Disturbed singer David Draiman was the guest on the latest episode of Billy Corgan’s The Magnificent Others podcast, where the two rock frontmen spent much of the conversation discussing the Israel-Palestine conflict, among other political issues.
During the conversation, Draiman, who is Jewish and staunchly pro-Israel, reiterated his disdain for Roger Waters, even going so far as to say he would “punch” the pro-Palestine Pink Floyd legend if he ever came face to face with him.
Corgan brought up Draiman’s past criticism of Waters by saying, “So, let’s talk about Roger Waters for a second. I’ve worked a little bit with Roger, so I know him personally… I want to come at it from a slightly different angle because I’m curious if you have any reflection on my observation. My observation is — I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that the defining moment in Roger’s life is his father being killed in World War II. It’s in The Wall; he’s made more than one record about it. He might balk at the word ‘trauma,’ but it seems like that would be very traumatic if it happened to anybody.”
The Smashing Pumpkins mastermind continued, “And a few years back, Roger was very critical of Radiohead for playing a gig in Israel. Since then, Roger’s made some very strong statements against Israel, including to the point where he’s now estranged from at least one of his bandmates because they don’t agree with his position…. Let’s say the number [of Palestinians who’ve died in the ongoing conflict with Israel] is the 70,000 or 75,000 that the Gaza Health Ministry claims… 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.”
Draiman responded, “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. 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.”
Corgan then chimed in, “My attempt at peacemaking failed,” with Draiman retorting, “Not with that one, dude. He’s just 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.”
When pressed by Corgan as to whether he’d ever sit down with Waters to discuss their differences, Draiman said, “Absolutely. You close off and that’s the end of anything.”
Looking for more clarity, Corgan asked, “So, if Roger Waters called you tomorrow and said, ‘Let’s sit down and talk,’ you’d talk to him?,” with Draiman declaring, “I’d have to punch him first, but yeah.”
Corgan then remarked, “I thought you were a man of peace… I’m not trying to call you out as much as say that, from my perspective, the price of peace is very high.”
And Draiman concluded, “Listen, I’d be willing to sit down and have a conversation with just about anybody — except someone that can no longer be reached. And I’m very, very convinced that Roger Waters can no longer be reached.”
Update: Roger Waters has responded to David Draiman, calling him an “obnoxious little prick,” among other unpleasant names. Full details here.
In the past, Draiman has called Waters a “very sick man,” and during Disturbed’s 2023 show in Tel Aviv, Israel, he exclaimed from the stage, “Fuck Roger Waters and all the rest of his BDS [Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions] nazi assholes — every last single one of them!”
In other news, Disturbed are taking a break from touring this year, but will play two shows this summer: the Inkcarceraton Festival in Mansfield, Ohio, on July 17th, and a one-off show at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, on July 25th (pick up tickets here).
Waters, meanwhile, has launched an open audition to find a singer to front his son Harry Waters’ band for a Pink Floyd tribute tour in 2027.
Watch David Draiman’s appearance on Billy Corgan’s The Magnificent Others podcast below.
