Even faced with seven years in prison for a political stunt pulled in the Russian Orthodox Church, feminist punks Pussy Riot shouldn't feel alone. The riot grrls' plea for the Virgin Mary to expel Vladimir Putin from the Kremlin has gained global support from musicians as varied as Madonna, Paul McCartney, Franz Ferdinand, Sting, and many others.
To show our solidarity with the balaclava-clad Russians, here are five great punk protest songs.
5. Propaghandi -- "Today's Empires, Tomorrow's Ashes."
Like a fish monger that turns rotten fish into cat food, Propaghandi realize all things change. Maybe Pussy Riot will get paroled or the Russian empire will disintegrate in the aftermath of World War III. Anyway, freedom always prevails, so hang in there, guys!
4. Authority Zero -- "Revolution"
Everyone's favorite Mesa punks nicely summed up the situation for dealing with police states: "You want a revolution? You've got to make a difference on your own. You want a revolution? Stand up, stand out and make it known." Pussy Riot have that part covered and while sitting in a jail cell isn't fun, it's sometimes the first step to change.
3. Dead Kennedys -- "Bleed For Me"
While technically about the CIA, the Dead Kennedy's horrific descriptions of being thrown in a dark room, having electrical shocks sent through your genitals and laying face down in a pool of piss could easily apply to Putin's army of secret police. Actually, it could also apply to Sheriff Joe's Gestapo-like operation right here. 2. Stiff Little Fingers -- "Suspect Device"
Jake Burns got it right when he said the government gives us "fuck all." This stuttering song reminds us that the most offensive weapon you have against the regime is yourself. Free speech is dangerous to some, as Pussy Riot have demonstrated. Keep an open mind and keep up the fight.
1. Peaches -- "Free Pussy Riot"
Pussy Riot's ordeal has set off protests around the world and no artist has captured the zeitgeist like "Fuck The Pain Away" singer Peaches. Including cameos from empathetic artists like the Knife, Lykke Li, The Hives, Nick Zinner, Miike Snow and others, "Free Pussy Riot" has become a mantra for freedom. And, as Peaches so authentically illustrates, we all have a little Pussy Riot inside of us.
