SELLING . . . OUT?: The National...

SELLING . . . OUT?: The National Assn. of Recording Merchandisers is trying to raise funds to fight censorship with a series of six CD compilations called “Rock the First.”

Yet some rock activists bitterly complain that the organization, which represents the nation’s major record retailers, and the Recording Industry Assn. of America, which represents major record labels, were silent during the recent debate over Washington state’s newly enacted “erotic” music bill.

Under the law, which takes effect June 13, record store owners could face criminal charges if they sell recordings with sexually explicit lyrics to minors.

While the bill was opposed by the American Civil Liberties Union and leaders of the Seattle arts community, neither NARM nor the RIAA came out against it.

“The music industry sold rock ‘n’ roll out in Washington,” says Dave Marsh, East Coast editor of Rock and Roll Confidential, a music newsletter that has been fighting rock censorship since 1983. “The big lobbying groups that represent the major record companies are always preaching about free speech, but they didn’t even bother to oppose the bill. Seattle rock fans can now look forward to prosecution of music where there was none before.”

NARM government relations director Mickey Granberg and and RIAA state legislative affairs director Michael Cover told Pop Eye that the primary reason they did not oppose the bill was a “lack of resources.” The music industry chose instead to join film groups in successfully defeating a stricter legislative proposal, which included references to violence, they said.

But that response doesn’t sit well with Sub Pop promotions director Dave Rosencrans, whose independent Seattle-based record label helped launch Nirvana and Soundgarden.

“It really (angers) me that these big industry guys go around trumpeting free speech all the time in the media, but when it comes to fighting censorship in our community, they didn’t raise a finger to stop this bill. Musicians and retailers in our community are not happy about this at all.”