Disturbed’s Singer Threatens Roger Waters

During an appearance on The Magnificent Others, the podcast hosted by Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins, David Draiman of Disturbed did not hold back when discussing Roger Waters. What began as a broader conversation about the Israel-Palestine conflict quickly shifted toward Waters’ controversial political stance.

Corgan, who has previously worked with the Pink Floyd co-founder, reflected on the formative trauma in Waters’ life. He pointed to the death of Waters’ father during World War II, noting, “the defining moment in Roger’s life [was] his father being killed in World War II. It’s in The Wall; he’s made more than one record about it,” adding that such an experience would be “very traumatic” for anyone.

Trauma, Politics, and Interpretation

Building on this, Corgan suggested that Waters’ outspoken criticism of Israel may stem from that personal history. “It makes sense to me that a man who grew up in the shadow of World War II, lost his daddy in a war, has really suffered the consequence of that pain, that he would be hypersensitive to a scenario like that,” he said.

Draiman acknowledged the reasoning but pushed back strongly.

“I agree…[but] here’s the thing, Billy: I grew up on Pink Floyd. I loved Pink Floyd. It was such a massive betrayal, not just to me, but Jews everywhere when he went in the direction that he did.”

He further argued that this stance was not new.

“And it wasn’t just two years ago; he’s been doing this for a long time. Roger has a penchant for dictators — the worst [people] on planet earth. Roger just cozies right up to them. He has no problem whatsoever.”

No Middle Ground

As the conversation deepened, Corgan admitted that his effort to bridge perspectives had fallen short, stating that his “attempt at peacemaking failed.” Draiman, meanwhile, dismissed any hope of reconciliation, describing Waters as “such a hypocrite.”

“He’s not for human rights. He’s for this weird dictator-driven socialist — I don’t even understand what he’s trying to stand for,” Draiman added.

When presented with a hypothetical scenario in which Waters might request a sit-down conversation, Draiman’s response was characteristically blunt:

“I’d have to punch him first, but yeah.”

The remarks continue a pattern of public criticism from Draiman. In 2023, he had already labeled Waters a “very sick man” and a “nazi asshole,” underscoring the deepening divide between the two artists.