Audio By Carbonatix
Pitchfork is reporting that Rage Against The Machine singer Zack de la Rocha has secured commitments to boycott Arizona from Kanye West, Sonic Youth, Conor Oberst, Massive Attack, Rise Against, Tenacious D, Joe Satriani and others.
Word comes from his new organization, The Sound Strike which as what I am sure will be a quickly expanding list of boycotters. Cuz if there’s anything rock groups love, it’s an easily supportable cause that doesn’t require anything beyond not doing something they’re not exactly busting their asses to do anyway.
Zack writes:
“When Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat, they arrested her. As a result, people got together and said we are not going to ride the bus until they change the law. It was this courageous action that sparked the Montgomery bus boycott. What if we got together, signed a collective letter saying, ‘we’re not going to ride the bus,’ saying we are not going to comply. We are not going to play in Arizona. We are going to boycott Arizona?!”
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So much for much ado about nothing, eh, Arizona? As I’ve argued, it doesn’t take much to make artists want to boycott this state, and I honestly believe this is only the tip of the iceberg. Even if a court strikes the law down, unless Arizonans make a grand conciliatory gesture we’ll be stained by this law for years to come.
I worry that before this mess is cleaned up Arizona is only going to
have concerts featuring Toby Keith, various tribute bands and Insane Clown
Posse. Not that there’s anything wrong with that but, still, brace
yourself.
In the meantime, maybe support something positive and buy our compilation of SB 1070 protest songs from Arizona artists opposed to the bill.
