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Micheal Stipe, other musicians protest

Under the Radar magazine hit upon a hot topic when they decided to do a “protest issue.” Focusing on music and politics and the strange place where the two meet, they photographed a myriad number of musical artists, asking them to pose with different protest signs. The signs are autographed and auctioned off on eBay, and raise money for War Child, a charity that benefits children in war-torn areas of the world.

So what do these artists sound off on? Some chose various pet causes. Decemberist frontman Colin Meloy’s sign encourages subsidies for wind and solar power. Fleet Foxes’ sign pointed out “Capitalism i$ unethical (and we’re hypocrites).” Some were more whimsical: Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips encourages people to “just be a nice person,” a wonderful sentiment. My Morning Jacket’s sign says “Puppiez y Kittens,” with little hearts drawn around the words.

Micheal Stipe’s was rather fiery, reading “Things I Hate” on one side and “gutless puff adder journalists” on the other. Stipe’s never been known to mince words, and if you get concert tickets to see him and his band performing, you can hear more of his words. Get R.E.M. tickets at Stubhub.com.