An odd British campaign has popped up this season to protest manufactured musical culture. It was expected that the #1 single in the UK for Christmas week would be a track by Joe McElderry, winner of Britain’s hugely popular TV talent Contest “The X Factor”. To protest music industry trends of pushing one bland pop band after another, music fans started a Facebook group determined to make the Rage Against the Machine’s song “Killing in the Name” the #1 single for Christmas week in the UK. Seems like they’re doing a pretty good job of it, too.

Hear Rage’s take on the whole thing here.

UPDATE

Rage Against the Machine has now announced that if their single wins, they will play a “massive free victory gig in the UK”. Saturday’s sales will determine the winner.

Song: “Pimps”

CD: Genocide and Juice

Hilarious and dark song. What if corporate CEOs bragged about their crimes via music the way that gangsta rappers do?

Website: www.myspace.com/thecoupmusic

Director: James Cameron

A sci-fi blockbuster, about a society that finds natural resources it wants, and makes war on the people who live there.  Sounds a tad familiar…

More>

By Jeremy Love

A morbid fairy tale adventure.  A young African American girl from the 1930s must brave a horrific fantasy version of the Jim Crow South.  Also available as a webcomic online at www.zudacomics.com/bayou.

Buy This Book

Air Date: December 11, 2009

Playlist: System of a Down, The Nightwatchman, Iron Maiden, The Electric Sheep, Jane’s Addiction, Jakob Dylan, Rage Against The Machine, Jimi Hendrix, Black Eyed Peas & Justin Timberlake, Tom Morello & Bruce Springsteen, M.I.A. and Aerosmith.

Download Part I: http://axisofjustice.net/audio/Axis_121109_part1.mp3

Download Part II: http://axisofjustice.net/audio/Axis_121109_part2.mp3

iTunes: Play & Subscribe

Direct Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/AOJRadioPodcast

More: Main Podcast Page

On the eve of Obama’s announcement of his escalation of the war in Afghanistan the new rock band Outernational responded with a sharp and provocative music video: “Sir No Sir” with Graphic Design by Ron Wilhelmsen. Speaking to the reality that confronts those who will fight Obama’s war, lead singer Miles Solay sings:

Your planet’s burning war and torture’s madness
Bodies burning, whole countries torn to bits
First you’re cannonfodder, now you’re accomplices
I can see the scars from your arms to your conscience

Video: www.youtube.com

Check out more from the band at www.outernational.net.

New Orleans holds a unique cultural place in the heart of America. It’s food, art, language and traditions are truly like nowhere else.  After the catastrophe of Hurricane Katrina, the survivors faced not only the terrible struggle of rebuilding their homes and their lives, but also of keeping the culture they loved from being lost in the flood waters. As activists and musicians ourselves, this plight earned our support.

Sweet Home New Orleans is a group we’ve been working with on these projects, and they just sent us this update about their efforts and successes. Learn more about their organization at the link above, send a little cash their way here and learn how else you can show support here.

From Sweet Home New Orleans:

Thanks for Helping to Rebuild our Music Community

The “Musicians Bringing Musicians Home” concert series and projects arising from the retreats organized by the Future of Music Coalition and Air Traffic Control have generated nearly $90,000 for Sweet Home New Orleans since 2006.  Through the matching campaign launched at the last concert, the total impact of these contributions rises to well over $100,000.  Many participating artists have made ongoing commitments to our effort, donating their time and energy in a variety of ways:

• Nicole Atkins, the Indigo Girls, and others have blogged about their experiences in New Orleans
• Tom Morello brought his Justice Tour to New Orleans, and recorded a piece for MTV with SHNO
• Artists including Wayne Kramer, Martin Perna, and J. Tillman, have spread the word through the radio
• OK Go recorded an EP with Bonerama in New Orleans, and shared proceeds with SHNO
• Jon Langford dedicated proceeds of sales of his visual art (pictured at right) to SHNO
• My Morning Jacket dedicated proceeds of a picture disc to SHNO
• The Indigo Girls auctioned off a chance for an audience member to join them on stage and sing a song with them (pictured below)
• Many others have returned to New Orleans for recording projects, mentioned SHNO to national press, and quietly directed resources in our direction

The musicians, Mardi Gras Indians, and Social Aid & Pleasure Club members we assist benefit every day from these activities.  With your help, we’re making steady progress in revitalizing New Orleans’ cultural community.  We have a long road ahead, but artists are gaining ground in their traditional neighborhoods and holding their own through the recession.  You can see the details in our new State of the New Orleans Music Community report at www.sweethomeneworleans.org.

We can’t thank you enough for all of your support, from linking to our website to simply talking about New Orleans while you’re on the road.  Your devotion has accelerated SHNO’s growth as an organization, and improved the lives of hundreds of people who, in the wake our country’s worst disaster, persist in making some its most powerful music.

We’d love to hear from you.  You can reach us at info@sweethomeneworeans.org or call us at 504.943.9671.

via www.enduswars.org:

“No You Can’t!” Protesters To Tell Obama at December 12  Rally

Peace Movement Groups Unite Against Obama War Escalation - Warning of Reprisals to Troop Surge

WASHINGTON DC, December 1, 2009 - More than 100 leading peace activists have announced an “Emergency Anti-Escalation Rally” at the White House on December 12, from 11a.m. to 4 p.m., to reject President Obama’s announced military escalation in Afghanistan. The rally is organized by End US Wars, a newly formed coalition of national and grass-roots antiwar organizations, with endorsements from leading peace activists.

Rally organizers are calling for the left to end its support for Obama now that he has committed to a troop surge, and to condemn and oppose Obama’s war policy. In addition, the process will begin to replace Obama with an anti-war candidate, and to remove any pro-war legislators. Protests will intensify against U.S. war involvement in Afghanistan, Iraq and any other countries.

Speakers include: Cynthia McKinney, Sen. Mike Gravel, Kathy Kelly, Chris Hedges, David Swanson, Rev. Graylan Hagler, Coy McKinney, Debra Sweet, Brian Becker, Mathis Chiroux, Lynne Williams, Hon. Betty Hall, Elaine Brower, Marian Douglas, Michael Knox, Ralph Lopez, Ron Fisher. Statements will also be read from Col. Ann Wright, Stephen Zunes and Granny D (turning 100). Jordan Page and Emma’s Revolution will be among the musical performers.

End US Wars’ “Open Letter to Obama,” posted on the website, demands that Obama keep his promise and end the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars; call a cessation of Predator drone attacks over Pakistan; and begin immediate reconstruction and recovery in war-torn regions.

Prior to the rally on Saturday, December 12 at 11 a.m. in Lafayette Park, the film “Rethink Afghanistan” will be shown Friday December 11, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Busboys & Poets, 14th and V Streets, NW, Washington, DC.

More Info: www.enduswars.org

Facebook Group: www.facebook.com