This series contains adult language and depictions of graphic violence.

Listener discretion is advised.

Mr. Snyder, thank you for being here.

Thank you for having me here.

I don't know if it's morning or afternoon.

I'll say both, good morning and good afternoon.

My name is D. Snyder, that's S-N-I-D-E-R. I have been asked to come here to present my views

on quote, the subject of the content of certain sound recordings and suggestions that recording

packages be labeled to provide a warning to prospective purchasers of sexually explicit or

other potentially offensive content unquote.

Before I get into that I like to tell a committee a little bit about myself.

I'm 30 years old, I'm married, I have a three-year-old son. I was born and raised a Christian

and I still adhere to those principles. Believe it or not, I do not drink, I do not smoke, and I do not do drugs.

I do play in and write the songs for a rock and roll band named Twisted Sister that is classified as heavy metal and I pride myself on writing songs that are

consistent with my above mentioned beliefs. There are many facets to this complex issue and time does not permit me to address all of them.

However, my feelings are expressed for the most part by the August 8th 1985 letter to the Parents Music Resource Center from Mr. Stanley Gordikoff,

President of the Recording Industry Association of America.

This letter was a formal response to the PMRC's petition of the RIAA.

The only part of this document I do not support is Mr Gordikov's unnecessary and unfortunate

decision to agree to a so-called generic label on some selected records.

In my opinion, this should be retracted. That's D. Snyder of the band Twisted Sister, testifying at a Senate hearing on the state of the music industry.

It was September 22nd, 1985, and the country had been mired in the conservative mission

...