Not long ago, Filter frontman Richard Patrick was one of rock’s more vocal political voices, regularly airing his views on social media and channeling them into his art. His sharp criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump and other right-wing figures drew both backlash and support online, but it came at a heavy personal price. Along with reported venue troubles tied to his anti-Trump stance, Patrick says he was doxed and received death threats aimed at himself and his family. It was the threats to his loved ones that ultimately led him to step back from speaking out.
In a new interview with “Rocking With Jam Man“, Patrick was asked whether he believes artists have a duty to use their platforms to be open about politics. His answer made clear that, for him, the decision is deeply personal and shaped by real danger.
“No, I think it’s a personal choice, obviously, if someone wants to use their platform politically. But guys like Bono and Joe Strummer and Bruce Springsteen and Tom Morello and Robert De Niro, and people that speak out against the Trump administration, I think they’re incredibly brave. I’ve received death threats. So that’s why I’ve kind of silenced myself, because I don’t want… I have kids and… I was doxed, and there was a whole bunch of s**t that went down that I don’t want to really talk about,” he said (as transcribed by theprp).
He continued: “So I’ve kind of had to shut up because I can’t really… You know Filter‘s a big band and we’ve traveled the world over, but I can’t afford 24-hour security and that’s what Bono and Bruce Springsteen, luckily they have that. Because the death threats are real. You have to take them seriously.”
“And it’s so easy to make them, you start up a fake account on Instagram, you DM me that you’re going to kill my family and now that’s a threat, and so I have to worry about that. And I have friends in the FBI and stuff like that. So I feel protected, but yeah being outspoken is a dangerous thing these days, which is really sad. That’s really one of the things that pisses me off about this world we live in,” he explained.
Asked whether it has become tougher for artists to speak honestly without their words ballooning into controversy, Patrick didn’t hesitate.
“Absolutely. People want to say how they feel and they’re criticized for it by the other side, whether it’s right or wrong, you know? And in my case getting death threats, and horrible things getting said about my kids online, there’s a whole litany of things I could go through and tell you about. But the repercussions of just having a political opinion is a dangerous thing these days,” he replied.
Patrick also explained how he now handles the subject during live shows, choosing to keep his message in the music rather than the stage banter.
“I don’t talk politics. I let the lyrics do the talking. I don’t preach from the stage. I try not to… I don’t have a soapbox on the stage. I just try and bring everybody together. If they pick up on what I’m saying in the lyrics, good for them. But I mean I just played a show in Arkansas, I’m not bringing in politics to it. Because at a certain point you just you realize people are set in their ways. And I probably could have…. We saw what happened with The Black Crowes, you know, he brings up political stuff, and half the audience just walks out, like they’re just not going to listen, you know?” he said.
He added: “So, it’s one of those scary things where you just have to artistically say your mind, speak your mind, which I’m doing. And I’m very political when it comes to the lyrics of Filter songs or A Place To Kill songs. But you have to kind of know your audience and know that some people just don’t want to hear it. So you have to, in an effort to bring people together musically, you have to kind of be very skilled at how you say it.”
That prompted a question about whether fans can still bond with music made by artists they don’t see eye to eye with politically. Patrick answered with a personal example.
“I mean, yeah, I would hope that people… I’m a fan of a band that is Christian. They’re a Christian band, and I’m not a Christian. I’m an atheist. And when they start bringing up, you know, lords and saviors and stuff like that, I feel a little alienated. But at the same time, I respect where they’re coming from, and I appreciate the sentiment behind what they’re saying, because universally it’s it’s good what they’re saying. So I tend to accept the way an artist is and just appreciate their music,” he replied.
In the same conversation, Patrick offered an update on Filter‘s next studio album, The Antidote, which he hopes to release in 2027. He described it as thematically close to its predecessor, 2023’s The Algorithm, but framed as a response rather than a diagnosis.
“It’s kind of similar to The Algorithm. That’s why I called it The Antidote, because it’s kind of coming in with solutions. And The Algorithm was the problem, and The Antidote is the solution. It’s heavy sounding, but it’s also beautiful and light in certain areas. Just like all the other Filter records, there’s that moment of brightness on it sonically. So, it’s a gorgeous record. I’m really proud of it. It’s gonna come out hopefully early next year,” he concluded.
