Listen and Read Friday: You Told Me Anger Was a Gift

LISTEN: "Rock & Roll Mountain Troll" by Miniature Tigers (from 2010's FORTRESS)


READ: You Told Me Anger Was a Gift

One of the first rock albums I purchased as a youngster was Rage Against the Machine's 1992 self-titled debut. Now, leaving my mid-20s, I'm writing blog posts and Reddit diatribes condemning singer Zach De La Rocha's desperate grasps at fighting for a meaningful cause. De La Rocha has always needed a cause. He'd be nobody without his angry attitude and especially without the help of one of the most innovative guitar players alive in Tom Morello. Who knows what's to blame for the timing of it all, but the State of Arizona has been assigned the arbitrary role of Zach's new-found rage.

If you asked Zach, he'd say something along the lines of what his organization's website already says:

The Sound Strike is a coalition of Artists that have committed to supporting the International Boycott of Arizona in the wake of the passage of SB 1070. These artists have made a commitment to work together to be part of a larger artist community to raise awareness and opposition to the predatory and punitive treatment of immigrants in Arizona.

In response to the increased attention the organization was getting, Charlie Levy, a Phoenix promoter who booked many Sound Strike artists (pre-strike) in Arizona, penned an open letter to the organizers of the Sound Strike last year, which you can read here. I won't repeat the points he and dozens of others have been making over the passed year, because it all has apparently fallen on closed ears. Except, when Conor Oberst decided to pipe up and respond to the letter in January, essentially saying, I know it sucks but I can't back down now.

Well, it turns out that hypocrisy is rampant everywhere - even in political activism. The boycott is meant to hurt the lawmakers "where it hurts them the most - their pocketbooks." Well, where was Zach De La Rocha or Conor Oberst to lead the boycott against California when Prop 8 was passed? What's that you say? There never was one? Human rights are less important when there is more at stake? Well, what about when Texas passes a similar law? I can tell you, they won't be boycotting the state that has the hottest indie music industry showcase in the country (SXSW). And they sure as hell won't be boycotting California, ever. Because monetary sacrifices should only be made within reason, apparently. Because you should only protest in the easiest and most self-serving way possible, apparently. And because some things are just too valuable to sacrifice, like the ability to tour through California or Texas, so we must shit on the lowest common denominator, to keep up the image of political activism. Also, we must ignore the fact that courts have blocked Arizona's controversial law, so nobody is actually actively being oppressed by it. Most likely, it will be permanently shot down by the courts.

photos with wall writing are more important

It's okay, Zach and Conor. We understand that you've put a lot of money and publicity into this cause. We also understand that SB1070 sucks. I personally agree with your statements of condemnation of the law. I even still listen to Rage songs every now and then. But I disagree strongly with your method of protest, which isolates influential artists from the most important group of people in this fight: their Arizona fans who oppose SB1070. The less artists that tour and play events here, the less support we have in our opposition to the law. Which means peace and quiet for the politicians who are responsible for it. If you don't want to contribute taxes to the state, then play for free, or do a rally here. But the Sound Strike has heard our arguments. They know our points. Yet, they carry on like we are a state full of Nazi activists. Sure, we've got a couple of those. But listen, we're trying to deal with them. Russell Pearce's position in office rests on the success or failure of multiple recall efforts currently working against him.

Recently, Charlie Levy and other Phoenix independent music industry figures, like Psyko Steve Chilton, tripped on over to Austin, TX to appear at the Sound Strike panel being held at South by Southwest. Upon our asking them for a more comprehensive help effort that didn't involve cutting off support to the most important people in this fight, the SS simply Tweeted, "Haters got schooled."

Gee, thanks.

Here we are, a fight has broken out on the playground. You're in a toe-to-toe fistfight with the big racist bully at school, and you look around for your friends to back you up. Your friend Zach has decided that the best way to help you in your fight is to say he won't be friends with the racist kid until after you win the fight yourself.

I guess this means we just roll up our sleeves, give Zach the finger, and start punching the racist.