Pumped Up Kicks: Foster the People and Their Influence

Foster the People is an Indie Pop band based out of Los Angeles, California. They may sound like other pop culture bands or Indie groups, but when one takes a closer look at their brand and message, they are not the typical rock band. Though sometimes controversial, Foster the People’s music positively influences millennials to think critically about the government, world, and inner selves. Songs such as “Pumped Up Kicks” and “Pay the Man”, as well as album titles like Supermodel, Foster the People share their views of the world and influence their listeners.

            With their hit single in 2009, “Pumped Up Kicks”, Foster the People began the conversation of gun violence in schools. It is interesting to note that this song came out nine years ago, but is still just as relevant now in 2018. In a CNN interview, lead singer Mark Foster stated, “That song was written from a place of wanting us to do something about gun violence, wanting legislation to be passed that can limit our resources because it feels like these mass shootings are becoming common now” (Zaru, 2017). With any sort of protest for change, one needs several people to stand behind it. School shootings affect students more than any other age group in the country, this is also the age group that listens to Foster the People. Although an upbeat sounding song, when individuals discover the true meaning of the lyrics, are forced to come head on to the problem at hand. Students who hear a song about an issue that has the potential to affect their lives can start the conversation on gun violence that is needed for change.

            Foster the People’s song, “Pay the Man”, focuses on societies actions. One line, sung by Foster says, “The deaf man heard what the mute man said / Then they all followed where the blind man led” (Foster, 2017). Foster is trying to make people understand how ignorant the country is. This song comes from the album Sacred Hearts Club, which was written around the time of the 2016 election. This lyric is obviously an oxymoron statement but has deeper meanings when looked at closely. This line is saying that society is not listening, hearing, or seeing what is happening around the country. Confirmation bias, only listening to what fits your views. Only watching news channels that match your beliefs. Sharing fake news articles on Facebook, because the title fits in with your opinion, whether it’s actually factual or not. All these examples fit in with this lyric. Foster the People emphasizes this line by having it sung by itself. There is a break between the lyrics before and after, making this line stand out in people’s head as they listen. Foster the People is making sure listeners realize their behavior in regards to how society currently functions.

            Their second album, Supermodel, focuses on societies obsession with celebrity and politicians. In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, Foster says:

“A lot of the record is about Western culture, consumerism and the ugly side of capitalism… One thing I find really interesting is our worship of celebrity or politicians. We love to put people on pedestals. Look at reality shows. These people become giant stars. I find that fascinating. ‘Supermodel,’ for me, represents the age we are living in” (Martens, 2014).  

It is a bit meta for a famous band to sing about fame and societies obsession with it, but that is what makes this topic more interesting. Artists with hit songs, several tours, and number one charting songs, opening up about how individuals obsess over people, can make it more relatable. Fans of Foster the People listen to this album and think about their own habits and how their obsession with their favorite celebrity could be unhealthy. Young adults look up to lead singer Mark Foster and the rest of the band, which gives them the responsibility to make their fans aware that at the end of the day they are people too. The cover of Supermodel is a drawing that is hard to decipher, even up-close. When taking a better look, the audience sees a women figure throwing up several words that form a puddle. One line in the puddle says, “Cheekbones high and fashionable / Snap! Goes the moment” (2014, March). The background of the cover is also a bunch of hands holding a camera. This enhances the idea Foster mentions about worshiping celebrity.

The idea of celebrity and obsession is not a new topic for the band. The music video for their song Houdini, on their first album Torches, gives viewers these same ideas. The video starts out on the set for a music video. The three members of the band turn into robots with blank expressions on their face, being controlled by an unknown man in the background. Impromptu choreographed dance routines are placed sporadically through the video. The video ends with an after-party for the concert. Everyone around in the audience is excited and high fiving, that no one notices the members of the band dead on the couch. This is a commentary on how the music industry tries to control artists. How artists work and work on new music and performances, but Foster the People poses the question at the end of this video: do you people really care? After the show is over, months after the album is released, do fans care? Clearly, in this video, the audience didn’t care about Foster the People after the boy band choreography and matching outfits.

            Since their start in 2009, Foster the People continues to push the boundaries on the discussion of the government and society. With songs like “Pumped Up Kicks” that discusses gun violence. “Pay the Man”, that describes how society blindly follows others. And albums like Supermodel, that show how society puts people of power on the highest pedestal, it is clear that this band has a message to share. Reaching a wide range of listeners, millennials seem to be the main audience. Foster the People willingly take the responsibility to educate this younger generation. They give them something to think about and challenge, while also giving them hope for a better future. With three albums, two tours, and another starting summer of 2018, Foster the People has more to share.

References

(2014, March). Supermodel album cover. Los Angeles, California.

Diaz, N. (2016, May 25). Foster the People's "Houdini" Video: An Extremely Detailed Breakdown. Retrieved April 17, 2018, from http://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/foster-the-peoples-houdini-video-an-extremely-detailed-breakdown-6445612

Foster, Mark. F.M. (2017). Pay the Man [Recorded by Foster the People]. On Sacred Hearts Club [MP3 file] Los Angeles, California.

Martens, T. (2014, Apr 03). The burdens of pop success. Chicago Tribune Retrieved from http://libproxy.boisestate.edu/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/1512187344?accountid=9649

Stembridge, J. (2017, May 05). Foster the People's new EP reminds us why we fell in love. Retrieved April 17, 2018, from http://www.cavalierdaily.com/article/2017/05/foster-the-peoples-new-ep-reminds-us-why-we-fell-in-love

Zaru, D. (2017, November 03). Foster talks 'Pumped Up Kicks,' gun violence. Retrieved April 17, 2018, from https://www.cnn.com/2017/11/02/politics/foster-the-people-mark-foster-pumped-up-kicks-gun-violence/index.html

                         If you've read this far, just know this was a class assignment and I got 100% on it.