On this episode, Bill sits down with musician, podcaster and one-time Mumford & Sons banjoist Winston Marshall. The two reflect on Winston’s departure from the band following a social media firestorm over a controversial book endorsement, how that ordeal exposed the intense pressures of “cancel culture” within the music world and why Winston ultimately decided to speak his mind despite the fallout. They dig into England’s shifting cultural landscape, the rise of political correctness in both the UK and America, what it’s like to navigate taboo topics in today’s hyper-partisan climate, Bill’s own battle with early 2000s cancellations, the nuance of “platforming” divisive guests in media, and how comedic irreverence can serve as a release valve against excessive wokeness. They also touch on London’s changing face, the lure of extremist ideologies, the importance of honest dialogue across the political spectrum and much more. Follow Club Random on IG: @ClubRandomPodcast Follow Bill on IG: @BillMaher Go to https://www.ffrf.us/freedom or text "CLUB" to 511511 and become a member today Go to https://zbiotics.com/RANDOM and use RANDOM at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics. Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/random #rulapod #ad Go to https://www.skechers.com/clubrandom or use code Random for 20% off your first pair of Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins Go to https://OmahaSteaks.com to get 50% off sitewide during their Spring Savings Event. And use Promo Code BILL at checkout for an extra $30 off. Minimum purchase may apply. See site for details. A big thanks to our advertiser, Omaha Steaks! Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you're listening or by using this link: https://bit.ly/ClubRandom Watch Club Random on YouTube: https://bit.ly/ClubRandomYouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Chapter 1: What led to Winston Marshall's departure from Mumford & Sons?
The book thing happens. And then, so then after a few months, Andy gets attacked again. And then another thing that happened.
But did the band splinter on you as the issue? Like some people were, hey, we're too hard on Winston. And some people were, no, we're not hard enough. Burn him, burn him.
I was invited to stay in the band on the condition that I don't read. Yeah, I don't read any more books. No, not quite, but I put the apology out. Oh, really? By all of them?
They all signed on to that?
Right.
Wow. I wish I'd attacked them instead of you.
Well, we're making it right now. I came to the conclusion that I had to withdraw. Basically, it's the apology note that was really burdening.
That was sort of under coercion. It's a little bit of a hostage video.
I will say that I chose to do it. Of course. And so I take responsibility for that.
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Chapter 2: How did cancel culture affect Winston's life and career?
I was in Iraq a couple of years ago. Really? And I was very surprised. Doing what? I was there visiting Yazidi camps in the north. But I went down to Baghdad and I was very surprised to find that the young generation
who have lived in just it's been conflict for 20 years more and they actually have a favorable opinion of saddam hussein at this point so so yeah people it's amazing how these uh people can have a resurgence and you know people that we can clearly consider saddam was a bad guy but i'll say this you know uh when the soccer team did not do well uday and hussein used to torture them
But I'll say this about that soccer team. They never phoned it in.
Well, I want to ask you about your cancellation because you were like OG cancellation.
Yeah, exactly. And it's relevant to this, right? That could be my rap name, OG cancellation.
I love it. It was directly after 9-11.
Right after 9-11, yes. Where were you? How old were you? I was in school. In 2001? 2001, I was... You were in high school or something?
Yeah, I was pointing out the guys who were trying to be friends with girls and... Calling them bastards.
But it got on your radar or you read about it later? I read about it later. Okay.
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Chapter 4: How have recent events shaped the music and media landscape?
I suspect that... A few things need to be done with regard to not just the grooming gangs, but all these sort of issues. But I suspect that if, let's say, the Christian side or the non-Muslim side just say, enough of this and there's going to be punishment. Instead of bowing to... If those perpetrators actually understood that there'll be repercussions, I think that would actually stop.
I would hope it would massively decrease anyway.
The answer to this is moderate Muslims... because I hear this all the time from people, Bill, the way you talk, you know, they're moderate Muslims. Yes, I do. I'm very aware. But you know where moderate Muslims live? Here in Canada. They live in the West. Doesn't that tell you something? You can't be a moderate Muslim in most Muslim countries in the world. That's a problem. London...
has a moderate muslim mayor that's what we need more in the future the your mayor still the mayor right yes okay he's he's like i don't want women to cover their faces that's the message he can only deliver to other muslims they have to be brought i think into that way of thinking
Well, I don't know enough about Sadiq Khan and his personal faith, but I would say that moderate Muslims like Majid Nawaz or Ed Hussein, they have been unbelievably ostracized from their community for speaking out on these issues.
Even ostracized from American liberals. Liberals.
Mm-hmm. Yeah. If I can make the case for the Middle East or the Muslim world, and maybe this is a white pill, I'm very encouraged by the Abraham Accords, what Trump achieved in his first term. And if you look at the signatories, most particularly the Emiratis, They are better at calling out Islamism in the West than we in the West are at doing it. Is that right?
And their leadership, for me, gives me huge hope for relations between Muslim-majority countries.
This is the United Arab Emirates. Exactly. That's Dubai.
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