited to see what’s subsequent.”
The Massive 4 of Non-U.S. Grunge Bands
Not each grunge band got here from Seattle. Some even did not come from the U.S. Try the ‘Massive 4’ of non-U.S. grunge bands.
Gallery Credit score: Chad Childers, Loudwire