Drowning Pool addresses song's alleged connection to Tucson shooting spree

Like Marilyn Manson and Ozzy Osbourne before, the music of the rock band Drowning Pool has been linked to a violent assault -- Saturday's (1/8) assassination attempt of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson, AZ. Giffords and 19 others were shot by a gunman; six victims died, including a 9-year-old girl.

The suspect, Jared Loughner, 22, had just one "favorite" video on his YouTube page: the song "Bodies," by the Dallas band Drowning Pool. The homemade video -- which uses "Bodies" as its soundtrack -- depicts a person, wearing a hood and a garbage bag for pants, burning an American flag.

Some media outlets reported that the song -- which the band said is about unity within a mosh pit -- can be interpreted as an aggressive ode to killing.

"We were devastated this weekend to learn of the tragic events that occurred in Arizona and that our music has been misinterpreted, again," Drowning Pool wrote in a statement on its website. "'Bodies' was written about the brotherhood of the mosh pit and the respect people have for each other in the pit. If you push others down, you have to pick them back up. It was never about violence. It's about a certain amount of respect and a code.

"We want to continue to spread positivity for the future, not dwell on negativity," the statement continued. "For someone to put out a video misinterpreting a song about a mosh pit as fuel for a violent act shows just how sick they really are. We support those who do what they can to keep America safe. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families of this terrible tragedy."

Drowning Pool had harsh words a The Washington Post reporter covering the story, arguing that not enough context was given.

"The Washington Post ran an article on "Bodies" and the Tucson shootings today (1/11)," a statement on Drowning Pool's website read. "But instead of telling the whole story, the writer decided to edit what we had to say in order to make it seem like we were somehow responsible for what happened last weekend.

"He left out some really important facts. Where did the part about us performing for the troops go? Where was the mention of us helping to pass a bill in support of our soldiers? If you want to let readers form their own opinions of who we are and what we support, include all of the info!

"We find it inappropriate to imply that our song or rock music in general is to blame for this tragic event. It is premature to make this assumption without having all the facts in the case. It is just as likely that this horrible act was caused by the irresponsible and violent rhetoric used by mainstream media outlets such as The Washington Post. Listening to Drowning Pool music does not make you a bad person. Misleading people does."

According to the Post story, the Drowning Pool song also served as the soundtrack to a double murder in 2003, when then-19-year-old Joshua Cooke listened to the tune on his headphones, walked out of his bedroom holding a 12-gauge shotgun and killed his parents.

Giffords, who was holding a meet-and-greet at a Safeway supermarket, was shot in the head. However, as of Wednesday (1/12), she was responding to commands and able to breathe on her own. Doctors now expect her to survive.