Seafood fetishist Don McGlashan thinks his shit don’t stank

"...halfway down Dominion Road, doo dee doo..."

One of my favourite Simpson’s characters is Troy McClure, a lovable washed up actor: ‘Hi, I’m Troy McClure. You may remember me from such nature films as Earwigs: Eww! and Man vs. Nature: The Road to Victory.’

In a season 7 episode called ‘A Fish Called Selma’, McClure marries a human woman after rumours about a sexual abnormality concerning fish have sunk his career.

I can’t help but see undeniable parallels in Don McGlashan’s latest outburst. In November 2008, TVNZ used of one of his songs (Anchor Me) to accompany a montage of images celebrating National leader John Key’s election victory. McGlashan responded by stating that he “would rather have sex with a very ugly crayfish than let them [the National Party] use my music”. Here’s the full article.

There were just so many other ways he could have expressed his disgust. I mean, I get it, he was riffing on the ocean theme of the song, but that he had to qualify crayfish with ‘very ugly’ is frankly, worrisome. Aren’t all crayfish fairly hideous by default?

McGlashan is my most favourist NZ musician of all time – I love everything he’s ever done. So I’m sad to pick up on more than a little hint of elitism and/or snobbery here:

“Of course I am in no way criticising the process of democracy or New Zealanders’ right to throw out the best government we’ve had in years because we happen to be a bit bored, but you might as well know I’ve never voted National.”

He stops just short of saying that the voting majority of New Zealanders are complete morons, but he does essentially say they are all spoiled, petulant children.

The only musicians, actors, or artists who should be allowed to get political are the ones who have a crap body of work, so fans like me don’t ever have to cringe. Artists should always be aware that they operate on a much higher and more noble plane than pollies, and that dipping in only ever muddies themselves, even if it’s personal.

You make me feel things I've never felt before...