Of any album you buy this year, this might be the most important one.
While we're all familiar with the situation in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, where 64 punks in the Sharia-controlled province were arrested and sent to "re-education camps" after a punk show, where they had their heads forcibly shaved, their clothes destroyed, and they were subjected to religious indoctrination that, to date, local authorities are still defending. And while many of us were disturbed by the acts, we did feel quite helpless about what could actually be done about it.
In the wake of this human rights violation, Michael "Mike Virus" Rothstein, former frontman for The Virus, Cheap Sex and currently of Evacuate started a discussion on his Facebook page, and within three months it turned into Aceh Calling, a 72-band compilation to benefit the punks in Aceh.
Purchasing this comp (which is available for $6) does so much. To begin with, it's an incredible comp, with bands from literally all over the world, but there's so much more to it. All of the proceeds go to Movement Records in Indonesia, to distribute to the punks in Aceh. The compilation, available worldwide as a download, is being distributed a 3-disc set in Aceh, where the punks will be able to get their hands on not only the music, but the awareness of the fact that they're not alone, and worldwide there is a scene that cares about them.
We reviewed the album recently, and also spoke with Michael "Mike Virus" Rothstein about how the comp came about, and the response he's received worldwide. Check out our full review, and learn where you can get the download.
It's all here:
Review - Aceh Calling
An Interview with Michael "Mike Virus" Rothstein
It's always refreshing when a story about punk and politics doesn't end with a bunch of punks being sent to a "re-education camp", being thrown in prison or even killed with the consent of their government, and this story out of the Great White North is one of those refreshing ones.
D.O.A. frontman Joey S**thead Keithley has announced that he's seeking a nomination for the New Democratic Party in British Columbia.
On his decision to run, Keithley issued this statement:
Obviously the aim is to get as many candidates elected and try to win the election. So that's why I'm getting into this. I want to change this world into a better place and it ain't happening with the B.C. Liberals, if you ask me.
It's not the first time Keithley has been involved in politics. In addition to D.O.A.'s political stance, most recently displayed on 2010's Talk - Action = 0, over the years he has run for the Green Party three times (finishing fifth in the 1996 election and third in 2001) and was named one of British Columbia's all time most influential people by readers of the Vancouver Sun. So it's not surprising that he would continue to forge forward with what he believes in, in more and more prominent political ways.
Photo Courtesy of Sudden Death Records
When Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon recently declined the opportunity for his band to perform at the closing ceremony for the 2012 Summer Olympics, we all assumed it was simple economics - that the band wouldn't be paid for it. And while that may be part of the equation, Lydon's recent comments to NME show much more punk cred than I have given the guy as of late. Read More...
For those of you who feel that the lineup for the 2012 Vans Warped Tour just doesn't have enough screaming for you, the full lineup for the 2012 Scream It Like You Mean It 2012 tour was announced last week.
The full lineup is as follows:
Scream It Like You Mean It 2012
Attack Attack!
We Came As Romans
The Acacia Strain
Oceano
Like Moths To Flames
Close To Home
Impending Doom
Woe, Is Me
Abandon All Ships
Secrets
Volumes
For All Those Sleeping
The Chariot
Glass Cloud
Texas In July
In Fear & Faith
At The Skylines
Hands Like Houses
Dates and venues will be announced in May.
