Disturbed Frontman David Draiman Would Probably Go To Jail If He Meets Roger Waters

Disturbed frontman David Draiman has made no secret of his disdain for Roger Waters, the longtime member of Pink Floyd. Draiman has frequently criticized Waters for his alleged antisemitic views.

In a recent interview with Linda Advocate, Draiman’s animosity towards Waters was palpable. When asked if he had ever met Waters, Draiman responded:

“I’d gladly serve whatever jail time and pay the bail necessary for whatever I could get done within a very limited period of time.”

Draiman’s Views on Roger Waters

During his conversation with Linda Advocate, Draiman shared that Waters had rejected his previous attempts to engage in dialogue. Draiman didn’t hold back in his criticism, describing Waters as “a piece of work, that deluded old freak. Antisemitic to his rotten core. Just ask David Gilmour and his wife — they’ll testify to it. He’s been that way for the duration of his life and the duration of his career. It’s nothing new. He’s a coward. He’s a hypocrite.”

Draiman continued:

“He is a supporter of dictators and dictatorial regimes all over the world. He’s an apologist for Putin and anybody on the wrong side of history. He’s a deluded wannabe-socialist as well.”

The Disturbed vocalist acknowledged Waters’ artistic contributions, particularly praising The Wall, but he emphasized the hypocrisy he perceives in Waters. “Even a maniac can create some great art,” Draiman said. “Everything that he wrote about, everything that he professed to believe in… he has shown himself to be a hypocrite for.”

Draiman also recalled his frustration from years ago when Waters used controversial imagery during his performances. He remarked:

“I was already losing my mind with him years ago when he was flying around a pig in his stadiums with the [Jewish] Star Of David on it.”

Draiman’s Desire to Confront Waters

Draiman expressed a strong desire to confront Waters face-to-face. He stated:

“The guy is a bully.
“And he wouldn’t even dare to engage with me. Because it’s not about logic and reasoning and facts and reality to people like him. It’s all about the narrative.”

He accused Waters of perpetuating a “hate-fueled antisemitic, just spite-filled narrative” that demonizes Jewish people and the State of Israel. “He’s a monster,” Draiman declared. Draiman reiterated his willingness to face the consequences of such an encounter when asked if they had ever met:

“Oh, I’d love to meet him in person. Nothing would make me happier. I’d gladly serve whatever jail time and pay the bail necessary for whatever I could get done within a very limited period of time.”

Backlash Against Roger Waters

Roger Waters has faced significant backlash for his outspoken views on Israel, which many have perceived as antisemitic. In April 2023, the city council of Frankfurt, Germany, canceled a Waters performance, labeling him “one of the world’s most well-known Antisemites” and citing his support for the BDS campaign, which calls for a boycott of Israel. Despite winning a legal battle to perform in the city, the controversy surrounding Waters continued.

In May 2023, Waters drew criticism in Germany for wearing a costume reminiscent of Nazi imagery from Pink Floyd’s The Wall film, which led to an investigation and international condemnation. Waters later defended himself, calling the accusations “a flimsy, unapologetic piece of propaganda.”

In the fall of 2023, a documentary by the Campaign Against Antisemitism featured colleagues of Waters supporting claims of his antisemitism. Waters dismissed the film as “a flimsy, unapologetic piece of propaganda.”

David Draiman’s Fight Against Antisemitism

David Draiman has been a vocal advocate against antisemitism and a staunch supporter of Israel. His activism recently earned him the 2024 joint honor from the Jerusalem Post and the World Zionist Organization for his contributions to combating Jewish hate. Draiman’s deep connection to his Jewish heritage is evident despite his success as a musician, having once trained to be a cantor and considered becoming a rabbi.